Question

The field of cryptozoology is the search for animals unknown to science and those for which we have no scientific attestation; (i) _____ physical evidence, it relies upon (ii) _____ sightings for proof of creatures such as the Loch Ness Monster. $$\begin{array}{cc}\text { Blank (i) } & \text { Blank (ii) } \\\ \begin{array}{|ll|}\hline \text { A ignoring } \\ \hline \text { B lacking } \\\\\hline \text { C needing } & \\\\\hline\end{array} & \begin{array}{|l|l|}\hline \text { D anecdotal } \\\\\hline \text { E imagined } \\\\\hline \text { F nominal } \\\\\hline\end{array} \end{array}$$

Short answer

i: lacking, ii: anecdotal

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the Sentence

Analyze the sentence provided: 'The field of cryptozoology is the search for animals unknown to science and those for which we have no scientific attestation; (i) _____ physical evidence, it relies upon (ii) _____ sightings for proof of creatures such as the Loch Ness Monster.' Notice that the sentence describes cryptozoology's dependence on a certain type of evidence in the absence of another type.

- Identify Blank (i)

Determine the appropriate word for blank (i). The phrase 'no scientific attestation' indicates the absence or lack of scientific evidence. Therefore, the correct word is 'lacking.'

- Identify Blank (ii)

Determine the appropriate word for blank (ii). Since cryptozoology relies on sightings that are often personal and unverified, the word 'anecdotal' fits best. 'Anecdotal' means based on personal accounts rather than solid evidence.

- Combine the Choices

Combine the selected words into the sentence: 'The field of cryptozoology is the search for animals unknown to science and those for which we have no scientific attestation; (i) lacking physical evidence, it relies upon (ii) anecdotal sightings for proof of creatures such as the Loch Ness Monster.' This sentence now makes logical sense and clearly conveys the intended meaning.

Key concepts

vocabulary skills

Building strong vocabulary skills is essential for success in tasks like GRE sentence equivalence questions. In these exercises, you need to choose words that accurately fit into the context of a sentence. For example, knowing that 'lacking' means 'without' helps you understand why it's a good fit for describing the absence of physical evidence in the exercise.

Expand your vocabulary by reading widely.

• Look up unfamiliar words.
• Use them in sentences of your own.
• Practice with flashcards to reinforce your learning.

Also, understand subtle differences between synonyms, as they often distinguish correct answers from close but incorrect ones. For instance, 'anecdotal' is chosen because it specifically refers to personal accounts, which matches the context better than 'imagined' or 'nominal.'

critical reading

Critical reading is another key skill for GRE sentence equivalence questions. This means reading carefully to understand the deeper meaning and nuances of sentences. For example, in the given exercise, recognizing that 'no scientific attestation' hints at a lack of scientific proof leads you to choose 'lacking' for blank (i).

When practicing critical reading:

• Look for context clues that hint at the missing words.
• Pay attention to the structure of the sentence and how parts of it interact.
• Re-read complex sentences to ensure you grasp their full meaning.

Parsing a sentence to determine what kind of evidence cryptozoology relies on helps you select the word 'anecdotal,' as it rightly describes unverified sightings.

test preparation

Effective test preparation can dramatically improve your performance on GRE sentence equivalence questions. Here's what to focus on during your prep time:

Use GRE prep materials: These are designed to mimic the questions you'll encounter on the test.

Review word lists: GRE word lists often include words that frequently appear in the test, making them useful tools for study.

Practice timed tests: This builds your stamina and helps you get used to the pace of the test.

Break down solutions: Try to understand not just what the correct answers are, but why they are correct. For example, in the provided exercise, understanding why 'lacking' and 'anecdotal' are right can help you tackle similar problems in the future.

sentence completion

Mastering sentence completion on the GRE involves a step-by-step approach. For the cryptozoology exercise, you followed these steps:
Step 1: Understand the Sentence

Just like breaking down this one: 'The field of cryptozoology is the search for animals... those for which we have no scientific attestation.' This indicates a reliance on non-scientific forms of evidence.

Step 2: Identify Blank (i)

'No scientific attestation' means there is a lack of evidence, so 'lacking' fits well.

Step 3: Identify Blank (ii)

Consider what kind of sightings are unverified. 'Anecdotal' means based on personal accounts, making it the best fit.

Step 4: Combine the Choices

'Lacking... anecdotal' completes the sentence logically.

Practicing with a clear, methodical approach helps ensure you grasp the concept and improves your accuracy in sentence equivalence questions.