GRE Critical Reading and Inference Questions 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage states that a novelist 'subordinates plot to atmosphere.' This means the novelist:
- Prioritizes mood over storyline (Correct answer)
- Ignores setting entirely
- Writes only fast-paced narratives
- Avoids description
Correct answer: Prioritizes mood over storyline
To 'subordinate plot to atmosphere' is to make mood more important than storyline.
Question 2: An author notes a finding was 'replicated across independent laboratories.' The most reasonable inference is that the finding is:
- More credible and reliable (Correct answer)
- Likely fraudulent
- Limited to one site
- Purely theoretical
Correct answer: More credible and reliable
Independent replication strengthens a finding's reliability and credibility.
Question 3: A passage describes an argument as 'circular.' This indicates the argument:
- Assumes the very conclusion it tries to prove (Correct answer)
- Covers many topics
- Is highly persuasive
- Uses extensive evidence
Correct answer: Assumes the very conclusion it tries to prove
A circular argument presupposes its conclusion among its premises.
Question 4: If a writer states that 'the reforms were cosmetic,' the writer implies the reforms:
- Made only superficial changes (Correct answer)
- Transformed the system completely
- Were beautifully designed
- Were never proposed
Correct answer: Made only superficial changes
'Cosmetic' reforms change only the surface, not the substance.
Question 5: A passage reads: 'Though hailed as revolutionary, the device merely automated an existing manual process.' The author suggests the device was:
- Less original than its reputation implied (Correct answer)
- Entirely useless
- A genuine breakthrough
- Impossible to operate
Correct answer: Less original than its reputation implied
'Though hailed as revolutionary... merely automated' undercuts the device's claimed originality.
Question 6: An author writes that a historian's account is 'meticulously sourced yet curiously bloodless.' The criticism implied is that the account is:
- Well-documented but lacking vitality (Correct answer)
- Poorly researched
- Overly emotional
- Factually inaccurate
Correct answer: Well-documented but lacking vitality
'Meticulously sourced yet curiously bloodless' praises documentation while faulting its lifelessness.
Question 7: A passage notes that 'the senator's silence on the issue spoke volumes.' This implies her silence was:
- Meaningful and revealing (Correct answer)
- Accidental
- Legally required
- Universally praised
Correct answer: Meaningful and revealing
'Silence spoke volumes' means the absence of comment was itself significant.
GRE Critical Reading and Inference Questions 3
A passage states that a novelist 'subordinates plot to atmosphere.' This means the novelist: