2-GRE Verbal Session 2

GRE Verbal Session 2
RC Session 2 + Other Verbal Questions + Vocabulary Session 2
Reading Comprehension
O.C.T.A.V.E. Application … Contd …
A guaranteed formula for 100% success on GRE RC
Passage 1
Of Homer’s two epic poems, the Odyssey has always Select ALL that apply:
been more popular than the Iliad, perhaps because it
includes more features of mythology that are 2. The author suggests that the variety of
accessible to readers. Its subject (to use Maynard incidents in the Odyssey is likely to deter the
Mack’s categories) is “life-as-spectacle,” for readers, reader from
diverted by its various incidents, observe its hero A. concentrating on the poem’s mythological
Odysseus primarily from without; the tragic Iliad, features
however, presents “life-as-experience”: readers are B. concentrating on the psychological states of the
asked to identify with the mind of Achilles, whose poem’s central character
motivations render him a not particularly likable
C. accepting the poem’s scheme of divine justice
hero. In addition, the Iliad, more than the Odyssey,
suggests the complexity of the gods’ involvement in
3. The passage is primarily concerned with
human actions, and to the extent that modern
readers find this complexity a needless A. distinguishing arguments
complication, the Iliad is less satisfying than the B. applying classifications
Odyssey, with its simpler scheme of divine justice. C. initiating a debate
Finally, since the Iliad presents a historically D. resolving a dispute
verifiable action, Troy’s siege, the poem raises
historical questions that are absent from the E. developing a contrast
Odyssey’s blithely imaginative world.
Select ALL that apply:
4. It can be inferred from the passage that a
1. The author uses Mack’s “categories” most reader of the Iliad is likely to have trouble
probably in order to identifying with the poem’s hero for which of
the following reasons?
A. indicate Mack’s importance as a commentator on
the Iliad and the Odyssey A. The hero can be observed by the reader only
from without.
B. suggest one way in which the Iliad and the
Odyssey can be distinguished B. The hero’s emotions often do not seem appealing
to the reader.
C. point out some of the difficulties faced by
readers of the Iliad and the Odyssey C. The hero’s emotions are not sufficiently various
to engage the reader’s attention.
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Passage 2
When literary periods are defined on the basis 5. It can be inferred from the passage that
of men’s writing, women’s writing must be the author views the division of
forcibly assimilated into an irrelevant grid: a literature into periods based on men’s
Renaissance that is not a renaissance for writing as an approach that
women, a Romantic period in which women A. makes distinctions among literary periods
played very little part, a modernism with which ambiguous
women conflict. Simultaneously, the history of B. is appropriate for evaluating only
women’s writing has been suppressed, leaving premodern literature
large, mysterious gaps in accounts of the
development of various genres. Feminist C. was misunderstood until the advent of
criticism is beginning to correct this situation. feminist criticism
Margaret Anne Doody, for example, suggests D. provides a valuable basis from which
that during “the period between the death of feminist criticism has evolved
Richardson and the appearance of the novels of E. obscures women’s contributions to
Scott and Austen,” which has “been regarded as literature
a dead period,” late-eighteenth-century women
writers actually developed “the paradigm for 6. The author quotes Doody most probably
women’s fiction of the nineteenth century— in order to illustrate
something hardly less than the paradigm of the A. a contribution that feminist criticism can
nineteenth-century novel itself.” Feminist critics make to literary criticism
have also pointed out that the twentieth-century
B. a modernist approach that conflicts with
writer Virginia Woolf belonged to a tradition
women’s writing
other than modernism and that this tradition
surfaces in her work precisely where criticism C. writing by a woman which had previously
has hitherto found obscurities, evasions, been ignored
implausibilities, and imperfections. D. the hitherto overlooked significance of
Scott’s and Austen’s novels
E. a standard system of defining literary
periods
Select in Passage:
7. Select the sentence in the passage that

describes how the period between
Richardson’s death and Scott’s and Austen’s
novels has traditionally been regarded by
critics.
Passage 3
Although Victor Turner’s writings have proved Select ALL that apply:
fruitful for fields beyond anthropology, his
definition of ritual is overly restrictive. Ritual, he 8. According to the passage, which of the
says, is “prescribed formal behavior for following does Turner exclude from his
occasions not given over to technological conception of ritual?
routine, having reference to beliefs in mystical A. Celebrations whose purpose is play
beings or powers.” “Technological routine” B. Routines directed toward practical ends
refers to the means by which a social group
provides for its material needs. Turner’s C. Festivals honoring supernatural beings
differentiating ritual from technology helps us
recognize that festivals and celebrations may 9. The passage suggests that an assumption
have little purpose other than play, but it underlying Turner’s definition of ritual
obscures the practical aims, such as making is that
crops grow or healing patients, of other rituals. A. anthropological concepts apply to other
Further, Turner’s definition implies a necessary fields
relationship between ritual and mystical beliefs. B. festivals and ceremonies are related cultural
However, not all rituals are religious; some phenomena
religions have no reference to mystical beings; C. there is a relationship between play and
and individuals may be required only to practical ends
participate in, not necessarily believe in, a ritual.
D. rituals refer to belief in mystical beings or
Turner’s assumption that ritual behavior
powers
follows belief thus limits the usefulness of his
definition in studying ritual across cultures. E. mystical beings and powers have certain
common attributes across cultures
10. The author of the passage believes each

of the following concerning rituals:
A. Some are intended to have practical
consequences.
B. Some have no purpose other than play.
C. They sometimes involve reference to
mystical beings.
11. Which of the following best describes the

organization of the passage?
A. Factual data are presented and a hypothesis
is proposed.
B. A distinction is introduced then shown not to
be a true distinction.
C. A statement is quoted, and two assumptions
on which it is based are clarified.
D. A definition is challenged, and two reasons
for the challenge are given.
E. An opinion is offered and then placed within
a historical framework.
Passage 4
It has been commonly accepted for some time Select ALL that apply:
now that certain scenes in Shakespeare’s
Macbeth are interpolations from the writing of 14. Which CANNOT be inferred from the
another author; act III, scene 5, and parts of passage?
act IV, scene 1, have been determined to be A. The example of interpolation discussed in the
the writing of one of his contemporaries, passage would be illegal today.
Thomas Middleton. This can be regarded as B. Authors and playwrights in Shakespeare’s time
both illuminating and problematic, depending might have recruited assistance when
composing their works.
upon how the play is being studied. It allows us
C. Shakespeare used Middleton’s writing without
to infer a great deal about the conventions and his consent.
practices of writing for the stage at the time. For
example, playwriting may have been more 15. In the passage, the two boldface
collaborative than previously thought, or statements play which of the following
perhaps Elizabethan notions of plagiarism were roles?
different from ours. While historically A. The first explains a concept, and the second
significant, this does complicate our presents an example of that concept.
interpretation of the characters in the play. It is B. The first presents an example of the main subject
more difficult to assess authorial intention of the passage, and the second is a conclusion
with regard to a character’s motives if the based on that example.
text has been redacted by multiple authors. C. The first states the conclusion of the argument as
a whole, and the second provides support for
Select ALL that apply: that conclusion.
D. The first provides evidence for a conclusion that
the passage as a whole opposes, and the second
12. Select the statement or statements that
presents the objection to that conclusion.
are correct according to the passage.
E. The first states the primary conclusion of the
A. The author feels that Shakespeare is guilty of
passage, and the second states the secondary
plagiarism.
conclusion.
B. The interpolations found in plays such as
Macbeth make the assessment of authorial
intention more straightforward.
C. Our current understanding of plagiarism may
have arisen after Shakespeare’s time.
13. Which of the following could aid in the

further study of the interpolations
discussed in the above passage?
A. an investigation into the existence and
prevalence of collaborative writing partnerships
during Shakespeare’s time
B. an examination of the themes and techniques of
other writers contemporary with Shakespeare
C. a search through legal documents of
Shakespeare’s time for references to plagiarism
or intellectual property rights
Passage 5
Woodrow Wilson was referring to the liberal idea of the 17. The primary purpose of the passage is to
economic market when he said that the free enterprise A. criticize the inflexibility of Americans’ strong
system is the most efficient economic system. belief in the idea of the free enterprise
Fascination with this ideal has made Americans defy the economic system
“Old World” categories of settled possessiveness versus B. contrast “Old World” and “New World”
unsettling deprivation, the cupidity of retention versus economic ideologies
the cupidity of seizure, a “status quo” defended or
C. question the integrity of a political leader
attacked. The United States, it was believed, had no
status quo ante. Our only “station” was the turning of a D. support those Americans whom the author
stationary wheel, spinning faster and faster. We did not deems to be neglected and propose ways to
base our system on property but opportunity—which improve their situation
meant we based it not on stability but on mobility. The E. suggest a substitute for the traditional
more things changed, that is, the more rapidly the metaphor of a race
wheel turned, the steadier we would be. The
conventional picture of class politics is composed of the 18. In the context of the passage, the expression
Haves, who want a stability to keep what they have, and “a piece of the action, as it were, for the
the Have-Nots, who want a touch of instability and disenfranchised” most probably means:
change in which to scramble for the things they have
A. a compassionate legislative measure
not. But Americans imagined a condition in which
speculators, self-makers, runners are always using the B. an example of Americans’ acceptance of
new opportunities given by our land. These economic profound social change
leaders (front-runners) would thus be mainly agents of C. an innovative program for genuine social reform
change. The nonstarters were considered the ones who D. a monument to the efforts of industrial
wanted stability and a strong referee to give them some reformers
position in the race, a regulative hand to calm manic E. the government’s insufficient attempts at trying
speculation; an authority that can call things to a halt,
to even the playing field for those at the bottom
begin things again from compensatorily staggered of the pyramid
“starting lines.”
Reform in America has been sterile because it can 19. Which of the following best expresses the
imagine no change except through the extension of this author’s main point?
metaphor of a race, wider inclusion of competitors, a
piece of the action, as it were, for the A. Americans’ pride in their jobs continues to give
them stamina today.
disenfranchised. There is no attempt to call off the
race. Since our only stability is change, America seems B. The absence of a status quo ante has
not to honor the quiet work that achieves social undermined United States economic structure.
interdependence and stability. The worst part is that, in C. The free enterprise system has been a very
our legends, there is no heroism of the office clerk or popular system in the United States.
admiration for the stable industrial workforce of the D. The popular belief of Americans in the
people who actually make the system work. There is no effectiveness of the free enterprise system is
pride in being an employee (Wilson asked for a return flawed.
to the time when everyone was an employer). There has
E. Fascination with the ideal of “openness” has
been no boasting about our social workers—they are
made Americans sympathetic to the people who
merely signs of the system’s failure, of opportunity
are not part of the economic race.
denied or not taken, of things to be eliminated. We have
no pride in our growing interdependence, in the fact
that our system can serve others, that we are able to More than one answers may be correct:
help those in need; empty boasts from the past make
us ashamed of our present achievements, make us try 20. It can be inferred from the passage that
to forget or deny them, move away from them. There is Woodrow Wilson’s ideas about the economic
no honor but, in the Wonderland, race we are all market
expected to all run, all trying to win, none winning in A. encouraged those who, according to the author,
the end (for there is no end). make the system work
B. propagated and continued the traditional beliefs
16. SELECT IN PASSAGE: as to why Americans think they are so
Choose the sentence in the passage that asserts successful in the first place
that attempts at amelioration of the economic C. began a tradition of the proclamation of the
disparity in the United States in the past have not most effective economic system in America
helped those who have not been able to exploit the
full benefits of the economic race.
Passage 6
Extraordinary creative activity has been characterized as 21. The author implies that Beethoven’s music
revolutionary, flying in the face of what is established was strikingly original because Beethoven
and producing not what is acceptable but what will
A. strove to outdo his predecessors by becoming the
become accepted. According to this formulation, highly
first composer to exploit limits
creative activity transcends the limits of an existing form
and establishes a new principle of organization. B. fundamentally changed the musical forms of his
However, the idea that extraordinary creativity predecessors by adopting a richly inventive strategy
transcends established limits is misleading when it is C. embellished and interwove the melodies of several
applied to the arts, even though it may be valid for the of the great composers who preceded him
sciences. Differences between highly creative art and D. manipulated the established conventions of musical
highly creative science arise in part from a difference in composition in a highly innovative fashion
their goals. For the sciences, a new theory is the goal
E. attempted to create the illusion of having
and end result of the creative act. Innovative science
transcended the musical forms of his predecessors
produces new propositions in terms of which diverse
phenomena can be related to one another in more
coherent ways. Such phenomena as a brilliant diamond
or a nesting bird are relegated to the role of data,
22. The passage supplies information for
serving as the means for formulating or testing a new
answering which of the following questions?
theory. The goal of highly creative art is very different:
the phenomenon itself becomes the direct product of A. Did Beethoven work within a musical tradition that
the creative act. Shakespeare’s Hamlet is not a tract also included Handel and Bach?
about the behavior of indecisive princes or the uses of B. Is Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro an example of a
political power; nor is Picasso’s painting Guernica creative work that transcended limits?
primarily a propositional statement about the Spanish C. Does anyone claim that the goal of extraordinary
Civil War or the evils of fascism. What highly creative creative activity in the arts differs from that of
artistic activity produces is not a new generalization that extraordinary creative activity in the sciences?
transcends established limits, but rather an aesthetic
particular. Aesthetic particulars produced by the highly
23. The author regards the idea that all highly
creative artist extend or exploit, in an innovative way,
creative artistic activity transcends limits
the limits of an existing form, rather than transcend that
with
form.
A. deep skepticism
This is not to deny that a highly creative artist B. strong indignation
sometimes establishes a new principle of organization C. marked indifference
in the history of an artistic field; the composer
D. moderate amusement
Monteverdi, who created music of the highest aesthetic
value, comes to mind. More generally, however, whether E. sharp derision
or not a composition establishes a new principle in the
history of music has little bearing on its aesthetic worth. Select ALL that apply:
Because they embody a new principle of organization,
some musical works, such as the operas of the 24. The author implies that an innovative
Florentine Camerata, are of significant historical scientific contribution is one that
importance, but few listeners or musicologists would A. is cited with high frequency in the publications of
include these among the great works of music. On the other scientists
other hand, Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro is surely B. does not relegate particulars to the role of data
among the masterpieces of music even though its
C. introduces a new valid generalization
modest innovations are confined to extending existing
means. It has been said of Beethoven that he toppled
the rules and freed music from the stifling confines of
convention. But a close study of his compositions
reveals that Beethoven overturned no fundamental
rules. Rather, he was an incomparable strategist who
exploited limits—the rules, forms, and conventions that
he inherited from predecessors such as Haydn and
Mozart, Handel and Bach—in strikingly original ways.
Passage 7
Ragtime is a musical form that synthesizes folk melodies Select ALL that apply:
and musical techniques into a brief quadrille-like
structure, designed to be played—exactly as written— 25. According to the passage, which of the
on the piano. A strong analogy exists between European following is a characteristic of ragtime
composers like Ralph Vaughan Williams, Edvard Grieg, compositions that follow the classic ragtime
and Anton Dvorak who combined folk tunes and their formula:
own original materials in larger compositions and the A. syncopation
pioneer ragtime composers in the United States.
B. rising rhythmic-melodic intensity
Composers like Scott Joplin and James Scott were in a
sense collectors or musicologists, collecting dance and C. a bass line distinct from the melodic line
folk music in Black communities and consciously
shaping it into brief suites or anthologies called piano 26. It can be inferred from the passage that the
rags. essential nature of ragtime has been
obscured by commentaries based on
It has sometimes been charged that ragtime is A. the way ragtime music was first recorded
mechanical. For instance, Wilfred Mellers comments, B. interpretations of ragtime by jazz musicians
“rags were transferred to the pianola roll and, even if
C. the dance fashions that were contemporary with
not played by a machine, should be played like a
ragtime
machine, with meticulous precision.” However, there is
no reason to assume that ragtime is inherently D. early reviewers’ accounts of characteristic structure
mechanical simply because commercial manufacturers E. the musical sources used by Scott Joplin and James
applied a mechanical recording method to ragtime, the Scott
only way to record pianos at that date. Ragtime’s is not
a mechanical precision, and it is not precision limited to 27. Which of the following is most nearly
the style of performance. It arises from ragtime’s analogous in source and artistic character to
following a well-defined form and obeying simple rules a ragtime composition as described in the
within that form. passage?
A. Symphonic music derived from complex jazz motifs
The classic formula for the piano rag disposes three to
B. An experimental novel based on well-known
five themes in sixteen-bar strains, often organized with
cartoon characters
repeats. The rag opens with a bright, memorable strain
or theme, followed by a similar theme, leading to a trio C. A dramatic production in which actors invent scenes
of marked lyrical character, with the structure concluded and improvise lines
by a lyrical strain that parallels the rhythmic D. A ballet whose disciplined choreography is based on
developments of the earlier themes. The aim of the folk-dance steps
structure is to rise from one theme to another in a stair- E. A painting whose abstract shapes evoke familiar
step manner, ending on a note of triumph or objects in a natural landscape
exhilaration. Typically, each strain is divided into two 8-
bar segments that are essentially alike, so the rhythmic-
melodic unit of ragtime is only eight bars of 2/4
measure. Therefore, themes must be brief with clear,
sharp melodic figures. Not concerned with development
of musical themes, the ragtime composer instead sets a
theme down intact, in finished form, and links it to
various related themes. Tension in ragtime compositions
arises from a polarity between two basic ingredients: a
continuous bass—called by jazz musicians a boom-chick
bass—in the pianist’s left hand, and its melodic,
syncopated counterpart in the right hand.
Ragtime remains distinct from jazz both as an

instrumental style and as a genre. Ragtime style
stresses a pattern of repeated rhythms, not the constant
inventions and variations of jazz. As a genre, ragtime
requires strict attention to structure, not inventiveness
or virtuosity. It exists as a tradition, a set of conventions,
a body of written scores, separate from the individual
players associated with it. In this sense ragtime is more
akin to folk music of the nineteenth century than to jazz.
Q. 28 to 31: Select one correct answer for each blank.
28. The (i) _______ of the committee’s review was shocking to someone who, until now, had been (ii)
_______ by her advisors.
29. Although never one to (i) _______ life’s pleasures, only recently had Paul devoted himself entirely to
(ii) _______ pursuits. In years past, Paul had adeptly balanced his love of fine wine and women with
(iii) _______ career.
30. Considered one of his most (i) __________________ works, Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor has a certain (ii)
_______________________ in Western culture because of its incomplete status at the time of his death, and
many (iii) ______________________ stories have arisen surrounding it; unfortunately, the truth is lost to
us.
Blank (i) Blank (ii) Blank (iiii)
ignominious obscurity fraudulent
inconspicuous indifference apocryphal
famous mystique verified
31. Although fairy tales and legends may seem impossibly unrealistic, these stories nevertheless can
(i) ___________ maturing children to face their fears and strive for something beyond themselves.
However, it might also be opined that the exaltation of romantic heroes and their (ii)___________
quests will inevitably (iii)__________ an unrealistic and impractical view of the world in our children,
ultimately hindering their development.
Blank (i) Blank (ii) Blank (iii)
admonish puerile catechize

galvanize vacuous inculcate
enjoin quixotic annotate
Q. 32 to 35: Select the two answer choices that, when used to complete the sentence, fit the meaning of
the sentence as a whole and produce completed sentences that are alike in meaning. You get marks only
if you get both answers right.
32. The proposed measure to __________ the management team’s plans to move the company toward a
more environmentally conscious posture is likely to be rejected by the board; ever since Rodriguez
assumed the role of board president last year, the board has demonstrated a particular bent for
environment-friendly action.
A. alter
B. scotch
C. back
D. foil
E. fund
F. endorse
33. Under any normal circumstance, a __________ disposition would be considered condemnable; there
are occasions, however, when aggressive action represents the only acceptable alternative.
A. truculent
B. reticent
C. recalcitrant
D. begrudging
E. conciliatory
F. bellicose
34. His tendency toward egoism was reinforced by his decision to only associate with those who would
__________ him.
A. coddle
B. excoriate
C. aggrandize
D. impugn
E. lionize
F. ostracize
35. One would hesitate to call Raymond’s argument __________, even if it did put forth some convincing
claims.
A. incommutable
B. inconsequential
C. indisputable
D. insensate
E. intolerant
F. invincible
Vocabulary
Discussion
CONFLAGRATION Ant PACIFY
Distinguish, Celebrate
Syn Ennoble Syn (placate):
Holocaust Elevate Appease, assuage, allay,
Arson Aggrandize alleviate
Incendiary Lionize Conciliate, reconcile
Pyromania Soothe
Inferno ARBITER Mollify
Quell
Syn (firebrand leader) Syn (mediator) Palliate
Demagogue Adjudicator
Rabble-rouser Appraiser Ant (aggravate):
Insurgent Moderator Exasperate
Subversive, seditious Arbitrator irk, vex, nettle, rile
instigator, inciter Intervener Incense, infuriate
Pique
VILIFY Syn (Authority) Rankle
SYN (grouped) Pundit, Savant
Disparage, Denigrate, Connoisseur, Cognoscente, PROPHETIC
Denounce, Derogate, Decry Gourmet, Epicure
Censure, Condemn, Contemn, Aesthete Syn (predictive)
Calumniate Maestro, Virtuoso, Prodigy Prescient
Slander, Sully, Smear, Adept Prognostic
Stigmatize, Slur Apocalyptic
SANGUINE Augural
SYN (specialized) Adumbrative
Impugn, Inveigh Syn:
Revile Buoyant Syn (foretell)
Pillory Upbeat Prophesy
Malign Vivacious, vibrant Prognosticate
Libel Sprightly Augur
Traduce Resolute Presage, Portend
Vituperate Jovial Harbinger
Asperse Genial Forebode
DEGRADE Ant (pessimistic): Syn (ORACLE)

Cynical Sibyl
Syn Bleak Cassandra
Demean, debase, abase Lugubrious Seer
Degenerate Disenchanted Diviner
Atrophy Dismal Soothsayer
Mortify Clairvoyant
Discredit Chiromancer
Haruspex
SOPORIFIC
Syn
Somnolent
Sedative
Tranquillizing
Narcotic
Opiate
Somniferous
Ant:
Invigorating
Revitalizing, reviving,
rejuvenating
Galvanizing
Exhilarating
Vivifying
Fortifying
OMINOUS
Syn:
Menacing, minatory
Dire
Baleful
Sinister
Portentous
Unpropitious
Ant
Felicitous
Auspicious, Apt, Apropos
Providential
Opportune
Propitious
ARID
Syn (dry)
Parched, scorched
Desert, desolate
Barren
Infertile, sterile
Desiccated
Ant (fertile)
Fecund
Prolific
Proliferating
Fructuous
Productive
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2-GRE Verbal Session 2

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2-GRE Verbal Session 2

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GRE Verbal Session 2

RC Session 2 + Other Verbal Questions + Vocabulary Session 2

7. Select the sentence in the passage that

Select ALL that apply:

10. The author of the passage believes each

11. Which of the following best describes the

Select ALL that apply:

13. Which of the following could aid in the

Ragtime remains distinct from jazz both as an

admonish puerile catechize

DEGRADE Ant (pessimistic): Syn (ORACLE)

1000 Words … Quiz from the next 150 words (151-300)

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