GRE Test (Analytical Writing) 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of these is the proposition explanation for the section, as a whole? <br> The following is part of a sample prompt for the Analyze an Argument task.
- Sentence 4 defends the claim made in sentence 3
- Sentence 3 makes a claim, and sentence 4 provides a factual basis for the claim.
- Sentence 4 states a logical consequence of the fact conveyed in sentence 3 (Correct answer)
- Sentences 3 and 4 narrate historical events in chronological order. Sentence 4 states a logical consequence of the fact conveyed in sentence 3
Correct answer: Sentence 4 states a logical consequence of the fact conveyed in sentence 3
This question refers to the logical structure of an argument. When sentence 4 states a logical consequence of sentence 3, it means that if sentence 3 is true, then sentence 4 must also be true or is a direct, reasonable outcome that follows from the information in sentence 3. This relationship is often seen in analytical writing where a premise (sentence 3) leads directly to a conclusion or implication (sentence 4), forming a coherent logical flow within the argument.
Question 2: Which of the following would be a good thesis statement for an essay with this paragraph in it? <br><br> The following is a sample body paragraph for the “analyze an argument” task. <br>The argument being analyzed supports requiring undergraduate students to study abroad.
- This argument presents some interesting information, but is ultimately incoherent due to the author’s unclear stance on whether study abroad programs are beneficial.
- This argument persuasively addresses both the positive and negative aspects of requiring students to study abroad, ultimately concluding that the benefits outweigh the costs.
- This argument is interesting but also has some flaws that the author needs to address.
- This argument makes a case for the benefits of studying abroad, but does not convincingly argue that these benefits will be worth it for all students. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: This argument makes a case for the benefits of studying abroad, but does not convincingly argue that these benefits will be worth it for all students.
The paragraph is critical of the author’s argument, stating that it does not fully address problems with the need to study abroad. Thus, it is likely that the essay as a whole is also critical of the argument. This thesis statement makes a case for the overall weakness of the argument in general terms.
Question 3: What might we anticipate the paragraph quickly preceding this one to do?<br><br> The following is a sample body paragraph for the “analyze an argument” task. <br>The argument being analyzed supports requiring undergraduate students to study abroad.
- Argue that studying abroad for a semester is more expensive than staying at one’s home college, and give examples of added costs. (Correct answer)
- Argue that many study abroad programs are no more expensive than studying at home due to favorable exchange rates.
- Argue that studying abroad helps students improve language skills and broaden their cultural perspectives.
- Give examples of ways that students can increase their likelihood of obtaining a scholarship.
Correct answer: Argue that studying abroad for a semester is more expensive than staying at one’s home college, and give examples of added costs.
This question asks you to think about effective organization of paragraphs. This paragraph argues that scholarships would not be enough to cover added costs of study abroad. For this fact to be relevant, we would have to be sure that those added costs exist. Thus it would be effective for the paragraph before this one to establish this claim.
Question 4: Which of the following facts, if provided in the paragraph, might support the author's case? <br><br> The following is a sample body paragraph for the “analyze an argument” task. <br>The argument being analyzed supports requiring undergraduate students to study abroad.
- Statistics detailing what proportion of current study-abroad students received scholarships. (Correct answer)
- Statistics detailing what proportion of college students currently choose to study foreign languages.
- An example of a scholarship and the criteria that are used to select a recipient.
- A quote from a student explaining why they chose to study abroad
Correct answer: Statistics detailing what proportion of current study-abroad students received scholarships.
The author of the sample paragraph supports her argument with a claim that there will not be enough scholarships for all low-income students. This seems likely but is not supported with evidence. If the author could provide evidence that there is currently little scholarship money available for study abroad, this would support the claim.
Question 5: In this paragraph, which of the following writing strategies is not utilized to enhance the author's argument? <br><br> The following is a sample body paragraph for the “analyze an argument” task. <br>The argument being analyzed supports requiring undergraduate students to study abroad.
- paraphrase
- analogy (Correct answer)
- clear topic sentence
- varied sentence length
Correct answer: analogy
An analogy is a logical comparison between two subjects, intended to make certain features of the topic at hand more clear. The passage contains no analogies, but does contain sentences of various lengths, a topic sentence (“The author…does not fully address the impact of mandatory study abroad on students from poor backgrounds”) and a paraphrase of the original argument (“the author does state that the extra cost of studying abroad could be made up through scholarships”).
Question 6: Which of the following assertations, in the event that made within the contention being talked about, would most altogether decrease the enticement of this paragraph? <br><br> The following is a sample body paragraph for the “analyze an argument” task. <br>The argument being analyzed supports requiring undergraduate students to study abroad.
- Many students at elite universities come from wealthy families who do not suffer any hardship from paying tuition.
- Study abroad programs enhance students’ resumes and increase their chances of getting hired.
- Students who are highly intelligent and hardworking can typically succeed in getting scholarships.
- Those interested in studying abroad should apply for available scholarships as early as possible as they can help many needy students achieve their dream of studying abroad. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Those interested in studying abroad should apply for available scholarships as early as possible as they can help many needy students achieve their dream of studying abroad.
The sample paragraph suggests that scholarships are an inadequate way to cover the costs of studying abroad. To assert that students should apply for a scholarship early to help them pay for the experience undermines the persuasive stance that something more than scholarships is required to allow students to participate in a study abroad program.
Question 7: What is the reason for the opening paragraph of this passage? <br><br> The following is part of a sample prompt for the Analyze an Argument task.
- to provide an example of the harms of skipping needed medical care
- to establish the importance of healthcare assistance program by creating an analogy
- to establish the passage’s thesis that skipping medical care can lead to worse problems
- to provide support for the main point by establishing that skipping needed medical care is common (Correct answer)
Correct answer: to provide support for the main point by establishing that skipping needed medical care is common
The passage’s main point is that assistance should be provided for people who cannot afford medical care. Rather than open with this claim, the author begins by setting up a supporting point, that people who cannot afford healthcare often skip going to the doctor. This example reverses the more common practice of stating the thesis in the first paragraph. Writers sometimes try to establish a connection with the reader before presenting the main point of the argument.
Question 8: Which of these is the proposition explanation for the section, as a whole? <br> The following is part of a sample prompt for the Analyze an Argument task. <br>
- “Now, more than ever, people need assistance in taking care of their health and the health of their families.” (Correct answer)
- “Short-term care cutbacks, however, could lead to more medical problems and higher spending in the long run.”
- “In response to uncertain economic times and rising unemployment, Americans are cutting back on medical care, including doctors’ appointments, preventive tests and prescription drugs.”
- “Forgoing necessary medications to treat chronic conditions or diseases could lead to more serious complications and even hospitalization.”
Correct answer: “Now, more than ever, people need assistance in taking care of their health and the health of their families.”
The thesis of a persuasive essay is most often a statement of value or an argument about what should be done. <br> To support this claim, an author will use facts. In this passage, the author uses facts about the healthcare system to persuade the reader that there is a problem, before offering a thesis about the type of solution that is needed.
Question 9: Which of the following would be a successful thesis articulation for an exposition analyzing this argument? <br><br> The following is part of a sample prompt for the Analyze an Argument task.
- This essay ultimately is not persuasive because the author fails to justify the claim that American taxpayers can afford the added cost of assistance programs.
- The author of this essay persuasively argues that healthcare is important to Americans today.
- The author of this essay persuasively argues that many Americans skip going to the doctor when they cannot afford to do so.
- The author of this essay makes a persuasive case for government assistance by citing the harm that occurs when people do not have the resources to get the care they need. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The author of this essay makes a persuasive case for government assistance by citing the harm that occurs when people do not have the resources to get the care they need.
This sample thesis statement not only makes a claim about the value of the argument, but it also identifies what the argument author is doing (supporting assistance programs) and how the author is doing it (by citing a problem that assistance programs could solve). This thesis is specific enough without getting hung up on one part of the argument.
Question 10: Which of the following pieces of data, in the event presented in the entry, may strengthen the argument? <br><br> The following is part of a sample prompt for the Analyze an Argument task.
- a counterargument describing a situation where failing to go to the doctor for a minor medical problem resulted in cost savings
- a description of how the Kaiser Family Foundation poll was conducted
- a quote from an American voter who is undecided about prescription assistance programs
- an example of a medical condition that becomes more serious and costly if it is not treated promptly (Correct answer)
Correct answer: an example of a medical condition that becomes more serious and costly if it is not treated promptly
While the author states that forgoing treatment can cause worse problems down the road, this is not supported with evidence or examples. Most readers will believe the claim anyway, but providing an example could make the claim more persuasive and emotionally engaging.
Question 11: Which of the following studies of the argument would be most substantial in the event that made in an analysis paper? <br><br> The following is part of a sample prompt for the Analyze an Argument task.
- The author does not state whether there are any potential solutions that do not involve government assistance programs. (Correct answer)
- The author does not differentiate between diseases that do and do not become worse if untreated.
- The argument is not structured correctly because the author does not open with the thesis or use five-paragraph form.
- The author does not explain what the consequences of failing to create government assistance programs will be.
Correct answer: The author does not state whether there are any potential solutions that do not involve government assistance programs.
Overall, the passage moves from identifying a problem and providing evidence that it exists to arguing for a certain type of solution. If other types of solutions could address the problem equally well, failing to address them would be a potential weakness in the author’s line of reasoning.
Question 12: Which of the following GRE Analytical Writing scoring statements applies to this passage? <br><br> The following is a sample conclusion paragraph for an issue essay addressing this prompt:
- develops the position with logically sound reasons and/or well-chosen examples
- has severe problems in language and sentence structure that persistently interfere with meaning
- conveys ideas fluently and precisely, using effective vocabulary and sentence variety
- is weak in the use of relevant reasons or examples or relies largely on unsupported claims (Correct answer)
Correct answer: is weak in the use of relevant reasons or examples or relies largely on unsupported claims
The sample paragraph is flawed because it claims to argue for the position that corporations do not have a responsibility to society, but the reasons given do not effectively support that argument. Sentence 4 simply restates the thesis, and sentence 3 is a faulty argument because there is no reason a corporation cannot aspire to both make money and be socially responsible.
Question 13: Which of these flaws in thinking or expression do not show up within the passage? <br><br> The following is a sample conclusion paragraph for an issue essay addressing this prompt:
- lack of topic sentence (Correct answer)
- reasons provided do not support the claims
- restating information from previous paragraphs
- excessive wordiness
Correct answer: lack of topic sentence
The paragraph does contain a clear topic sentence, sentence 1. Sentence 1 also contains an example of wordy language. The three reasons provided do not support the claim because it is unlikely that being socially responsible would prevent companies from making any money. Sentence 2 states that the paragraph is simply restating points from earlier paragraphs.
Question 14: Which of the sentences within the entry is an case of circular reasoning? <br><br> The following is a sample conclusion paragraph for an issue essay addressing this prompt:
- 1
- 4 (Correct answer)
- 3
- 2
Correct answer: 4
Circular reasoning means that an author uses a particular claim as evidence for that same claim. In this case, the author uses the argument that “it is not the corporations’ job to help the society” to defend a thesis that basically says the same thing.
Question 15: Which of the following modifying strategies would make the passage more effective? <br><br> The following is a sample conclusion paragraph for an issue essay addressing this prompt:
- Give specific examples of the arguments made in sentences 3 through 5.
- Replace sentences 3 through 5 with a discussion of the opposing opinion and why it is incorrect.
- Replace sentence 1 with an attention-getting fact or example.
- Eliminate sentence 2 and replace sentences 3 through 5 with a single example that proves the author’s points. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Eliminate sentence 2 and replace sentences 3 through 5 with a single example that proves the author’s points.
Sentence 2 does not add any new information to the argument. Rather than using a conclusion paragraph to restate main ideas, it can be more effective to introduce new information that exemplifies what you are trying to say.
Question 16: Which of the following modifies would move forward sentence 1 within the passage? <br><br> The following is a sample conclusion paragraph for an issue essay addressing this prompt:
- Thus we can see that the most significant responsibility corporations have in America is to the shareholders.
- Many people believe that the most important responsibility corporations have is to the shareholders.
- As this paper has demonstrated, the key responsibility corporations have in society is to the shareholders.
- Ultimately, corporations’ top responsibility is to the shareholders. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Ultimately, corporations’ top responsibility is to the shareholders.
The paragraph as written contains unnecessary phrases like “in society” and overly formal language like “thus” that is eliminated in the rewrite. The word ultimately” is a synonym for *conclusively, which implies a summation of the previous information.
Question 17: What should the essay's following paragraph be about?
- explaining what dietary therapy is and how it works (Correct answer)
- how ADHD manifests itself in children and the signs to look for
- the benefits of behavioral therapy
- the downside to medicating a child with ADHD
Correct answer: explaining what dietary therapy is and how it works
Since the thesis statement focuses on another treatment option for ADHD, it would make the most sense if next paragraph explained that treatment option.
Question 18: What is the point of sentence 5?
- Sentence 5 provides a conclusion statement; it serves as the closing idea of the essay.
- Sentence 5 summarizes the most overlooked treatment option.
- Sentence 5 shifts the reader to consider another treatment option for ADHD; it serves as the thesis statement for the essay. (Correct answer)
- Sentence 5 serves no purpose in the paragraph and should be removed to make the paragraph better.
Correct answer: Sentence 5 shifts the reader to consider another treatment option for ADHD; it serves as the thesis statement for the essay.
The transition word however denotes a shift. In this case, a variety of treatment options are listed, and then the “however statement” suggests that the list is not complete and gives one option that may be overlooked.
Question 19: What would be a more effective approach to structure this paragraph?
- Move sentence 5 to the beginning of the paragraph.
- Combine sentences 2 and 3. (Correct answer)
- Add an example of ADHD.
- Break sentence 1 into two sentences.
Correct answer: Combine sentences 2 and 3.
Sentence 3 is an incomplete sentence and should be joined to sentence 2 with a comma.
Question 20: Which of the following facts would strengthen the author's argument if included in the essay?
- Males are three times more likely than females to be diagnosed with ADHD.
- Medications like methylphenidates and amphetamines have shown to effectively treat many of the symptoms of ADHD in 80% of cases.
- A diet high in vitamins and lean, healthy protein helps the brain make neurotransmitters, which are the chemicals released by brain cells to communicate with each other, and helps prevent surges in blood sugar that increase hyperactivity. (Correct answer)
- Treatments can help manage the symptoms of ADHD but will not cure the condition.
Correct answer: A diet high in vitamins and lean, healthy protein helps the brain make neurotransmitters, which are the chemicals released by brain cells to communicate with each other, and helps prevent surges in blood sugar that increase hyperactivity.
This fact would help to support the idea that diet and nutrition can play a role in managing ADHD symptoms.
Question 21: In this paragraph, which of the following writing techniques is not employed to strengthen the author's argument?
- use of facts or statistics
- use of an anecdote (Correct answer)
- clear thesis statement
- supporting sentences
Correct answer: use of an anecdote
An anecdote is a short “story” that connects ideas for a reader or draws them in to help them make a connection to a topic. This paragraph does not include an anecdote.
Question 22: Which sentence within the entry is the proposal statement? <br><br> The following is a sample opening paragraph based on an essay prompt asking test takersto develop a position on the statement “Governments should offer a free university educationto any student who has been admitted to a university but who cannot afford the tuition.”
- 2
- 6
- 1
- 7 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 7
Sentence 7 is the only statement in the passage that states a clear opinion on the central question of whether governments should offer free college education. In this sample paragraph, the author does not open with the thesis statement but with background information that encourages the reader to support it.
Question 23: Within the paragraphs that take after this presentation, we might anticipate the creator to do all of the taking after except: <br><br> The following is a sample opening paragraph based on an essay prompt asking test takers to develop a position on the statement “Governments should offer a free university education to any student who has been admitted to a university but who cannot afford the tuition.”
- Provide more detail about why and how the idea of public high school became accepted (Correct answer)
- Provide evidence for the claim that people from poor backgrounds currently lack access to college.
- Provide examples of careers and opportunities that currently require a college education.
- Address the issue of costs to taxpayers.
Correct answer: Provide more detail about why and how the idea of public high school became accepted
In this essay, we might expect the author to address common counterarguments such as the idea that taxpayer-funded college education is too expensive and to provide evidence for central claims. The focus of the essay prompt and opening paragraph are on college and why it should be free, not on high school and how the idea of publicly funded education became acceptable
Question 24: Which of the following potential changes would most altogether progress the passage? <br><br> The following is a sample opening paragraph based on an essay prompt asking test takers to develop a position on the statement “Governments should offer a free university education to any student who has been admitted to a university but who cannot afford the tuition.”
- Edit sentence 5 to remove repetitious phrasing. (Correct answer)
- Edit sentence 6 to provide more detail.
- Edit sentence 7 to make the argument clearer
- Edit sentence 1 to state the main idea of the essay
Correct answer: Edit sentence 5 to remove repetitious phrasing.
The phrase “our world of today in the twenty-first century” is repetitive and could be shortened to just “Today.” In a short essay, it is important for each word to contribute to the main argument.
Question 25: Which of the following is not a conceivable counterargument that the author should consider within the body of the essay? <br><br> The following is a sample opening paragraph based on an essay prompt asking test takers to develop a position on the statement “Governments should offer a free university education to any student who has been admitted to a university but who cannot afford the tuition.”
- People in the early nineteenth century did not need high school since most worked on farms or in factories (Correct answer)
- Scholarships and student loans can provide college access to poor students.
- Government can afford to pay for public high school, but not college as well
- College is much less essential than high school for general knowledge and career success.
Correct answer: People in the early nineteenth century did not need high school since most worked on farms or in factories
The claim that people in earlier times did not need high school is not a true counterargument to the thesis. Since the author is arguing that times have changed and college is now important enough that people need access, the notion that times have changed and education has become more important might actually support the argument. The other three answer choices, if true, would substantially weaken the author’s argument.
GRE Test (Analytical Writing) 1
Which of these is the proposition explanation for the section, as a whole?
The following is part of a sample prompt for the Analyze an Argument task.