GRE GENERAL TEST (GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION) NEW UPDATED
2026 COMPLETE ANSWERS WITH DETAILED EXPLANATIONS
Verbal Reasoning
Reading Comprehension (Questions 1-50)
Passage 1: The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928
revolutionized medicine, yet its path to widespread use was neither immediate
nor straightforward. Fleming's initial observation of bacterial inhibition by mold
was serendipitous, but transforming this observation into a practical medical
treatment required years of additional research by other scientists.
1. Q: What does the passage suggest about penicillin's development?
ANSWER It was a lengthy process involving multiple researchers beyond
Fleming's initial discovery.
2. Q: The word "serendipitous" most nearly means: ANSWER Accidental
or occurring by chance.
3. Q: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage? ANSWER
Fleming's discovery alone was insufficient for medical application.
Passage 2: Coral reefs, often called the "rainforests of the sea," support
approximately 25% of all marine species despite covering less than 1% of the
ocean floor. This biodiversity hotspot faces unprecedented threats from ocean
acidification, rising temperatures, and human activity.
4. Q: The primary purpose of this passage is to: ANSWER Highlight the
importance and vulnerability of coral reefs.
5. Q: According to the passage, coral reefs are notable for: ANSWER
Supporting a disproportionately large percentage of marine life relative to their
size.
6. Q: The comparison to "rainforests of the sea" serves to: ANSWER
Emphasize the biodiversity and ecological importance of coral reefs.
Passage 3: Unlike traditional economic models that assume rational decision-
making, behavioral economics incorporates psychological insights to explain
why people often make seemingly irrational choices. This interdisciplinary
,approach has reshaped our understanding of consumer behavior and policy
design.
7. Q: The passage suggests that behavioral economics: ANSWER
Challenges fundamental assumptions of traditional economic theory.
8. Q: "Interdisciplinary" most closely means: ANSWER Involving multiple
fields of study.
9. Q: Which would most strengthen the passage's claim? ANSWER
Examples of policy changes based on behavioral economic insights.
10. Q: The author's tone can best be described as: ANSWER Informative
and objective.
Passage 4: The printing press, invented by Gutenberg in the 15th century,
democratized knowledge by making books accessible beyond wealthy elites.
However, this technological revolution also sparked concerns about information
quality and the spread of heretical ideas, concerns that echo in today's digital
age.
11. Q: The passage draws a parallel between: ANSWER Historical and
contemporary anxieties about new communication technologies.
12. Q: "Democratized" in this context means: ANSWER Made available to
the general population.
13. Q: The passage implies that the printing press: ANSWER Had both
positive and negative societal impacts.
14. Q: Which best describes the passage's structure? ANSWER Historical
development followed by modern comparison.
15. Q: The "heretical ideas" mentioned likely refer to: ANSWER Ideas that
contradicted established religious or social doctrines.
Passage 5: Photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight into
chemical energy, is fundamental to life on Earth. The oxygen produced as a
byproduct sustains aerobic organisms, while the glucose created serves as the
foundation of most food chains.
16. Q: According to the passage, photosynthesis is important because it:
ANSWER Produces both oxygen and the basis for food chains.
17. Q: "Aerobic organisms" are most likely: ANSWER Organisms that
require oxygen to survive.
, 18. Q: The passage suggests photosynthesis is "fundamental" because:
ANSWER It supports multiple essential life processes.
19. Q: Which would the author most likely discuss next? ANSWER The
specific mechanisms of photosynthesis.
20. Q: The tone of this passage is: ANSWER Explanatory and scientific.
Text Completion (Questions 21-100)
21. Q: The professor's lectures were so _____ that students often left feeling
more confused than enlightened. ANSWER convoluted (complex and
difficult to follow)
22. Q: Despite her _____ demeanor, she was deeply caring and empathetic
toward others. ANSWER austere (severe or stern in appearance)
23. Q: The politician's _____ response avoided directly answering the
controversial question. ANSWER evasive (avoiding giving a direct answer)
24. Q: His _____ nature made him unsuitable for the fast-paced, high-
pressure environment. ANSWER phlegmatic (calm and unemotional)
25. Q: The scientist's hypothesis was _____ by extensive experimental
evidence. ANSWER corroborated (confirmed or supported)
26. Q: The artist's work was _____, defying traditional categorization.
ANSWER iconoclastic (attacking established beliefs)
27. Q: Her _____ for detail made her an excellent editor. ANSWER
penchant (strong inclination or liking)
28. Q: The defendant's testimony was _____ with contradictions. ANSWER
riddled (filled throughout)
29. Q: The CEO's _____ leadership style fostered innovation and creativity.
ANSWER laissez-faire (hands-off, non-interfering)
30. Q: The movie received _____ reviews from critics across the board.
ANSWER disparaging (expressing criticism)
31. Q: His _____ spending habits left him perpetually in debt. ANSWER
profligate (recklessly extravagant)
32. Q: The treaty proved _____, failing to prevent future conflicts.
ANSWER ineffectual (not producing desired effect)
2026 COMPLETE ANSWERS WITH DETAILED EXPLANATIONS
Verbal Reasoning
Reading Comprehension (Questions 1-50)
Passage 1: The discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928
revolutionized medicine, yet its path to widespread use was neither immediate
nor straightforward. Fleming's initial observation of bacterial inhibition by mold
was serendipitous, but transforming this observation into a practical medical
treatment required years of additional research by other scientists.
1. Q: What does the passage suggest about penicillin's development?
ANSWER It was a lengthy process involving multiple researchers beyond
Fleming's initial discovery.
2. Q: The word "serendipitous" most nearly means: ANSWER Accidental
or occurring by chance.
3. Q: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage? ANSWER
Fleming's discovery alone was insufficient for medical application.
Passage 2: Coral reefs, often called the "rainforests of the sea," support
approximately 25% of all marine species despite covering less than 1% of the
ocean floor. This biodiversity hotspot faces unprecedented threats from ocean
acidification, rising temperatures, and human activity.
4. Q: The primary purpose of this passage is to: ANSWER Highlight the
importance and vulnerability of coral reefs.
5. Q: According to the passage, coral reefs are notable for: ANSWER
Supporting a disproportionately large percentage of marine life relative to their
size.
6. Q: The comparison to "rainforests of the sea" serves to: ANSWER
Emphasize the biodiversity and ecological importance of coral reefs.
Passage 3: Unlike traditional economic models that assume rational decision-
making, behavioral economics incorporates psychological insights to explain
why people often make seemingly irrational choices. This interdisciplinary
,approach has reshaped our understanding of consumer behavior and policy
design.
7. Q: The passage suggests that behavioral economics: ANSWER
Challenges fundamental assumptions of traditional economic theory.
8. Q: "Interdisciplinary" most closely means: ANSWER Involving multiple
fields of study.
9. Q: Which would most strengthen the passage's claim? ANSWER
Examples of policy changes based on behavioral economic insights.
10. Q: The author's tone can best be described as: ANSWER Informative
and objective.
Passage 4: The printing press, invented by Gutenberg in the 15th century,
democratized knowledge by making books accessible beyond wealthy elites.
However, this technological revolution also sparked concerns about information
quality and the spread of heretical ideas, concerns that echo in today's digital
age.
11. Q: The passage draws a parallel between: ANSWER Historical and
contemporary anxieties about new communication technologies.
12. Q: "Democratized" in this context means: ANSWER Made available to
the general population.
13. Q: The passage implies that the printing press: ANSWER Had both
positive and negative societal impacts.
14. Q: Which best describes the passage's structure? ANSWER Historical
development followed by modern comparison.
15. Q: The "heretical ideas" mentioned likely refer to: ANSWER Ideas that
contradicted established religious or social doctrines.
Passage 5: Photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight into
chemical energy, is fundamental to life on Earth. The oxygen produced as a
byproduct sustains aerobic organisms, while the glucose created serves as the
foundation of most food chains.
16. Q: According to the passage, photosynthesis is important because it:
ANSWER Produces both oxygen and the basis for food chains.
17. Q: "Aerobic organisms" are most likely: ANSWER Organisms that
require oxygen to survive.
, 18. Q: The passage suggests photosynthesis is "fundamental" because:
ANSWER It supports multiple essential life processes.
19. Q: Which would the author most likely discuss next? ANSWER The
specific mechanisms of photosynthesis.
20. Q: The tone of this passage is: ANSWER Explanatory and scientific.
Text Completion (Questions 21-100)
21. Q: The professor's lectures were so _____ that students often left feeling
more confused than enlightened. ANSWER convoluted (complex and
difficult to follow)
22. Q: Despite her _____ demeanor, she was deeply caring and empathetic
toward others. ANSWER austere (severe or stern in appearance)
23. Q: The politician's _____ response avoided directly answering the
controversial question. ANSWER evasive (avoiding giving a direct answer)
24. Q: His _____ nature made him unsuitable for the fast-paced, high-
pressure environment. ANSWER phlegmatic (calm and unemotional)
25. Q: The scientist's hypothesis was _____ by extensive experimental
evidence. ANSWER corroborated (confirmed or supported)
26. Q: The artist's work was _____, defying traditional categorization.
ANSWER iconoclastic (attacking established beliefs)
27. Q: Her _____ for detail made her an excellent editor. ANSWER
penchant (strong inclination or liking)
28. Q: The defendant's testimony was _____ with contradictions. ANSWER
riddled (filled throughout)
29. Q: The CEO's _____ leadership style fostered innovation and creativity.
ANSWER laissez-faire (hands-off, non-interfering)
30. Q: The movie received _____ reviews from critics across the board.
ANSWER disparaging (expressing criticism)
31. Q: His _____ spending habits left him perpetually in debt. ANSWER
profligate (recklessly extravagant)
32. Q: The treaty proved _____, failing to prevent future conflicts.
ANSWER ineffectual (not producing desired effect)
