GRE Writing Mistakes Practice Questions with Answers

Concept Explanation

GRE writing mistakes are recurring errors in logic, structure, or grammar that reduce the clarity and persuasive power of an Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) essay. To excel on the GRE, test-takers must navigate two distinct tasks: the Issue task, which requires taking a position on a general topic, and the Argument task, which requires an objective critique of a provided logical claim. Common pitfalls include failing to address all parts of the prompt, using overly vague evidence, and neglecting to acknowledge counterarguments. High-scoring essays typically demonstrate a clear thesis, varied sentence structure, and a logical progression of ideas. Identifying these errors early through GRE Prep is essential for moving from a mid-range score of 3.5 to a top-tier score of 5.0 or 6.0.

One of the most frequent errors in the Argument task is the "false correlation" trap, where a student assumes that because one event followed another, the first caused the second. In the Issue task, many students make the mistake of being too one-sided; the ETS official scoring guidelines emphasize the importance of addressing the complexities of an issue. Additionally, mechanical errors like run-on sentences or subject-verb disagreement can distract the reader, though the GRE graders prioritize cogent reasoning over perfect punctuation. Using tools like an AI Lecture Notes Enhancer can help you synthesize these complex writing rules into actionable study guides.

Solved Examples

1. Identifying Logical Fallacies (Argument Task)

   Prompt: "Since the city started its recycling program last year, the local landfill has seen a 10% decrease in waste. Therefore, the recycling program is a success."
   Mistake: Post hoc ergo propter hoc (assuming correlation equals causation).
   Solution:

   1. Identify the claim: The recycling program caused the decrease in waste.
   2. Look for alternative explanations: Perhaps the population decreased, or a local factory closed down.
   3. Draft a critique: "The argument fails to account for other factors that might have contributed to the landfill's waste reduction, such as a decrease in industrial activity or a change in waste management policies for neighboring towns."
2. Addressing the Prompt (Issue Task)

   Prompt: "Governments should focus on solving immediate problems rather than long-term goals. Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree and explain your reasoning for the position you take."
   Mistake: Writing a generic essay about government responsibility without weighing "immediate" vs. "long-term."
   Solution:

   1. Analyze the prompt: It requires a comparison between two priorities.
   2. Develop a nuanced thesis: "While immediate crises require urgent attention, a government that neglects long-term infrastructure and education risks future instability."
   3. Structure the argument: Dedicate one paragraph to the necessity of immediate action (e.g., disaster relief) and another to the necessity of long-term planning (e.g., climate change mitigation).
3. Sentence Variety and Flow

   Example Sentence: "The author says the study is good. The study used 100 people. This is not enough people. The conclusion is wrong."
   Mistake: Choppy, repetitive sentence structure.
   Solution:

   1. Combine ideas: Use subordinating conjunctions or transitions.
   2. Refined version: "Although the author asserts that the study is valid, the small sample size of 100 participants undermines the statistical significance of the results, thereby rendering the conclusion questionable."

Practice Questions

Identify the primary writing mistake or logical flaw in the following scenarios based on standard GRE expectations.

1. An essay for the Issue task argues that technology is entirely beneficial for education but never mentions potential distractions or the digital divide. What is the structural mistake?
2. In an Argument task response, a student writes: "The author's argument is bad because he doesn't use enough facts and his logic is really weak." Why would this receive a low score?
3. A prompt states that "Company X's profits rose after they hired a new CEO; therefore, the CEO is responsible for the growth." What specific logical fallacy should the writer address?

4. A student uses the same transition word "Furthermore" to start four consecutive paragraphs. What writing quality issue does this demonstrate?
5. An Argument prompt relies on a survey of 50 people in a city of 1 million. The student ignores this and focuses only on the author's tone. What critical error did the student make?
6. Identify the error in this sentence: "The data indicates that the number of students who enjoys the new curriculum are increasing."
7. In an Issue essay about whether leaders should be consistent or change with the times, a student spends three paragraphs describing the life of Abraham Lincoln without linking it back to the prompt's specific question. What is this mistake?
8. A writer uses "I think" and "In my opinion" at the start of every sentence in the Issue task. Why is this considered a stylistic mistake?
9. An Argument prompt claims that a specific gym membership increase was due to a new smoothie bar. The student fails to suggest what other information is needed to evaluate this. What part of the GRE instructions was missed?
10. A student writes a 700-word essay with excellent logic but fails to use any paragraph breaks. How does this affect the score?

Answers & Explanations

1. Failure to acknowledge counterarguments: The GRE Issue task requires "complexity of thought." A one-sided argument that ignores obvious drawbacks (like the digital divide) lacks the depth required for a high score.
2. Vague, non-specific critique: The GRE requires specific analysis. Using "bad" or "weak" without explaining why (e.g., "the author assumes a representative sample without evidence") results in a low score for development.
3. Causality/False Correlation: This is the "after this, therefore because of this" fallacy. The writer must point out that external market trends or competitor failures could have caused the profit increase instead of the CEO.
4. Lack of lexical variety: Overusing a single transition makes the writing appear repetitive and less sophisticated. Testers should use a variety of transitions like "Moreover," "Conversely," or "In addition."
5. Failing to critique the evidence: In the Argument task, the quality of evidence (like a non-representative sample) is more important than the author's tone. The student missed a primary logical flaw.
6. Subject-verb agreement: The subject is "number" (singular), so it should be "is increasing." Also, "students" (plural) should be "who enjoy." These minor errors can lower the "Conventions" score.
7. Lack of focus/Tangential content: Using examples is good, but they must be used to support a point. Excessive storytelling without analysis is a common way to lose points for focus.
8. Weakening the authorial voice: While the Issue task is an opinion piece, repetitive use of "I think" is redundant and makes the argument sound less authoritative. The essay itself is the opinion; these phrases add unnecessary wordiness.
9. Neglecting the specific task instructions: Most Argument prompts specifically ask "what questions would need to be answered" or "what additional evidence is needed." Failing to provide these suggestions violates the prompt's requirements.
10. Poor organization and readability: Even with strong logic, a lack of paragraphing makes the essay difficult to read. Graders look for a clear structure (Intro, Body, Conclusion) to award high marks in organization.

1. Which of the following is the most significant mistake in a GRE Argument essay?

• AUsing a few comma splices
• BAgreeing with the author's conclusion
• CUsing simple vocabulary instead of "GRE words"
• DWriting only four paragraphs instead of five

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use personal examples in the GRE Issue task?

Yes, you can use personal examples, but they should be used sparingly and must clearly support your broader argument. It is often more effective to use historical, scientific, or social examples that have more universal relevance.

Is the GRE Argument task asking for my opinion on the topic?

No, the Argument task asks you to evaluate the logical soundness of someone else's argument. Your personal opinion on whether the conclusion is "right" or "wrong" in the real world is irrelevant to the task.

How many paragraphs should a GRE essay have?

While there is no strict rule, most high-scoring essays follow a 4-to-5 paragraph structure. This typically includes an introduction, two or three body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion.

Does the length of the essay affect the score?

There is a positive correlation between essay length and score, as longer essays usually provide more detailed development of ideas. However, writing a long essay full of repetitive or irrelevant filler will not help your score.

Should I use big vocabulary words to impress the graders?

You should use varied and precise vocabulary, but only if you are certain of the words' meanings and contexts. Using "big words" incorrectly is a common mistake that makes the writing appear forced and unclear.