GRE Practice Questions — All Questions

If 2(x - 3) = 10, what is the value of x?

• a.5
• b.6
• c.8✓
• d.10

Divide both sides by 2: x - 3 = 5. Add 3: x = 8. Check: 2(8 - 3) = 2(5) = 10.

What is 15% of 240?

• a.24
• b.36✓
• c.40
• d.48

15% = 0.15, and 0.15 x 240 = 36. Alternatively, 10% of 240 is 24 and 5% is 12; 24 + 12 = 36.

If x/4 = 9/12, what is the value of x?

• a.3✓
• b.4
• c.6
• d.9

9/12 simplifies to 3/4, so x/4 = 3/4, which means x = 3. Cross-multiplying gives 12x = 36, so x = 3.

The equation x squared minus 5x plus 6 equals 0 has two solutions. What is the greater solution?

• a.1
• b.2
• c.2.5
• d.3✓

Factor: (x - 2)(x - 3) = 0, so x = 2 or x = 3. The greater solution is 3.

A number increased by 40% equals 70. What is the number?

• a.42
• b.50✓
• c.56
• d.60

Let the number be x. Then 1.40x = 70, so x = 70 / 1.40 = 50. Check: 50 + 40% of 50 = 50 + 20 = 70.

If a = 3 and b = -2, what is the value of a squared minus 2ab?

• a.-3
• b.3
• c.21✓
• d.15

a squared = 9. 2ab = 2(3)(-2) = -12. So a squared - 2ab = 9 - (-12) = 9 + 12 = 21.

A circle has a radius of 5. What is its area, in terms of pi?

• a.10 pi
• b.15 pi
• c.20 pi
• d.25 pi✓

Area = pi x radius squared = pi x 5 squared = 25 pi.

A right triangle has legs of length 6 and 8. What is the length of its hypotenuse?

• a.9
• b.10✓
• c.12
• d.14

By the Pythagorean theorem, hypotenuse squared = 6 squared + 8 squared = 36 + 64 = 100, so the hypotenuse = 10. This is the well-known 6-8-10 triangle.

The three angles of a triangle are in the ratio 1 : 2 : 3. What is the measure of the largest angle?

• a.60 degrees
• b.80 degrees
• c.90 degrees✓
• d.120 degrees

The ratio has 1 + 2 + 3 = 6 parts, and the angles sum to 180 degrees, so each part is 180 / 6 = 30 degrees. The largest angle is 3 parts = 3 x 30 = 90 degrees.

The mean (average) of five numbers is 12. What is their sum?

• a.60✓
• b.50
• c.17
• d.12

Mean = sum / count, so sum = mean x count = 12 x 5 = 60.

What is the median of the data set 4, 8, 8, 10, 20?

• a.4
• b.8✓
• c.10
• d.12

The values are already in order, and there are five of them, so the median is the third value. The third value is 8.

Text completion: Although the committee had expected a heated debate, the discussion proved surprisingly ____, ending in unanimous agreement within an hour.

• a.contentious
• b.prolonged
• c.amicable✓
• d.chaotic

'Although' signals a contrast with an expected heated debate, and the clue 'unanimous agreement within an hour' points to a friendly, cooperative tone. 'Amicable' fits. 'Contentious' and 'chaotic' contradict the calm outcome, and 'prolonged' conflicts with 'within an hour.'

Text completion: The novelist was known for her ____ prose, using only the words strictly necessary to convey each idea.

• a.spare✓
• b.ornate
• c.ambiguous
• d.verbose

The clue 'only the words strictly necessary' describes economical, stripped-down writing. 'Spare' means minimal and unadorned. 'Ornate' and 'verbose' mean the opposite, and 'ambiguous' is unrelated to word economy.

Text completion: Because the evidence was merely ____, the jury could not convict; nothing directly tied the defendant to the crime.

• a.conclusive
• b.damning
• c.abundant
• d.circumstantial✓

The clue 'nothing directly tied the defendant to the crime' points to indirect evidence. 'Circumstantial' evidence is exactly that. 'Conclusive' and 'damning' would support a conviction, and 'abundant' does not address whether the link is direct.

Text completion: The critic's review was far from ____; she praised nearly every aspect of the performance.

• a.generous
• b.disparaging✓
• c.lengthy
• d.sincere

'Far from ____' plus 'praised nearly every aspect' means the review was not negative. 'Disparaging' means belittling or negative, so 'far from disparaging' correctly describes a highly positive review. 'Generous' would make the sentence contradict itself.

Sentence equivalence: Choose the word that best completes the sentence and matches the meaning implied by the context: 'Despite his wealth, he lived a ____ life, avoiding luxury and spending little.'

• a.lavish
• b.reckless
• c.frugal✓
• d.prominent

The clues 'avoiding luxury and spending little' describe careful, thrifty living. 'Frugal' captures this exactly. 'Lavish' is the opposite, while 'reckless' and 'prominent' do not match the meaning.

Sentence equivalence: Choose the word that best completes the sentence given the context: 'Her ____ manner put nervous interviewees at ease almost immediately.'

• a.affable✓
• b.aloof
• c.brusque
• d.indifferent

Putting nervous people 'at ease' requires a warm, friendly manner. 'Affable' means friendly and easy to talk to. 'Aloof,' 'brusque,' and 'indifferent' all suggest coldness or distance, which would not ease nerves.

Sentence equivalence: Choose the word that best completes the sentence given the context: 'The scientist remained ____ in the face of criticism, refusing to abandon a theory she believed the data supported.'

• a.hesitant
• b.apologetic
• c.indifferent
• d.steadfast✓

'Refusing to abandon' her theory signals firmness and resolve. 'Steadfast' means firmly loyal and unwavering. 'Hesitant' and 'apologetic' suggest doubt, and 'indifferent' suggests she did not care, which contradicts her active refusal.

Vocabulary in context: In the sentence 'The senator gave an ephemeral endorsement that was forgotten by the next news cycle,' the word 'ephemeral' most nearly means:

• a.enthusiastic
• b.short-lived✓
• c.reluctant
• d.public

'Ephemeral' means lasting a very short time, which fits 'forgotten by the next news cycle.' The other options describe tone or manner rather than duration.

Vocabulary in context: In the sentence 'His candid assessment surprised the board, since most advisers softened their opinions,' the word 'candid' most nearly means:

• a.cautious
• b.lengthy
• c.frank✓
• d.hostile

'Candid' means honest and straightforward, contrasted here with advisers who 'softened their opinions.' 'Frank' is the closest synonym. 'Cautious' is the opposite in this context, and the sentence does not indicate length or hostility.

Vocabulary in context: In the sentence 'The instructions were so verbose that readers struggled to find the key steps,' the word 'verbose' most nearly means:

• a.wordy✓
• b.unclear
• c.technical
• d.outdated

'Verbose' means using more words than needed. The clue that readers 'struggled to find the key steps' amid the text supports 'wordy.' While excessive words can seem unclear, 'verbose' specifically denotes wordiness.

Vocabulary in context: In the sentence 'The mayor's tenacious pursuit of the reform, despite years of setbacks, finally paid off,' the word 'tenacious' most nearly means:

• a.popular
• b.sudden
• c.cautious
• d.persistent✓

'Tenacious' means holding firmly and not giving up, which fits pursuing a goal 'despite years of setbacks.' 'Persistent' is the closest match. The other options do not capture the sense of dogged determination.