GRE Sentence Equivalence strategies
Sentence Equivalence questions give you a sentence with one blank and six answer choices. You must choose exactly two words that both produce a complete, coherent sentence and produce sentences that mean the same thing. These strategies cover finding the clue before you look at the choices, the trap of picking two synonyms that do not fit the sentence, and a worked example you can follow step by step.
The core principle: find the clue first
Before you look at the answer choices, find the clue in the sentence. The clue is the word or phrase that signals what the blank must mean. It might be a contrast word like 'although' or 'despite', a continuation word like 'moreover' or 'furthermore', or a direct description of the blank. Once you identify the clue, predict the blank's meaning in your own words. Then find the two answer choices that match your prediction. If you go straight to the choices, the test writers have designed pairs that look right but are not.
Two words, one meaning
The two correct answers must produce sentences with the same meaning. They do not need to be exact synonyms in isolation. 'Useful' and 'practical' might both fit a sentence about a tool, but 'useful' and 'ornate' would not, even if both describe the tool. The test is whether the two completed sentences mean the same thing, not whether the two words are interchangeable in every context. After you pick a pair, read both completed sentences and confirm they convey the same idea.
The most common trap
Picking two synonyms that do not fit the sentence
The answer choices include a pair of perfect synonyms. They are clearly related, they look like a natural pair, and the instinct is to grab them. But the sentence's clue points to a different meaning. 'Plethora' and 'abundance' are synonyms, but if the sentence describes a lack of something, the correct pair might be 'dearth' and 'scarcity.' Always match the pair to the clue, not to each other. If the pair does not fit the sentence's meaning, it is wrong no matter how well the two words match each other.
Step-by-step strategy
When to use: every Sentence Equivalence question.
- 1Read the full sentence. Find the clue word or phrase that signals what the blank means.
- 2Predict the blank's meaning in your own words before looking at the choices.
- 3Find the two choices that match your prediction. Eliminate any that do not fit the clue.
- 4Read both completed sentences. Confirm they are coherent and mean the same thing.
When not to use: never skip the clue. Going straight to the choices is the fastest way to pick the synonym trap.
Worked example
Despite the speaker's _______ tone, the audience remained attentive throughout the two-hour lecture. Step 1: Find the clue. 'Despite' signals a contrast. The audience 'remained attentive,' so the speaker's tone must contrast with engaging. The blank means something like dull or boring. Step 2: Predict. The blank means 'monotonous' or 'tedious' or 'dull.' Step 3: Match. The answer choices include 'monotonous' and 'tedious.' Both match the prediction. They also produce sentences with the same meaning: despite a dull tone, the audience stayed engaged. Step 4: Verify. Read both completed sentences. They mean the same thing. The pair is 'monotonous' and 'tedious.'
Related pages
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