This reading list has a collection of some very interesting articles from the world of science, technology, and environment. Why do we need to read articles from these topics? These topic areas are common ones from which GMAT and GRE reading comprehension passages are often framed. Second, test-takers might not be particularly comfortable reading passages from these topic areas – even if we have a science background. For example, we might have a background in business or in computer science and if we are presented with a passage that discusses genome testing, the jargon can still make that RC passage difficult to read and practice. Therefore, having a reading list that covers diverse topics is a good strategy to ensure high scores in the reading comprehension section of GRE and GMAT.
This does not mean, however, that familiarity with science, technology, and environment topics is a prerequisite to answering questions accurately. It is just that, familiarity with diverse topic areas can ensure that a reading comprehension passage does not feel overwhelming per se. A regular reading habit also ensures that you have a comfortable pace when reading, and more importantly, can process information better.
Each article in this science and technology section includes a summary and reading comprehension questions with answers. These RC questions are crafted to closely resemble actual GMAT GRE Reading Comprehension questions, making them an excellent tool for targeted practice. After reading, compare your understanding to the provided summary to gauge your grasp of the main ideas – a powerful reading comprehension tip for any test-taker.
This list is not a static list and gets updated every two or three weeks. So, bookmark this GRE GMAT reading comprehension prep blog and revisit it periodically. You can also subscribe to our YouTube and Instagram to receive weekly updates on every #wizreadswednesdays.
Emergent Gravity | March 27, 2024
Is gravity a fundamental force – which is how scientists have considered it so far or is it a result of microscopic processes? That is the question that physicists have recently strived to answer. Read this article to know more about the latest research on gravity and dark matter.
Read the Science & Tech article
Answer this Medium-High Difficulty Inference Question
All of the following are true from the article EXCEPT
- Verlinde’s theory on emergent gravity has not been held true in all experiments conducted on the topic.
- Verlinde’s theory on emergent gravity is only a minor variation from the existing theory on gravity.
- When a certain quality is clearly intrinsic, it cannot also be classified as emergent.
- If gravity is found to be emergent, then motion and inertia will be considered emergent as well.
- Verlinde’s 2016 theory attracted more scientific attention than his earlier 2009 version of the theory.
RC Question Answer & Explanation ▼
The article describes Verlinde’s theory as a “rewriting of a known law of physics” and as a “radical reformation of gravity”. These descriptions imply that the theory is a significant deviation from prevailing theory of gravity.
Correct Answer: Choice (2)
Categories: March 2024 Reading List | Easy
The Gendered Brain | March 6, 2024
Are men and women wired differently in our brains? Are there biological differences behind our skills and hobbies? Turns out…. No! All the purported research backing the claim of a gendered brain are fundamentally flawed in a misguided attempt to claim “Aaha!”. Read this difficult article on neurosexism to know more.
Read this Difficult Science RC Passage
Answer this Medium Difficulty Inference Question
Which of these statements will Rippon agree with?
- Even if a study is conducted on a sample size of 20-odd men and women, the results can be considered valid if due diligence was undertaken.
- Because there are no biological differences in the brains of newborn girls and boys, it is likely that whatever differences that later develop were caused by society.
- Despite differences in the brain, men are capable of being caretakers and women of becoming scientists.
- Male-female ‘complementarity’ in the brain is a more likely explanation than women inferiority in the brain.
- Rippon herself believes that the book is too ambitious and is unlikely to cause an impact on how scientists study the brain.
RC Question Answer & Explanation ▼
In this passage as part of the GRE GMAT Reading List, Rippon argues that there are no differences in the brains of men and women at birth. Rippon goes on to show “how children’s cerebral sponges” probably differentiate thanks to the “starkly pink-versus blue cultures in which they are soaked from the moment of prenatal sex reveal.”
Correct Answer: Choice (2) is the correct answer.
Categories: March 2024 Reading Articles | Difficult
The brain and new love | Feb 14, 2024
Love is blind…. says Science. There is scientific evidence that new love can lead to changes in the brain, in our attitude, and our behavior. This Valentine’s day, let us check out this easy read on how new love affects our brain and answer a medium-difficulty question.
Read the easy Science & Tech article
Answer this Moderate difficulty Inference Question
Which of the following can be inferred from the article?
- The release of dopamine activates the brain’s reward system.
- Of all rodents, Prairie voles are the most similar to human neurosystems.
- The brain’s region linked with drive and motivation is not in the cerebral cortex.
- People who crave drugs are more likley to replace that craving with one for relationships.
- Only new love is single-minded – making one think of their paramour a lot of the time.
RC Sample Question Answer & Explanation ▼
The passage states that “Romantic love does not emanate from your cerebral cortex, where you do your thinking….. It’s based in the brain regions linked with drive, with focus, with motivation.” If love is not from your cerebral cortex but is from the region linked with drive, then drive is not from the cerebral cortex either. Many people pick option (1) – however, the causal relationship is inverted in the option: the activation of the reward system releases dopamine and not the other way around.
Correct Answer: Option (3).
Categories: Feb 2024 GRE GMAT Reading List | Easy