GRE General Test Practice Questions

Question 1:

Despite the director’s insistence that the movie was a serious drama, its absurd plot and over-the-top performances often elicited _______ laughter from the audience.

A. respectful

B. spontaneous

C. derisive

D. melancholic

Correct Answer: C. derisive

Explanation: The sentence indicates a contradiction: the director intended a serious drama, but the movie’s elements (absurd plot, over-the-top performances) caused a different reaction. “Derisive” means expressing contempt or ridicule, which fits the context of laughter provoked by a poorly executed serious drama. Options A, B, and D do not align with the implied negative reaction to the film’s quality.

Question 2:

While the scientist’s theory was initially met with widespread skepticism, subsequent experimental data provided _______ evidence, leading to its eventual _______ by the scientific community.

A. inconclusive … rejection

B. compelling … acceptance

C. contradictory … validation

D. ambiguous … endorsement

Correct Answer: B. compelling … acceptance

Explanation: The phrase “initially met with widespread skepticism” suggests that the subsequent data must have overcome this doubt. “Compelling” evidence is strong and convincing, which would naturally lead to the “acceptance” of the theory by the scientific community. The other options create logical inconsistencies, such as contradictory evidence leading to validation or inconclusive data leading to acceptance.

Question 3:

A recent study found that individuals who regularly consumed a diet high in processed foods exhibited a higher incidence of certain chronic diseases compared to those who consumed a whole-foods-based diet. The study controlled for age, gender, and socioeconomic status. The researchers concluded that dietary choices significantly impact long-term health outcomes.

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the researchers’ conclusion?

A. The study participants on the whole-foods diet also engaged in regular physical exercise.

B. The processed foods group reported higher levels of daily stress.

C. The chronic diseases examined often have a strong genetic predisposition.

D. The study was funded by a prominent whole-foods advocacy group.

Correct Answer: B. The processed foods group reported higher levels of daily stress.

Explanation: The researchers concluded that dietary choices *significantly impact* health outcomes. If the processed foods group also experienced higher stress, stress could be an alternative explanation for the higher incidence of chronic diseases, thus weakening the conclusion that diet alone is the primary cause. Options A and C could also weaken the conclusion, but B provides a direct confounding variable related to the health outcomes, similar to diet. Option D questions the study’s objectivity but doesn’t directly weaken the causal link between diet and health.

Question 4:

A car rental company charges a flat fee of $40 per day plus $0.15 per mile driven. If a customer rented a car for 3 days and paid a total of $175, how many miles did the customer drive?

A. 500 miles

B. 300 miles

C. 450 miles

D. 350 miles

Correct Answer: D. 350 miles

Explanation: First, calculate the total flat fee for 3 days: 3 days * $40/day = $120. Next, subtract this from the total cost to find the mileage cost: $175 – $120 = $55. Finally, divide the mileage cost by the cost per mile: $55 / $0.15/mile = 366.67 miles. Re-reading the question, I made a calculation error. Let’s re-calculate: $175 – $120 = $55. $55 / $0.15 = 366.66… This means my options are off or my question has a slight issue. Let’s double check the question. Ah, it seems I made a slight error in my internal thought process. Let’s re-evaluate the options and the calculation. If the answer is 350 miles: 350 * 0.15 = 52.5. 52.5 + 120 = 172.5. This isn’t 175. Let me adjust the question or options to fit. Let’s make the total $172.50 to fit 350 miles or adjust the options. To make it fit 350 miles for $175: $175 – $120 = $55. $55 / $0.15 = 366.66. Let’s try to make an option work, or change the total. Let’s make the total $172.50. Okay, I will adjust the question to make the math work out cleanly. Let’s make the total $167.50. That would be 450 miles * 0.15 = 67.5. 67.5 + 120 = 187.5. This is not working. Let’s make the total $162.50. 162.50 – 120 = 42.50. 42.50 / 0.15 = 283.33. This is difficult to get a clean number. I need to make sure the numbers work out. Let’s try to work backwards from an option. If 350 miles is the answer: 350 * $0.15 = $52.50. Add the flat fee for 3 days: $40 * 3 = $120. Total = $120 + $52.50 = $172.50. I will change the total in the question to $172.50.

A car rental company charges a flat fee of $40 per day plus $0.15 per mile driven. If a customer rented a car for 3 days and paid a total of $172.50, how many miles did the customer drive?

A. 500 miles

B. 300 miles

C. 450 miles

D. 350 miles

Correct Answer: D. 350 miles

Explanation: First, calculate the total flat fee for 3 days: 3 days * $40/day = $120. Next, subtract this from the total cost to find the amount paid for mileage: $172.50 – $120 = $52.50. Finally, divide the mileage cost by the cost per mile to find the number of miles driven: $52.50 / $0.15/mile = 350 miles. This problem tests your ability to translate a word problem into a simple algebraic equation and solve for an unknown variable.

Question 5:

Quantity A: The value of 2x – 5, if x = 7

Quantity B: The value of x + 10, if x = 3

A. Quantity A is greater.

B. Quantity B is greater.

C. The two quantities are equal.

D. The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Correct Answer: A. Quantity A is greater.

Explanation: To compare the quantities, substitute the given values of x into each expression. For Quantity A, if x = 7, then 2(7) – 5 = 14 – 5 = 9. For Quantity B, if x = 3, then 3 + 10 = 13. Therefore, Quantity B (13) is greater than Quantity A (9). My initial thought was A, but 13 is greater than 9, so B is greater. Let me re-evaluate my values to make A greater.
Let’s make Quantity A: The value of 3x – 5, if x = 7. (3*7 – 5 = 21 – 5 = 16)
Let’s make Quantity B: The value of x + 10, if x = 3. (3 + 10 = 13)
Now A (16) is greater than B (13). This works.

Quantity A: The value of 3x – 5, if x = 7

Quantity B: The value of x + 10, if x = 3

A. Quantity A is greater.

B. Quantity B is greater.

C. The two quantities are equal.

D. The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Correct Answer: A. Quantity A is greater.

Explanation: To compare the quantities, substitute the given values of x into each expression. For Quantity A, if x = 7, then 3(7) – 5 = 21 – 5 = 16. For Quantity B, if x = 3, then 3 + 10 = 13. Since 16 is greater than 13, Quantity A is greater. This question tests your ability to evaluate algebraic expressions by substituting numerical values.

Question 6:

A rectangular garden has a perimeter of 80 meters. If the length of the garden is 25 meters, what is its area in square meters?

A. 375 sq meters

B. 275 sq meters

C. 400 sq meters

D. 300 sq meters

Correct Answer: A. 375 sq meters

Explanation: The perimeter of a rectangle is given by P = 2(length + width). We know P = 80 m and length = 25 m. So, 80 = 2(25 + width), which simplifies to 40 = 25 + width, meaning the width is 15 meters. The area of a rectangle is length * width, so Area = 25 m * 15 m = 375 square meters. This question assesses your understanding of basic geometric formulas for perimeter and area.

Question 7:

The average (arithmetic mean) weight of 5 boxes is 60 pounds. If one box is removed, the average weight of the remaining 4 boxes becomes 55 pounds. What was the weight of the box that was removed?

A. 70 pounds

B. 80 pounds

C. 65 pounds

D. 75 pounds

Correct Answer: B. 80 pounds

Explanation: The total weight of the 5 boxes is 5 * 60 pounds = 300 pounds. After one box is removed, the total weight of the remaining 4 boxes is 4 * 55 pounds = 220 pounds. The weight of the removed box is the difference between these two totals: 300 pounds – 220 pounds = 80 pounds. This problem requires you to apply the concept of averages and work with sums of data sets.

Question 8:

Despite the initial _______ from critics, the novel’s _______ narrative and compelling characters eventually won over a wide readership.

A. praise … convoluted

B. dismissal … captivating

C. endorsement … simplistic

D. enthusiasm … tedious

Correct Answer: B. dismissal … captivating

Explanation: The word “Despite” indicates a contrast between the critics’ initial reaction and the novel’s eventual success. If the novel “won over a wide readership,” it must have possessed positive qualities. Therefore, critics likely had an initial “dismissal” (rejection) of the novel, which was overcome by its “captivating” (engaging) narrative and characters. Options A, C, and D create logical contradictions within the sentence’s structure.

Question 9:

A store offers a 20% discount on all items. If a customer buys an item that originally cost $80, and then pays