The Ultimate Guide to GRE Reading Comprehension Passages Practice Questions

The GRE Reading Comprehension section is an essential component of the Graduate Record Examination. It assesses your ability to read, understand, and analyze complex academic texts. To succeed in this section, it's crucial to practice with high-quality questions that mirror the exam's format and difficulty level.

The Best GRE Reading Comprehension Passages | Practice Questions

by Jon Taffer

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5309 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	222 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE

In this guide, we provide you with a comprehensive collection of GRE Reading Comprehension practice questions, covering different text types, question formats, and difficulty levels. Each question is meticulously crafted to help you master the skills and strategies required to excel in the exam.

Types of GRE Reading Comprehension Passages

The GRE Reading Comprehension passages fall into three primary categories:

• Literary Narrative: These passages present stories or excerpts from literary works, such as novels, short stories, or plays.
• Argumentative: These passages present arguments and evidence to support a particular viewpoint or opinion.
• Informative: These passages provide factual information on a specific topic, such as history, science, or social sciences.

GRE Reading Comprehension Question Formats

The GRE Reading Comprehension questions come in three main formats:

1. Multiple Choice: You are presented with a question and four possible answer choices, only one of which is correct.
2. Select-in-Passage: You are required to identify a specific part of the passage that answers the question.
3. Quantitative Comparison: You are given two passages and asked to compare and contrast information from them to answer the question.

GRE Reading Comprehension Practice Questions

Now that you are familiar with the types of passages and question formats, let's dive into some practice questions.

Passage 1: Literary Narrative

"The old man stood on the deck of the ship, his face weathered and his hair white as snow. He had spent his life at sea, braving storms and navigating treacherous waters. Now, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an ethereal glow upon the ocean, he felt a sense of contentment wash over him. He had lived a full and adventurous life, filled with both triumphs and heartbreaks. But as he watched the stars twinkle above him, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. He had never found the treasure he had always dreamed of."

1. Multiple Choice: What is the primary emotion experienced by the old man in the passage?

Contentment RegretExcitement Nostalgia

2. Select-in-Passage: Identify the sentence in the passage that best supports the answer to question 1.

3. Quantitative Comparison: Compare the emotions experienced by the old man in the passage with those of a young sailor who has just embarked on his first voyage.

Passage 2: Argumentative

"The recent surge in smartphone usage has had a profound impact on our daily lives. While smartphones offer undeniable conveniences, they also pose significant risks to our privacy. By tracking our location, monitoring our online activity, and collecting vast amounts of personal data, smartphones allow corporations and governments to build detailed profiles of our lives. This information can be used to manipulate our behavior, target us with personalized advertisements, and even track our movements. As we become increasingly reliant on smartphones, it is essential that we consider the potential privacy risks they entail."

4. Multiple Choice: What is the main argument presented in the passage?

Smartphones enhance our privacy by providing access to information. Smartphones pose significant risks to our privacy due to data collection.Smartphones should be banned to protect our personal data. Smartphones have no impact on our privacy.

5. Select-in-Passage: Identify the sentence in the passage that most clearly states the author's stance on smartphone privacy.

6. Quantitative Comparison: Compare the arguments presented in the passage with those of a person who believes that the benefits of smartphones outweigh the privacy risks.

Passage 3: Informative

"The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world, stretching over 2,300 kilometers along the coast of Australia. It is home to an astonishing array of marine life, including over 1,500 species of fish, 400 species of coral, and countless invertebrates. The Great Barrier Reef is a vital ecosystem, providing food and shelter for many marine organisms and supporting a thriving tourism industry. However, the reef is facing significant threats from climate change, pollution, and overfishing. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this precious natural wonder."

7. Multiple Choice: What is the approximate length of the Great Barrier Reef?

1,500 kilometers 2,300 kilometers400 kilometers 1,000 kilometers

8. Select-in-Passage: Identify the sentence in the passage that describes the economic importance of the Great Barrier Reef.

9. Quantitative Comparison: Compare the size of the Great Barrier Reef with that of other major coral reef systems in the world, such as the Florida Keys Reef.

Tips for Answering GRE Reading Comprehension Questions

• Read Actively: Engage with the passage by highlighting key points, making notes, and understanding the author's purpose.
• Preview the Questions: Before reading the passage, skim the questions to get a general understanding of what information you need to look for.
• Eliminate Incorrect Choices: In multiple choice questions, eliminate options that are clearly incorrect or irrelevant to the question.
• Focus on Supporting Evidence: Always refer back to the passage to find specific text evidence to support your answers.
• Practice Regularly: The more you practice, the more familiar you will become with the types of questions and strategies required for success.

Mastering GRE Reading Comprehension is crucial for achieving a high score on the exam. By practicing with high-quality questions, such as those provided in this guide, you can develop the skills and confidence necessary to tackle the challenging passages and questions on test day. Remember to read actively, preview the questions, eliminate incorrect choices, focus on supporting evidence, and practice regularly. With dedication and hard work, you can achieve your desired GRE Reading Comprehension score and advance your graduate school aspirations.

The Best GRE Reading Comprehension Passages | Practice Questions

by Jon Taffer

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5309 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	222 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE