GRE Critical Reading and Inference Questions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage states: 'The committee approved the proposal only after the board's reservations were formally withdrawn.' What can be inferred?
- The board originally had objections to the proposal (Correct answer)
- The committee opposed the proposal
- The proposal was rejected
- The board never reviewed the proposal
Correct answer: The board originally had objections to the proposal
'Reservations were withdrawn' implies the board previously held objections.
Question 2: An author writes that a theory 'enjoyed brief popularity before being eclipsed by more rigorous models.' The word 'eclipsed' most nearly means:
- Overshadowed and replaced (Correct answer)
- Confirmed
- Illuminated
- Restored
Correct answer: Overshadowed and replaced
'Eclipsed by more rigorous models' indicates the theory was overshadowed and superseded.
Question 3: A reading passage describes a policy as 'ostensibly neutral but functionally discriminatory.' This suggests the author believes the policy:
- Appears fair but produces unequal effects (Correct answer)
- Is openly biased in its wording
- Treats everyone identically in practice
- Was never actually implemented
Correct answer: Appears fair but produces unequal effects
'Ostensibly neutral but functionally discriminatory' contrasts appearance with real unequal effect.
Question 4: If a passage notes that 'critics dismissed the work, yet it now appears on every required-reading list,' the author most likely intends to highlight:
- A reversal in the work's reputation over time (Correct answer)
- The unchanging hostility toward the work
- The critics' enduring influence
- The work's continued obscurity
Correct answer: A reversal in the work's reputation over time
The contrast between past dismissal and present required status shows a reversal in reputation.
Question 5: A sentence reads: 'Far from being a setback, the delay gave researchers time to refine their methods.' The author's attitude toward the delay is:
- Positive, viewing it as beneficial (Correct answer)
- Strongly critical
- Indifferent
- Regretful
Correct answer: Positive, viewing it as beneficial
'Far from being a setback' reframes the delay as advantageous.
Question 6: In a passage, an economist argues that consumer confidence 'tends to lag behind, rather than predict, actual recovery.' This implies confidence is best understood as:
- A trailing indicator that follows recovery (Correct answer)
- A reliable forecast of future growth
- Irrelevant to economic cycles
- The primary cause of recovery
Correct answer: A trailing indicator that follows recovery
'Lag behind rather than predict' means confidence trails recovery rather than forecasting it.
Question 7: A passage concludes: 'Whatever its flaws, the census remains the most comprehensive demographic record available.' The author's main point is that the census is:
- Valuable despite its imperfections (Correct answer)
- Completely without weaknesses
- Useless for demographic study
- Soon to be discontinued
Correct answer: Valuable despite its imperfections
'Whatever its flaws... remains the most comprehensive' concedes weakness while affirming value.
GRE Critical Reading and Inference Questions 2
A passage states: 'The committee approved the proposal only after the board's reservations were formally withdrawn.' What can be inferred?