Mock Test for GRE - 5 Free MCQ Practice Test with Solutions

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 1

Directions: After reading the passage, read and respond to the questions that follow by selecting the best choice for each one.
(1) The Opium Convention of 1912, where a treaty was signed by China, Britain and ten other countries to prohibit opium use and trade, marked the start of the still-ongoing international effort to control the consumption of addictive-drugs through prohibition. The idea that opium was dangerous to both individual and societal well-being was a consequence of the popular but erroneous perception that unrestrained opium trade by Britain in the nineteenth-century had reduced the once-great Chinese civilization to an emaciated and hopeless population of opium addicts smoking themselves to death.
(2) Opium was the most effective painkiller known to mankind before the discovery of modern medicines and had been imported into China for this medicinal property since the seventh century. With their better means of production that resulted in higher yields, the British traders supplied much more opium to China than the country had hitherto imported, thereby bringing the price of opium down to where even the poor Chinese could afford its regular consumption. This facilitated opium becoming a commonly-used panacea against the symptoms of a wide number of ailments and diseases. Medicinal use of opium also increased concurrently in Asia, the Middle East and Europe and the drug remained popular till modern medicines became cheaply available in the twentieth century. During the nineteenth century, the per capita consumption of opium was much greater in Britain than in China, but the British users did not suffer adverse effects on either their health or longevity. Moreover, there is ample evidence that most users of opium, including the Chinese, used it in moderation and only occasionally, such as when in pain.
(3) The implementation of the 1912 treaty in China led to the public humiliation and imprisonment of tens of thousands of ordinary opium users. As most of these users were already ill, some with contagious diseases, the crowded prison cells became the breeding grounds of epidemics and had high mortality. Further, opium could now be obtained only in black market; scarcity and illegality made it expensive. A search for cheaper alternatives led most opium users to morphine and heroin, psychoactive substances that were much more addictive and were deleterious to health. The prohibition thus proved to be a cure that was worse than the disease.
Q. According to the passage, with which of the following statements are the countries trying to decrease the consumption of addictive drugs most likely to agree?

A. The best way to counter an increase in the consumption of addictive drugs is to stop trying to regulate their trade and use.
B. Some addictive drugs are benign as they serve as the poor man’s substitute for expensive medicines.
C. Public humiliation of the users of addictive drugs is a proven way to discourage other people from trying those drugs.
D. Eliminating the general availability of addictive drugs is an effective strategy to reduce their use.
E. Making an addictive drug scarce and illegal paradoxically increases its national consumption.

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 1

The countries trying to decrease the consumption of addictive drugs are mentioned in the first paragraph ("… a treaty was signed by China, Britain and ten other countries to prohibit opium use and trade, marked the start of the still-ongoing international effort to control the consumption of addictive-drug through prohibition.").

So, we know that, unlike the author of the passage, these countries believe in the power of prohibition (of drug use and trade) in controlling the consumption of addictive-drugs.

Let us analyze the options one by one.

A. This option is incorrect. "To stop trying to regulate …[the] trade and use" of addictive-drugs is the very opposite of prohibition (the ultimate regulation of something is to simply ban it). Therefore, these countries are not likely to believe this statement.

B. This option is incorrect. We know for certain that these countries did not think that opium was benign. We do not know if they think that any other addictive drug is benign. Therefore, we cannot be sure if these countries would agree with this statement or not.

C. This option is incorrect. We know that one of these countries, China, did not shy away from publicly humiliating the users of a drug that it supposed to be addictive (opium). However, the passage does not inform us whether this move succeeded in discouraging other people from trying those drugs. Therefore, we cannot be sure if China would agree with the part "… is a proven way to discourage other people from trying those drugs." We also do not know what the other countries' experience or perspective on this is.

D. This option is correct. Prohibition of a drug makes it scarce (and illegal). In other words, prohibition eliminates the general availability of that drug. These countries believe that prohibition helps to control addictive drug use. Therefore, they are likely to agree with this statement.

E. This option is incorrect. If these countries believed this, they would not prohibit addictive-drugs (as this is the measure that makes these drugs scarce and illegal). Their goal is to limit and not increase the consumption of addictive drugs. A belief in this statement cannot coexist with a belief in the effectiveness of prohibition in controlling drug use. Since we know that these countries do in fact believe in the power of prohibition, they cannot simultaneously believe in this statement.

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 2

Directions: After reading the passage, read and respond to the questions that follow by selecting the best choice for each one.
(1) The Opium Convention of 1912, where a treaty was signed by China, Britain and ten other countries to prohibit opium use and trade, marked the start of the still-ongoing international effort to control the consumption of addictive-drugs through prohibition. The idea that opium was dangerous to both individual and societal well-being was a consequence of the popular but erroneous perception that unrestrained opium trade by Britain in the nineteenth-century had reduced the once-great Chinese civilization to an emaciated and hopeless population of opium addicts smoking themselves to death.
(2) Opium was the most effective painkiller known to mankind before the discovery of modern medicines and had been imported into China for this medicinal property since the seventh century. With their better means of production that resulted in higher yields, the British traders supplied much more opium to China than the country had hitherto imported, thereby bringing the price of opium down to where even the poor Chinese could afford its regular consumption. This facilitated opium becoming a commonly-used panacea against the symptoms of a wide number of ailments and diseases. Medicinal use of opium also increased concurrently in Asia, the Middle East and Europe and the drug remained popular till modern medicines became cheaply available in the twentieth century. During the nineteenth century, the per capita consumption of opium was much greater in Britain than in China, but the British users did not suffer adverse effects on either their health or longevity. Moreover, there is ample evidence that most users of opium, including the Chinese, used it in moderation and only occasionally, such as when in pain.
(3) The implementation of the 1912 treaty in China led to the public humiliation and imprisonment of tens of thousands of ordinary opium users. As most of these users were already ill, some with contagious diseases, the crowded prison cells became the breeding grounds of epidemics and had high mortality. Further, opium could now be obtained only in black market; scarcity and illegality made it expensive. A search for cheaper alternatives led most opium users to morphine and heroin, psychoactive substances that were much more addictive and were deleterious to health. The prohibition thus proved to be a cure that was worse than the disease.
Q. Select the sentence in the passage that indicates that opium trade by the British in the nineteenth-century China benefitted the non-wealthy Chinese.

A. "The Opium Convention of 1912, where a treaty was signed by China, Britain and ten other countries to prohibit opium use and trade, marked the start of the still-ongoing international effort to control the consumption of addictive-drugs through prohibition."
B. "The idea that opium was dangerous to both individual and societal well-being was a consequence of the popular but erroneous perception that unrestrained opium trade by Britain in the nineteenth-century had reduced the once-great Chinese civilization to an emaciated and hopeless population of opium addicts smoking themselves to death."
C. "This facilitated opium becoming a commonly-used panacea against the symptoms of a wide number of ailments and diseases."
D. "The implementation of the 1912 treaty in China led to the public humiliation and imprisonment of tens of thousands of ordinary opium users."
E. "A search for cheaper alternatives led most opium users to morphine and heroin, psychoactive substances that were much more addictive and were deleterious to health."

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 2

As per the author, the main use that the Chinese had of opium was as a painkiller. He discusses this in the second paragraph. As we inferred in the Passage Analysis, from the seventh to the nineteenth centuries, it seems that opium was expensive in China and so only a relatively few people could afford it. However, when the vast supplies by British traders drove down the prices, it became a commonly-used painkiller for a wide variety of ailments and diseases, and so benefitted the non-wealthy Chinese citizens.

Therefore, the sentence that answers the question is the sentence that mentions how most Chinese citizens were now able to use opium as a routine painkiller.

This sentence is: "This facilitated opium becoming a commonly-used panacea against the symptoms of a wide number of ailments and diseases."

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 3

Directions: After reading the passage, read and respond to the questions that follow by selecting the best choice for each one.
(1) The Opium Convention of 1912, where a treaty was signed by China, Britain and ten other countries to prohibit opium use and trade, marked the start of the still-ongoing international effort to control the consumption of addictive-drugs through prohibition. The idea that opium was dangerous to both individual and societal well-being was a consequence of the popular but erroneous perception that unrestrained opium trade by Britain in the nineteenth-century had reduced the once-great Chinese civilization to an emaciated and hopeless population of opium addicts smoking themselves to death.
(2) Opium was the most effective painkiller known to mankind before the discovery of modern medicines and had been imported into China for this medicinal property since the seventh century. With their better means of production that resulted in higher yields, the British traders supplied much more opium to China than the country had hitherto imported, thereby bringing the price of opium down to where even the poor Chinese could afford its regular consumption. This facilitated opium becoming a commonly-used panacea against the symptoms of a wide number of ailments and diseases. Medicinal use of opium also increased concurrently in Asia, the Middle East and Europe and the drug remained popular till modern medicines became cheaply available in the twentieth century. During the nineteenth century, the per capita consumption of opium was much greater in Britain than in China, but the British users did not suffer adverse effects on either their health or longevity. Moreover, there is ample evidence that most users of opium, including the Chinese, used it in moderation and only occasionally, such as when in pain.
(3) The implementation of the 1912 treaty in China led to the public humiliation and imprisonment of tens of thousands of ordinary opium users. As most of these users were already ill, some with contagious diseases, the crowded prison cells became the breeding grounds of epidemics and had high mortality. Further, opium could now be obtained only in black market; scarcity and illegality made it expensive. A search for cheaper alternatives led most opium users to morphine and heroin, psychoactive substances that were much more addictive and were deleterious to health. The prohibition thus proved to be a cure that was worse than the disease.
Q. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the author's citation of British opium users as an example to suggest that opium probably did not adversely affect the health or longevity of Chinese opium users?

A. The per capita opium consumption of the British was less than that of some Middle Eastern countries for which no records on the health and longevity of opium users were available.
B. The prevalence of ailments and diseases that required the use of a painkiller was much higher in Britain than in China.
C. The bodies of the British and the Chinese usually show similar responses to most common allergens, medicines, addictive-drugs and other stimuli.
D. The other Asian countries in which the supply of opium increased in the nineteenth-century through British opium trade reported no adverse public health consequence on their population.
E. While the British opium users chewed opium tablets, the Chinese opium users smoked opium, a method that had greater addiction potential and serious health effects.

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 3

As we noted in the Passage Analysis, the author cites the fact that the British opium users did not show any ill-effect of the drug on their health and longevity in order to suggest that the Chinese opium users, whose per capita consumption was lower than that of the British, too would probably not have shown such effects.

To weaken the argument, we need something that shows why what is true for the British might not be true for the Chinese. Basically, we are looking for a point of dissimilarity between them regarding their opium use or general health.

Let us analyze the options one by one.

A. This option is incorrect. Using this statement, we know that the order of per capita opium consumption is: This, or the fact that health records of opium users are not available for the ME countries does not suggest any point of dissimilarity between Britain and China.

B. This option is incorrect. The higher prevalence of ailments and diseases that required the use of a painkiller might explain the higher per capita consumption of opium in Britain than in China. However, this does not tell us why it might be wrong to use British opium users' health data to draw a conclusion about the Chinese opium users' health.

C. This option is incorrect. This is in fact a strengthener. If the bodies of the British and the Chinese usually do respond alike to most stimuli, then in fact it is perfectly all right to use the fact that the British don't get unhealthy by opium use to deduce that the Chinese probably won't get so either.

D. This option is incorrect. The other countries may not have reported any adverse effects but we are interested in China. The statement of this option does not help answer why it might be a bad idea to apply a British-specific finding to the Chinese.

E. This option is correct. It establishes a point of difference between the British and the Chinese. The British may have had a higher per capita consumption but their mode of consumption (chewing) was relatively safer. The Chinese ingested opium through a different method (smoking) that posed a much higher health risk. Therefore, it would be wrong to disregard the mode of consumption and simply use the relatively higher amount consumed per capita by the British to claim that if they don't get ill, then the Chinese won't too.

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 4

Directions: After reading the passage, read and respond to the questions that follow by selecting the best choice for each one.

(1) The Opium Convention of 1912, where a treaty was signed by China, Britain and ten other countries to prohibit opium use and trade, marked the start of the still-ongoing international effort to control the consumption of addictive-drugs through prohibition. The idea that opium was dangerous to both individual and societal well-being was a consequence of the popular but erroneous perception that unrestrained opium trade by Britain in the nineteenth-century had reduced the once-great Chinese civilization to an emaciated and hopeless population of opium addicts smoking themselves to death.

(2) Opium was the most effective painkiller known to mankind before the discovery of modern medicines and had been imported into China for this medicinal property since the seventh century. With their better means of production that resulted in higher yields, the British traders supplied much more opium to China than the country had hitherto imported, thereby bringing the price of opium down to where even the poor Chinese could afford its regular consumption. This facilitated opium becoming a commonly-used panacea against the symptoms of a wide number of ailments and diseases. Medicinal use of opium also increased concurrently in Asia, the Middle East and Europe and the drug remained popular till modern medicines became cheaply available in the twentieth century. During the nineteenth century, the per capita consumption of opium was much greater in Britain than in China, but the British users did not suffer adverse effects on either their health or longevity. Moreover, there is ample evidence that most users of opium, including the Chinese, used it in moderation and only occasionally, such as when in pain.

(3) The implementation of the 1912 treaty in China led to the public humiliation and imprisonment of tens of thousands of ordinary opium users. As most of these users were already ill, some with contagious diseases, the crowded prison cells became the breeding grounds of epidemics and had high mortality. Further, opium could now be obtained only in black market; scarcity and illegality made it expensive. A search for cheaper alternatives led most opium users to morphine and heroin, psychoactive substances that were much more addictive and were deleterious to health. The prohibition thus proved to be a cure that was worse than the disease.

Q. The author of the passage is primarily concerned with

A. explaining the problems in the first international attempt to control drug use
B. clarifying a common misconception about the impact of prohibition on drug use
C. explaining how the British effort to eradicate opium triggered a worse crisis of addiction
D. discussing the factors that may decrease the effectiveness of prohibition in decreasing drug use
E. describing the consequences of a pandemic of opium addiction in the nineteenth-century China

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 4

To answer a primary purpose question, it's a good idea to have an overview of the passage before looking at the option. This is how the passage is organized

Para 1 states that the 1912 treaty to ban (prohibit) opium trade was based on a wrong perception (of the effects of opium use on the Chinese).

Para 2 explains why that perception was wrong.

Para 3 describes the ill-consequences of prohibition.

The conclusion drawn is that the cure (prohibition of opium) proved more harmful than the disease (supposed ill-effects of opium addiction). The author shows in Para 2 that there was no disease in the first place.

So overall, the author is concerned with explaining why the decision to prohibit opium use and trade was wrong. It was wrong because opium use by the Chinese was benign (Para 2) and because of the bad things that happened as the result of this decision (Para 3).

Let us analyze the options one by one.

A. This option is correct. From the first paragraph of the passage, we know that the first international attempt to control drug use was the international treaty signed in 1912 to ban opium use and trade. As discussed in the analysis above, the author is indeed focused on explaining the problems with this treaty’s decision of prohibition.

B. This option is incorrect. The third paragraph gives an example of how prohibition can make the contraband drug expensive and increase the use of other, perhaps more dangerous, drugs. Thus, this paragraph can be said to talk of "the impact of prohibition on drug use." However, no "common misconception" about this impact is discussed in the passage, nor does the author clarify any misconception.

C. This option is incorrect. The efforts to eradicate opium were made by multiple countries acting together. Therefore, the phrase "British effort to eradicate opium" is not supported by the passage.

D. This option is incorrect. The author's argument in the third paragraph is that prohibition was a harmful measure. He does not discuss the factors that impact the effectiveness of prohibition.

E. This option is incorrect. In the first paragraph, the author rejects the perception that there was a "pandemic" (widespread disease) of opium "addiction." His contention in the second paragraph is that the use of opium in the nineteenth-century China may have been common but it was benign.

*Multiple options can be correct

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 5

Directions: After reading the passage, read and respond to the questions that follow by selecting the best choice for each one.

(1) The Opium Convention of 1912, where a treaty was signed by China, Britain and ten other countries to prohibit opium use and trade, marked the start of the still-ongoing international effort to control the consumption of addictive-drugs through prohibition. The idea that opium was dangerous to both individual and societal well-being was a consequence of the popular but erroneous perception that unrestrained opium trade by Britain in the nineteenth-century had reduced the once-great Chinese civilization to an emaciated and hopeless population of opium addicts smoking themselves to death.

(2) Opium was the most effective painkiller known to mankind before the discovery of modern medicines and had been imported into China for this medicinal property since the seventh century. With their better means of production that resulted in higher yields, the British traders supplied much more opium to China than the country had hitherto imported, thereby bringing the price of opium down to where even the poor Chinese could afford its regular consumption. This facilitated opium becoming a commonly-used panacea against the symptoms of a wide number of ailments and diseases. Medicinal use of opium also increased concurrently in Asia, the Middle East and Europe and the drug remained popular till modern medicines became cheaply available in the twentieth century. During the nineteenth century, the per capita consumption of opium was much greater in Britain than in China, but the British users did not suffer adverse effects on either their health or longevity. Moreover, there is ample evidence that most users of opium, including the Chinese, used it in moderation and only occasionally, such as when in pain.

(3) The implementation of the 1912 treaty in China led to the public humiliation and imprisonment of tens of thousands of ordinary opium users. As most of these users were already ill, some with contagious diseases, the crowded prison cells became the breeding grounds of epidemics and had high mortality. Further, opium could now be obtained only in black market; scarcity and illegality made it expensive. A search for cheaper alternatives led most opium users to morphine and heroin, psychoactive substances that were much more addictive and were deleterious to health. The prohibition thus proved to be a cure that was worse than the disease.

Q. For the following question, consider each of the choices separately and select all that apply.

The author does which of the following to disprove the perception that British opium trade had enfeebled the nineteenth-century China?

[ Note: Select one or more answer choices ]

A.
He cites an example to suggest that high opium consumption might not be correlated with poor health or shortened life-span.
B.
He asserts the presence of ample evidence to prove that smoking was not the way by which the opium users of China consumed the drug.
C.
He mentions a way in which the British opium trade benefited the common citizens in nineteenth-century China.

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 5

"The author challenges [the perception] in the following ways

The opium users of China were not emaciated and did not smoke themselves to death – no adverse effects of opium were seen on the health or longevity of the British despite their higher per capita consumption of opium.

The opium users of China were not hopeless addicts – most users, including the Chinese, used it in moderation and only occasionally, such as when in pain.

The opium trade by the British did not harm China - rather it did them good; the increased supply decreased the price of opium and now even the poor could use it as a painkiller."

Also, this is a multiple-answer question. Therefore, more than one statements might suit the question prompt.

Let us analyze the options one by one.

A. This option is correct. The first point in the above notes maps with this statement. The author cites the example of British opium users to suggest that high opium consumption (higher per capita than the Chinese) might not be correlated with poor health or shortened life-span.

B. This option is incorrect. In the first point in the above notes, the author is saying that the Chinese did not "smoke themselves to death," that is, they did not die prematurely because of their opium use. Nowhere does he assert that the Chinese opium users "did not smoke" opium (and, therefore, that they used some other means to take in the drug – like, say, a tablet or a syringe etc.).

C. This option is correct. This maps with the third point in the above notes.

The correct answer are A and C.

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 6

Directions: After reading the passage, read and respond to the questions that follow by selecting the best choice for each one.

(1) The Opium Convention of 1912, where a treaty was signed by China, Britain and ten other countries to prohibit opium use and trade, marked the start of the still-ongoing international effort to control the consumption of addictive-drugs through prohibition. The idea that opium was dangerous to both individual and societal well-being was a consequence of the popular but erroneous perception that unrestrained opium trade by Britain in the nineteenth-century had reduced the once-great Chinese civilization to an emaciated and hopeless population of opium addicts smoking themselves to death.

(2) Opium was the most effective painkiller known to mankind before the discovery of modern medicines and had been imported into China for this medicinal property since the seventh century. With their better means of production that resulted in higher yields, the British traders supplied much more opium to China than the country had hitherto imported, thereby bringing the price of opium down to where even the poor Chinese could afford its regular consumption. This facilitated opium becoming a commonly-used panacea against the symptoms of a wide number of ailments and diseases. Medicinal use of opium also increased concurrently in Asia, the Middle East and Europe and the drug remained popular till modern medicines became cheaply available in the twentieth century. During the nineteenth century, the per capita consumption of opium was much greater in Britain than in China, but the British users did not suffer adverse effects on either their health or longevity. Moreover, there is ample evidence that most users of opium, including the Chinese, used it in moderation and only occasionally, such as when in pain.

(3) The implementation of the 1912 treaty in China led to the public humiliation and imprisonment of tens of thousands of ordinary opium users. As most of these users were already ill, some with contagious diseases, the crowded prison cells became the breeding grounds of epidemics and had high mortality. Further, opium could now be obtained only in black market; scarcity and illegality made it expensive. A search for cheaper alternatives led most opium users to morphine and heroin, psychoactive substances that were much more addictive and were deleterious to health. The prohibition thus proved to be a cure that was worse than the disease.

Q. For the following question, consider each of the choices separately and select all that apply.

The author of the passage suggests that prohibition of a drug in a country can have which of the following consequences?

[ Note: Select one or more answer choices ]

A. It can increase the popularity of the drug in other geographic areas.
B. It can make users of the drug switch to less expensive drugs.
C. It can cure users of their addiction to the drug.

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 6

In the last sentence of the passage, the author declares that prohibition proved to be a cure that was worse than the disease. In the third paragraph, he lists two ill-consequences of opium prohibition (the only case study of drug prohibition that is discussed in the passage) – the imprisonment and deaths of many ordinary opium users, and the increased use of morphine and heroin.

This is a multiple-answer question. Therefore, more than one statements might suit the question prompt.

Let us analyze the options one by one.

A. This option is incorrect. The impact of opium prohibition in China on the popularity of the drug in other geographic regions is not discussed in the passage.

B. This option is correct. This effect is mentioned in the third paragraph. Refer to the sentence: "A search for cheaper alternatives led most opium users to morphine and heroin." This sentence implies that morphine and heroin were less expensive than (the prohibited) opium.

C. This option is incorrect. The passage does not indicate whether prohibition of opium succeeded in curing opium users of their "addiction" (remember that the author disputes the fact that these users were "hopeless addicts"). From the fact that opium became expensive after prohibition, we can infer that its use among the poor would have decreased. But the fact that many among them suggested to cheaper substitute drugs suggests that mere non-availability of opium did not decrease their desire ("addiction") for the drug.

The correct answer is B.

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 7

Directions: After reading the passage, read and respond to the questions that follow by selecting the best choice for each one.

(1) Max Weber aimed to make sociology objective and systematic, like the natural sciences. This was a challenge since historical and social reality, the subject matter of sociology, is inherently chaotic and dependent on individual - possibly idiosyncratic or irrational – events and on the subjective interpretations of those events by the contemporary and the subsequent societies and by historians and sociologists. The research and analysis methods of natural scientists would not have worked in sociology. Therefore, he created a conceptual tool called the pure-type.

(2) The pure-type is formed by synthesizing the characteristics and elements of many real-world manifestations of a particular phenomenon into a unified analytical construct that defines the general and logically-consistent features of that phenomenon. For example, Weber studied capitalism and integrated the distinctive features of this economic system across cultures and time-periods to create a pure-type. According to this pure-type, the attributes of capitalism are – pursuit of profit as the sole objective, private ownership of all potential means of profit, competition between companies, and a laissez faire government that does not interfere with the free markets.

(3) A pure-type is not meant to describe all the characteristics of any one instance of a phenomenon. Moreover, no single instance fully adheres to the pure-type. The present-day United States is regarded as the most capitalist nation in world history; however, it too deviates significantly from Weber's pure-type of capitalism. For example, the country has many markets that are dominated by a single large company and hence, are not competitive. The value of a pure-type of capitalism is that it defines the features on which the economic systems of various countries may be objectively compared and on which the changes in the economic system of a country over time may be objectively measured.

Q. In the context in which it appears, "chaotic" (sentence 2) most nearly means

A. circumstantial
B. unplanned
C. puzzling
D. purposeless
E. unsystematic

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 7

In the sentence where the word "chaotic" occurs, the author is explaining why making sociology objective and systematic like the natural sciences is a challenge.

The gist of his explanation is that the historical and social reality is inherently not objective and not systematic.

In this sentence, he first uses the word "chaotic" and then, in the second part, goes on to explain how this reality is "subjective" (the opposite word of 'objective').

So, if the second part of the sentence conveys that the historical and social reality is not objective, then we may infer that the first part of the sentence probably conveys that this reality is not systematic. Therefore, the word "chaotic," in the context in which it appears, probably means not systematic.

Let us analyze the options one by one.

A. This option is incorrect. 'Circumstantial' is nowhere close in meaning to 'not systematic' and does not fit in the given context.

B. This option is incorrect. The word 'unplanned' is not a synonym of 'not systematic.' For example, a project might be a planned project, but that planning may not be executed in a systematic manner.

C. This option is incorrect. In some contexts, the word 'chaotic' might be used in the sense of 'bewildering, puzzling.' However, in the preset context, this meaning does not apply.

D. This option is incorrect. A researcher's method of study might not be systematic. This does not mean that the researcher is without a purpose (purposeless).

E. This option is correct. It is in line with the above analysis.

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 8

Directions: After reading the passage, read and respond to the questions that follow by selecting the best choice for each one.

(1) Max Weber aimed to make sociology objective and systematic, like the natural sciences. This was a challenge since historical and social reality, the subject matter of sociology, is inherently chaotic and dependent on individual - possibly idiosyncratic or irrational – events and on the subjective interpretations of those events by the contemporary and the subsequent societies and by historians and sociologists. The research and analysis methods of natural scientists would not have worked in sociology. Therefore, he created a conceptual tool called the pure-type.

(2) The pure-type is formed by synthesizing the characteristics and elements of many real-world manifestations of a particular phenomenon into a unified analytical construct that defines the general and logically-consistent features of that phenomenon. For example, Weber studied capitalism and integrated the distinctive features of this economic system across cultures and time-periods to create a pure-type. According to this pure-type, the attributes of capitalism are – pursuit of profit as the sole objective, private ownership of all potential means of profit, competition between companies, and a laissez faire government that does not interfere with the free markets.

(3) A pure-type is not meant to describe all the characteristics of any one instance of a phenomenon. Moreover, no single instance fully adheres to the pure-type. The present-day United States is regarded as the most capitalist nation in world history; however, it too deviates significantly from Weber's pure-type of capitalism. For example, the country has many markets that are dominated by a single large company and hence, are not competitive. The value of a pure-type of capitalism is that it defines the features on which the economic systems of various countries may be objectively compared and on which the changes in the economic system of a country over time may be objectively measured.

Q. According to the passage, all of the following are true of the pure-type as a conceptual tool EXCEPT

A. It represents the minimum requirements that a real-world case must satisfy to be considered a valid instance of a particular phenomenon.
B. It could possibly enable the objective measurement of the changes undergone by an instance of a phenomenon over time.
C. It does not represent all observed features of the real-world instances of a phenomenon.
D. It could possibly serve as a measuring rod to ascertain similarities and differences in contemporary real-world instances of a phenomenon.
E. It is usually not formed from purely abstract thought but is based on an analysis of real-world instances of a phenomenon.

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 8

This is an EXCEPT question; so, we are looking for the one statement that is not true for a P-T.

Let us analyze the options one by one.

A. This option is correct. The P-T does not represent "the minimum requirements" that a case must meet to be considered a valid instance of a particular phenomenon. For example, we know from the passage that the present-day United is already considered to be a capitalist nation (in fact, the most capitalist nation in world history). However, the author tells us that it does not fully satisfy one of the four attributes ("competition among companies") of Weber's P-T of capitalism.

B. This option is incorrect. The statement of this option is supported by the passage. Refer to the sentence: "… on which the changes in the economic system of a country over time may be measured." This sentence is written in the context of one particular P-T (the P-T of capitalism) while the question at hand and this option statement are both general (they talk of P-Ts in general). However, since this option statement talks in a language of possibility ("could possibly") and not of definitive generality ("must" or "definitely" etc.), it can be considered to be true for a P-T. For example, though swans are usually white, if the existence of even one black swan is confirmed, then the statement "swans could possibly be black" becomes true of swans.

C. This option is incorrect. The statement of this option is supported by the passage. Refer to the sentence: "A pure-type is not meant to describe all the characteristics of any one instance of a phenomenon."

D. This option is incorrect. The statement of this option is supported by the passage. Refer to the sentence: "The value of a pure-type of capitalism is that it defines the objective features on which the economic systems of various countries may be compared …" The reason for accepting this (specific to the P-T of capitalism) sentence as a support for a claim made about P-Ts in general has already been explained above.

E. This option is incorrect. The statement of this option is supported by the passage. Refer to the sentence: "The pure-type is formed by synthesizing the characteristics and elements of many real-world manifestations of a particular phenomenon." This is further corroborated by the example of how Weber created his P-T of capitalism.

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 9

Directions: After reading the passage, read and respond to the questions that follow by selecting the best choice for each one.

(1) Max Weber aimed to make sociology objective and systematic, like the natural sciences. This was a challenge since historical and social reality, the subject matter of sociology, is inherently chaotic and dependent on individual - possibly idiosyncratic or irrational – events and on the subjective interpretations of those events by the contemporary and the subsequent societies and by historians and sociologists. The research and analysis methods of natural scientists would not have worked in sociology. Therefore, he created a conceptual tool called the pure-type.

(2) The pure-type is formed by synthesizing the characteristics and elements of many real-world manifestations of a particular phenomenon into a unified analytical construct that defines the general and logically-consistent features of that phenomenon. For example, Weber studied capitalism and integrated the distinctive features of this economic system across cultures and time-periods to create a pure-type. According to this pure-type, the attributes of capitalism are – pursuit of profit as the sole objective, private ownership of all potential means of profit, competition between companies, and a laissez faire government that does not interfere with the free markets.

(3) A pure-type is not meant to describe all the characteristics of any one instance of a phenomenon. Moreover, no single instance fully adheres to the pure-type. The present-day United States is regarded as the most capitalist nation in world history; however, it too deviates significantly from Weber's pure-type of capitalism. For example, the country has many markets that are dominated by a single large company and hence, are not competitive. The value of a pure-type of capitalism is that it defines the features on which the economic systems of various countries may be objectively compared and on which the changes in the economic system of a country over time may be objectively measured.

Q. The author mentions the present-day United States (line 15) most probably in order to

A. give an example for the claim that a pure-type does not describe all the characteristics of any one instance of a phenomenon
B. illustrate the process by which the pure-type of a phenomenon may be constructed
C. refute the assumption that pure-types facilitate an objective and systematic analysis of social and historical reality
D. support the claim that every instance of a phenomenon digresses from the pure-type of that phenomenon
E. lend credibility to the claim that the pure-type of a phenomenon enables the measurement of the changes that take place over time with regard to that phenomenon

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 9

The author mentions the present-day United States in order to provide an example to better explain the previous sentence: "Moreover, no single instance fully adheres to the pure-type."

Let us analyze the options one by one.

A. This option is incorrect. It is not in line with the above analysis.

B. This option is incorrect. The process by which the pure-type of a phenomenon may be constructed is described in the previous paragraph and is illustrated with the case-study of Weber's construction of the pure-type of capitalism. The third paragraph in general, and the example of present-day United States in particular, does not relate to this process.

C. This option is incorrect. It is not in line with the above analysis.

D. This option is correct. It satisfies the above analysis.

E. This option is incorrect. The claim that the pure-type of capitalism makes it possible to measure "the changes in the economic system of a country over time" is made in the last sentence of the paragraph and is not supported by any example or credibility-enhancing supporting statement.

*Multiple options can be correct

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 10

Directions: After reading the passage, read and respond to the questions that follow by selecting the best choice for each one.

(1) Max Weber aimed to make sociology objective and systematic, like the natural sciences. This was a challenge since historical and social reality, the subject matter of sociology, is inherently chaotic and dependent on individual - possibly idiosyncratic or irrational – events and on the subjective interpretations of those events by the contemporary and the subsequent societies and by historians and sociologists. The research and analysis methods of natural scientists would not have worked in sociology. Therefore, he created a conceptual tool called the pure-type.

(2) The pure-type is formed by synthesizing the characteristics and elements of many real-world manifestations of a particular phenomenon into a unified analytical construct that defines the general and logically-consistent features of that phenomenon. For example, Weber studied capitalism and integrated the distinctive features of this economic system across cultures and time-periods to create a pure-type. According to this pure-type, the attributes of capitalism are – pursuit of profit as the sole objective, private ownership of all potential means of profit, competition between companies, and a laissez faire government that does not interfere with the free markets.

(3) A pure-type is not meant to describe all the characteristics of any one instance of a phenomenon. Moreover, no single instance fully adheres to the pure-type. The present-day United States is regarded as the most capitalist nation in world history; however, it too deviates significantly from Weber's pure-type of capitalism. For example, the country has many markets that are dominated by a single large company and hence, are not competitive. The value of a pure-type of capitalism is that it defines the features on which the economic systems of various countries may be objectively compared and on which the changes in the economic system of a country over time may be objectively measured.

Q. For the following question, consider each of the choices separately and select all that apply.

It can be inferred from the passage that a country that fully adhered to Weber's pure-type of capitalism would have which of the following characteristics?

[ Note: Select one or more answer choices ]

A.
Regulation of free markets by government to prevent injustices against the poor
B.
No individuals or companies who work in pursuit of objectives other than profit
C.
No market dominated by a single large company

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 10

The passage says that no actual instance of a phenomenon fully adheres to the pure-type of that phenomenon. Therefore, no actual country is likely to fully adhere to Weber's P-T of capitalism. The country mentioned in this question is likely to a hypothetical country.

Since this country fully adheres to this P-T, it will fully satisfy (100%, no exceptions at all) all four attributes mentioned in this P-T:

pursuit of profit as the sole objective
private ownership of all potential means of profit
competition between companies
a laissez faire government that does not interfere with the free markets.

Let us analyze the options one by one.

A. This option is incorrect. Regulation by government of free markets for any reason violates the fourth attribute of the P-T. A country that fully adheres to all four attributes of the P-T, therefore, will not have this characteristic.

B. This option is correct. In a country that fully adhered to the first attribute of the P-T, profit would be the sole objective of everyone.

C. This option is correct. The example of present-day United States in the passage includes this sentence: "the country has many markets that are dominated by a single large company and hence, are not competitive." Therefore, for a market to be competitive, it should not be dominated by a single large company. For a country that 100% satisfies the third attribute of the P-T, no market would be dominated by a single large company.

The correct answer are B and C.

*Multiple options can be correct

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 11

Directions: Answer the questions based on following reading passage.

Arctic sea ice comes in two varieties. Seasonal ice forms in winter and then melts in summer, while perennial ice persists year-round. To the untrained eye, all sea ice looks similar, but by licking it, one can estimate how long a particular piece has been floating around. When ice begins to form in seawater, it forces out salt, which has no place in the crystal structure. As the ice gets thicker, the rejected salt collects in tiny pockets of brine too highly concentrated to freeze. A piece of first-year ice will taste salty. Eventually, if the ice survives, these pockets of brine drain out through fine, veinlike channels, and the ice becomes fresher; multiyear ice can even be melted and drunk.

Q. The passage mentions which of the following as being a characteristic of seasonal ice?

[For the following question, consider each of the choices separately and select all that

apply.]

A.
It is similar in appearance to perennial ice.
B.
It is typically filled with fine, veinlike channels.
C.
It tastes saltier than perennial ice.

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 11

Choices A and C are correct.

Choice A is correct: the passage states that “to the untrained eye, all sea ice looks similar” (lines 2–3).

Choice B is incorrect: it is clear that perennial ice contains fine, veinlike channels, but the passage does not mention whether seasonal ice contains them.

Choice C is correct: in lines 6–8, the passage establishes that first-year ice tastes salty but eventually gets fresher if the ice survives.

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 12

Directions: Answer the questions based on following reading passage.

Arctic sea ice comes in two varieties. Seasonal ice forms in winter and then melts in summer, while perennial ice persists year-round. To the untrained eye, all sea ice looks similar, but by licking it, one can estimate how long a particular piece has been floating around. When ice begins to form in seawater, it forces out salt, which has no place in the crystal structure. As the ice gets thicker, the rejected salt collects in tiny pockets of brine too highly concentrated to freeze. A piece of first-year ice will taste salty. Eventually, if the ice survives, these pockets of brine drain out through fine, veinlike channels, and the ice becomes fresher; multiyear ice can even be melted and drunk.

Q. In the context in which it appears, “fine” (line 7) most nearly means

A. acceptable
B. elegant
C. precise
D. pure
E. small

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 12

“Fine” appears in the context of an explanation of how the brine drains out; in such a context, it must be being used to describe a physical characteristic of the channels. In addition, the word “Eventually” implies that the draining is a slow process. Only Choice E, “small,” helps to explain why the process is slow and is therefore the best choice. None of the other choices contributes to the explanation.

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 13

Directions: After reading the passage, read and respond to the questions that follow by selecting the best choice for each one.

[1] An atmospheric gas that absorbs and emits thermal radiation in the infrared range is known as a greenhouse gas. [2] Without such gases, the surface temperature of the earth would have been a frigid -18°C instead of the current 15°C. [3] Many climate scientists claim that human activities since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution have led to a steady increase in the atmospheric concentration of many greenhouse gases, with a consequent increase in the planet's surface temperature by about 0.85°C in the last 130 years. [4] However, in order to correctly estimate the anthropogenic changes in earth's surface temperature, it is important to quantify the effect of external natural factors like large volcanic eruptions on the planet's surface temperature.

[5] Though volcanic eruptions emit carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, the atmospheric concentration of this gas is about 16000 times the amount released by volcanic eruptions; therefore, no matter how large a volcanic eruption is, it cannot produce a significant change in the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. [6] Further, the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted per year by volcanic eruptions – between 130 and 230 million tons – is roughly equivalent to that emitted in only three to five days of human activity.

[7] It is mainly through the emission of sulfur dioxide gas and ash particles into the atmosphere that large volcanic eruptions affect earth's surface temperature. [8] Sulfur dioxide reacts with the water vapor present in air to form fine particles called sulfate aerosols. [9] Winds spread the cloud of aerosols and ash particles around the globe in weeks. [10] These particles absorb incoming solar radiation and scatter it back into space, thereby producing a cooling effect on the earth. [11] They take several years to settle out of the atmosphere and thus impact the global surface temperature for many years. [12] Robock and Mao have shown that for two years after a great volcanic eruption, the surface temperature decreases by 0.1 – 0.2°C. [13] The 1991 Pinatubo eruption in Indonesia was one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the twentieth century and resulted in a global surface cooling of 0.5°C for about two to four years after the eruption.

[14] The El Chichón eruption in 1982 was the first major eruption whose climatic impact was studied in detail by modern instruments. [15] Though the emission volume of this eruption was similar to the Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980, El Chichón released seven times the amount of sulfate aerosols released by Mount St. Helens and lowered the earth's temperature by about 0.4°C as against a decrease of only 0.1°C for Mount St. Helens.

Q. It can be inferred that the highlighted word in the first paragraph is closest in meaning to

A. Created over time
B. Resulting from nature
C. Produced by humans
D. Generated in the atmosphere
E. Industrially manufactured

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 13

The sentence that contains the word "anthropogenic" can be simplified as: 'However, in order to correctly estimate X-type changes, we need to quantify Y-type changes.'

The phrase 'X-type' stands in for the word "anthropogenic" and 'Y-type' for "resulting from external natural factors."

From this sentence, we only get the clue that X-type is distinct from Y-type. Therefore, the word "anthropogenic" does not mean "resulting from external natural factors."

For further clue, let us look at the preceding sentence. This sentence may be simplified as:

'Some people claim that human activities…have led to [this much increase in earth's surface temperature]'

So, the type of change that is mentioned in this sentence is that which has been brought about by human activities.

Therefore, the word "anthropogenic" most likely means 'brought about by human activities.'

Let us analyze the options one by one.

This option is incorrect.
This option is incorrect. As discussed above, "anthropogenic" is in fact distinct from 'that which results from external natural factors' (and no mention of any other kind of natural factors is made in the passage).
This option is correct and in line with the discussion above.
This option is incorrect.
This option is incorrect.

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 14

Directions: After reading the passage, read and respond to the questions that follow by selecting the best choice for each one.

[1] An atmospheric gas that absorbs and emits thermal radiation in the infrared range is known as a greenhouse gas. [2] Without such gases, the surface temperature of the earth would have been a frigid -18°C instead of the current 15°C. [3] Many climate scientists claim that human activities since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution have led to a steady increase in the atmospheric concentration of many greenhouse gases, with a consequent increase in the planet's surface temperature by about 0.85°C in the last 130 years. [4] However, in order to correctly estimate the anthropogenic changes in earth's surface temperature, it is important to quantify the effect of external natural factors like large volcanic eruptions on the planet's surface temperature.

[5] Though volcanic eruptions emit carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, the atmospheric concentration of this gas is about 16000 times the amount released by volcanic eruptions; therefore, no matter how large a volcanic eruption is, it cannot produce a significant change in the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. [6] Further, the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted per year by volcanic eruptions – between 130 and 230 million tons – is roughly equivalent to that emitted in only three to five days of human activity.

[7] It is mainly through the emission of sulfur dioxide gas and ash particles into the atmosphere that large volcanic eruptions affect earth's surface temperature. [8] Sulfur dioxide reacts with the water vapor present in air to form fine particles called sulfate aerosols. [9] Winds spread the cloud of aerosols and ash particles around the globe in weeks. [10] These particles absorb incoming solar radiation and scatter it back into space, thereby producing a cooling effect on the earth. [11] They take several years to settle out of the atmosphere and thus impact the global surface temperature for many years. [12] Robock and Mao have shown that for two years after a great volcanic eruption, the surface temperature decreases by 0.1 – 0.2°C. [13] The 1991 Pinatubo eruption in Indonesia was one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the twentieth century and resulted in a global surface cooling of 0.5°C for about two to four years after the eruption.

[14] The El Chichón eruption in 1982 was the first major eruption whose climatic impact was studied in detail by modern instruments. [15] Though the emission volume of this eruption was similar to the Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980, El Chichón released seven times the amount of sulfate aerosols released by Mount St. Helens and lowered the earth's temperature by about 0.4°C as against a decrease of only 0.1°C for Mount St. Helens.

Q. Select a sentence in the passage that, if true, supports the claim that the primary cause of the steady increase in the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases is not volcanic eruptions but human activities.

A. Sentence 3
B. Sentence 4
C. Sentence 6

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 14

Human activities are mentioned thrice in the passage:

In the first paragraph, they are mentioned first in the claim made ("Many climate ... last 130 years.") by the climate scientists, and then in the author's suggestion that in order to correctly estimate the impact of human activities on surface temperature increase ("However, in … surface temperature."), we also need to quantify the impact of external natural factors like large volcanic eruptions. Neither of these two mentions suit the purpose of this question.

The final mention of human activities is in the last sentence of the second paragraph ("Further, the total amount . . . human activity"). As also discussed in the passage analysis above, in this sentence, the author suggests that the carbon dioxide emissions from volcanic eruptions are only of the annual carbon dioxide emissions from human activity. Therefore, the author is suggesting that humans make a far more significant increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, and therefore in the resulting surface temperature increase, than volcanic eruptions.

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 15

Directions: After reading the passage, read and respond to the questions that follow by selecting the best choice for each one.

[1] An atmospheric gas that absorbs and emits thermal radiation in the infrared range is known as a greenhouse gas. [2] Without such gases, the surface temperature of the earth would have been a frigid -18°C instead of the current 15°C. [3] Many climate scientists claim that human activities since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution have led to a steady increase in the atmospheric concentration of many greenhouse gases, with a consequent increase in the planet's surface temperature by about 0.85°C in the last 130 years. [4] However, in order to correctly estimate the anthropogenic changes in earth's surface temperature, it is important to quantify the effect of external natural factors like large volcanic eruptions on the planet's surface temperature.

[5] Though volcanic eruptions emit carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, the atmospheric concentration of this gas is about 16000 times the amount released by volcanic eruptions; therefore, no matter how large a volcanic eruption is, it cannot produce a significant change in the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. [6] Further, the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted per year by volcanic eruptions – between 130 and 230 million tons – is roughly equivalent to that emitted in only three to five days of human activity.

[7] It is mainly through the emission of sulfur dioxide gas and ash particles into the atmosphere that large volcanic eruptions affect earth's surface temperature. [8] Sulfur dioxide reacts with the water vapor present in air to form fine particles called sulfate aerosols. [9] Winds spread the cloud of aerosols and ash particles around the globe in weeks. [10] These particles absorb incoming solar radiation and scatter it back into space, thereby producing a cooling effect on the earth. [11] They take several years to settle out of the atmosphere and thus impact the global surface temperature for many years. [12] Robock and Mao have shown that for two years after a great volcanic eruption, the surface temperature decreases by 0.1 – 0.2°C. [13] The 1991 Pinatubo eruption in Indonesia was one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the twentieth century and resulted in a global surface cooling of 0.5°C for about two to four years after the eruption.

[14] The El Chichón eruption in 1982 was the first major eruption whose climatic impact was studied in detail by modern instruments. [15] Though the emission volume of this eruption was similar to the Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980, El Chichón released seven times the amount of sulfate aerosols released by Mount St. Helens and lowered the earth's temperature by about 0.4°C as against a decrease of only 0.1°C for Mount St. Helens.

Q. From the passage above, which of the following can be most reliably inferred about sulfur dioxide emissions from volcanic eruptions?

A. The larger a volcanic eruption, the greater is the amount of sulfur dioxide emitted by it.
B. The sulfur dioxide emissions from volcanic eruptions lead to a significant change in the atmospheric concentration of this gas.
C. Large volcanic eruptions emit more sulfur dioxide than carbon dioxide.

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 15

This option is incorrect. The passage mentions El Chichón and Mount St. Helens as equally large eruptions but the amount of sulfate aerosols produced by one was seven times the other. The passage suggests that sulfate aerosols are produced from the sulfur dioxide emitted by a volcano. Therefore, the volcano that produces more sulfate aerosols would be the one that emitted greater sulfur dioxide. So, we may infer that two eruptions of the same size may emit vastly different amounts of sulfur dioxide. The relationship between the size of a volcanic eruption and the amount of sulfur dioxide emitted by it is not as straightforward as the direct proportionality suggested by this option.
This option is correct. The second paragraph states that the reason carbon dioxide emissions from volcanic eruptions fail to impact the surface temperature is that they lead to an insignificant change in the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. In the third paragraph, we come to know that the sulfur dioxide emissions from volcanic eruptions do succeed in impacting the surface temperature. This must mean that these emissions manage to cause a significant change in the atmospheric concentration of this gas.
This option is incorrect. The passage only suggests that volcanic eruptions contain carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and ash particles. It does not provide the relative concentration of these three components within any particular volcanic eruption. Further, the cases of El Chichón and Mount St. Helens illustrate that different volcanic eruptions have different composition. Therefore, we cannot draw any generalization about the relative amount of sulfur dioxide in large volcanic eruptions being more than carbon dioxide.

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 16

Directions: After reading the passage, read and respond to the questions that follow by selecting the best choice for each one.

[1] An atmospheric gas that absorbs and emits thermal radiation in the infrared range is known as a greenhouse gas. [2] Without such gases, the surface temperature of the earth would have been a frigid -18°C instead of the current 15°C. [3] Many climate scientists claim that human activities since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution have led to a steady increase in the atmospheric concentration of many greenhouse gases, with a consequent increase in the planet's surface temperature by about 0.85°C in the last 130 years. [4] However, in order to correctly estimate the anthropogenic changes in earth's surface temperature, it is important to quantify the effect of external natural factors like large volcanic eruptions on the planet's surface temperature.

[5] Though volcanic eruptions emit carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, the atmospheric concentration of this gas is about 16000 times the amount released by volcanic eruptions; therefore, no matter how large a volcanic eruption is, it cannot produce a significant change in the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. [6] Further, the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted per year by volcanic eruptions – between 130 and 230 million tons – is roughly equivalent to that emitted in only three to five days of human activity.

[7] It is mainly through the emission of sulfur dioxide gas and ash particles into the atmosphere that large volcanic eruptions affect earth's surface temperature. [8] Sulfur dioxide reacts with the water vapor present in air to form fine particles called sulfate aerosols. [9] Winds spread the cloud of aerosols and ash particles around the globe in weeks. [10] These particles absorb incoming solar radiation and scatter it back into space, thereby producing a cooling effect on the earth. [11] They take several years to settle out of the atmosphere and thus impact the global surface temperature for many years. [12] Robock and Mao have shown that for two years after a great volcanic eruption, the surface temperature decreases by 0.1 – 0.2°C. [13] The 1991 Pinatubo eruption in Indonesia was one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the twentieth century and resulted in a global surface cooling of 0.5°C for about two to four years after the eruption.

[14] The El Chichón eruption in 1982 was the first major eruption whose climatic impact was studied in detail by modern instruments. [15] Though the emission volume of this eruption was similar to the Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980, El Chichón released seven times the amount of sulfate aerosols released by Mount St. Helens and lowered the earth's temperature by about 0.4°C as against a decrease of only 0.1°C for Mount St. Helens.

Q. If the claims made by the climate scientists about the anthropogenic increase in Earth's surface temperature are correct, the passage best supports which of the following explanations for zero increase in the surface temperature of the earth during a decade in which anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases continued to increase?

A. Anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions during this decade were greater than the carbon dioxide emissions from volcanic eruptions.
B. The amount of sulfate aerosols produced by the volcanic eruptions during this decade was low.
C. The ash clouds produced by the volcanic eruptions during this decade were dispersed throughout the globe by wind and thus became too spread out to have any impact on the earth's surface temperature.
D. The cooling effect that resulted from one or more major volcanic eruptions during this decade negated the increase in surface temperature from increased anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases.
E. The impact of the volcanic eruption on the earth's surface temperature was overshadowed by the temperature change resulting from human activity.

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 16

We are asked to suppose that the claims made by the climate scientists are true. That is, human activities have led to an increase in the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases, which in turn has led to an increase in the planet's surface temperature.

Following this logic, in a decade where the anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases continued to rise, the surface temperature should have risen too. Since it did not, a cooling effect due to another factor may be at play.

From the passage, we know that large volcanic eruptions bring about a cooling effect.

Therefore, during this decade, one or more large volcanic eruptions probably occurred so that they exactly counterbalanced the increase that would have come from the increasing atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases from human activity.

Let us analyze the options one by one.

This option is incorrect. The passage suggests that the carbon dioxide emissions from volcanic eruptions have an insignificant impact on the surface temperature. Therefore, a comparison of these emissions with anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions serves no purpose.
This option is incorrect. The first problem with this option is that it uses a vague word like 'low' and does not specify 'low in comparison to what?' Further, if the amount of sulfate aerosols produced by the volcanic eruptions during this decade was 'low,' then the cooling effect from these eruptions too would have been 'low'. However, for the surface temperature to have zero change despite increasing greenhouse emissions, the cooling effect needs to be strong.
This option is incorrect. As per the passage, the dispersal of ash clouds (and sulfate aerosols) throughout the globe by wind is a part of the mechanism by which they bring down the global surface temperature. So, this statement is factually incorrect. Also, it does not help explain the zero change in surface temperature.
This option is correct. It is in line with the discussion above.
This option is incorrect. Had the impact of the volcanic eruption on the earth's surface temperature been overshadowed by the temperature change resulting from human activity, there would have been a net increase in the surface temperature.

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 17

Directions: After reading the passage, read and respond to the questions that follow by selecting the best choice for each one.

[1] An atmospheric gas that absorbs and emits thermal radiation in the infrared range is known as a greenhouse gas. [2] Without such gases, the surface temperature of the earth would have been a frigid -18°C instead of the current 15°C. [3] Many climate scientists claim that human activities since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution have led to a steady increase in the atmospheric concentration of many greenhouse gases, with a consequent increase in the planet's surface temperature by about 0.85°C in the last 130 years. [4] However, in order to correctly estimate the anthropogenic changes in earth's surface temperature, it is important to quantify the effect of external natural factors like large volcanic eruptions on the planet's surface temperature.

[5] Though volcanic eruptions emit carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, the atmospheric concentration of this gas is about 16000 times the amount released by volcanic eruptions; therefore, no matter how large a volcanic eruption is, it cannot produce a significant change in the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. [6] Further, the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted per year by volcanic eruptions – between 130 and 230 million tons – is roughly equivalent to that emitted in only three to five days of human activity.

[7] It is mainly through the emission of sulfur dioxide gas and ash particles into the atmosphere that large volcanic eruptions affect earth's surface temperature. [8] Sulfur dioxide reacts with the water vapor present in air to form fine particles called sulfate aerosols. [9] Winds spread the cloud of aerosols and ash particles around the globe in weeks. [10] These particles absorb incoming solar radiation and scatter it back into space, thereby producing a cooling effect on the earth. [11] They take several years to settle out of the atmosphere and thus impact the global surface temperature for many years. [12] Robock and Mao have shown that for two years after a great volcanic eruption, the surface temperature decreases by 0.1 – 0.2°C. [13] The 1991 Pinatubo eruption in Indonesia was one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the twentieth century and resulted in a global surface cooling of 0.5°C for about two to four years after the eruption.

[14] The El Chichón eruption in 1982 was the first major eruption whose climatic impact was studied in detail by modern instruments. [15] Though the emission volume of this eruption was similar to the Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980, El Chichón released seven times the amount of sulfate aerosols released by Mount St. Helens and lowered the earth's temperature by about 0.4°C as against a decrease of only 0.1°C for Mount St. Helens.

Q. Which of the following statements, if true, will best support the assertion that a large volcanic eruption does not contribute to warming of the earth's surface?

A. Volcanic eruptions emit only sulfur dioxide, a gas that does not contribute to warming of the earth's surface.
B. Only 10 to 40% of the total matter emitted by a volcanic eruption is carbon dioxide.
C. Being a natural phenomenon, volcanic emissions vary from year-to-year whereas earth's surface temperature has been rising at an accelerating rate.
D. Increase in earth's surface temperature coincided with a major increase in volcanic eruptions at the end of the last Ice Age.
E. Warming of the earth's surface is the result of a significant increase in the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide.

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 17

Let us analyze the options one by one:

This option is incorrect. As per the passage, apart from sulfur dioxide, volcanic eruptions also emit carbon dioxide and ash particles. Therefore, knowing that sulfur dioxide does not contribute to warming of the earth's surface is not enough to conclude that large volcanic eruptions do not contribute to volcanic eruptions. We also need to know if carbon dioxide and ash particles contribute to it.
This option is incorrect. Till the role of carbon dioxide in warming the earth's surface is indubitably established, knowing the percentage of carbon dioxide in the volcanic emissions does not aid the assertion in question.
This option is incorrect. That volcanic emissions are larger in some years and smaller in others does not mean that they cannot or do not contribute to warming of the earth's surface. For example, a Factor X may be possible – say a decrease in number of sunspots - that occurs only on rare occasions but when it does occur, it significantly alters earth's surface temperature.
This option is incorrect. Correlation is not causation. 'An increase in volcanic eruptions' happening at the same time as 'an increase in global surface temperature' does not mean that the former caused the latter. Neither does it mean that the former did not cause the latter. Therefore, this correlation neither strengthens nor weakens the assertion in question.
This option is correct. Premise 1 is that 'Warming of the earth's surface is caused by increased atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide.' Premise 2, based on the second paragraph of the passage, is that 'Large volcanic eruptions do not increase the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide.' So, the conclusion drawn from the two is that 'Large volcanic eruptions do not cause warming of the earth's surface.'

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 18

Directions: After reading the passage, read and respond to the questions that follow by selecting the best choice for each one.

[1] An atmospheric gas that absorbs and emits thermal radiation in the infrared range is known as a greenhouse gas. [2] Without such gases, the surface temperature of the earth would have been a frigid -18°C instead of the current 15°C. [3] Many climate scientists claim that human activities since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution have led to a steady increase in the atmospheric concentration of many greenhouse gases, with a consequent increase in the planet's surface temperature by about 0.85°C in the last 130 years. [4] However, in order to correctly estimate the anthropogenic changes in earth's surface temperature, it is important to quantify the effect of external natural factors like large volcanic eruptions on the planet's surface temperature.

[5] Though volcanic eruptions emit carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, the atmospheric concentration of this gas is about 16000 times the amount released by volcanic eruptions; therefore, no matter how large a volcanic eruption is, it cannot produce a significant change in the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. [6] Further, the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted per year by volcanic eruptions – between 130 and 230 million tons – is roughly equivalent to that emitted in only three to five days of human activity.

[7] It is mainly through the emission of sulfur dioxide gas and ash particles into the atmosphere that large volcanic eruptions affect earth's surface temperature. [8] Sulfur dioxide reacts with the water vapor present in air to form fine particles called sulfate aerosols. [9] Winds spread the cloud of aerosols and ash particles around the globe in weeks. [10] These particles absorb incoming solar radiation and scatter it back into space, thereby producing a cooling effect on the earth. [11] They take several years to settle out of the atmosphere and thus impact the global surface temperature for many years. [12] Robock and Mao have shown that for two years after a great volcanic eruption, the surface temperature decreases by 0.1 – 0.2°C. [13] The 1991 Pinatubo eruption in Indonesia was one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the twentieth century and resulted in a global surface cooling of 0.5°C for about two to four years after the eruption.

[14] The El Chichón eruption in 1982 was the first major eruption whose climatic impact was studied in detail by modern instruments. [15] Though the emission volume of this eruption was similar to the Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980, El Chichón released seven times the amount of sulfate aerosols released by Mount St. Helens and lowered the earth's temperature by about 0.4°C as against a decrease of only 0.1°C for Mount St. Helens.

Q. With which of the statements about changes in the earth's surface temperature is the author most likely to disagree?

A. Each volcanic eruption decreases the surface temperature of the earth by at least 0.1°C.
B. Volcanic eruptions cannot offer a permanent counterbalance to the anthropogenic changes in the earth's surface temperature.
C. The earth's climate sometimes takes more than a year to recover from an abrupt external perturbation like a volcanic eruption.
D. Both anthropogenic and external natural factors affect the earth's surface temperature.
E. There has been a net increase in earth's surface temperature since the advent of the Industrial Revolution.

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 18

Note that we have to find the statement with which the author is likely to DISAGREE; that is, we have to find the one statement out of the five options that is FALSE and not supported by the passage.

Let us analyze the options one by one.

This option is correct. The research of Robock and Mao, mentioned in the third paragraph, is valid only for large volcanic eruptions, whereas this option deals with all volcanic eruptions. So, this statement is not supported by the passage.
This option is incorrect. The passage suggests that the cooling effect of volcanic eruptions is temporary and does not last for more than ten years. However, earth's surface temperature has been continuously increasing due to human activity. A temporary decrease cannot undo the damage caused by a permanent increase. Therefore, the cooling effect of volcanic eruptions cannot counterbalance the anthropogenic changes in the earth's surface temperature.
This option is incorrect. As mentioned in the passage, the effect of a volcanic eruption lasts upto ten years.
This option is incorrect. The first paragraph of the passage suggests that both anthropogenic and external natural factors affect the earth's surface temperature.
This option is incorrect. The first paragraph of the passage mentions this.

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 19

Directions: After reading the passage, read and respond to the questions that follow by selecting the best choice for each one.

[1] An atmospheric gas that absorbs and emits thermal radiation in the infrared range is known as a greenhouse gas. [2] Without such gases, the surface temperature of the earth would have been a frigid -18°C instead of the current 15°C. [3] Many climate scientists claim that human activities since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution have led to a steady increase in the atmospheric concentration of many greenhouse gases, with a consequent increase in the planet's surface temperature by about 0.85°C in the last 130 years. [4] However, in order to correctly estimate the anthropogenic changes in earth's surface temperature, it is important to quantify the effect of external natural factors like large volcanic eruptions on the planet's surface temperature.

[5] Though volcanic eruptions emit carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, the atmospheric concentration of this gas is about 16000 times the amount released by volcanic eruptions; therefore, no matter how large a volcanic eruption is, it cannot produce a significant change in the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. [6] Further, the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted per year by volcanic eruptions – between 130 and 230 million tons – is roughly equivalent to that emitted in only three to five days of human activity.

[7] It is mainly through the emission of sulfur dioxide gas and ash particles into the atmosphere that large volcanic eruptions affect earth's surface temperature. [8] Sulfur dioxide reacts with the water vapor present in air to form fine particles called sulfate aerosols. [9] Winds spread the cloud of aerosols and ash particles around the globe in weeks. [10] These particles absorb incoming solar radiation and scatter it back into space, thereby producing a cooling effect on the earth. [11] They take several years to settle out of the atmosphere and thus impact the global surface temperature for many years. [12] Robock and Mao have shown that for two years after a great volcanic eruption, the surface temperature decreases by 0.1 – 0.2°C. [13] The 1991 Pinatubo eruption in Indonesia was one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the twentieth century and resulted in a global surface cooling of 0.5°C for about two to four years after the eruption.

[14] The El Chichón eruption in 1982 was the first major eruption whose climatic impact was studied in detail by modern instruments. [15] Though the emission volume of this eruption was similar to the Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980, El Chichón released seven times the amount of sulfate aerosols released by Mount St. Helens and lowered the earth's temperature by about 0.4°C as against a decrease of only 0.1°C for Mount St. Helens.

Q. The facts presented in the last paragraph of the passage support which of the following conclusions?

A. The carbon content in the volcanic ash particles determines the extent of global surface cooling done by the eruption.
B. The decrease in earth's surface temperature upon a volcanic eruption is determined by the percentage of sulfur dioxide in the total volcanic emissions.
C. Sulfate aerosols take longer to settle out of the atmosphere than ash particles.
D. The sulfate aerosols produced during an eruption have a greater effect on earth's surface temperature than the ash produced during the eruption.
E. The longevity of a volcanic eruption's impact on earth's surface temperature depends on the amount of sulfur dioxide emitted by it.

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 19

Let us revise the table drawn for the last paragraph in the passage analysis section

From this table, we may conclude that the greater the amount of sulfate aerosols emitted by a volcano, the greater the decrease in surface temperature.

Let us analyze the options one by one.

This option is incorrect. It is not the carbon content in the ash but the amount of sulfate aerosols that determines the extent of global surface cooling done by the eruption.
This option is incorrect. Can we say that a small volcanic eruption in which sulfur dioxide is 80 percent of the emitted matter will produce more cooling than a large volcanic eruption in which sulfur dioxide is 20 percent of the emitted matter? No, the passage gives us no basis to make such a claim. Further, the passage does not even tell us the percentage of sulfur dioxide in the El Chichón and Mount St. Helens emissions (that is, the value of (7s / t) and (s / t) respectively).
This option is incorrect. The last paragraph does not compare, or even mention, the settling times of sulfate aerosols and ash particles.
This option is correct. This is in line with the analysis done above.
This option is incorrect. The last paragraph does not mention the factors that impact how long a volcanic eruption's impact on earth's surface temperature remains.

*Multiple options can be correct

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 20

He has a reputation for being wooden and __________, but I think he comes across as both personable and thoughtful in his ads.

[ Note: Select 2 answer choices ]

A.
portentous
B.
standoffish
C.
blithe
D.
uncongenial
E.
convivial

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 20

The sentence describes a person as being wooden and something else. This description is later contrasted with "personable" and "thoughtful." Thus, the fill-in must be a negative word, with a meaning similar to "wooden." "Unfriendly" could be a good fill-in.

Now, let us look at the meaning of the words in the options.

A. portentous – of momentous significance

B. standoffish – distant and cold in manner; unfriendly

C. blithe – showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper

D. uncongenial – not friendly or pleasant to be with

E. convivial – cheerful and friendly

"Standoffish" and "uncongenial" both are close to "wooden." "Portentous" is unrelated, while "blithe," "convivial," and "candid" mean the opposite of wooden

*Multiple options can be correct

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 21

Six months after Hurricane Maria, the island __________ with the longest blackout in the U.S. history.

[ Note: Select 2 answer choices ]

A.
skirmishes
B.
dissents
C.
grapples
D.
brawls
E.
wrestles

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 21

he sentence implies that six months after a hurricane, the island does something with the longest blackout in the U.S. history. Given the context of a post-hurricane situation in the sentence, the word in the blank should mean "deals with a difficult situation." Word such as "struggles" would be a good fill-in.

Now, let us look at the meaning of the words given in the options.

A. skirmishes: engages in a battle or combat

B. dissents: disagrees, hold a different opinion

C. grapples: engages in a close fight or struggle without weapons

D. brawls: quarrels in a rough or noisy way

E. wrestles: struggles with a difficulty or problem

"Grapples" and "wrestles" are therefore correct fits for the blank. Both "dissents" and "demurs" mean to disagree or oppose opinions and hence are not the correct choices. Also, "brawls" and "skirmishes" mean to fight as if in a battle and therefore will not fit the context of struggling with a situation.

The correct answers are options C and E.

*Multiple options can be correct

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 22

Bob Dylan, the poet laureate of the rock era, is the first musician to win the Nobel Prize, and his selection for the coveted award is perhaps the most __________ choice in the history of the Nobel Prize that stretches back to 1901.

[ Note: Select 2 answer choices ]

A.
contentious
B.
ubiquitous
C.
undogmatic
D.
axiological
E.
radical

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 22

The sentence mentions that Bob Dylan is the first musician to win a Nobel Prize. Words such as "first" and "history" indicate that this a departure from the norm, and the tone of the sentence is neither positive nor negative. Words such as "different" or "unconventional" could be good fill-ins.

Now, let us look at the meaning of the words in the options.

A. contentious – causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial

B. ubiquitous – present, appearing, or found everywhere

C. undogmatic – not committed to dogma (any strong set of principles)

D. axiological – related to the branch of philosophy dealing with values, as those of ethics, aesthetics, or religion

E. radical – relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something; far-reaching or thorough

Both 'undogmatic' and 'radical' fit in the blank well. 'Ubiquitous' and 'axiological' are unrelated to the meaning of the sentence and therefore do not fit in the blank correctly. 'Contentious' and 'rudimentary' are also incorrect as a negative word will not match the tone of the sentence.

The correct answers are C and E.

*Multiple options can be correct

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 23

Even though his behavior alienated his colleagues, Phillip often used __________ to achieve his career goals.

[ Note: Select 2 answer choices ]

A.
chicanery
B.
sagacity
C.
pomposity
D.
obliqueness
E.
declivity

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 23

The sentence is about Phillips' behavior and how he furthers his career goals. The sentence also mentions that this behavior 'alienated his colleagues.' This phrase hints that the words required are negative in connotation. Words such as "dishonesty" or "deception" could be good fill-ins for the blank.

Now, let us look at the meaning of the words in the options.

A. chicanery – the use of trickery to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose

B. sagacity – acuteness of mental discernment and soundness of judgment

C. pomposity – the quality of being pompous; self-importance

D. obliqueness – not explicit or done in a direct way, deviously achieved, morally or ethically wrong

E. declivity – a downward slope

F. baloney – foolish or deceptive talk; nonsense

'Chicanery' and 'obliqueness' match the meaning of the sentence. 'Declivity', 'pomposity', and 'baloney' are unrelated to the sentence. 'Sagacity' seems to be a correct answer, however a negative word is required; hence, it can be ruled out.

The correct answers are A and D.

*Multiple options can be correct

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 24

Since the senator previously had expressed few qualms about the proposed amendment, the other members of his party were understandably __________ by his sudden, vehement objections.

[ Note: Select 2 answer choices ]

A.
bewitched
B.
disenfranchised
C.
discombobulated
D.
truncated
E.
addled

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 24

The sentence is about a change in the senator's opinion about the 'proposed amendment'. Previously he did not express any 'qualms' (doubts, misgivings), but then he made some 'sudden, vehement objections.' The word in the blank describes the reaction of the other party members upon the senator's objections. Their reaction is not positive; hence a negative word is required for the blank. Words such as "upset" or "stunned" are good fill-ins for the blank.

Now, let us look at the meaning of the words in the options.

A. bewitched – to be affected by witchcraft or magic; enchanted or delighted

B. disenfranchised – deprived of the right to vote

C. discombobulated – confused and disconcerted

D. truncated – shortened by cutting off the top or the end

E. addled – unable to think clearly, confused

'Discombobulated' and 'addled' match the meaning of the sentence. 'Bewitched' is a positive word and would rather go against the context. 'Disenfranchised,' and 'truncated' are unrelated to the sentence. There is no information in the sentence to support the word 'enervated.'

The correct answers are C and E.

*Multiple options can be correct

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 25

The newsreader, though otherwise always sullen, was unusually __________ today.

[ Note: Select 2 answer choices ]

A.
pragmatic
B.
cordial
C.
despondent
D.
genial
E.
sedulous

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 25

The sentence shows a contrast, as indicated by the indicator 'though.' The word 'sullen' means gloomy and sulky. Considering the contrast, the blank has to be a positive word. The sentence is implying that though the newsreader was always gloomy, she was not gloomy today.

A. pragmatic – practical

B. cordial – warm and friendly

C. despondent – downcast and disheartened

D. genial – having a pleasant and friendly disposition

E. sedulous – hardworking

While 'pragmatic', 'sedulous', and 'iconoclastic' are positive words, they do not fit into the context. Option C, 'despondent', is a negative word and hence can be eliminated easily. The two words that correctly fit into the context are 'cordial' and 'genial'.

The correct answers are B and D.

*Multiple options can be correct

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 26

According to the youngsters of today’s generation, happiness is __________. So, they believe that it is almost impossible to stay happy for a long time.

[ Note: Select 2 answer choices ]

A.
eternal
B.
evanescent
C.
impeachable
D.
ephemeral
E.
ironical

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 26

The word that needs to be filled in the blank must describe what today's youngsters think about happiness. The result or effect of the first sentence is given in the next sentence as indicated by the word 'so.' If the youngsters believe that it is impossible to stay happy for a long time, then they must believe that happiness is short-lived.

Now, let us look at the meaning of words in the options.

A. eternal – lasting forever

B. evanescent – lasting for a very short time

C. impeachable – capable of being accused

D. ephemeral – lasting for a brief time

E. ironical – contrary to what was expected

Option A, eternal, is just the opposite of the correct word. Impeachable, ironical, and paradoxical are irrelevant in the given context.

The correct answers are B and D.

*Multiple options can be correct

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 27

Plastic debris is __________ – it is found from the North Pole to the South and from the deepest point in the oceans to the highest mountains.

[ Note: Select 2 answer choices ]

A.
ubiquitous
B.
incisive
C.
pernicious
D.
perplexing
E.
omnipresent

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 27

The word that must be filled in the blank must describe plastic debris. The explanation of the word is given in the portion after the hyphen. It says that plastic debris is found everywhere in the world – from the North Pole to the South Pole and from the deepest to the highest parts of the world. Hence, the sentence indicates that plastic debris is everywhere.

Now, let us look at the meaning of words in the options.

A. ubiquitous – present everywhere

B. incisive – displaying perceptions of great accuracy

C. pernicious – destructive

D. perplexing – confusing or troubling

E. omnipresent – present everywhere

While it is tempting to select option C – 'pernicious' – we must remember that the context does not mention that plastic debris is harmful. Rather, it only mentions that it is found everywhere. 'Incisive', 'perplexing', and 'confounding' are irrelevant in the given context.

The correct answers are A and E.

*Multiple options can be correct

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 28

She was always recognized as __________ individual at work by her superiors, peers, and subordinates. Hence, her colleagues were very surprised when they noticed that her report contained many inaccuracies.

[ Note: Select 2 answer choices ]

A.
a truthful
B.
a veracious
C.
a feckless
D.
a punctilious
E.
a fastidious

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 28

The word to be filled must describe the woman. The indicator 'hence' in the second sentence indicates that it is the result of the first sentence. The latter part of the text indicates that her colleagues were surprised because of the inaccuracies in her report. Hence, she seems to be a person who is careful with her work.

Now, let us look at the meaning of words in the options.

A. truthful – honest

B. veracious – truthful

C. feckless – careless and irresponsible

D. punctilious – attentive to minute details

E. fastidious – acting with careful attention to detail

Option C – 'feckless' – is a negative word and hence can be easily eliminated. While 'truthful' and 'veracious' are positive words, they do not fit into the context; the context discusses a person who does not have inaccuracies in her work. Option D – 'amiable' – is also positive, but it is irrelevant with respect to the context.

The correct answers are E and F.

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 29

Before the Parliament met, Richard executed a formal deed of (i) __________, renouncing all royal rights, and absolving all his people from homage, (ii) __________ and allegiance, and declaring himself worthy to be (iii) __________.

A. B,D,H
B. A,D,I
C. C,E,H
D. B,E,H
E. A,F,H

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 29

The sentence talks about Richard executing a formal deed because of which he renounced all his royal rights and freed his people from various obligations. He then declared himself something (to be removed from his position, perhaps?)

Let us look at the meaning of the words in the options for blank (i).

A. myrmidon – a follower or subordinate of a powerful person

B. abdication – an act of renouncing the throne

C. prepotency – having power or influence greater than others

The use of the word "renounce" suggests that "abdication" is the correct answer. "Myrmidon" is unrelated and "prepotency" is opposite to the meaning of the sentence.

Coming to the next blank, we require a noun that goes well with homage and allegiance. Loyalty could be a good fill-in here. Let us look at the meaning of the words in the options for blank (ii).

D. fealty - formal acknowledgement of loyalty to a lord

E. inconstancy – not faithful and dependable

F. brio - vigor or vivacity of style or performance

"Fealty," which means loyalty, is the correct answer. "Inconstancy" is opposite to the meaning implied in the sentence. "Brio" is unrelated to the meaning implied in the sentence.

Now, we look at the third blank. Since Richard executed a formal deed, relinquishing all royal rights and freeing his people from all obligations, he was free to step down or to have himself dethroned or demoted.

Let us look at the meaning of the words in the options for blank (iii).

G. succored – to be given assistance or aid to

H. deposed – remove from office suddenly

I. slighted – insult (someone) by treating or speaking of them without proper respect

"Succored" and "slighted" are both unrelated to the meaning expressed in the sentence. "Deposed" is the correct answer as the revolutionary is removed from his duty after he executed the deed.

Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 30

The yoking of Mahabharata, a major epic of ancient India, to modern history needed a style as varied in tone, form, and (i) __________ as the epic itself, with its numerous (ii) __________ and digressions: the story of India had to come across as a tale of many tellers, even if it is (iii) __________ only to one.

A. A,D,H
B. B,E,I
C. B,D,H
D. C,D,H
E. C,D,I

Detailed Solution for Mock Test for GRE - 5 - Question 30

The sentence talks blending Mahabharata with modern history. It states that this needed a style that varied in tone, form, and something else. The first fill-in thus is a quality of a verse from the family of tone and form. Similarly, the second fill-in should be from the synonym family of "digression." The sentence further states how the story of India had to come across as a tale of many tellers. The use of the phrase "even if" implies that actually this story is thought to belong to one.

Let us look at the meaning of the words in the options for blank (i).

A. idiosyncrasy – a mode of behavior or way of thought peculiar to an individual

B. apothegm – a concise saying or maxim

C. scansion – the rhythm of a line of verse

"Scansion," which means rhythm, fits well in the first blank. "Idiosyncrasy" and "apothegm" are unrelated to the meaning of the sentence.

Coming to the next blank, we require a noun that furthers the idea of changes (digressions). "Modifications" could be a good fill-in here. Let us look at the meaning of the words in the options for blank (ii).

D. interpolations - the insertion of something of a different nature into something else

E. morasses – area of muddy or boggy ground

F. anchorites – religious recluses

"Interpolations," which means weaving together two different things, is the correct answer. "Morasses" and "anchorites" are unrelated to the meaning implied in the sentence.

Now, we look at the third blank. As mentioned before, the fill-in should imply that the story of India is thought to be "attributed" to one teller. Let us look at the meaning of the words in the options for blank (iii).

G. permeated – spread throughout

H. polarized – divide or cause to divide into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs

I. ascribed – regard a text, quotation, or work of art as being produced by or belonging to (a particular person or period)

"Permeated" and "polarized" are both unrelated to the meaning expressed in the sentence. "Ascribed" is the correct answer.

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