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Lesson: Sentence Completion - 02

Sentence Completions 5-Level plan

Here’s a 5-Level approach for tackling any GRE Sentence Completion. After reviewing these Levels, you’ll apply them to two examples.

Level 1: Read the Sentence in Its Entirety

Read the sentence in its entirety just to get the gist of it. Don’t worry yet about how to fill in the blank. In this initial Level, just try to get a feel not just for the overall topic, but for the “thrust” of the sentence. Ask yourself what point the sentence as a whole is trying to make. Pay particular attention to key words that indicate the following:

Hint
A description (and whether it is favorable, unfavorable, or neutral)
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  • An opinion or point of view
  • Any change in direction
  • A conclusion
  • A comparison (pointing out a similarity)
  • ?A contrast (pointing out a difference or distinction)

Level 2: Reread the Sentence and Try Answering with Your Own Word(s)

Read the sentence again, and this time fill in the first (or only) blank with your own word(s). Sentence Completions are a bit like Problem Solving questions on the Quantitative Reasoning section: It pays to formulate your own response (solution) before you scan the answer choices. If you use this approach, you’ll have a much easier time spotting “trick” answer choices.

Level 3: Fill in the Second Blank with Your Own Word(s)

For dual-blank Sentence Completions only, fill in the second blank with your own word(s). Be sure your completion makes sense in accordance with how you completed the first blank.

Level 4: Test Each Answer Choice

Test each answer choice and eliminate the obviously wrong ones.You’re bound to find at least one or two choices that make little or no sense in the context of the sentence. Clear those away first so that you can focus your attention on the viable candidates.

Level 5: Compare the Remaining Choices and Choose the Best One

Compare the remaining choices by reading the entire sentence again, using each choice in turn. Pay close attention to whether each word is used properly and appropriately in context. If you’re still undecided, take your best guess among the viable choices and move on.

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Video Lessons and 10 Fully Explained Grand Tests

Large number of solved practice MCQ with explanations. Video Lessons and 10 Fully explained Grand/Full Tests.

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