Question

The neglect of the old theater was (i) ______ in the extreme (ii) ______ of the building, which was no longer safe to enter. $$\begin{array}{cc}\text { Blank (i) } & \text { Blank (ii) } \\\ \begin{array}{|ll|}\hline \text { A hinted at } \\ \hline \text { B suggested } \\\\\hline \text { C manifest } & \\\\\hline\end{array} & \begin{array}{|l|l|}\hline \text { D dilapidation } \\\\\hline \text { E depilation } \\\\\hline \text { F radiance } \\\\\hline \end{array} \end{array}$$

Short answer

C: manifest, D: dilapidation.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Context

Examine the sentence and identify the context. The sentence talks about the extreme state of the building due to neglect, suggesting something negative about the condition of the theater.

Analyze Blank (i)

Identify a word that fits the context of neglecting something. Options are: A - hinted at, B - suggested, and C - manifest. 'Manifest' directly means obvious or clear, fitting better with neglect in an extreme manner.

Analyze Blank (ii)

Identify a word that fits the negative condition of the building. Options are: D - dilapidation, E - depilation, and F - radiance. 'Dilapidation' means decay or ruin, which correctly describes a building that is no longer safe.

Combine the Words

Place the selected words into the sentence to ensure they make sense together. 'The neglect of the old theater was manifest in the extreme dilapidation of the building, which was no longer safe to enter.'

Key concepts

Vocabulary Building

Building a strong vocabulary is essential for mastering the GRE Sentence Equivalence questions. The key to success is understanding the nuances of words and their contextual meanings. For instance, in the provided exercise, knowing that 'manifest' means obvious or clear helps in selecting the correct word for Blank (i). When you encounter words like 'dilapidation,' which means decay or ruin, it's easier to correctly fill in Blank (ii). Here are some tips for vocabulary building:

• Read regularly: Diverse reading materials, such as books, articles, and essays, introduce you to new words and their usage.
• Use flashcards: Create flashcards with new words and their meanings to help reinforce memory.
• Practice with GRE-specific vocabulary lists: Focus on lists specifically curated for the GRE to ensure you are studying relevant words.
• Contextual learning: Understand how words are used in sentences, which aids in grasping their full meanings.

Consistent practice and exposure to new words will greatly enhance your vocabulary and boost your confidence in tackling Sentence Equivalence questions.

Critical Reasoning

Critical reasoning is a crucial skill in solving GRE Sentence Equivalence questions. It involves analyzing the context and meaning of the sentence to choose the correct words for the blanks. In the given exercise, understanding the sentence's context—that the theater was neglected and in bad condition—guides you to select 'manifest' and 'dilapidation.' Here are some methods to enhance your critical reasoning skills:

• Break down the sentence: Carefully read the sentence and divide it into manageable parts to understand the context better.
• Identify clues: Look for words or phrases in the sentence that hint at the overall meaning and tone.
• Evaluate options: With each blank, consider whether the options provided fit logically and contextually within the sentence.
• Practice regularly: Solve various Sentence Equivalence exercises to get comfortable with different question types and difficulty levels.

Developing strong critical reasoning skills will help you select the most appropriate words and improve your overall GRE verbal score.

Test Preparation

Effective test preparation is key to achieving a high score on the GRE. Incorporating GRE Sentence Equivalence practice into your study routine not only improves your vocabulary and reasoning skills but also helps you become more familiar with the test format. Here are some tips for efficient test preparation:

• Create a study schedule: Allocate specific times for studying each section of the GRE and stick to it.
• Use practice tests: Regularly take full-length practice tests to gauge your progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Review mistakes: Analyze your errors to understand why you made them and learn from them.
• Join study groups: Collaborate with peers to discuss strategies and share resources.
• Stay healthy: Ensure you get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly to keep your mind sharp and focused.

Consistent and well-rounded preparation will boost your confidence and performance on the GRE, ensuring you are fully prepared for test day.