Online Resources

With our test prep books, we also provide Online Resources to help you in your test
prep journey! With this book, you can access -

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.

To access the e-book, follow the steps below:

1. Go to www.vibrantpublishers.com
2. Click on the ‘Online Resources’ option on the Home Page
3. Login by entering your account details (or Create an Account if you don’t have
one)
4. Go to the Test Prep section and click on the ‘GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions
to the Real Essay Topics - Book 2’ link and get your e-book!
This page is intentionally left blank
 Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (5 Star Ratings)
(GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 2)

This is an excellent book for GRE Analytical Writing exams. I found this book to be very
comprehensive about all aspects of Analytical Writing.

In terms of example essays: there are some very good and well written essays, but at the
same time I felt there were some first-person essays that I could have improved upon. Overall,
it gives you a good idea about different types of writing styles and essays that are needed for
passing the GRE Analytical Writing.

This book was a great buy and a must-read for all GRE test takers. The content in the book
was useful, thought provoking, and I have several ideas to work with now. In addition, the
content is presented well too.

I found very few books that focus on the GRE writing section; and of those, I prefer this
book.

I bought this for myself and I had no problem with the Quant section of the GRE and the
verbal prep was not bad either. I didn’t know anything about the Analytical writing section
as I had kept the prep for this section towards the end. Glad I made this purchase now I feel
much more confident than I was a week ago. One more week for my real test hope to see a 5 at
least in the GRE.

The author has done a fantastic job. The elaborate explanation of each topic helped me
immensely, I could gather my thoughts, streamline them and put them into appropriate
words. Highly recommended .
This page is intentionally left blank
 TM

TEST PREP SERIES

GRE
ANALYTICAL WRITING:
SOLUTIONS TO THE REAL ESSAY TOPICS
BOOK 2
2024 | NINTH EDITION

36 solved
Analyze an Issue tasks

Detailed strategies
and scoring guide

Study plans and stress

management techniques (online)
 GRE® Analytical Writing:
Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - BOOK 2
Ninth Edition

© 2024, 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: 1-63651-198-8

Paperback ISBN-13: 978-1-63651-198-6
E-book ISBN-10: 1-63651-199-6
E-book ISBN-13: 978-1-63651-199-3

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020939579

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter
covered. The Author has made every effort in the preparation of this book to ensure the accuracy of the
information. However, information in this book is sold without warranty either expressed or implied. The Author
or the Publisher will not be liable for any damages caused or alleged to be caused either directly or indirectly by
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Vibrant Publishers books are available at special quantity discount for sales promotions, or for use in corporate
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GRE is the registered trademark of the Educational Testing Service (ETS) which neither sponsors nor endorses
this product.
 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 7
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 19

3 Arts 21
Issue Task 1 – Modern development 22

4 Education 25
Issue Task 2 – Studying in a foreign country 26
Issue Task 3 – Same national curriculum 29
Issue Task 4 – Course planning 33
Issue Task 5 – Prepare students for lucrative careers 36
Issue Task 6 – Eliminate elective courses 39
Issue Task 7 – Dissuade students unlikely to succeed 42
Issue Task 8 – Competition for High grades 46

5 Government & Politics 51

Issue Task 9 – Indicator of a great nation 52
Issue Task 10 – Governments to not fund scientific research 55
Issue Task 11 – Suspend government funding for arts 59
 Issue Task 12 – Indicator of a great nation 62
Issue Task 13 – Major policy decisions 65
Issue Task 14 – Effectiveness of a country’s leaders 68
Issue Task 15 – Restrictions on scientific research 71
Issue Task 16 – Education free of charge 75
Issue Task 17 – Preserve wilderness area 79

6 Philosophy 83
Issue Task 18 – Make important decisions 84
Issue Task 19 – Contemporary life 87
Issue Task 20 – Learn from people 91
Issue Task 21 – Long-term, realistic goals 94
Issue Task 22 – Make important decisions 97
Issue Task 23 – Best test of an argument 100
Issue Task 24 – Fact should be mistrusted 103
Issue Task 25 – Compromise one’s beliefs vs adhere to them 106
Issue Task 26 – True success 109
Issue Task 27 – Progress requires discussion 112

7 Science & Technology 117

Issue Task 28 – Research to benefit greatest number of people 118
Issue Task 29 – Human mind vs machines 122
Issue Task 30 – Primary goal of technological advancement 125

8 Society 129
Issue Task 31 – Man or woman as hero 130
Issue Task 32 – Children with special talents 134
Issue Task 33 – Identification with social group 138
Issue Task 34 – Overall success vs well-being of individual citizens 142
Issue Task 35 – Problems of modern society vs legal system 146
Issue Task 36 – Appealing image vs reality 149
Dear Student,

Thank you for purchasing GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 2. 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 [email protected]

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:

978-1-63651-190-0
Solutions to the Real Essay Topics

GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the

978-1-63651-200-6
Real Essay Topics - Book 1

GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the

978-1-63651-198-6
Real Essay Topics - Book 2

GRE Master Wordlist: 1535 Words

978-1-63651-196-2
for Verbal Mastery

GRE Quantitative Reasoning Supreme:

978-1-63651-208-2
Study Guide with Practice Questions

GRE Reading Comprehension:

978-1-63651-204-4
Detailed Solutions to 325 Questions

GRE Text Completion and Sentence

978-1-63651-202-0
Equivalence Practice Questions

GRE Verbal Reasoning Supreme:

978-1-63651-193-1
Study Guide with Practice Questions

GRE Words In Context:

978-1-63651-206-8
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 the task in this portion of the test. The purpose of the writing piece is to determine your
readiness to perform appropriately at the graduate level.

During this portion of the test, you will complete one writing task: Analyze an Issue. For completing the 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, a 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.

Strategies for Completing Analytical Writing Measure

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. 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 the writing
section to review your essay for errors in spelling, grammar, usage, and sentence structure.

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 Chapter 1
Overview of the GRE General Test
2 GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 2

T
he Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test, while previously required for admission to
most graduate programs, is now part of a larger picture. A strong GRE score can provide evidence of
a 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 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 test consists of three main components: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and
Quantitative Reasoning. The total time for the test will be about 1 hour 58 minutes.

The first section of the test is always the Analytical Writing component which comprises a single section,
after the changes in the test format announced on May 31, 2023. In the section, you will be asked to write an
argumentative essay that takes a position on an issue of general interest.

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 41 minutes to complete both the sections of Verbal Reasoning and 47 minutes to
complete both the sections of Quantitative Reasoning. Section 2 (12 questions, 18 minutes) and Section 4 (15
questions, 23 minutes) will be on Verbal Reasoning, and Section 3 (12 questions, 21 minutes) and Section 5 (15
questions, 26 minutes) will be on Quantitative Reasoning. The unscored section has also been removed for the
shorter GRE General Test, along with the 10-minute scheduled break, which was granted to the students after the
2-hour mark of the 3-hour 45-minute test.

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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
(1 section)

Verbal Reasoning 12 questions (first section) 18 minutes (first section)

(2 sections) 15 questions (second section) 23 minutes (second section)

Quantitative Reasoning 12 questions (first section) 21 minutes (first section)

(2 sections) 15 questions (second section) 26 minutes (second section)

Total Time: 1 hour 58

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.

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4 GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 2

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 comprises of a singular assignment, which must be completed within 30 minutes.
In the 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.

Task Time Allowed Answer Format

Analyze an Short essay on an issue of general interest that clearly

30 minutes
Issue and carefully addresses the prompt

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

‰ 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, consisting of 12 and 15 questions and lasting 18 and 23 minutes respectively. 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.

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Overview of the GRE General Test 5

Time Question Type Answer Format

Multiple choice: select one answer choice

Reading
You will have 41 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 measures 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 12 and 15 questions and 21 and 26 minutes of allotted time for
them respectively. 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 47
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

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6 GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 2

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.

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Overview of the GRE General Test 7

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 Registration
section at ets.org. For information on special accommodations for disabled students, visit the Disability
Accommodations 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.

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8 GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 2

‰ 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.

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Overview of the GRE General Test 9

‰ 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 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.

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10 GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 2

What changes have been made to the GRE General Test after the announcement on May 31, 2023?
The main changes to the test are a reduction in the time (from 3 hours 45 minutes to 1 hour 58 minutes), and
the removal of the “Analyze an Argument” essay task (which was a part of the Analytical Writing section) and the
unscored section. The time has been curtailed by decreasing the number of questions in each section, reducing
the total number of questions from 40 to 27. Furthermore, the removal of the “Analyze an Argument” task and
the unscored section also aided in shortening the total duration. The official scores will also be delivered more
promptly and will now take 8-10 calendar days, facilitating faster applications to their desired institutes by the
students. For more information on the changes, visit the GRE section at ets.org.

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 remain 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 in 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.

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Overview of the GRE General Test 11

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 1 hour and 58 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.

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12 GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 2

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 when you decide to take the GRE General Test. In general, scores for the test are reported in
8-10 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 distractions 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 Disability
Accomodations 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 multiple one-minute
breaks between the remaining sections.

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Overview of the GRE General Test 13

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 the 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.

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 Chapter 2
Analyze an Issue Task
16 GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 2

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.
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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.

A typical response in this category:

‰ presents a clear and well-considered position on the issue in accordance with the assigned task

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18 GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 2

‰ 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.

A typical response in this category:

‰ 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

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Analyze an Issue Task 19

Score 2
A 2 response largely disregards the specific task directions and/or demonstrates serious weaknesses in
analytical writing.

A typical response in this category exhibits ONE OR MORE of the following characteristics:

‰ 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.

A typical response in this category exhibits ONE OR MORE of the following characteristics:

‰ 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.
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20 GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 2

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.

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Chapter 3
Arts
 22 GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 2

1
Issue Task 1
– Modern development

When old buildings stand on ground that modern planners feel could be better used for modern
purposes, modern development should be given precedence over the preservation of historic buildings.

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:

In this case, you might reverse the order in which the parts of the issue appear and use a negative phrase.In
other words:

In other words:

The preservation of historic buildings should not be given precedence over using the ground they stand on for modern
purposes that have a better use. Determine what question is being answered by the issue statement.

You could also determine what question is being answered by the statement.

Should the preservation of historic buildings be given precedence over modern development?

Asking a question may help you to formulate your response to the issue.

Now think about the parts of the statement that provide evidence that you can affirm or refute.

‹ old – This implies outdated or rundown. New is better.

‹ better used – better is a comparative word. It is more than good but less than best.

‹ modern purposes – Modern implies improved. It is the opposite of old-fashioned.

‹ development – This word also has a positive connotation. It implies improvement, evolution.

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Issue Task 1 23

‹ precedence – Whatever is being proposed is more important than other ideas. It should come ahead of
1
other plans or ideas.

‹ preservation – Again, the connotation is positive. To preserve is to save.

‹ historic – Something historic is a representation of history. One generally thinks favorably of something
that is described as being historic.

Opposing viewpoint:

Modern development should not be given precedence over the preservation of historic buildings that stand on ground,
which modern planners feel could be better used for modern purposes.

The only new evidence in the opposing statement is the word not, which simply reverses the original position.

Alternatives:

Is there any other way to look at this issue? Can you qualify either of the statements? Are there any cases
where one or the other of the statements might be true or not true?

New viewpoint:

When the preservation of historic buildings becomes a financial struggle or the land on which they stand could be used for
community betterment, modern development should be given precedence over that preservation.

Identify parts of the new viewpoint that provide evidence for you to refute or affirm.

‹ financial struggle – Surely communities and special interest groups cannot afford to preserve every
building of an historic value.

‹ community betterment– This is subjective. What one feels is betterment, another might feel is a
detriment to the community. Who decides?

Examples:

a) Auschwitz is crumbling. There is strong debate over preserving what remains of the infamous Nazi
concentration camp or the suitability of letting the buildings crumble. Is there a better use for this land?

b) Urban renewal generally involves tearing down existing structures to make way for improved buildings
to house new business or offices or to improve traffic flow.

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 24 GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 2

1
Sample Essay

The value of any object is subjective. Nostalgia for the simpler life of bygone days causes us to attach more
value than appropriate to objects from the past. Historic buildings let us envision the people who lived in them
and the daily activities they pursued. However, the needs of communities have changed, and sentiment may need
to be discarded to meet those needs. Due to this fact, historic buildings may need to be taken down or otherwise
changed to accommodate the needs of the current population.

Some cities have found ways to preserve historic buildings by erecting the new ones over them. Their front
walls become part of the new façade. The cities’ needs for more office space or apartments have been met and
a record of the past has been saved for present and future generations. Many communities in the United States
have historical societies who raise money for historic preservation; and, in some cases, old buildings can be listed
in the Register of Historic Places and are supported by public funds. The future of projects like these depends on
continued interest, and emerging generations may have different priorities.

How essential are old buildings in maintaining the character of a place? When one looks at several cities in
Europe, he sees a cityscape very different from the one that existed prior to WWII when both Allies and Axis
bombs destroyed ancient structures. The citizens of those towns and cities had no choice but to rebuild. Life went
on. Currently, there is debate about the future of Auschwitz. What remains of the notorious Nazi concentration
camp is in disrepair. Buildings that were not built to last in the first place are crumbling. Maintaining them is
costly. Although many countries around the world have donated millions to the preservation of the site, some
wonder if allowing the site to return to its pre-WWII state is a more fitting memorial to what happened there.
Could the money needed to restore the barracks, the crematoria and to maintain the museum be used in a more
appropriate way to teach future generations about the dangers of hatred and prejudice?

Modern technology has made the preservation of old buildings and landmarks possible through photographs
and video recordings. In fact, it is possible, with the click of a computer mouse, to take virtual tours of places one
has never physically visited. These photos and videos live on the World Wide Web forever, and maintenance
costs will be minimal. Access to these historic buildings is no longer restricted to those who can make the trip to
their physical sites but is available to anyone with an Internet connection.

Change for the sake of change is frivolous and usually unnecessary, but towns and cities are challenged to
make the best use of the spaces they have. Their needs have changed. A small city may need assisted living
quarters for its senior citizens or recreational facilities for its young people. To accomplish this, city planners may
have to make difficult choices, some of which could include the razing of old buildings.

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