GRE Analytical Writing Book1 - 2023 Sample

Online Resources
With our test prep books, we also provide Online Resources to help you in your test
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1. Conquer the GRE: Stress Management and a Perfect Study Plan - This stress
management e-book is specially designed for test-takers to manage the stress
experienced when preparing for the GRE. It includes:
• Stress Management Techniques
• A 6-month Study Plan
• An 8-week Study Plan
• Practical Tips to get a good score on the GRE
2. Answer Sheets - With the help of answer sheets, you will be able to implement
your learnings and practice writing high-scoring essays.
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5-Star Review by Readers’ Favorite
There was a lot I liked about GRE Analytical Writing:
Solutions to the Real Essay Topics by Vibrant
Publishers. I liked how there were specific examples
of situations in literature and in life that could help
a person understand an argument. Giving real life
examples of how to understand the questions made
the questions seem less imposing and made me feel
like I could be more up to the task of answering those
questions.
I liked how there were writing prompts to give me an idea of some of the questions and
answers I could work on writing. I think prompts are a really great tool for people to use
to practice, and it is so nice to be able to practice from examples that are close to what I
could see on the GRE.
I also liked that GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics explained
how the testing is scored. This breakdown made it very easy for me to understand what
areas I need to concentrate on in order to achieve the score that I want within this test.
This was a very comprehensive list and a really great addition to the book.
Finally, I liked that there were sample essays. This gave me a really great sense of what
to expect. Now I know what a good essay looks like and have something to emulate. Not
only do I have writing prompts and situations in literature to fall back on, now I have
real written essays to critique and examine to compare how mine stack up. Excellent job!
– Janelle Fila for Readers’ Favorite

Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (5 Star Ratings)
(GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 1)
This new edition of GRE Analytical Writing by Vibrant Publishers has 60 solved AWA
essays. Most of the solutions are bang on! All these topics are from the official GRE essay list,
so the probability of one of these essays coming in your actual GRE is very high. In fact, in my
GRE, I was asked one of the issue topics that was already solved in this book. Having already
read the solution had two advantages, 1) I had a good idea of how to go about writing the essay
and 2) I felt a lot more confident, and all my exam stress went away. I will give this book 5 stars!
Great book to help prepare for the GRE essays!! Very helpful strategies, and the essays are
also detailed. I have read through only a few topics as yet but will definitely read through all of
them. If I get the time to read all the 60 Issues and Arguments, there’ll be no looking back. I am
glad I made this purchase.
Good book. Each topic is followed by multiple pointers to help you construct the essay. A
sample essay is also provided for reference. But what I liked the most about the book is they
covered over sixty writing topics. Great for practice.
The book starts with an introduction to the analytical writing section, then explains an
Analyze an Issue task and Analyze an Argument task, including scoring patterns for both. It
gives strategies for writing Issue and Argument tasks. It then takes 30 Issue topics and guides
us to write an essay on each of those topics. Strategies include how to interpret the topic,
different positions that can be taken for the topic in question, ways to support the position
you take, examples, and more. At the end, a sample essay is also given which can be used as a
benchmark. After the Issue topics, 30 Argument topics are covered. Again, each topic is followed
by strategies and a sample essay. The author has addressed many possible positions of an Issue,
assumptions in an argument, the evidence required and questions to be answered, making the
writing task look easy as pie.
What experts say about this book!
This book is a boon for GRE examinees. The new edition caters to everything that one needs
to get great scores in GRE analytical writing. This comprehensive book provides detailed and
accurate information regarding the GRE and methods to score well in the analytical writing
part. The book provides an overview of the GRE General Test examination pattern. I found
all the information that I would require to take the exam, in a very structured and easy-to-
understand manner. The best thing about this book is the simplified step-by-step manner
in which the nuances of essay writing are taught. Students would be able to master focused
responses, incorporating the expected essentials in their essays and helping them to get good
scores. The edition includes 73 solved issue and argument topics, strategies for understanding
the topic and taking a position, followed by methods to support the position. The sample essays
provide a benchmark for framing essays that would fetch good scores. Most of the possible topics
are covered making it extremely helpful for GRE preparation. This is an essential buy for all
students wanting to score well in the GRE. I would give five-star ratings for this book.
– Sumita Tah, IELTS teacher and online tutor of English
We have been using the Analytical Writing books for our students for the last 3 years. I would
highly recommend using these guides for all GRE aspirants. Example essays in the books give
you a great understanding of the pattern, writing styles, and keywords which are essential to
score well on the essay section. The author has done full justice by explaining each topic with
pointers, strategies, and a sample essay. Students can go through essays, compile all points,
create their own templates, and put them into the right frame to create fantastic essays.
– Chinu Vasudeva, Founder,

Doyen-Ed (Institue for training in GMAT, GRE, SAT, ACT, AP, SAT Subject Tests)
TM
TEST PREP SERIES
GRE
ANALYTICAL WRITING:
SOLUTIONS TO THE REAL ESSAY TOPICS - BOOK 1
2023
73 Solved Issue and

Argument Tasks
Detailed Strategies by
Experts
Scoring Guides
2 GRE Study Plans (online)
Stress Management
Techniques (online) Eighth Edition
®
GRE ANALYTICAL WRITING:
Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - BOOK 1
Eighth Edition
© 2023, By Vibrant Publishers, USA. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or
distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission
of the publisher.
Paperback ISBN-10: 1-63651-135-X

Paperback ISBN-13: 978-1-63651-135-1
E-book ISBN-10: 1-63651-136-8
E-book ISBN-13: 978-1-63651-136-8
Library of Congress Control Number: 2020939579
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Table of Contents
1 Overview of the GRE General Test 1
Format of the GRE General Test 2
Outline of the GRE General Test 3
Registering for the GRE 6
How the GRE General Test is Scored 7
General Strategies for Taking the GRE 7
Preparing for Test Day and Taking the GRE 8
Frequently Asked Questions 9
2 Analyze an Issue Task 15

Scoring Guide 17
General Strategies 20
3 Arts 21
Issue Task 1 – Contemporary culture 22
Issue Task 2 – Funding of arts 25
4 Education 29
Issue Task 3 – Free university education 30
Issue Task 4 – Formal education 33
Issue Task 5 – Best way to teach 37
Issue Task 6 – Teachers’ salaries 40
Issue Task 7 – Choice of field of study 43
Issue Task 8 – Take variety of courses 46
Issue Task 9 – To become well – rounded individuals 49
5 Government and Politics 53

Issue Task 10 – Scandals are useful 54
Issue Task 11 – Indicator of a great nation - general welfare 57
Issue Task 12 – Financial support for major cities 61
Issue Task 13 – Effective political leaders 64
Issue Task 14 – Politicians should pursue 67
Issue Task 15 – Undertake risky action 70
Issue Task 16 – Leaders created by demands 73
Issue Task 17 – Ethical and moral standards 76
6 Philosophy 79
Issue Task 18 – Influenced by past achievements 80
Issue Task 19 – Important contributions 85
Issue Task 20 – More knowledge 89
Issue Task 21 – Rapid pace of life 93
Issue Task 22 – Means taken to attain a goal 97
Issue Task 23 – Undertake risky action 100
Issue Task 24 – People’s behavior 103
Issue Task 25 – Passionate interest 105
Issue Task 26 – Critical judgment of work 108
Issue Task 27 – Those in power to step down after 5 years 110
7 Science and Technology 113

Issue Task 28 – Reliance on technology 114
Issue Task 29 – Innovations distract from learning 117
Issue Task 30 – Researchers to not limit investigations 121
8 Society 125
Issue Task 31 – Responsibility of corporations 126
Issue Task 32 – Problems caused by waste 129
Issue Task 33 – Characteristics of a society 132
Issue Task 34 – Parents should volunteer time 136
Issue Task 35 – Character of a society 140
Issue Task 36 – Well-being of society 144
9 Analyze an Argument Task 147
Scoring Guide 149
General Strategies 152
10 Arts 153
Argument Task 1 – Funding symphony orchestra 154
Argument Task 2 – Palean basket 158
Argument Task 3 – WCQP in Rockville 162
Argument Task 4 – Movies Galore 166
Argument Task 5 – Jazz music club 169
Argument Task 6 – WWAC radio station 173
Argument Task 7 – Television station 176
Argument Task 8 – Jazz music 179
11 Education 183
Argument Task 9 – Reduce absenteeism 184
Argument Task 10 – Acme Publishing Company 189
Argument Task 11 – Cheating among students 192
Argument Task 12 – Omega university 195
Argument Task 13 – Groveton College 198
Argument Task 14 – Food storage warehouse 201
Argument Task 15 – Reading habits of Waymarsh citizens 204
12 Government and Politics 207

Argument Task 16 – Mason City residents 208
Argument Task 17 – Maple County 213
Argument Task 18 – Calatrava 216
Argument Task 19 – Transopolis 219
13 Science and Technology 223

Argument Task 20 – Remedy for insomnia 224
Argument Task 21 – Implement electronic monitoring 228
Argument Task 22 – Reducing vandalism 232
Argument Task 23 – Electric power company 237
Argument Task 24 – Climpson Industries 240
Argument Task 25 – Quiot Manufacturing 243
Argument Task 26 – Study on headaches (evidence) 245
14 Society 247
Argument Task 27 – Restrict water flow 248
Argument Task 28 – Island of Tertia 252
Argument Task 29 – Nature’s Way 256
Argument Task 30 – Dr. Karp 259
Argument Task 31 – Blue Highway (evidence) 262
Argument Task 32 – Food storage warehouse 265
Argument Task 33 – Sartorian 268
Argument Task 34 – Bay City 270
Argument Task 35 – Adams Realty 273
Argument Task 36 – Food distribution company 276
Argument Task 37 – Happy Pancake House 279
Dear Student,
Thank you for purchasing GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 1. We are
committed to publishing books that are content-rich, concise and approachable enabling more students to read
and make the fullest use of them. We hope this book provides the most enriching learning experience as you
prepare for your GRE exam.
Should you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to email us at reachus@vibrantpublishers.com
Thanks again for your purchase. Good luck for your GRE!
– Vibrant Publishers Team

GRE Books in Test Prep Series
TITLE PAPERBACK ISBN
6 Practice Tests for the GRE 978-1-63651-090-3
GRE Analytical Writing Supreme:

978-1-63651-143-6
Solutions to the Real Essay Topics
GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to

978-1-63651-135-1
the Real Essay Topics - Book 1
GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to

978-1-63651-137-5
the Real Essay Topics - Book 2
GRE Master Wordlist: 1535 Words

978-1-63651-139-9
for Verbal Mastery
GRE Quantitative Reasoning Supreme:

978-1-63651-091-0
Study Guide with Practice Questions
GRE Reading Comprehension:

978-1-63651-131-3
Detailed Solutions to 325 Questions
GRE Text Completion and Sentence

978-1-63651-133-7
Equivalence Practice Questions
GRE Verbal Reasoning Supreme:

978-1-63651-141-2
Study Guide with Practice Questions
GRE Words In Context:

978-1-63651-129-0
The Complete List
For the most updated list of books visit
www.vibrantpublishers.com
Introduction to the Analytical
Writing Measure
T
he Analytical Writing Measure is intended to assess your ability to think critically and write effectively
about a topic while following specific directions. You will not need any specific content knowledge to
complete either task in this portion of the test. The purpose of both writing pieces is to determine your
readiness to perform appropriately at the graduate level.
During this portion of the test, you will complete two writing tasks that are complementary in nature: Analyze
an Issue and Analyze an Argument. For each task, you will have 30 minutes to read the prompt and directions
and to plan and execute your response.
During the Analyze an Issue task, you will write persuasively as you express your point of view on the
selected topic, which may be in the form of an opinion, a recommendation, a claim and reason, or the presentation
of two points of view. It is important to read the directions carefully to ensure that your response is addressing
the prompt correctly and to enable you to receive the highest score.
During the Analyze an Argument task, you will evaluate an argument to determine the strength of the facts
and assumptions that it presents. You may be asked to evaluate the evidence to determine if the assumptions are
correct, formulate questions that will need to be answered before determining if the assumptions are correct, what
further evidence is necessary before the argument can be declared correct, or what steps should be completed
before accepting a recommended course of action. As in the Analyze an Issue task, in the Analyze an Argument
task, reading and following the directions carefully is the best way to ensure that you receive a high score for your
efforts.
Strategies for Completing the Analytical Writing Measure

Each portion of the writing measure is 30 minutes long. In that period of time, you must read the statement or
brief passage and the directions for creating your response, plan how you want to respond, and write your essay.
If you spend too much time taking notes and organizing your thoughts, you may not have enough time to finish
writing your essay. On the other hand, completing a prewriting activity sufficiently will help you write your
essay more quickly. Budgeting your time is crucial and responding to some of the prompts published on the ETS
site, ets.org will help you to do that. Although the GRE readers are aware of the time limit and that your essay is
essentially a draft, they will expect you to perform at a high level. Leave a few minutes at the end of each writing
section to review your essay for errors in spelling, grammar, usage, and sentence structure.
Chapter 1
Overview of the GRE General Test
2 GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 1
T
he Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test, while previously required for admission
to most graduate programs, is now a part of a larger picture. A strong GRE score can provide
evidence of strong scholarship on an application. This book is designed to prepare students for
the GRE General Test. The GRE revised General Test was renamed in 2016 and is now known as the GRE
General Test, but the content and scoring of the test remain the same. Note that some graduate programs
require applicants to take specialized GRE Subject Tests which will not be covered in this book. Before
preparing to take the GRE, please review the admissions criteria for the programs that you are interested in
applying to so that you know whether you need to take subject tests in addition to the GRE General Test. To
learn more about subject tests, visit the Subject Tests section at ets.org.
The GRE General Test is not designed to measure your knowledge of specific fields. It does not
measure your ability to be successful in your career or even in school. It does, however, give a reasonably
accurate indication of your capabilities in certain key areas for graduate-level work, such as your ability to
understand complex written material, your understanding of basic mathematics, your ability to interpret
data, and your capacity for reasoning and critical thinking. By using this book to prepare for the GRE
General Test, you will not only improve your chances of scoring well on the test, you will also help to
prepare yourself for graduate-level study.
Format of the GRE General Test

The GRE General Test is offered as a computer-delivered test throughout the year. Post-Covid, ETS
provides test-takers with the option to take the test from home.
Whether you are taking the GRE General Test at the testing center or at home, the format of the test will
essentially be the same. The GRE General Test At Home follows the same format as the computer-delivered
version of the GRE General Test. The test consists of three main components: Analytical Writing, Verbal
Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. The total time for the test will be about 3 hours 45 minutes.
The first section of the test is always the Analytical Writing component which is broken into two
sections. In the first section, you will be asked to write an argumentative essay that takes a position on an
issue of general interest. In the second section, you will be asked to analyze an argument for logical validity
and soundness. You will be given 30 minutes for each section.
The remainder of the test will be split between sections devoted to Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative
Reasoning. There will be two sections devoted to Verbal Reasoning, and another two devoted to
Quantitative Reasoning. You will be given 30 minutes to complete each section of Verbal Reasoning and 35
minutes to complete each section of Quantitative Reasoning. Each section will contain 20 questions. At any
point during the test, you may be given an unscored section on either Verbal or Quantitative Reasoning;
since this section will not be identified, it is important that you try your best at all times. Also, it is possible
that you will be asked to complete a research section that will allow ETS to test the efficacy of new questions.
If you are given a research section, it will appear at the end of your General Test. Unscored and research
sections may vary in the number of questions and time allotted.
Overview of the GRE General Test 3
Outline of the GRE General Test

The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections of the GRE General Test are section-level
adaptive. This means that the computer will adapt the test to your performance. Since there are two sections
each for Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning, the difficulty of the second section will depend on
how well you did in the first section. The overall format of the GRE General Test will be as follows:
Component Number of Questions Time Allowed
Analytical Writing 1 Analyze an Issue 30 minutes

(2 sections) 1 Analyze an Argument 30 minutes
Verbal Reasoning
20 questions per section 30 minutes per section
(2 sections)
Quantitative Reasoning
20 questions per section 35 minutes per section
(2 sections)
Unscored Section Variable Variable
Research Section Variable Variable
Total Time: 3 hours 45

minutes
Note that the GRE General Test At Home follows the same format as the computer-delivered version of the
GRE General Test.
While taking the GRE General Test, here are some things to remember:
a) You can review and preview questions within a section, allowing you to budget your time to
deal with the questions that you find most difficult.
b) You will be able to mark questions within a section and return to them later. This means that
if you find a question especially difficult, you will be able to move on to other questions and
return to the one that you had trouble with, provided that you stay within the time limit for the
section.
c) You will be able to change or edit your answers within a section. This means that if you realize
that you made a mistake, you can go back and correct yourself provided you stay within the
time limit for the section.
d) You will have an on-screen calculator during the Quantitative Reasoning portions of the test,
allowing you to quickly complete any necessary computations.
The following section will briefly introduce the three main components of the GRE General Test.
Analytical Writing Assessment

The first section of the GRE General Test is the Analytical Writing Assessment. This component of the
GRE is designed to test your ability to use basic logic and critical reasoning to make and assess arguments.
The Analytical Writing Assessment is broken into two assignments, each of which must be completed
within 30 minutes. In the first assignment, you will be asked to develop a position on an issue of general
interest. You will be given an issue and a prompt with some specific instructions on how to approach the
assigned issue. You will be expected to take a position on the issue and then write a clear, persuasive, and
logically sound essay defending your position in correct English. You will be assessed based on your ability
to effectively defend your positions with supporting evidence and valid reasoning, your skill in organizing
your thoughts, and your command of English. In the second assignment, you will be presented with a
passage in which the author sketches an argument for their position on an issue. Here, you will be expected
to write an essay that critically evaluates their argument in terms of the evidence they use and the logical
validity of their reasoning. You will be assessed based on your ability to parse the author’s argument and
effectively point out the strengths and weaknesses of their reasoning using good organization and correct
English.
Task Time Allowed Answer Format
Short essay on an issue of general interest that clearly

Analyze an Issue 30 minutes
and carefully addresses the prompt
Analyze an Short essay that analyzes another person’s argument

30 minutes
Argument for validity, soundness, and supporting evidence
The Analytical Writing assessment tests your ability to:
Coherently develop complex ideas
Write in a focused, organized manner
Identify relevant evidence and use it to support your claims
Critically evaluate another person’s argument for clarity and effectiveness
Command the elements of standard written English
Verbal Reasoning
The Verbal Reasoning portion of the GRE assesses your reading comprehension, your ability to draw
inferences to fill in missing information, and your vocabulary. You will be given two sections on Verbal
Reasoning, each consisting of 20 questions and lasting 30 minutes. Verbal Reasoning questions on the
GRE General Test are mostly multiple-choice and will be drawn from the following three types: Reading
Comprehension, Text Completion, and Sentence Equivalence. Reading Comprehension questions will ask
you to read a short passage several paragraphs long, and then answer questions about the passage. Text
Completion questions will have a short passage with 1-3 blanks which you will need to fill in by choosing
the best of several multiple-choice options. The Sentence Equivalence section will ask you to fill in the blank
in a passage using the two words that will complete the sentence in such a way that the meaning will be as
similar as possible.
Time Question Type Answer Format
Multiple choice: select one answer choice

Reading
You will have 30 Multiple choice: select one or more answer choices
Comprehension
minutes to complete Highlight a section of text
the entire section,
Multiple choice: fill in one or more blanks to
which will include a Text Completion
complete the text
mixture of different
question types Sentence Multiple choice: select the two options that produce
Equivalence two sentences with the most similar meanings
The Verbal Reasoning section tests your ability to:

Comprehend, interpret and analyze complex passages in standard written English
Apply sophisticated vocabulary in context
Draw inferences about the meaning and authorial intent based on written material
Quantitative Reasoning
The Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE evaluates your ability to use basic mathematics, read
and interpret graphs and figures and engage in basic reasoning involving math and numbers. You will be
given two sections on Quantitative Reasoning with 20 questions in each section. You will have 35 minutes
to complete each section. There are two basic question types, multiple-choice and numerical entry. For
multiple-choice questions, you will be asked to choose the best answer or answers from several possibilities;
for numerical entry questions, you will be asked to enter a numerical answer from your own calculations.
Some questions will be designed to test your knowledge of basic algebra and geometry; others will be
designed to test your ability to read and interpret different presentations of data.
Time Question Type Answer Format
Select one answer choice

Multiple Choice
Select one or more answer choices
You will have 35
Solve the problem through calculation and enter a
minutes to complete Numeric Entry
numeric value
the entire section,
Evaluate two quantities to decide whether one is
which will include a Quantitative
greater than the other, whether they are equal, or
mixture of different Comparison
whether a relationship cannot be determined
question types
Data Multiple choice: choose the best answer or answers
Interpretation Numeric entry: enter a value
The Quantitative Reasoning section tests your ability to:
Use mathematical tools such as basic arithmetic, geometry, algebra and statistics
Understand, interpret and analyze quantitative information
Apply basic mathematical and data interpretation skills to real-world information and problems
On-screen Calculator
Display
x
0. Open parenthesis
Close parenthesis
MR MC M+ ( ) Divide
Memory Recall Clear
7 8 9 ÷ C
Memory Clear Multiply
Memory Sum 4 5 6 CE Clear Entry
+
Decimal – Subtract
Positive/Negative 1 2 3 – √ Square root
Transfer Display
+
- 0 . + = Add
Equals
Transfer Display
The on-screen calculator in the GRE is a handy tool for you to make computations faster. However, you
should only use the calculator for complex equations that will take a longer time to do manually such as
square roots, addition, subtraction, and multiplication of numbers with several digits.
Guidelines for using the on-screen calculator
The on-screen calculator follows the order of operations (PEMDAS). This means that it computes
equations in the following order - parentheses, exponentiation (including square roots),
multiplication and division (left to right), addition and subtraction (left to right). So, for an equation
like 2 + 3 * 6, the on-screen calculator will give the answer 20 but some calculators will give the
answer 30 as they first add 2 and 3 and get 5 which is multiplied by 6 to get the final answer 30.
The Transfer Display button will be useful for Numeric Entry questions. The button will transfer
the number on your calculator display to the numeric entry answer box. But remember to check
the transferred answer as sometimes you may be required to round up your answer; adjust it
accordingly.
The Memory Recall (MR), Memory Clear (MC), and Memory Sum (M+) buttons work as per normal
calculators.
Registering for the GRE
Before you register to take the GRE, be sure to consider your schedule and any special accommodations
that you may need. Be aware that the availability of testing dates may vary according to your location. Be
sure to give yourself plenty of time to prepare for the GRE and be sure that you know the deadlines for
score reporting and application deadlines for all the schools you are applying to. For general information
about deadlines and the GRE, visit the GRE section at ets.org. For more information on how to register for
the GRE, visit the Register for the GRE section at ets.org. For information on special accommodations for
disabled students, visit the Disabilities or Health-related Needs section on ets.org.
If you are taking the GRE General Test At Home, there are certain equipment, environment, and
testing space requirements that you need to fulfill before you can start the registration process. For more
information on these requirements, read the At Home Testing section on ets.org.
How the GRE General Test is Scored
Scoring for the Analytical Writing Section

In the Analytical Writing section, you will be scored on a scale of 0-6 in increments of 0.5. The
Analytical Writing measure emphasizes your ability to engage in reasoning and critical thinking over your
facility with the finer points of grammar. The highest scores of 5.5-6.0 are given to work that is generally
superior in every respect - sustained analysis of complex issues, coherent argumentation, and excellent
command of the English language. The lowest scores of 0.0-0.5 are given to work that is completely off-topic
or so poorly composed as to be incoherent.
Scoring for the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning Sections

The Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections are now scored on a scale of 130-170 in 1-point increments.
General Strategies for Taking the GRE

There are strategies you can apply that will greatly increase your odds of performing well on the GRE.
The following is a list of strategies that will help to improve your chances of performing well on the GRE:
Review basic concepts in math, logic, and writing.
Work through the test-taking strategies offered in this book.
Work through mock GRE tests until you feel thoroughly comfortable with the types of questions you
will see.
As you are studying for the GRE, focus your energy on the types of questions that give you the most
difficulty.
Learn to guess wisely. For many of the questions in the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning Sections,
the correct answer is in front of you - you only need to correctly identify it. Especially for questions
that you find difficult, you should hone your ability to dismiss the options that are clearly wrong
and make an educated guess about which one is right.
Answer every question. You won’t lose any points for choosing the wrong answer, so even a wild
guess that might or might not be right is better than no answer at all.
Preparing for Test Day and Taking the GRE

How you prepare for the test is completely up to you and will depend on your own test-taking
preferences and the amount of time you can devote to studying for the test. At the very least, before you
take the test, you should know the basics of what is covered on the test along with the general guidelines for
taking the GRE. This book is designed to provide you with the basic information you need and give you the
opportunity to prepare thoroughly for the GRE General Test.
Although there is no set way to prepare for the GRE, as a general rule you will want to:
Learn the basics about the test - what is being tested, the format, and how the test is administered.
Familiarize yourself with the specific types of questions that you will see on the GRE General Test.
Review skills such as basic math, reading comprehension, and writing.
Learn about test-taking strategies.
Take a mock GRE test to practice applying your test-taking skills to an actual test.
Remember, you don’t need to spend an equal amount of time on each of these areas to do well on the
GRE - allot your study time to your own needs and preferences. Following are some suggestions to help you
make the final preparations for your test, and help you through the test itself.
Preparing for Test Day

In the time leading up to your test, practice, then practice some more. Practice until you are
confident with the material.
Know when your test is, and when you need to be at the testing center or in front of your computer
at home.
Make a “practice run” to your testing center, so that you can anticipate how much time you will
need to allow to get there. For the At Home test, make sure to sign in at least 15 minutes before the
test.
Understand the timing and guidelines for the test and plan accordingly. Remember that you are not
allowed to eat or drink while taking the GRE, although you will be allowed to snack or drink during
some of the short breaks during testing. Plan accordingly.
Know exactly what documentation you will need to bring with you to the testing center. If you are
testing at home, you will have to provide a valid government-issued identification document as well.
Relax, especially on the day or night before your test. If you have studied and practiced wisely,
you will be well prepared for the test. You may want to briefly glance over some test preparation
materials but cramming the night before will not be productive.
Eat well and get a good night’s sleep. You will want to be well-rested for the test.
The Test Day

Wake up early to give yourself plenty of time to eat a healthy breakfast, gather the necessary
documentation, pack a snack and a water bottle, and make it to the testing center well before your
test is scheduled to start.
Have confidence: You’ve prepared well for the test, and there won’t be any big surprises. You may
not know the answers to some questions, but the format will be exactly like what you’ve been
practicing.
While you are taking the test, don’t panic. The test is timed, and students often worry that they will
run out of time and miss too many questions. The sections of the test are designed so that many
students will not finish them, so don’t worry if you don’t think you can finish a section on time. Just
try to answer as many questions as you can, as accurately as possible.
If there’s a question you’re not sure of, don’t panic—the GRE test allows you to skip and return to
questions when you are ready, so take advantage of that. Remember, the value of each easy question
is the same as the hard questions!
Remember the strategies and techniques that you learn from this book and apply them wherever
possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What changes have been made to the GRE General Test post Covid-19?
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, test-takers are now able to take the GRE General Test at home. Content
and scoring have remained the same. Study materials that reference the GRE General Test are still valid and
may be used for test preparation.
Can I take the GRE test at home?

Yes. ETS now provides students with the option to take the test from home. If your local test centers
are closed or you prefer a familiar testing environment, you can take the GRE from home. You will have to
check the equipment, environment, and testing-space requirements for the at-home test and whether it’s an
option for you. For detailed information on the requirements for the home test, check the At Home Testing
section at ets.org.
Are there any changes in the format and content of the GRE test due to COVID-19?
No. The format and content of the GRE General Test remains the same.
How do I get ready to take the GRE General Test?

To take the GRE General Test, there are several steps you’ll need to take:
Find out what prospective graduate/professional programs require: Does the program you’re
interested in require additional testing beyond the GRE General Test? What is the deadline for
receipt of scores?
Sign up for a test date. You need to sign up for any GRE testing. Act in a timely manner so that you
have plenty of time to prepare and are guaranteed that your scores will be sent and received on
time. For the in-center test, testing dates are much more restricted, so if you know that you will need
to take the GRE General Test at the center, make arrangements well in advance of the application
deadline for your program. There are additional requirements if you’re taking the test at home, so
make sure to check the requirements well in advance.
Use resources provided by ETS and Vibrant Publishers to familiarize yourself with the format of the
GRE and the types of questions you will face. Even if you are confident about taking the test, it is
essential to prepare for the test.
Does the GRE General Test measure my proficiency in specific subject areas?
No. The GRE General Test is designed to measure general proficiency in reading, critical reasoning,
and working with data, all abilities that are critical to graduate work. However, you won’t be tested on your
knowledge of any specific field.
Where can I get additional information on the GRE General Test?

Educational Testing Service (ETS), the organization that administers the GRE, has an informative
website entirely devoted to information about the test at the GRE section at ets.org. There, you can find links
that further explain how to sign up for testing, fees, score reporting and much more.
Preparing for the Test

How should I start to prepare for the test?
The first thing you should do is thoroughly familiarize yourself with the format of the GRE General
Test. Read about each section of the test, how many questions are there per section, and the required format
for answers. You can find general information about the structure of the test earlier in this chapter.
How do I prepare for the questions I will be asked on the GRE General Test?
There are plenty of resources by Vibrant Publishers, including this book to help you prepare for the
questions you will face on the GRE General Test. A list of books is provided at the beginning of this book.
For the most updated list, you may visit the Test Prep Series section on www.vibrantpublishers.com.
How much should I study/practice for the GRE?

Study and practice until you feel comfortable with the test. Practice, practice and practice some more
until you feel confident about test day!!
Are there additional materials I can use to get even more practice?
Yes. ETS offers a free full-length practice test that can be downloaded from the GRE section at ets.org.
Also, after you have signed up for testing through ETS, you are eligible for some further test preparation
materials free of additional charge.
Test Content
How long is the GRE General Test?
The overall testing time is about 3 hours and 45 minutes.
What skills does the GRE test?

In general, the GRE is designed to test your proficiency in certain key skills that you will need for
graduate-level study. More specifically:
The Analytical Writing section tests your ability to write about complex ideas in a coherent, focused
fashion as well as your ability to command the conventions of standard written English, provide and
evaluate relevant evidence, and critique other points of view.
The Verbal Reasoning section is an assessment of your ability to understand, interpret and analyze
complex passages, use reasoning to draw inferences about written material, and use sophisticated
vocabulary in context.
The Quantitative Reasoning section is an assessment of basic, high school-level mathematical skills
and knowledge, as well as your ability to analyze and interpret data
What level of math is required for the Quantitative Reasoning section?

You will be expected to know high school level math - arithmetic, and basic concepts in algebra and
geometry. You will also be expected to be able to analyze and interpret data presented in tables and graphs.
Scoring and Score Reporting

How are the sections of the GRE General Test scored?
The GRE General Test is scored as follows:
The scores of the Verbal Reasoning section are done in 1-point increments on a scale of 130-170.
The scores of the Quantitative Reasoning section are done in 1-point increments on a scale of 130-
170.
The scores of the Analytical Writing section are done in increments of 0.5 on a scale of 0-6.
When will my score be reported?

It depends on which version of the test you are taking, and also when you decide to take the GRE
General Test. In general, scores for the computer-based version of the test are reported within two weeks;
for the paper-based test, they are reported within six weeks. Check the GRE section at ets.org for updates on
score reporting and deadlines.
When will my score be reported?

It depends on when you decide to take the GRE General Test. In general, scores for the test are reported
in 10-15 days. You can find your scores in your official ETS account. An email notification from ETS is
sent when the test scores are made available. ETS will also send an official Institution Score Report to the
institutions you’ve chosen to send the test scores to.
Check the GRE section at ets.org for updates on score reporting and deadlines.
How long will my scores be valid?

Your score for the GRE General Test will remain valid for five years.
Other Questions
Do business schools accept the GRE instead of the GMAT?
An increasing number of business schools accept the GRE as a substitute for the more standard test for
admission to an MBA program, the GMAT. Before you decide to take the GRE instead of the GMAT, make
sure that the programs you are interested in applying to will accept the GRE. You can find a list of business
schools that currently accept the GRE in the GRE section at ets.org.
How is the GRE administered?

The GRE is administered continuously year-round at designated testing centers, where you can take the
test free from distraction in a secure environment that discourages cheating. The GRE Test At Home is also
available for those who are more comfortable in a familiar environment. For information on testing centers
in your area and important dates, visit the GRE section at ets.org.
I have a disability that requires me to ask for special accommodation while taking the test - what sort of
accommodation is offered?
ETS does accommodate test-takers with disabilities. For information on procedures, visit the GRE
Disabilities and Health-related Needs section at ets.org.
Will there be breaks during testing?

Yes. You will be given an optional 10-minute break after the third section of the test and one-minute
breaks between the remaining sections.
Will I be given scratch paper?

Yes. The test administrator will provide you with scratch paper to use during the test, which has to be
returned to the testing center staff without any pages missing.
For the At Home test, you cannot use regular notepaper. You may use either of the following materials:
One small desktop whiteboard with an erasable marker.
A sheet of paper placed inside a transparent sheet protector. You can write on this with an erasable
marker.
At the end of the test, you will need to show the proctor that all notes you took during the test have been
erased.
Should I bring a calculator to the test?

No. There will be an on-screen calculator for you to use.
Chapter 2
Analyze an Issue Task
A
s you complete this task, you will have an opportunity to express your point of view on an issue.
Because it is essentially your opinion, there is no “correct” answer. You must, however, support
your point of view with sufficient evidence to show the strength of your argument. You may agree
completely with the statement about the issue, partially agree with it, or completely disagree with it. Be certain
you stay on topic and follow the directions carefully.
For example, you might be presented with a statement similar to the following:
It is always best to look before you leap.
One interpretation of this statement is that one should consider potential consequences before taking any
action. The directions may instruct you to write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree
or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. If you agree with the
statement, you should recall examples from your reading, your studies, or your own experience that support
your position. Think about Holden Caulfield’s actions in The Catcher in the Rye. His impulsive decision to spend
some time alone in New York City before going home after his expulsion from Pencey Prep had unsatisfactory
consequences. You may have taken some action in your own life that you regretted afterward. On the other hand,
you may disagree with the statement. Early explorers like Christopher Columbus had little idea about what they
would find as they set out in their relatively small sailing vessels. If they had thought only about the dangers of
their ventures, the new world would have been discovered much later. You can also take a qualified approach
by agreeing with the statement to some extent. Remember, the best approach to a given prompt is the one you
can argue the best. The GRE essay readers are trained to evaluate a wide variety of approaches to the issue and
evaluate them on their strengths and weaknesses and not on the opinion expressed.
The following is a comprehensive list of the instructions that can accompany the statements in the Analyze an
Issue task.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and
explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should
consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations
shape your position.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the recommendation
and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, describe
specific circumstances in which adopting the recommendation would or would not be advantageous and
explain how these examples shape your position.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In
developing and supporting your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples
that could be used to challenge your position.
Write a response in which you discuss which view more closely aligns with your own position and explain
your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should address
both of the views presented.
Analyze an Issue Task 17
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim and the
reasons upon which that claim is based.
Write a response in which you discuss your views on the policy and explain your reasoning for the position
you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider the possible consequences of
implementing the policy and explain how these consequences shape your position.
You may have had some experience with writing persuasively in high school or college, but you do not need
to worry about employing specific rhetorical devices to receive a high score. It is important to stay on topic,
present your argument in a coherent and cohesive manner, and to acknowledge counterarguments to strengthen
your own. You should also make every attempt to use correct grammar, mechanics, and a variety of sentence
structures to improve the fluency of your essay. The scoring guide that follows is reprinted from the Practice Book
for the GRE Revised General Test, developed by the Educational Testing Service.
Scoring Guide
Score 6
In addressing the specific task directions, a 6 response presents a cogent, well-articulated analysis of the issue
and conveys meaning skillfully.
A typical response in this category:
articulates a clear and insightful position on the issue in accordance with the assigned task
develops the position fully with compelling reasons and/or persuasive examples
sustains a well-focused, well-organized analysis, connecting ideas logically
conveys ideas fluently and precisely, using effective vocabulary and sentence variety
demonstrates facility with the conventions of standard written English (i.e., grammar, usage and
mechanics), but may have minor errors
Score 5
In addressing the specific task directions, a 5 response presents a generally thoughtful, well-developed
analysis of the issue and conveys meaning clearly.
presents a clear and well-considered position on the issue in accordance with the assigned task
develops the position with logically sound reasons and/or well-chosen examples
is focused and generally well organized, connecting ideas appropriately
conveys ideas clearly and well, using appropriate vocabulary and sentence variety
demonstrates facility with the conventions of standard written English but may have minor errors
Score 4
In addressing the specific task directions, a 4 response presents a competent analysis of the issue and conveys
meaning with acceptable clarity.
presents a clear position on the issue in accordance with the assigned task
develops the position with relevant reasons and/or examples
is adequately focused and organized
demonstrates sufficient control of language to express ideas with reasonable clarity
generally, demonstrates control of the conventions of standard written English but may have some errors
Score 3
A 3 response demonstrates some competence in addressing the specific task directions, in analyzing the issue
and in conveying meaning, but is obviously flawed.
A typical response in this category exhibits ONE OR MORE of the following characteristics:
is vague or limited in addressing the specific task directions and/or in presenting or developing a position
on the issue
is weak in the use of relevant reasons or examples or relies largely on unsupported claims
is poorly focused and/or poorly organized
has problems in language and sentence structure that result in a lack of clarity
contains occasional major errors or frequent minor errors in grammar, usage or mechanics that can
interfere with meaning
Analyze an Issue Task 19
Score 2
A 2 response largely disregards the specific task directions and/or demonstrates serious weaknesses in
analytical writing.
is unclear or seriously limited in addressing the specific task directions and/or in presenting or developing
a position on the issue
provides few, if any, relevant reasons or examples in support of its claims
is unfocused and/or disorganized
has serious problems in language and sentence structure that frequently interfere with meaning
contains serious errors in grammar, usage or mechanics that frequently obscure meaning
Score 1
A 1 response demonstrates fundamental deficiencies in analytical writing.
provides little or no evidence of understanding the issue
provides little evidence of the ability to develop an organized response (i.e., is extremely disorganized and/
or extremely brief)
has severe problems in language and sentence structure that persistently interfere with meaning
contains pervasive errors in grammar, usage or mechanics that result in incoherence
Score 0
A typical response in this category is off-topic (i.e., provides no evidence of an attempt to respond to the
assigned topic), is in a foreign language, merely copies the topic, consists of only keystroke characters, or is
illegible or non-verbal.
The Analyze an Issue task presents you with a statement that expresses a point of view about a topic of general
interest. The statement is followed by a set of specific instructions that will determine the manner in which you
respond. You may find yourself agreeing or disagreeing with the statement almost immediately. How you feel
about the statement is not important, but you will be expected to present a strongly developed case from your
own point of view. As you think about your own point of view, consider other perspectives as well. Before you
begin to write, read the instructions carefully. Take some brief notes, list some questions that the issue generates,
and organize your ideas in a logical manner. This task will assess your ability to think critically and write clearly,
using varied and accurate vocabulary, a meaningful variety of sentence structures, and correct grammar, spelling,
and usage.
General Strategies
Restate the issue in a way that makes sense to you.
You could also determine what question is being answered by the statement Creating a question may help
you determine your position on the issue. If someone were to ask you this question, would you say yes, no,
or maybe?
Next, create a statement that expresses the opposing viewpoint, using language similar to that of the
original statement.
Think about alternative viewpoints. Is there another way to look at this issue? Can you qualify the original
recommendation in some way? How can you answer all or some of the questions that you generated
earlier?
From here, you must decide which point of view to address in your essay. Before you decide, carefully
consider the following questions. You will have addressed several of them in the exercises you will perform
below.
i. What, precisely, is the central issue?
ii. What precisely are the instructions asking me to do?
iii. Do I agree with all or any part of the claim? Why or why not?
iv. Does the claim make certain assumptions? If so, are they reasonable?
v. Is the claim valid only under certain conditions? If so, what are they?
vi. Do I need to explain how I interpret certain terms or concepts used in the claim?
vii. If I take a certain position on the issue, what reasons support my position?
viii. What examples - either real or hypothetical - could I use to illustrate those reasons and advance my
point of view? Which examples are the most compelling?
Once you have decided on a position to defend, consider the perspectives of others who might not agree
with your position. Ask yourself:
i. What reasons might someone use to refute or undermine my position?
ii. How should I acknowledge or defend against those views in my essay?
The next step should be listing the main reasons that support your position. Keep in mind that the GRE
readers scoring your response are not looking for a “right” answer—in fact, as far as they are concerned, there
is no correct position to take. Instead, the readers are evaluating the skill with which you address the specific
instructions and articulate and develop an argument to support your evaluation of the issue.
Chapter 3
Arts
1
Issue Task 1
The most effective way to understand contemporary culture is to analyze the trends of its youth.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement
and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you
should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these
considerations shape your position.
Strategies
Restate the Issue:
How can you change the statement without changing its meaning?
In other words:
The least effective way to understand contemporary culture is to ignore the trends of its youth.
Or: The surest way to misunderstand contemporary culture is to ignore the trends of its youth.
Determine what question is being answered by the issue statement.
How can one understand contemporary culture?
Creating a question will help you to think about how you would respond. Your answer to the question can
help you develop your response to the statement.
Now think about the parts of the statement that provide evidence that you can affirm or refute.
most effective – Most is the superlative form of many; nothing is more effective.
understand – This statement assumes that one can understand contemporary culture.
analyze – Analysis is the process of breaking something down into its components. What are the
components of the trends?
youth – What age group specifically? Does the term, youth, extend to those in college?
Arts www.vibrantpublishers.com
Issue Task 1 23
Opposing statement: 1
The most effective way to understand contemporary culture is not to analyze the trends of its youth.
Identify the parts of the opposing statement that provide evidence you can refute or affirm.
not – In this case, the implication is that one should ignore the trends of a culture’s youth. Including those
trends might give a false impression of the culture.
Alternatives:
Is there another way to look at this issue? Can you qualify the original issue statement in some way?
New viewpoint:
Analyzing the trends of its youth is one component in understanding contemporary culture.
Identify the parts of the new statement that provide evidence to affirm or refute.
one – This implies that there are others.
contemporary – The culture of this time.
Sample Essay
The culture of any era is defined by a variety of elements and may be the result of past influences. Analyzing
the trends of today’s youth is only one of those elements. One also needs to analyze the kinds of work that adults
are pursuing or the activities its senior citizens are participating in. To rely solely on analysis of youth trends is
short-sighted. The youth of a culture are heavily influenced by the latest, hottest fad. Their greatest need is to fit
in and to be cool. They change their clothes, their hair, and their phones as soon as the newest fashion is featured
in print or on television. Their permanence is ephemeral, and their influence may be longer lasting. A big chunk
of their time would be spent just keeping up. Anyone attempting to analyze the trends of youth will barely finish
before the trends change.
The most widely-exposed youth culture of the last half century is that of the 1960’s and 70’s. The youth of that
era advised others to tune in, turn on, and drop out. Drugs, sex and rock and roll permeated the culture of youth
in those decades. Because burning draft cards and bras was so widely publicized, it would be tempting to believe
that all youth behaved in such a manner. That would be a mistake. Despite the presence of SDS chapters, peace
www.vibrantpublishers.com Arts
rallies and sit-ins on college campuses across the country, most students quietly went about attending classes,
1
graduating and getting traditional jobs. The counterculture of the 60’s and 70’s had its greatest influence on later
decades. Those days of rebellion and revolution led to increased opportunities for minorities and women. The
young people of that era are now nearing retirement and are living very different lives from the senior citizens
of previous generations. They have tuned in, but they have not dropped out. They are healthier, better educated,
and leading more active lives than their parents or grandparents did.
An analysis of youthful trends reveals what effect advertising has had on a culture’s young people. To fully
understand contemporary culture, one must analyze the hopes, fears, and actions of all the groups that comprise
it. A culture’s youth is blissfully ignorant of a culture’s realities. The struggle of adults to find satisfying work,
to pay the bills, to provide security for themselves and their children define the attitudes and behaviors of
contemporary culture.
Arts www.vibrantpublishers.com
Chapter 9
Analyze an Argument Task
I
n the Analyze an Argument task, you will take an approach that differs from that in the Analyze an
Issue task. You will not be asked to develop and defend a point of view. You will be asked to analyze
an argument and the evidence and assumptions on which it is based. You will be presented with a
brief passage that makes an argument either for taking some course of action, following a recommendation, or
supporting a prediction. You should read the passage carefully to identify either stated or unstated assumptions
or to determine the line of reasoning used by the author of the passage. The directions will instruct you to
approach your analysis in any of several ways. You may be asked to state what additional evidence is needed
to make the argument sound, what questions will need to be answered before accepting a recommendation, or
whether a prediction based on the argument is reasonable.
As in the Analyze an Issue task, there is no “right” answer or approach. It is important to stay on topic, use
sound reasoning and examples in your response, and strive to develop a coherent, cohesive, and fluent response.
Remember that analysis is the act of breaking something down into its components to see how well they relate
to each other. The components of the argument may include facts, statistics or other figures, and both stated and
unstated assumptions. For example, the owner of Gemma’s Jewelry store may predict that, based on the past
two years’ sales, the store will see an increase of 10% in next year’s sales. One of the unstated assumptions is that
the demand for luxury goods will increase despite whatever else may happen to the economy. Gemma’s Jewelry
doesn’t say what will account for the increase in sales. Will the store add new lines of merchandise? Will the store
increase its advertising? Will the store expand in size? Is a 10% increase significant? If sales were $40,000 last year,
is an additional $4,000 dollars in sales meaningful?
Following is a list of the specific directions you will be asked to follow as you analyze an argument in your
response.
Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and
explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.
Write a response in which you examine the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument. Be sure to
explain how the argument depends on these assumptions, and what the implications are for the argument
if the assumptions prove unwarranted.
Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide
whether the recommendation and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how
the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation.
whether the advice and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the
answers to these questions would help to evaluate the advice.
whether the recommendation is likely to have the predicted result. Be sure to explain how the answers to
these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation.
Analyze an Argument Task 149
whether the prediction and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the
answers to these questions would help to evaluate the prediction.
Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be addressed in order to decide
whether the conclusion and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the
answers to the questions would help to evaluate the conclusion.
Write a response in which you discuss one or more alternative explanations that could rival explanation(s)
can plausibly account for the facts presented in the argument.
You will not need knowledge in any specific discipline to analyze an argument. The topics are of general
interest and are accessible to anyone regardless of previous coursework. The GRE essay readers will be looking
for your ability to reason and organize your thoughts in a logical way. The scoring guide that follows is reprinted
from the Practice Book for the GRE Revised General Test, developed by Educational Testing Service.
Scoring Guide
Score 6
In addressing the specific task directions, a 6 response presents a cogent, well-articulated analysis of the issue and
conveys meaning skillfully.
articulates a clear and insightful position on the issue in accordance with the assigned task
develops the position fully with compelling reasons and/or persuasive examples
sustains a well-focused, well-organized analysis, connecting ideas logically
conveys ideas fluently and precisely, using effective vocabulary and sentence variety
demonstrates facility with the conventions of standard written English (i.e., grammar, usage and
mechanics), but may have minor errors
Score 5
In addressing the specific task directions, a 5 response presents a generally thoughtful, well-developed analysis of
the issue and conveys meaning clearly.
presents a clear and well-considered position on the issue in accordance with the assigned task
develops the position with logically sound reasons and/or well-chosen examples
is focused and generally well organized, connecting ideas appropriately
conveys ideas clearly and well, using appropriate vocabulary and sentence variety
demonstrates facility with the conventions of standard written English but may have minor errors
Score 4
In addressing the specific task directions, a 4 response presents a competent analysis of the issue and conveys
meaning with acceptable clarity.
presents a clear position on the issue in accordance with the assigned task
develops the position with relevant reasons and/or examples
is adequately focused and organized
demonstrates sufficient control of language to express ideas with reasonable clarity
generally, demonstrates control of the conventions of standard written English but may have some errors
Score 3
A 3 response demonstrates some competence in addressing the specific task directions, in analyzing the issue and
in conveying meaning, but is obviously flawed.
is vague or limited in addressing the specific task directions and/or in presenting or developing a position
on the issue
is weak in the use of relevant reasons or examples or relies largely on unsupported claims
is poorly focused and/or poorly organized
has problems in language and sentence structure that result in a lack of clarity
contains occasional major errors or frequent minor errors in grammar, usage or mechanics that can
interfere with meaning
Analyze an Argument Task 151
Score 2
A two response largely disregards the specific task directions and/or demonstrates serious weaknesses in
analytical writing.
is unclear or seriously limited in addressing the specific task directions and/or in presenting or developing
a position on the issue
provides few, if any, relevant reasons or examples in support of its claims
is unfocused and/or disorganized
has serious problems in language and sentence structure that frequently interfere with meaning
contains serious errors in grammar, usage or mechanics that frequently obscure meaning
Score 1
A 1 response demonstrates fundamental deficiencies in analytical writing.
provides little or no evidence of understanding the issue
provides little evidence of the ability to develop an organized response (i.e., is extremely disorganized and/
or extremely brief)
has severe problems in language and sentence structure that persistently interfere with meaning
contains pervasive errors in grammar, usage or mechanics that result in incoherence
Score 0
A typical response in this category is off-topic (i.e., provides no evidence of an attempt to respond to the
assigned topic), is in a foreign language, merely copies the topic, consists of only keystroke characters or is
illegible or nonverbal.
The brief passages and directions in the Analyze an Argument task contain some complexity. In order to
achieve a high score, you must understand the terminology. The following list is intended to help you clarify
your written evaluation of the argument. Further, in this chapter, you will find Analyze an Argument tasks with
elaborate strategies to write the response to a task as well as sample high scoring response or essay for each task.
Note that trained GRE readers evaluate your response based on how well you organize, develop and express
your analysis. They give grades depending on the way you respond to the specific task instructions, identify and
analyze key features of the passage, support your position with relevant reasons and/or examples and control the
elements of standard English.
General Strategies
Although you do not need to know special analytical techniques and terminology, you should be familiar with
the directions for the Argument task and with certain key concepts, including the following:
Is there an alternative explanation for the events in question that can invalidate, either in whole or in part,
the explanation given in the passage?
How can I break the argument into its component parts to understand how they create the whole
argument?
Can I identify the line of reasoning used to create the argument?
What does the author of the argument assume to be true for the argument to be true?
Does the line of reasoning validate the conclusion?
Can I imagine an example that refutes any or several of the statements in the argument?
Am I able to evaluate the argument based on the quality of the facts and reasons presented in it?
Regardless of the approach you take, you must present a well–developed evaluation of the argument. You
should take brief notes when you identify the argument’s claims, assumptions, and conclusion. Jot down as
many alternative explanations as you can along with additional evidence that might support or refute the claims
in the argument. Finally, list the changes in the argument that would make the reasoning more solid. It is more
important to be specific than it is to have a long list of evidence and examples. Use as many or as few paragraphs
as you consider appropriate for your argument, but create a new paragraph when you move on to a new idea
or example of support for your position. The GRE readers are not looking for a specific number of ideas or
paragraphs. Instead, they are reading to determine the level of understanding of the topic and the complexity
with which you respond.
You are free to organize and develop your response in any way you think will enable you to effectively
communicate your evaluation of the argument. You may recall writing strategies you learned in high school
or a writing–intensive course you took in college, but it is not necessary to employ any of those strategies. It is
important that your ideas follow a logical progression and display strong critical thinking.
Chapter 13
Science & Technology
Argument Task 20
An ancient, traditional remedy for insomnia—the scent of lavender flowers—has now been proved
effective. In a recent study, 30 volunteers with chronic insomnia slept each night for three weeks on
lavender-scented pillows in a controlled room where their sleep was monitored electronically. During
the first week, volunteers continued to take their usual sleeping medication. They slept soundly but
woke up feeling tired. At the beginning of the second week, the volunteers discontinued their sleeping
medication. During that week, they slept less soundly than the previous week and felt even more tired.
During the third week, the volunteers slept longer and more soundly than in the previous two weeks.
Therefore, the study proves that lavender cures insomnia within a short period of time.
Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and
explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.
Strategies
The first step in performing your analysis consists of identifying the texts’ key point, recommendation,
prediction or hypothesis. All the other arguments and assumptions are designed to support this central claim. In
20 this case, the author attempts to demonstrate that “lavender completely cures insomnia in a short time”.
The next step would involve creating a statement that summarizes the text by including the central claim and
its supporting arguments.
Following a three week trial involving 30 volunteers, the writer claims that lavender has been shown to cure insomnia,
given that the use of lavender has improved both the quality and soundness of sleep of the subjects.
When considering the evidence that is necessary to support the arguments outlined in the text, it is important
to keep in mind that arguments are based on assumptions – points that are taken to be true, without the need for
proof. This is what you need to look for: explicit and implicit assumptions, since they require evidence that is not
already listed in the text. Explicit assumptions can be broken down into or supported by implicit assumptions
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Argument Task 20 225
Assumptions
Explicit Assumptions Implicit assumptions
• Insomnia completely disappears with the use of

Lavender does not just alleviate, but cures insomnia
lavender
• The study subjects accurately represent the

demographics of Mentia
A thirty- person study is representative for the
population • 30 people are sufficient to prevent statistical
anomalies
• There were no other external contributing factors

in the control room
• The patients were not under the influence of any

interfering drugs
Lavender is the only explanation for the third week • Environmental changes are not responsible for
increase in the length and quality of sleep the effect
• The effects of the sleeping pills wore off during

the second week
20
• The volunteers followed the methodology
without fail
• The length of studies is sufficient to determine

the effects of lavender
A short term study is conclusive for long term
effects • The effects of lavender will persist over time and
multiple uses
• The length of sleep has significantly increased

Lavender improves the quality and length of sleep
• The quality of sleep has significantly increased
After having established your assumptions, you can find the evidence that is needed to evaluate the argument
by considering what proof is necessary to validate each implicit assumption.
Evidence
Comparison of the sleep data (EEG, oximeter, REM length) between people with regular sleep patterns
and the data gathered from the chronic insomniacs that have used lavender
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Demographic compatibility between the subjects of the study and the population of Mentia
Minimum viable number of subjects necessary to conduct a study of this nature
Standard deviation
Comparison between the list of known sleep remedies and the elements available in the control room
Comparison with a control group that undergoes the same trial in terms of length and sleeping quarters
and continues to make use of sleeping pills
The subjects daily drug test results for the duration of the study
Differences in noise and luminosity between the control room and the subjects’ own sleeping quarters
The advertised kick-off time of the sleeping pills compared to the kick-off time proposed by the study
Average duration of sleep studies
Follow-ups on the buildup tolerance of lavender
Percentage of sleep increase during third week compared to the first week
Sample Essay
20
Following a three week trial involving thirty volunteers, the writer claims that lavender has been shown
to cure insomnia. When dealing with short term studies that provide seemingly miraculous cures to modern
ailments potential users should consider a host of supplementary information regarding the sample size,
methodology, theoretical framework and side effects of the purported treatment.
The author’s claim that lavender cures insomnia rests on the assumption that a thirty- person study is
representative of the population. Therefore, the first things a potential user should consider are volunteer
demographics like age and gender. A demographic comparison between the study’s subjects and national
population statistics would reveal whether the two groups are compatible and therefore the results of the study
are applicable. If the two groups would turn out to be incompatible, the claim that lavender cures insomnia
would become less plausible, given that there would be no data linking the demographic segments that were
not featured in the study to the effects of lavender. For instance, a treatment tested solely on people under 40
is likely to have different effects on users above sixty, especially since there are different health conditions to
take into account. However, should the two groups be demographically compatible, then this evidence would
serve to strengthen the credibility of lavender as a cure for insomnia, as long as the study methodology is viable.
Even if the volunteer group would be reasonably balanced in terms of demographics, potential lavender users
should consider the minimum viable number of subjects necessary to conduct a study of this nature, related to
the standard deviation. What this means is that if the number of subjects is considered to be too low, then minor
effects would get amplified because each incidence would carry a greater statistical weight. This would mean that
the study results could have been skewed by a small group of people that reacted very well to lavender and as
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GRE Analytical Writing Book1 - 2023 Sample

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Strategies for Completing the Analytical Writing Measure

Format of the GRE General Test

Outline of the GRE General Test

Component Number of Questions Time Allowed

Analytical Writing 1 Analyze an Issue 30 minutes

Unscored Section Variable Variable

Research Section Variable Variable

Total Time: 3 hours 45

Analytical Writing Assessment

Task Time Allowed Answer Format

Short essay on an issue of general interest that clearly

Analyze an Short essay that analyzes another person’s argument

The Analytical Writing assessment tests your ability to:

 Coherently develop complex ideas

 Write in a focused, organized manner

 Identify relevant evidence and use it to support your claims

 Critically evaluate another person’s argument for clarity and effectiveness

 Command the elements of standard written English

Time Question Type Answer Format

Multiple choice: select one answer choice

The Verbal Reasoning section tests your ability to:

 Apply sophisticated vocabulary in context

Time Question Type Answer Format

Select one answer choice

The Quantitative Reasoning section tests your ability to:

 Understand, interpret and analyze quantitative information

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How the GRE General Test is Scored

Scoring for the Analytical Writing Section

Scoring for the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning Sections

General Strategies for Taking the GRE

 Review basic concepts in math, logic, and writing.

 Work through the test-taking strategies offered in this book.

Preparing for Test Day and Taking the GRE

 Review skills such as basic math, reading comprehension, and writing.

 Learn about test-taking strategies.

Preparing for Test Day

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some of the short breaks during testing. Plan accordingly.

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Preparing for the Test

How much should I study/practice for the GRE?

Coherently develop complex ideas

Write in a focused, organized manner

Identify relevant evidence and use it to support your claims

Critically evaluate another person’s argument for clarity and effectiveness

Command the elements of standard written English

Apply sophisticated vocabulary in context

Understand, interpret and analyze quantitative information

Review basic concepts in math, logic, and writing.

Work through the test-taking strategies offered in this book.

Review skills such as basic math, reading comprehension, and writing.

Learn about test-taking strategies.

One small desktop whiteboard with an erasable marker.

sustains a well-focused, well-organized analysis, connecting ideas logically

is focused and generally well organized, connecting ideas appropriately

develops the position with relevant reasons and/or examples

is adequately focused and organized

demonstrates sufficient control of language to express ideas with reasonable clarity

is poorly focused and/or poorly organized

provides few, if any, relevant reasons or examples in support of its claims

is unfocused and/or disorganized

provides little or no evidence of understanding the issue

contains pervasive errors in grammar, usage or mechanics that result in incoherence

Restate the issue in a way that makes sense to you.

one – This implies that there are others.

contemporary – The culture of this time.

sustains a well-focused, well-organized analysis, connecting ideas logically

is focused and generally well organized, connecting ideas appropriately

develops the position with relevant reasons and/or examples

is adequately focused and organized

demonstrates sufficient control of language to express ideas with reasonable clarity

is poorly focused and/or poorly organized

provides few, if any, relevant reasons or examples in support of its claims

is unfocused and/or disorganized

provides little or no evidence of understanding the issue

contains pervasive errors in grammar, usage or mechanics that result in incoherence

Can I identify the line of reasoning used to create the argument?

Does the line of reasoning validate the conclusion?

Minimum viable number of subjects necessary to conduct a study of this nature

Average duration of sleep studies

Follow-ups on the buildup tolerance of lavender