[GREREV] GRE REVIEW Certification Review
Guide
**Question 1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the GRE Analytical
Writing Issue task?**
A) To assess vocabulary knowledge
B) To evaluate the ability to argue for or against a statement
C) To test reading comprehension speed
D) To measure quantitative reasoning skills
Answer: B
Explanation: The Issue task requires test‑takers to develop a clear position on a statement and
support it with reasoning and examples, directly assessing argumentative writing ability.
**Question 2. In the GRE AWA Argument task, which skill is most directly evaluated?**
A) Generating original arguments on a controversial topic
B) Summarizing a given argument and critiquing its logical structure
C) Solving a complex mathematical problem
D) Interpreting statistical data presented in a graph
Answer: B
Explanation: The Argument task asks examinees to analyze the reasoning in a short passage,
identifying assumptions, strengths, and weaknesses without presenting their own viewpoint.
**Question 3. Which of the following strategies would most improve the coherence of an AWA
essay?**
A) Using as many complex words as possible
B) Including unrelated anecdotes for variety
C) Organizing ideas with clear topic sentences and transitions
D) Writing a single, long paragraph to avoid repetition
Answer: C
,[GREREV] GRE REVIEW Certification Review
Guide
Explanation: Coherence is achieved by logical organization, clear topic sentences, and effective
transitions that guide the reader through the argument.
**Question 4. When brainstorming for an Issue essay, the most efficient first step is to:**
A) Write a full draft immediately
B) List at least three distinct perspectives on the issue
C) Memorize a pre‑written template
D) Focus solely on personal anecdotes
Answer: B
Explanation: Generating multiple perspectives early helps identify a clear stance and relevant
supporting points for the essay.
**Question 5. Which of the following sentence structures best demonstrates varied sentence
length in an AWA essay?**
A) “The data is clear. It shows a trend. This trend is important.”
B) “While many argue that technology isolates individuals, research indicates that it can also
foster community, suggesting a nuanced relationship between digital tools and social bonds.”
C) “Technology is good. It helps people.”
D) “People use phones. Phones are useful.”
Answer: B
Explanation: The sentence combines a dependent clause, a contrasting conjunction, and a
concluding clause, showing complexity and variation.
**Question 6. In evaluating an Issue prompt, which of the following questions helps clarify the
scope of the argument?**
A) “What is the author’s favorite color?”
B) “Does the statement apply universally or only in specific contexts?”
,[GREREV] GRE REVIEW Certification Review
Guide
C) “How many pages are in the GRE handbook?”
D) “What is the time limit for the essay?”
Answer: B
Explanation: Determining whether a claim is universal or context‑specific guides the
development of a focused, relevant argument.
**Question 7. Which of the following is NOT a recommended way to conclude an AWA essay?**
A) Restating the thesis in new words
B) Introducing a completely new argument
C) Summarizing key supporting points
D) Offering a broader implication of the discussion
Answer: B
Explanation: Introducing a new argument in the conclusion weakens the essay’s coherence; the
conclusion should synthesize, not expand, the discussion.
**Question 8. A test‑taker writes an AWA essay that heavily relies on personal anecdotes but
lacks external evidence. Which score component is most likely to suffer?**
A) Grammar and syntax
B) Development of ideas
C) Organization
D) Use of examples and evidence
Answer: D
Explanation: GRE scoring values concrete, external evidence; personal anecdotes alone are
insufficient for the “examples/evidence” criterion.
, [GREREV] GRE REVIEW Certification Review
Guide
**Question 9. Which of the following best illustrates a logical fallacy that should be avoided in
an Argument essay?**
A) Citing a peer‑reviewed study
B) Assuming correlation implies causation without proof
C) Providing a counterexample
D) Using a cause‑and‑effect diagram
Answer: B
Explanation: Assuming correlation equals causation is a common logical fallacy that weakens
the critique of an argument.
**Question 10. When analyzing the strength of an argument, identifying the underlying
assumption is crucial because:**
A) It reveals the author’s writing style
B) It shows the argument’s logical foundation that may be unsupported
C) It determines the word count of the essay
D) It indicates the difficulty level of the passage
Answer: B
Explanation: An assumption is an unstated premise; if it is weak or false, the argument’s validity
is compromised.
**Question 11. In a reading comprehension passage, the author’s tone is most likely described
as “skeptical.” Which of the following textual clues supports this interpretation?**
A) Frequent use of exclamation marks
B) Statements that question the reliability of data
C) Long descriptive paragraphs about scenery
D) Repetitive use of “and” to list facts
Guide
**Question 1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the GRE Analytical
Writing Issue task?**
A) To assess vocabulary knowledge
B) To evaluate the ability to argue for or against a statement
C) To test reading comprehension speed
D) To measure quantitative reasoning skills
Answer: B
Explanation: The Issue task requires test‑takers to develop a clear position on a statement and
support it with reasoning and examples, directly assessing argumentative writing ability.
**Question 2. In the GRE AWA Argument task, which skill is most directly evaluated?**
A) Generating original arguments on a controversial topic
B) Summarizing a given argument and critiquing its logical structure
C) Solving a complex mathematical problem
D) Interpreting statistical data presented in a graph
Answer: B
Explanation: The Argument task asks examinees to analyze the reasoning in a short passage,
identifying assumptions, strengths, and weaknesses without presenting their own viewpoint.
**Question 3. Which of the following strategies would most improve the coherence of an AWA
essay?**
A) Using as many complex words as possible
B) Including unrelated anecdotes for variety
C) Organizing ideas with clear topic sentences and transitions
D) Writing a single, long paragraph to avoid repetition
Answer: C
,[GREREV] GRE REVIEW Certification Review
Guide
Explanation: Coherence is achieved by logical organization, clear topic sentences, and effective
transitions that guide the reader through the argument.
**Question 4. When brainstorming for an Issue essay, the most efficient first step is to:**
A) Write a full draft immediately
B) List at least three distinct perspectives on the issue
C) Memorize a pre‑written template
D) Focus solely on personal anecdotes
Answer: B
Explanation: Generating multiple perspectives early helps identify a clear stance and relevant
supporting points for the essay.
**Question 5. Which of the following sentence structures best demonstrates varied sentence
length in an AWA essay?**
A) “The data is clear. It shows a trend. This trend is important.”
B) “While many argue that technology isolates individuals, research indicates that it can also
foster community, suggesting a nuanced relationship between digital tools and social bonds.”
C) “Technology is good. It helps people.”
D) “People use phones. Phones are useful.”
Answer: B
Explanation: The sentence combines a dependent clause, a contrasting conjunction, and a
concluding clause, showing complexity and variation.
**Question 6. In evaluating an Issue prompt, which of the following questions helps clarify the
scope of the argument?**
A) “What is the author’s favorite color?”
B) “Does the statement apply universally or only in specific contexts?”
,[GREREV] GRE REVIEW Certification Review
Guide
C) “How many pages are in the GRE handbook?”
D) “What is the time limit for the essay?”
Answer: B
Explanation: Determining whether a claim is universal or context‑specific guides the
development of a focused, relevant argument.
**Question 7. Which of the following is NOT a recommended way to conclude an AWA essay?**
A) Restating the thesis in new words
B) Introducing a completely new argument
C) Summarizing key supporting points
D) Offering a broader implication of the discussion
Answer: B
Explanation: Introducing a new argument in the conclusion weakens the essay’s coherence; the
conclusion should synthesize, not expand, the discussion.
**Question 8. A test‑taker writes an AWA essay that heavily relies on personal anecdotes but
lacks external evidence. Which score component is most likely to suffer?**
A) Grammar and syntax
B) Development of ideas
C) Organization
D) Use of examples and evidence
Answer: D
Explanation: GRE scoring values concrete, external evidence; personal anecdotes alone are
insufficient for the “examples/evidence” criterion.
, [GREREV] GRE REVIEW Certification Review
Guide
**Question 9. Which of the following best illustrates a logical fallacy that should be avoided in
an Argument essay?**
A) Citing a peer‑reviewed study
B) Assuming correlation implies causation without proof
C) Providing a counterexample
D) Using a cause‑and‑effect diagram
Answer: B
Explanation: Assuming correlation equals causation is a common logical fallacy that weakens
the critique of an argument.
**Question 10. When analyzing the strength of an argument, identifying the underlying
assumption is crucial because:**
A) It reveals the author’s writing style
B) It shows the argument’s logical foundation that may be unsupported
C) It determines the word count of the essay
D) It indicates the difficulty level of the passage
Answer: B
Explanation: An assumption is an unstated premise; if it is weak or false, the argument’s validity
is compromised.
**Question 11. In a reading comprehension passage, the author’s tone is most likely described
as “skeptical.” Which of the following textual clues supports this interpretation?**
A) Frequent use of exclamation marks
B) Statements that question the reliability of data
C) Long descriptive paragraphs about scenery
D) Repetitive use of “and” to list facts
