Text Completion
What is Text Completion?
Text Completion questions test your ability to understand how a passage should be completed using words or short phrases. You'll need to fill in 1-3 blanks to create a coherent, meaningful whole.
- 30% of Verbal section
- Passages range from 1-5 sentences
- 1-3 blanks per question
- 5 answer choices per blank
- For 2-3 blank questions, you must get ALL blanks correct to earn credit
What Text Completion Tests
Vocabulary in Context
Understanding nuanced word meanings and how they function within complex sentences.
Logical Reasoning
Following the logical flow of complex passages and predicting what comes next.
Reading Comprehension
Grasping the overall meaning and intent of academic-level writing.
Context Clues
Using surrounding words and phrases to determine the meaning of unfamiliar terms.
Essential Strategies
1. Read the Entire Passage First
Don't jump to the answer choices immediately. Read through the complete passage to understand the overall meaning, tone, and direction before attempting to fill in any blanks.
2. Predict Your Own Answer
Before looking at the answer choices, come up with your own word or phrase that would fit logically in the blank. This prevents you from being influenced by incorrect choices.
Example: "The scientist's findings were ___ by later research." Your prediction might be "contradicted" or "disproven."
3. Look for Signal Words
Pay attention to transition words and conjunctions that indicate the relationship between ideas:
- Contrast: however, but, although, despite, nevertheless, yet
- Support: and, moreover, furthermore, additionally, similarly
- Cause/Effect: because, therefore, thus, consequently, hence
- Example: for instance, such as, specifically, namely
4. Use Process of Elimination
Eliminate answers that don't make logical or grammatical sense. Cross out choices that create contradictions or don't fit the tone and style of the passage.
5. For Multi-Blank Questions, Start with the Easiest Blank
Don't feel obligated to fill blanks in order. Start with whichever blank has the clearest context clues, then use that answer to help determine the other blanks.
6. Check Your Complete Answer
After selecting all blanks, read the entire sentence with your choices filled in. Does it make logical sense? Does it maintain a consistent tone? If not, reconsider your selections.
Common Passage Patterns
Contrast Pattern
The passage establishes one idea, then contrasts it with an opposite or different idea.
"Although the politician claimed to be ___(i)___ spending, his voting record showed he consistently supported ___(ii)___ budgets."
Look for: Words like "although," "despite," "however," "but"
Support Pattern
The passage provides evidence or examples that support a main point.
"The artist's work was ___ throughout the gallery, with paintings and sculptures displayed in every room."
Look for: Words like "and," "moreover," "similarly," "likewise"
Cause and Effect Pattern
One event or condition leads to another outcome.
"Because the drought was so ___, many farmers faced ___ crop yields."
Look for: Words like "because," "therefore," "consequently," "as a result"
Restatement Pattern
The passage says the same thing in two different ways, often separated by a semicolon or colon.
"The professor's lectures were ___; students often found his explanations unclear and confusing."
Look for: Semicolons, colons, or phrases like "in other words," "that is"
Expert Tips
- ✓Don't overthink it. The correct answer should make the passage clear and logical, not overly complex.
- ✓Watch out for trap answers. Some choices may be real words that sound sophisticated but don't fit the context.
- ✓Consider tone and register. Formal passages require formal vocabulary; conversational passages use everyday language.
- ✓Time management: Spend about 1-1.5 minutes per question. If stuck, eliminate obvious wrong answers and make your best guess.
- ✓Build vocabulary daily. Use our 43-day GRE vocabulary program to strengthen your word knowledge.
Ready to Practice?
Now that you understand the strategies, it's time to apply them with practice questions.