GRE Verbal Reasoning Mixed Drill Quiz Quiz

Sharpen your verbal skills with five GRE-style multiple-choice questions covering critical reading, vocabulary, text completion, and sentence equivalence. This quiz is designed to simulate the format and concepts featured in the GRE Verbal Reasoning section, helping you practice for exam success.

1. Reading Comprehension — Inference

   Based on the passage: 'Despite the mayor’s ambitious environmental policies, residents observed little improvement in air quality over the following year,' what can be logically inferred?

   1. The city’s air quality worsened dramatically.
   2. The residents benefited from cleaner air.
   3. Environmental policies were not implemented at all.
   4. The mayor’s policies did not lead to significant air quality improvement.

   Explanation: The passage states that little improvement was observed, implying the policies did not result in significant changes. It does not say residents benefited from cleaner air, so that option is not supported. It is clear some policy was enacted, so suggesting that policies were not implemented is incorrect. The passage only mentions little improvement, not a dramatic worsening, ruling out the last option.

2. Text Completion — Vocabulary

   Although many considered the film predictable, a few critics praised its _____, citing unexpected plot twists as evidence.

   1. banality
   2. novelty
   3. mediocrity
   4. tedium

   Explanation: Critics praised the film for unexpected plot twists, so 'novelty,' meaning freshness or originality, fits best. 'Banality' and 'tedium' both suggest dullness or boredom, which contradicts unexpected twists. 'Mediocrity' refers to something average and does not capture the idea of originality. Only 'novelty' aligns with the context provided.

3. Sentence Equivalence

   The scientist was _____ in her field, regarded by her peers as both a pioneer and a mentor to younger researchers.

   1. redundant
   2. recalcitrant
   3. perfunctory
   4. preeminent

   Explanation: Being called a pioneer and a mentor suggests high status, so 'preeminent,' meaning distinguished or leading, is correct. 'Perfunctory' relates to doing things with minimal effort, which is inappropriate. 'Redundant' means unnecessary repetition, and 'recalcitrant' refers to stubborn resistance, neither of which describe the positive standing implied in the sentence.

4. Critical Reasoning

   If all the books in a library are coded by genre and a random book is found in the science section, which of the following must be true?

   1. The book is a work of fiction.
   2. The book is uncatalogued.
   3. The book is categorized as science.
   4. The book belongs to the history section.

   Explanation: Given that every book is sorted by genre, finding one in the science section means it is categorized as science. There is no mention of it being fiction or belonging to history, so those options cannot be assumed. The book is placed in a section, so it is not uncatalogued. Only the first option logically follows from the provided information.

5. Vocabulary — Word Usage

   If a chef is known for her 'meticulous' approach to cooking, how would her kitchen likely be described?

   1. Orderly and precise
   2. Chaotic and cluttered
   3. Noisy and boisterous
   4. Careless and rushed

   Explanation: 'Meticulous' describes someone who pays close attention to detail, so her kitchen would be 'orderly and precise.' 'Chaotic and cluttered,' 'noisy and boisterous,' and 'careless and rushed' all imply lack of organization or attention, which would contradict a meticulous nature. Therefore, the first option is the right one.