Mastering Sentence Equivalence of GRE Verbal Reasoning

Sentence equivalence questions are set to evaluate the level of understanding through given sentence with a blank space to be filled. One must choose two options synonymous to each other instead of choosing just one answer option to put into the blank space. It is very important to keep in mind that when put the choices into the blank space, each answer option should create a logical sentence regarding another. Besides, both complete sentences with 2 choices given should have the same meaning. There are a total of six answer options for each sentence equivalence question. The examinee receives no credit for partially correct answers by making one choice/option corrected. So, sentence equivalence questions are to be dealt with keen attention with stipulated strategies:

Read to Anticipate

Reading is the first step to start the journey through sentence equivalence regarding a pair of words. The given question is to be read entirely at the beginning with a view to yielding a concise conception which triggers to find a pair of words predicted as hints to fill the blank making appropriate sense.

Remark the Relevancy

One should remark the relevancy to eliminate the irrelevant choices which cannot make any sense to fit the blank. Moreover, it helps anyone to find the pair to be selected and the pair to be eliminated which makes the way easy to step onward. For example, if the sentence denotes anyone with an amiable relationship to other then the sentence never indicates anything polemical or harsh between them. One of the most effective GRE sentence equivalence tips is to keep in mind is to look for words and phrases that reveal the meaning or tone of a sentence. It’s easier for anyone to choose the most appropriate answer options when they grasp the overall meaning of a sentence.

Match the Meaning

In sentence equivalence, there are two correct answers which are about to be synonymous. So one can impose a strategy to plug each choice assumed as correct answers in the blank with a view to getting two sentences and checking the meaning of the sentences whether they mean the same or not i.e. match the meaning of 2 sentences with 2 synonymous/similar words.

Value the Vocabulary

Vocabularies are to be enriched to predict the relevant and right words to fill the blank synonymously. Vocabulary is the versatility by which verbal section can attain the elegant vivacity. One has to value the vocabs by regular practice and application with a view to making sense to fill the blank with correct answers having the same meaning. Synonyms and word roots should be emphasized to deal with vocabularies in questions of sentence equivalence.

Detection of Directives

In sentence equivalence, one can encounter words or phrases in the given passages functioning as directives by giving synonymous or antonymous signals to go in forward or reverse direction respectively where logical and coherent sentences are constructed to show the way onward. The proper prediction efficacy is dependent on the detection of the directives.

·     Forward Direction  

The directives drive the question in a forward direction without any shift in meaning with synonymous vibes linked with blank, apposition, portions presented to show cause and effect e.g: indeed, and, consequently, given that, because, as a result of, since, therefore etc. So, when one gets such forward directives then they should choose the choices having same meaning/vibe given by the first clause/portion before the directives exampled.  

·      Backward Direction

A reverse ambiance is set which enables us to predict the word to be adapted to the transition of a sentence in a backward direction. The directives drive the sentence in such direction with shifts in meaning with antonymous vibes linked with blank, reverse apposition, a shift in time and perception, portions presented to reflect the reverse position e.g.: but, however, albeit, although, on the other hand, in spite of, in lieu of etc. So, when one gets such backward directives then they should choose the choices having confliction in meaning/vibe given by the first clause/portion before the directives exampled. It is to be noted that the reverse or negative direction can be forwarded or modified in a positive direction in presence of notes of negative assertions (e.g.: no, not, doesn’t, never etc.) set adjacent to the option words.

Eliminate to Elucidate

One needs to eliminate irrelevant & illogical answer choices and extra words and lines. Elimination of the extraneous information with respect to the urge of the blanks constructs a simplified synopsis. It helps to deal with the gist maintaining a smart sense of test time.  Firstly, the supporting information is to be eliminated on the basis of importance and then we can have our prediction from the synopsis. Even, if we can not predict a word for the blank we can match and plug the answer choices in the blank to judge the message given the passage on the basis of relevancy, compatibility, and signals of directives. The irrelevant and absurd choices are to be eschewed asap and select the words that are stipulated to fit the blank.

Polarity of Perception

The context or synopsis of the question’s message and information gives a polarized perception and visualization which is whether positive or negative in vibe. The clarification of the positivity or negativity reflected aids to predict the sensible word to represent the blank and to eliminated the choices having opposite meaning of anticipation. So, the blank contains a word with positive vibes with respect to the positive ambiance of the sentence and so for negative environments.

Underscore the Unknown 

There is no negative marking in the GRE test. So we do not need to be afraid to select any answer choice to fill the blank but we need to be more concerned with the words we know properly. We use this clear knowledge dealing with the questions where the unknown words may be the correct answers for the blanks left as remaining after the process of reading, perception, elucidation, and elimination. The proper knowledge of parts of speech to deal with the vocabs correctly is an urge here. We can also get helped by the word roots which help us to differentiate between positive and negative ambiance. The unknown with difficulties is so underscored to deal with ascending confidence.

Practice premises to pace the navigation

·      My Study Notebook (www.mystudynotebook.com): A website to practice and test in a customized way in computer with comprehensive explanations aiding to build logical thinking capability in a gradual way of lively lessons.

·      ETS Power Prep II: A software provided by ETS to have free practice tests to prepare for the computer-delivered GRE general test excelling perpetually.

·      GRE 5 lb Manhattan Prep: The books gives 2000+ realistic practice problems in book and online to get the vibe of cracking any event and argument with logic and critical thinking.

The intuitive sense to insert the instant pair of words with a relevant imagination is to set to start the journey by sentence equivalence with the process of entire reading to anticipate, remarking the relevancy with matching the meaning, elucidating the process of elimination, valuing the vocabs,  concerning about signal words of directions in an efficient way through GRE verbal reasoning.