GRE Test Questions and explanations for Sentence completion

Directions: Each sentence below has one or two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath each sentence you will find five words or sets of words. Choose the word or set of words such that it forms a meaningful sentence.

There are, as yet, no vegetation types or ecosystems whose study has been -------- to the extent that they no longer --------- ecologists.
(A) Perfected.. Hinder.
(B) Exhausted.. Interest.
(C) Prolonged.. Require.
(D) Prevented.. Challenge.
(E) Delayed.. Benefit.

Explanation:

The question refers to vegetation types or ecosystems, and to the extent they have been studied.

(A) There is no question of vegetation types or ecosystems hindering or preventing ecologists from studying them. Perfecting the study of vegetation types and ecosystems does not hinder ecologists.

(B) The underlying contrast in the sentence is clearly brought out by the idea that there are no ecosystems whose study has been exhausted or completed freely that they are no longer of any interest to ecologists.

(C) If the study of ecosystems has been prolonged then the study would likely continue. Therefore it is incorrect to say that further study of ecosystems do not require ecologists.

(D) If the study of ecosystems has been prevented by some means or the other they do present a challenge to ecologists.

(E) It is illogical to say that the study of vegetation types or ecosystems benefits ecologists. It is difficult to imagine how delaying the study of vegetation types or ecosystems will no longer benefit ecologists.

The correct answer is option B.

Percent correctly answered: 81.

Under ethical guidelines recently adopted by the National Institutes of Health, human genes are to be manipulated only to correct diseases for which -------- treatments are unsatisfactory.
(A) Similar.
(B) Most.
(C) Dangerous.
(D) Uncommon.
(E) Alternative.

Explanation:

The National Institute of Health has adopted ethical guidelines regarding manipulation of human genes. The human genes are to be manipulated only to correct diseases for which certain kinds of treatment are unsatisfactory. What these treatments are is the question.

(A) If treatments similar to those based on manipulation of human genes are unsatisfactory then there is no point in trying to correct diseases this way.

(B) If most treatments are unsatisfactory then at least some treatments are satisfactory. Therefore these satisfactory treatments may be used to correct diseases.

(C) To state that dangerous treatments are unsatisfactory implies that dangerous treatments could well be satisfactory. The phase dangerous treatments are a contradiction in terms. What is dangerous cannot be a treatment.

(D) To state that uncommon treatments are unsatisfactory would mean common treatments are satisfactory then there is no need to manipulate human genes to correct diseases.

(E) If alternative or other types of treatments are unsatisfactory, then manipulation of genes could be allowed.

The correct answer is option E.

Percent correctly answered: 77.

It was her view that the country's problems had been -------- by foreign technocrats, so that to invite them to come back would be counterproductive.
(A) Foreseen
(B) Attacked
(C) Ascertained
(D) Exacerbated
(E) Analyzed.

Explanation:

The question refers to the country's problems. To call foreign technocrats back who had been in the country before, according to the author would be counterproductive. This implies that the foreign technocrats had not solved the countries problems. Then they did the opposite.

(A) If the country's problems had been foreseen by foreign technocrats then they had foresight to see these problems. This does not warrant a negative statement against the foreign technocrats.

(B) If the country's problems had been attacked by the foreign technocrats then they must have tried to solve them. They could be invited back.

(C) If the foreign technocrats have ascertained what the countries problems were then they would be expected to have some idea of countries problems. To state that they should not be invited back does not make sense.

(D) If the foreign technocrats had excoriated or worsened the countries problems than than improving the situation then calling those foreign technocrats would certainly be counterproductive.

(E) To analyze is to separate into parts in order to understand. If the foreign technocrats had analyzed the countries problems then that is not necessary a reason why they should not be called back.

The correct answer is option D.

Percent correctly answered: 70.

The actual ---------- of Wilson's position was always ------- by his refusal to compromise after having initially agreed to negotiate a settlement.
(A) Outcome.. Foreshadowed.
(B) Logic.. Enhanced.
(C) Rigidity.. Betrayed.
(D) Uncertainty.. Alleviated.
(E) Cowardice.. Highlighted.

Explanation:

Wilson always refused to compromise after initially agreeing to negotiate a settlement. Therefore Wilson's position was actually and always uncompromising in nature or behavior. This phrase can be placed in the first blank.

(A) Outcome is not the equivalent of an uncompromising stance. To speak of the outcome of Wilson's position as though it is a cause is meaningless. If the actual out come was foreshadowed it could not be his refusal to compromise. Refusal to compromise is Wilson's final stance not a foreshadowing of his final stance.

(B) Agreeing to negotiate a settlement and invariably refusing to compromise do not enhance or increase the logic of Wilson's position. It makes it absurd.

(C) Wilson initially agreed to negotiate indicating that he is willing to reach a settlement. Invariably, though he refused to compromise. This consistently uncompromising behavior betrayed or showed the rigidity, inflexibility or the uncompromising nature of Wilson's position. It showed the actual Wilson.

(D) While Wilson's actual position may have been uncertain and therefore he could have been uncompromising, his position could not have been alleviated or lightened by his refusal to compromise.

(E) Refusal to compromise does not necessarily highlight cowardice.

The correct answer is option C.

Percent correctly answered: 28.