Test - GRE-Reading Comprehension

Select one answer choice from the given options.

1

The most commonly used words are the ones evolving the most slowly, say researchers. In one of the papers, Harvard University researchers investigated the evolution of English verb conjugations across 1,200 years while the Reading University researchers reviewed cognates (words sounding similar in different languages carrying the same connotation) to discover how all Indo-European tongues have evolved from a common ancestor.

Researchers first examined some 210 words in 87 Indo-European languages. They then narrowed their focus to their usage frequency in four Indo-European languages-English, Spanish, Greek and Russian. They found that they were used at similar rates even if the synonymous words were not cognates. The high frequency words in Spanish are the same as the high frequency English. That indicated that we could come up with an Indo-European frequency of use.

The Harvard researchers studied the roots of English, tracing verb conjugations in the language from 1,200 years ago to its current form. Across time, several past tense forms of verbs have died out in English and now only one persists as a rule: adding -ed to the verb-ending. Research on grammatical texts from Old English catalogued all the irregular verbs. Among them: the still irregular sing / sang, go / went. After calculating their usage frequency, researchers determined that the words that evolved most quickly into regular forms were used less than others. In fact, given two verbs, if one was used 100 times less frequently than others, it would evolve 10 times faster than them. They predict that the past tense of wed will regularize from wed to wedded in near future.

The primary purpose of the passage is to

discuss the usage frequency of common words in four different Indo-European languages

convey the point that we are still uncertain about the origins of some words used in Indo-European languages

inform the reader about new research with regard to differential linguistic evolution

inform the reader about the controversy surrounding a particular issue in linguistic research

drive home the idea that within linguistic research, certain issues are still unresolved

Select one or more choices from the given options.

2

The most commonly used words are the ones evolving the most slowly, say researchers. In one of the papers, Harvard University researchers investigated the evolution of English verb conjugations across 1,200 years while the Reading University researchers reviewed cognates (words sounding similar in different languages carrying the same connotation) to discover how all Indo-European tongues have evolved from a common ancestor.

Researchers first examined some 210 words in 87 Indo-European languages. They then narrowed their focus to their usage frequency in four Indo-European languages-English, Spanish, Greek and Russian. They found that they were used at similar rates even if the synonymous words were not cognates. The high frequency words in Spanish are the same as the high frequency English. That indicated that we could come up with an Indo-European frequency of use.

The Harvard researchers studied the roots of English, tracing verb conjugations in the language from 1,200 years ago to its current form. Across time, several past tense forms of verbs have died out in English and now only one persists as a rule: adding -ed to the verb-ending. Research on grammatical texts from Old English catalogued all the irregular verbs. Among them: the still irregular sing / sang, go / went. After calculating their usage frequency, researchers determined that the words that evolved most quickly into regular forms were used less than others. In fact, given two verbs, if one was used 100 times less frequently than others, it would evolve 10 times faster than them. They predict that the past tense of wed will regularize from wed to wedded in near future.

Each of the following can be reasonably inferred from the passage EXCEPT:

The past tense verb form of eat should become eated instead of ate earlier than cost becomes costed in future.

Several irregular verbs have been regularized over time and the same trend is most likely to continue.

The Spanish and English languages share several common features.

Select one answer choice from the given options.

3

The most commonly used words are the ones evolving the most slowly, say researchers. In one of the papers, Harvard University researchers investigated the evolution of English verb conjugations across 1,200 years while the Reading University researchers reviewed cognates (words sounding similar in different languages carrying the same connotation) to discover how all Indo-European tongues have evolved from a common ancestor.

Researchers first examined some 210 words in 87 Indo-European languages. They then narrowed their focus to their usage frequency in four Indo-European languages-English, Spanish, Greek and Russian. They found that they were used at similar rates even if the synonymous words were not cognates. The high frequency words in Spanish are the same as the high frequency English. That indicated that we could come up with an Indo-European frequency of use.

The Harvard researchers studied the roots of English, tracing verb conjugations in the language from 1,200 years ago to its current form. Across time, several past tense forms of verbs have died out in English and now only one persists as a rule: adding -ed to the verb-ending. Research on grammatical texts from Old English catalogued all the irregular verbs. Among them: the still irregular sing / sang, go / went. After calculating their usage frequency, researchers determined that the words that evolved most quickly into regular forms were used less than others. In fact, given two verbs, if one was used 100 times less frequently than others, it would evolve 10 times faster than them. They predict that the past tense of wed will regularize from wed to wedded in near future.

Which of the following is an accurate representation of the structure of this passage?

The author states a point and discusses pieces of evidence gathered by two different sets of researchers, which converge.

The author proposes a point and then talks about two different sets of researchers who have opposite points of view, and in the end, tries to reconcile their findings.

The author discusses the work of two sets of researchers, leaving the pertinent question unanswered by the end.

The writer addresses a significant issue with the help of scattered evidence collected from different branches of knowledge.

The writer poses a question and tries to answer it with the help of available evidence.

Select one or more choices from the given options.

4

But even as consumers became more confident about spending money on health care last year, the report found that a divide is developing between those with medical conditions that can be treated with cheap generic drugs, and those with rare and often more serious diseases that can come with breathtaking price tags.

Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about the treatment of rare and serious diseases?

Treatment of rare and serious diseases most often requires non-generic drugs.

Generic drugs are often efficacious in treating rare and serious diseases.

Generic drugs may not be available for treating rare and serious diseases.

Select one answer choice from the given options.

5

The process of learning to read is very complicated indeed... Everybody knows from self-observation that there are several kinds of reading, some of which proceed without understanding. When I read proofs with the intention of paying special attention to the letters and other symbols, the meaning of what I am reading escapes me to such a degree that I require a second perusal for the purpose of correcting the style. lf, on the other hand, I read a novel, which holds my interest, I overlook all misprints and it may happen that I retain nothing of the names of the persons figuring in the book except for some meaningless feature, or perhaps the recollection that they were long or short, and that they contained an unusual letter such as x or z. Again, when l have to recite... l am in danger of caring too little about the meaning, and as soon as fatigue sets in I am reading in such a way that the listener can still understand, but I myself no longer know what I have been reading.

Which of the following best states the author's main point?

Reading for learning is a complex exercise, and not all reading leads to true learning.

We read differently for different purposes and tend to focus on one purpose at a time.

While all reading generally has a purpose, not all reading leads to comprehension.

Proof reading and recitation do not involve any understanding.

Not all reading needs retention of detail though no reading is meaningless.

Select one answer choice from the given options.

6

An essay is a thing which someone does himself; and the point of the essay is not the subject but the charm of personality. It must concern itself with something smelt, heard, seen, perceived, invented, thought, but the essential thing is that the writer shall have formed his own impression, and that it shall have taken shape in his own mind; and the charm of the essay depends upon the charm of the mind that has conceived and recorded the impression. It will be seen, then, that the essay need not concern itself with anything definite. It need conform to no particular rules.

Montaigne is the first writer who wrote what may technically be called essays. His pieces are partly autobiographical, partly speculative. But the roots of his writings lie far back in literary history. He owed a great part of his inspiration to Cicero, who treated abstract topics in a conversational way with a romantic background; and this he owed to Plato, whose dialogues undoubtedly contain the germ of both the novel and the essay. Plato's dialogues would be essays but for the fact that they have a dramatic coloring, while the essence of essay is soliloquy. But in the writings of Cicero the dramatic interest is but slight. Probably Cicero fed the needs of so-called thoughtful readers by dallying, in a fashion which it is hardly unjust to call twaddling. Montaigne is ashamed of recording nothing that interested him; and a certain discreet shamelessness must always be the characteristic of the essayist, for the essence of his art is to say what has pleased him without too prudently considering whether it is worthy of the attention of the well-informed mind.

The passage states that if which of the following elements is removed, Plato's dialogues could transform into essays?

Select one answer choice from the given options.

7

An essay is a thing which someone does himself; and the point of the essay is not the subject but the charm of personality. It must concern itself with something smelt, heard, seen, perceived, invented, thought, but the essential thing is that the writer shall have formed his own impression, and that it shall have taken shape in his own mind; and the charm of the essay depends upon the charm of the mind that has conceived and recorded the impression. It will be seen, then, that the essay need not concern itself with anything definite. It need conform to no particular rules.

Montaigne is the first writer who wrote what may technically be called essays. His pieces are partly autobiographical, partly speculative. But the roots of his writings lie far back in literary history. He owed a great part of his inspiration to Cicero, who treated abstract topics in a conversational way with a romantic background; and this he owed to Plato, whose dialogues undoubtedly contain the germ of both the novel and the essay. Plato's dialogues would be essays but for the fact that they have a dramatic coloring, while the essence of essay is soliloquy. But in the writings of Cicero the dramatic interest is but slight. Probably Cicero fed the needs of so-called thoughtful readers by dallying, in a fashion which it is hardly unjust to call twaddling. Montaigne is ashamed of recording nothing that interested him; and a certain discreet shamelessness must always be the characteristic of the essayist, for the essence of his art is to say what has pleased him without too prudently considering whether it is worthy of the attention of the well-informed mind.

The passage suggests which of the following about Montaigne and his approach to writing essays?

His essays are solely focused on autobiographical elements and lack speculative aspects.

His essays are influenced by Cicero, who introduced a dramatic coloring to the genre.

His essays adhere strictly to defined rules, shaping the narrative within particular constraints.

Select one answer choice from the given options.

8

An essay is a thing which someone does himself; and the point of the essay is not the subject but the charm of personality. It must concern itself with something smelt, heard, seen, perceived, invented, thought, but the essential thing is that the writer shall have formed his own impression, and that it shall have taken shape in his own mind; and the charm of the essay depends upon the charm of the mind that has conceived and recorded the impression. It will be seen, then, that the essay need not concern itself with anything definite. It need conform to no particular rules.

Montaigne is the first writer who wrote what may technically be called essays. His pieces are partly autobiographical, partly speculative. But the roots of his writings lie far back in literary history. He owed a great part of his inspiration to Cicero, who treated abstract topics in a conversational way with a romantic background; and this he owed to Plato, whose dialogues undoubtedly contain the germ of both the novel and the essay. Plato's dialogues would be essays but for the fact that they have a dramatic coloring, while the essence of essay is soliloquy. But in the writings of Cicero the dramatic interest is but slight. Probably Cicero fed the needs of so-called thoughtful readers by dallying, in a fashion which it is hardly unjust to call twaddling. Montaigne is ashamed of recording nothing that interested him; and a certain discreet shamelessness must always be the characteristic of the essayist, for the essence of his art is to say what has pleased him without too prudently considering whether it is worthy of the attention of the well-informed mind.

Which of the following, if true, would most seriously weaken the assertion made in the passage concerning the nature of an essay and its connection to the writer's personality?

Many essays written by renowned authors hardly adhere to established rules and guidelines, and focus on personal impressions.

Some essays, considered classics in the literary canon, have been criticized for lacking charm and personality, with the writers failing to form their own unique impressions.

The most celebrated essays throughout history have emphasized the importance of effective communication while composing essays.

In interviews, successful essayists often express that the primary goal of their writing is to convey objective information rather than showcasing their own personal charm or impressions.

The appeal of certain essays is attributed not only to the writer's unique perspective but also to their adept adherence to rigid rules.

Number	Status	Marked
1	Not answered
2	Not answered
3	Not answered
4	Not answered
5	Not answered
6	Not answered
7	Not answered
8	Not answered

GRE-Reading Comprehension - 10