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- – GED SCIENCE PRACTICE QUESTIONS –
47. e. At 300 seconds, the concentration of the reac-
What can the student conclude from the data?
tant is at maximum.
a. The greater the radius of the container, the
lower the rate of evaporation.
Questions 50 and 51 are based on the following passage.
b. The greater the radius of the container, the
higher the rate of evaporation.
c. The radius of the container is not related to Is Pluto a Planet?
Based on perturbations in Neptune’s orbit,
the rate of evaporation.
the search for a ninth planet was conducted
d. The greater the radius of the container, the
and Pluto was discovered in 1930. Pluto
slower it reaches the set temperature.
orbits the sun just like the other eight plan-
e. The smaller the radius of the container, the
ets, and it has a moon, Charon, and a stable
faster it reaches the set temperature.
orbit. Based on its distance from the sun,
48. Pluto should be grouped with the planets
Which two statements are valid objections to the
known as gas giants. In addition, Pluto, like
experimental setup?
the planet Mercury, has little or no atmos-
I. All the containers were filled with the same
phere. Pluto is definitely not a comet
amount of water.
because it does not have a tail like a comet
II. A different hot plate was used to heat water
when it is near the sun. Pluto is also not an
in different containers.
asteroid, although its density is closer to an
III. Water in different containers was heated for
asteroid than to any of the other planets.
different amounts of time.
Pluto is a planet because it has been classi-
IV. The containers were not filled completely.
fied as one for more than sixty years since
a. I and II
its discovery.
b. I and III
c. I and IV
50. Which argument supporting the classification of
d. II and III
Pluto as a planet is the weakest?
e. II and IV
a. Pluto orbits the sun just like the other eight
planets.
49. The following graph shows how the concentra-
b. Pluto has a moon.
tion (amount per unit volume) changes with
c. Pluto has a stable orbit.
time. What information can be obtained from the
d. Pluto, like the planet Mercury, has little or no
data?
atmosphere.
Concentration of a Reactant e. Pluto has been classified as a planet for more
as a Function of Time
than sixty years since discovery.
0.20
Concentration (mol/liter)
0.15
51. Which one of the following statements is NOT
backed with an explanation?
0.10
a. Pluto is like a planet.
b. Pluto should be grouped with planets known
0.05
as gas giants.
0.00
c. Pluto is like Mercury.
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
d. Pluto is not a comet.
Time (seconds)
e. Pluto is not an asteroid.
a. The amount of reactant does not change with
time.
b. The amount of product is decreasing.
c. The amount of reactant first decreases and
then stays constant.
d. After 500 seconds, all of the reactant is used.
279
- – GED SCIENCE PRACTICE QUESTIONS –
52. Questions 55 and 56 are based on the following diagram.
The instrument shown in this picture can be
used to study
180
2 10
0
15
S
24
1 20
0
W
27 0
E
90
30
60
N
0
33
30 0
0
a. cell organelles.
b. the flight pattern of birds.
55. This instrument is used to
c. the movement of stars in other galaxies.
a. determine the direction of the wind.
d. old manuscripts.
b. determine the directions of the world.
e. human vision defects.
c. find the nearest piece of land when navigating
the seas.
53. A large surface area results in a high rate of cool-
d. find underground waters.
ing. This is why we tend to curl up when we sleep
e. determine the direction of water flow.
in a cold room and spread our limbs out when
we sleep in a very hot room. Which of the fol-
56. This instrument works because
lowing is an example where this principle is used
a. it has an internal clock.
in technology?
b. the needle points to the direction of mini-
a. Refrigerators can be used to cool containers of
mum pressure.
milk with large surface areas.
c. the needle changes position depending on the
b. Fans that cool computers are often ribbed to
position of the sun.
increase the surface area for cooling.
d. the Earth has two magnetic poles.
c. Airplanes are shaped to minimize heat loss in
e. the temperatures on Earth’s poles are very low.
the cabin.
d. Heat packs are designed to have a large surface
area.
e. Microwave ovens are designed to completely
close during food preparation.
54. The amount of dissolved gas in a liquid solution
depends on the pressure of the gas. Under a high
pressure, greater amounts of gas can be dis-
solved. Pressure is used to increase the solubility
of carbon dioxide gas in
a. fish ponds.
b. cereals.
c. carbonated drinks.
d. milk.
e. gasoline.
280
- – GED SCIENCE PRACTICE QUESTIONS –
Questions 57 and 58 are based on the following passage. 57. As a result of this finding, the Food and Drug
Administration should
Farm animals can carry salmonella, a kind a. carefully regulate the prescription of antibi-
of bacteria that can cause severe food poi- otics for sore throats.
soning. However, animals fed antibiotics can b. prevent the export of meat from South
carry especially deadly strains of salmonella. Dakota to Minnesota.
In Minnesota in 1983, 11 people were hos- c. limit the practice of feeding antibiotics to
pitalized with salmonella poisoning. This cattle.
number itself was not striking at all. Forty- d. take the antibiotic that caused salmonella off
thousand Americans are hospitalized with the market.
salmonella poisoning every year. What was e. require special prescription for antibiotics
striking about the cases in Minnesota was resistant to salmonella.
that each patient had severe symptoms and
all the patients were infected with the same, 58. Based on the passage, which one of the following
rare strain of salmonella, resistant to several statements is false?
common antibiotics. A young scientist, a. Salmonella poisoning is a common bacterial
Scott Holmberg, noted that eight patients infection.
were taking the same antibiotics for sore b. Some strands of bacteria are resistant to
throats. He ruled out the possibility that the antibiotics.
antibiotics themselves were infected with c. Antibiotics kill off bacteria that are not resist-
the bacteria because three of the patients ant to antibiotics.
were not taking antibiotics at all. He later d. Antibiotics transmit salmonella.
showed that the people were infected with e. Farm animals can carry salmonella.
salmonella prior to taking the antibiotics,
but that the antibiotics triggered the onset
of salmonella poisoning. He postulated that
salmonella suddenly flourished when the
patients took antibiotics, because the antibi-
otics killed off all other competing bacteria.
He was also able to trace the antibiotic-
resistant salmonella to the beef that was
imported to Minnesota from a farm in
South Dakota, at which cattle were routinely
fed antibiotics and at which one calf died of
the same strain of salmonella.
281
- – GED SCIENCE PRACTICE QUESTIONS –
Questions 59 through 61 are based on the passage below 60. Which of the minerals listed in the table are you
and the table at the bottom of the page. most likely lacking if you experience irregular
heartbeat?
Minerals are an important component of a. sodium
the human diet. Some minerals are needed b. potassium
in relatively large amounts. These include c. calcium
calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, d. phosphorous
chlorine, and magnesium. Others, including e. magnesium
iron, manganese, and iodine, are needed in
smaller amounts. Humans need 26 minerals 61. Which two minerals are necessary for formation
all together, but some of them are only of healthy bones and teeth?
required in tiny amounts. Some minerals, a. calcium and magnesium
such as lead and selenium, are harmful in b. calcium and phosphorous
large quantities. Dietary supplements can c. calcium and potassium
decrease the chance of mineral deficiencies d. calcium and sodium
listed in the table below, but should be taken e. sodium and magnesium
with great care, since overdose can lead to
poisoning. 62. Which of the following is the most common
result of prolonged excessive alcohol
consumption?
59. Taking several iron supplements per day can a. heart attack
a. decrease the chance of bone loss. b. brain tumor
b. make you stronger. c. lung cancer
c. help relieve PMS symptoms. d. liver damage
d. cause poisoning. e. cataracts
e. make up for an unbalanced diet.
63. Which of the following could be transmitted
through kissing?
a. lung cancer
b. brain tumor
c. flu
d. diabetes
e. Down’s syndrome
MINERAL GOOD SOURCES SYMPTOMS OF DEFICIENCY FUNCTIONS
Sodium Table salt, normal diet Muscle cramps Water balance, muscle and
nerve operation
Potassium Fruits, vegetables, grains Irregular heartbeat, fatigue, Muscle and nerve opera-
muscle cramps tion, acid-base balance
Calcium Dairy, bony fish, leafy Osteoporosis Formation of bone and
green vegetables teeth, clotting, nerve
signaling
Phosphorous Dairy, meat, cereals Bone loss, weakness, lack of appetite Formation of bone and
teeth, energy metabolism
Magnesium Nuts, greens, whole grains Nausea, vomiting, weakness Enzyme action, nerve
signaling
282
- – GED SCIENCE PRACTICE QUESTIONS –
64. 66.
A woman is most likely to get pregnant if she has The boiling point of water decreases with
unprotected sex a few days before and on the day increasing pressure. At high altitudes, the atmos-
of ovulation, when the egg is released from the pheric pressure is lower than at sea level. Where
ovaries. The release of the egg is hormonally would you expect to find the highest boiling
stimulated, meaning that a hormone in the point temperature of water?
woman’s body triggers ovulation. On average, a. in the Grand Canyon Valley
women ovulate around the 14th day of their b. at sea level
menstrual cycle. The following is a graph show- c. at the base of Mount Everest
ing the levels of three hormones throughout the d. at the top of Mount Everest
menstrual cycle of an average woman. e. at the top of a small hill
80
Hormone concentration (units per ml)
67. As the pressure of a gas increases at constant
70
temperature, the volume of the gas decreases.
60 Apply
FSH
pressure
LH
50 Progesterone
40
30
GAS
20
GAS
10
If you were a diver and you wanted to take an
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 oxygen tank with you, what would you do?
Day of menstrual cycle
a. Pressurize the oxygen, so more of it can fit in a
Based on the graph, which hormone is most tank of a manageable size.
directly responsible for triggering ovulation? b. Decrease the pressure of oxygen in the tank,
a. FSH so the tank doesn’t explode.
b. LH c. Increase the temperature of oxygen in the
c. progesterone tank, so that the cold oxygen doesn’t damage
d. testosterone the lungs.
e. cholesterol d. Decrease the temperature of oxygen, so that it
doesn’t escape from the tank.
65. Through friction, energy of motion is converted e. Increase the temperature of the oxygen and
to heat. You use this in your favor when you decrease the pressure, so the volume stays the
a. wear gloves to make your hands warm. same.
b. rub your hands together to make them warm.
c. soak your hands with hot water to make them
warm.
d. place your hands near a fireplace to make
them warm.
e. hold a cup of tea to make your hands warm.
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- – GED SCIENCE PRACTICE QUESTIONS –
68. Questions 70 and 71 are based on the following passage.
The amount of solute that can be dissolved in a
solvent at a given temperature is called solubility.
In 1628, English physician William Harvey
For most substances, solubility increases with
established that the blood circulates
temperature. Rock candy can be made from
throughout the body. He recognized that
sugar solutions that have an excess of sugar dis-
the heart acts as a pump and does not work
solved. The amount of sugar per 100 grams of
by using up blood as earlier anatomists
water at a given temperature has to be higher
thought. To carefully observe the beating of
than the amount that is normally soluble in
the heart and the direction of blood flow,
order to make rock candy. Based on the solubil-
Harvey needed to see the works of the blood
ity of sugar in water as a function of tempera-
in slow motion. Since there was no way for
ture, plotted in the graph, how much sugar
him to observe a human heart in slow
would you need to dissolve in 100 grams of
motion, he studied the hearts of toads and
water to make rock candy at 40° C?
snakes, rather than the rapidly beating
Solubility of Sugar in Water
hearts of “warm-blooded” mammals and
600
birds. By keeping these animals cool, he
550
500 could slow their hearts down. The main
(g of sugar/100 g of water)
450
argument for his conclusion that the blood
400
circulates stemmed from his measurement
350
Solubility
300 of the amount of blood pumped with each
250
heartbeat. He calculated that the amount of
200
blood pumped each hour by far exceeds the
150
100 total amount of blood in the body and
50
proved that the same blood passes through
0
the heart over and over again.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110
Temperature (degrees Celsius)
a. less than 50 grams 70. What misconception did scientist harbor before
b. between 50 and 100 grams Harvey’s study?
c. between 100 and 150 grams a. The heart circulates blood.
d. between 150 and 200 grams b. The heart pumps blood.
e. more than 250 grams c. The heart uses up blood.
d. The heart contains no blood.
69. Which of the following energy sources causes the e. The heart of birds beats faster than the heart
least pollution to the environment? of frogs.
a. coal
b. nuclear power 71. Which of the following did Harvey do?
c. gasoline I. Observe the heartbeat and blood flow in
d. solar snakes and frogs.
e. oil II. Determine that the heart acts as a pump.
III. Count the number of blood cells that pass
through the heart every hour.
IV. Show that the blood circulates.
a. He did only I.
b. He did I and II.
c. He did I, II, and IV.
d. He did I, III, and IV.
e. He did II, III, and IV.
284
- – GED SCIENCE PRACTICE QUESTIONS –
Questions 72 and 73 are based on the following passage. Questions 74 and 75 are based on the following passage.
Radiation from radioisotopes can be used to In the past, people thought that the Earth was
kill cancer cells. Chemist Marie Curie flat and that a ship that sailed too far would
received two Nobel Prizes for her work with fall off the edge of the world. The Earth
radioisotopes. Her work led to the discovery appears flat because the Earth is too large for
of the neutron and synthesis of artificial humans on Earth to see its curvature. Several
radioactive elements. She died of leukemia events helped shed the misconceptions. For
at 67, caused by extensive exposure to radia- one, during a lunar eclipse, the Earth is posi-
tion. Curie never believed that radium and tioned between the sun and the moon. It
other materials she worked with were a eclipses the moon by casting a shadow on it.
health hazard. In World War I, glowing The shadow the Earth casts is round. When
radium was used on watch dials to help sol- Magellan circumnavigated the Earth, he
diers read their watches in the dark and to proved that one could not fall off the edge of
synchronize their attacks. Unfortunately, the Earth, because the Earth was round and
women who worked in factories were draw- had no edges. Finally, space missions provided
ing their radium stained brushes to fine us with images of our round Earth from far
points by putting them between their lips. away and showed us how beautiful our planet
As a result, their teeth would glow in the looks, even from a distance.
dark. But this was an amusement for chil-
74.
dren more than a cause of worry. About ten In the passage, what was cited as proof that the
years later, the women developed cancer in Earth is round?
their jaws and mouths and had problems I. Earth casts a round shadow on the moon
making blood cells. This exposed the dan- during a lunar eclipse.
gers of radiation. II. Earth revolves around the sun.
III. Magellan circumnavigated the Earth.
72. Based on the information in the passage, which IV. images from space
statement about radioisotopes is false?
a. I and II
a. Radioisotopes can kill cancer cells.
b. I, II, and III
b. Radioisotopes can cause cancer.
c. I, II, and IV
c. A radioisotope can glow in the dark.
d. I, III, and IV
d. Einstein received the Nobel Prize for working
e. II, III, and IV
with isotopes.
e. A radioisotope was used in watch dials.
75. With which misconception about the Earth is the
passage concerned?
73. Which dangers of radiation were mentioned in
a. that the Earth turned
the passage?
b. that the Earth was in the center of the solar
I. Radiation can cause genetic mutations.
system
II. Radiation can lead to leukemia.
c. that the Earth was flat
III. Radiation can cause chemotherapy.
d. that the Earth was created at the same time as
a. danger I only the sun
b. danger II only e. that the Earth could be eclipsed by the sun
c. danger III only
d. dangers I and II
e. dangers II and III
285
- – GED SCIENCE PRACTICE QUESTIONS –
A nswers and Explanations 10. c. Gloves provide insulation. They can’t generate
heat, choice a. Gloves left out in the snow would
be cold. Gloves can’t have an effect on the tem-
1. d. It is the only pair of liquids listed in which one
perature, choice b. They also don’t affect the
is acidic (vinegar—pH 3) and the other basic
amount of energy your body produces, choice d,
(bleach—pH 9).
or transform energy in any way, choice e.
2. e. The object set in motion slows down and stops
11. d. The wavelength of blue-green should be
swinging because the force of friction acts on it.
between the wavelength of blue light and green
The kinetic energy of the object is converted to
light. The wavelength of blue light is about 450
heat energy through friction with air. State-
nm and the wavelength of green light is at about
ments a, c, and d are true but are not the reason
500 nm. Midway between these wavelengths
why the object stops swinging. An object having
is 470 nm.
any mass can maintain motion, so the statement
in choice b is wrong.
12. a. The number of atoms stays constant throughout
a chemical reaction. The number of molecules
3. b. An endothermic process requires the input of
can change (choice b). For example, in photo-
heat energy. The only one that requires input of
synthesis, 6 molecules of carbon dioxide and 6
energy (heat) is melting ice (ice melts when
molecules of water (total 12 molecules) can
heated). The rest of the processes listed give off
react to form 1 molecule of glucose and 6 mole-
heat, so they are exothermic.
cules of oxygen (total of 7 molecules). Similarly,
the amount of gas and solid can change (choices
4. a. Things that float are less dense than the sub-
c and d). The amount of disorder in the uni-
stance in which they float.
verse is always increasing, so it does not have to
stay constant through a reaction (choice e).
5. b. The statement is false because the gravitational
force between two objects depends on the
13. d. The statement is false because light has a finite
masses of both objects. All the other statements
speed. It is very large, but it is not infinite. The
are true and consistent with Newton’s Law of
rest of the statements are true.
Gravitation.
14. d. Thorns are a form of defense, but are neither
6. a. When water vapor condenses, gas changes to
camouflage nor chemical defense. Choices a
liquid. Choices b, c, and d involve chemical reac-
and e are examples of camouflage. Choices b
tions and can’t be considered physical processes.
and c are examples of chemical defense.
Through exhaling, choice e, air is pushed out of
the lungs, but there is no phase change.
15. d. The concentration of protein in compartment B
is higher. Because of the nature of the mem-
7. a. Two like charges always repel.
brane, the protein can’t pass through it. The
only way for concentration to reach the same
8. e. The statement is false because energy is not
level in two compartments is for water to flow
composed of matter (atoms). All other state-
from A to B.
ments are true.
9. e. The molecule in choice e has the most atoms
and the largest molecular weight. It therefore
has the highest boiling point.
286
- – GED SCIENCE PRACTICE QUESTIONS –
16. a. Every human normally inherits 23 chromo- 23. a. There was no mention of choice b in the pas-
somes from the mother and 23 chromosomes sage. Choice c is true, but not as directly related
from the father. However, that doesn’t mean that to snake disappearance as choice a. Choice d is
humans look exactly 50% like the father and false. Sailors did not bring prey for the snakes;
50% like the mother (choice b), since one par- they brought a predator. There isn’t enough
ent’s genes can be more dominant, and since information to support choice e, and even if it
genes from two parents sometimes produce a were true, it wouldn’t be directly related to the
blended effect. Fraternal twins happen to be in disappearance of snakes.
the womb at the same time, but genetically, they
24. b. There is no support for other statements in the
are not any more similar than two siblings who
are not twins (choice c). Fraternal twins come passage.
from two different eggs fertilized by two differ-
25. b. Someone who has blood type B can donate
ent sperm cells. Exposure to X-rays can alter
chromosomes (choice d). Genes are not parti- blood to those who don’t have antibodies for B.
cles. DNA is not an atom and it doesn’t have a These include other people with type B blood
nucleus (choice e). Genes are found in the (they have antibodies for A only) and those with
nucleus of a cell and are made of DNA. type AB blood (they don’t have any antibodies).
17. a. In order for twins to have the same genes, they 26. c. Levels of norepinephrine rise when there is a
need to come from one egg and one sperm cell. potential for danger, stress, or excitement.
Choice c, petting a rabbit, is the only choice
18. c. According to the Punnett square, the combina- that would tend to calm, rather than scare or
tion of genes of Parent I with the genes of Par- excite, a person.
ent II results in either offspring with yy (which
27. a. Salty foods are less prone to bacterial attack
is yellow) or Yy (which is green).
because most bacteria can’t grow in environ-
19. e. The statement is false. Animal cells usually don’t ments that are too salty. Being anemic (choice b)
have a cell wall. Other statements are true. is not related to bacteria. Choice c is inconsis-
tent with the question. Choices d and e are not
20. e. In humans, the sperm determines the sex of the true and are inconsistent with the question.
child because the male has two different chro-
28. b. Natural selection is the process whereby the
mosomes. In birds, the female has two different
chromosomes, so she determines the sex of the members of the species who are best able to sur-
offspring. Birds have Ws and Zs, not Xs and Ys vive and reproduce in an environment thrive,
like humans, so choice d is incorrect. passing their genes on to next generations. The
pollution in the environment selected for dark-
21. b. The tick is a parasite. It benefits, while the ani- ness in peppered moths.
mal it feeds from suffers.
29. d. Penguins are birds. They hatch from eggs and
22. e. Statements a through d were illustrated in the have wings. They are not mammals; they don’t
passage. Mongooses depend on snakes for food, give birth or breastfeed their young.
choice a. The balance in the ecosystem was dis-
30. c. Whales are not primates. Primates have five dig-
turbed when a new predator was introduced,
choice b. Humans entirely changed the ecosys- its on each hand and foot, binocular vision, and
tem when they brought the mongooses, choice flexible shoulder joints.
c. When the population of mongooses increased,
the population of snakes decreased, causing a
drop in the population of mongooses, choice d.
287
- – GED SCIENCE PRACTICE QUESTIONS –
31. a. This diagram corresponds to the correct 39. b. Webbed feet enable ducks to swim better by
arrangement of Earth, moon, and the sun dur- increasing the surface area on their feet. In
ing a solar eclipse. The moon is located between swimming, being hydrodynamic, not aerody-
the Earth and the sun, blocking the Earth’s view namic, is important (choice a). Stuck particles
of the sun. It also corresponds to the correct between a duck’s toes, choice c, would most
orbits, with the moon orbiting around the likely not be a frequent problem. Webbed feet
Earth, and the Earth around the sun. Choice b is would not affect the duck’s density, choice d, by
wrong because it shows the sun orbiting around much. The rate of heat loss, choice e, may be
the Earth, and the moon around the sun. Choice slightly higher because of larger surface area, but
c is wrong because the Earth, moon, and sun are heat loss is not essential for swimming.
not aligned as they should be during an eclipse,
40. d. The top division on the graduated cylinder is
and the moon is not orbiting around the Earth.
Choice d shows correct orbits, but the moon is the 10 ml mark. There are 10 divisions, so each
not blocking the sun from the Earth’s view. In one is 1 ml. The bottom of the meniscus is
fact, choice d corresponds to a lunar eclipse. between 7 ml and 8 ml, so 7.5 ml is the best
Choice e is wrong because it shows the Earth answer.
and the sun orbiting around the moon.
41. b. This is what the object looks like when it is
32. a. Sunlight is caused by nuclear reactions on the inverted left to right (mirror image). When the
sun, not by convection currents of molten rock object is flipped upside down, there is no change
within the Earth mantle. in its appearance.
33. e. Ozone cannot directly change the surface of the 42. b. This is a statement that can’t be tested by scien-
Earth. Processes in a through d can. tific means. All the others can.
34. d. When it’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere, 43. b. Choice a is not consistent with observation II.
it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere, and Choices c and d are not testable and are there-
vice versa (choices II and IV). On average, the fore invalid. Choice e is not relevant to the
Southern Hemisphere is not warmer than observations.
Northern Hemisphere (choice I). The sun
44. c. This is the only statement supported by the
always sets in the west, everywhere on Earth.
graph.
35. b. Humidity is a measure of the amount of water
45. c. Tropical rain forests are the most productive.
vapor in air.
36. b. A light-year is a measure of the distance that 46. e. The number of species lost was greatest in ants.
light travels in a year (about 5.88 trillion miles).
47. b. “She also found that the decrease in volume was
37. a. The passage states that the sun will first expand highest in the container with the largest radius.
(not shrink—choices b, c, and e) when it runs In container 1, volume decrease was barely
out of hydrogen (not helium—choice d), and detectable.” Choice d and e are false because the
then 500 million years later, it will shrink. container with the larger radius reached the set
temperature faster.
38. c. Choice c is the correct answer based on the
48. d. There is nothing wrong with I and IV. Using dif-
passage.
ferent hot plates can have an effect because
some hot plates may be heating more efficiently
than others. Heating water in all the containers
288
- – GED SCIENCE PRACTICE QUESTIONS –
for the same amount of time, rather than up to 56. d. The needle on the compass responds to the
a fixed temperature, would be better because the Earth’s magnetic poles.
rate of evaporation is the amount of water lost
per unit of time. By using different times, the 57. c. Choice a is already being done, and since the
student is changing an important variable. antibiotics weren’t directly making people ill
(choice e), these measures wouldn’t be neces-
49. c. Choice a is wrong because initially, the concen- sary. There is nothing that indicates that all
tration decreases. There is no information about meat from South Dakota has salmonella or that
the product on the chart, so choice b is incor- meat from everywhere else is always healthy, so
rect. Choice d is wrong because at 500 seconds, choice b would not be necessary. Choice d is
the concentration is not zero. Choice e is wrong wrong because antibiotics are not resistant to
because at 300 seconds, the concentration is salmonella; some salmonella is resistant to
lower than at other times, at the start of the antibiotics.
experiment.
58. d. The statement, as noted in the previous ques-
50. e. This is the weakest argument because it is justi- tion, is false.
fied with authority, tradition, and past belief,
rather than scientific facts. People have been 59. d. Taking too many minerals can lead to poison-
wrong in the past, and noting that something ing. None of the other choices was discussed in
has been done a certain way for years does not the passage or listed in the table.
mean that there are no better ways, and it is not
a convincing scientific argument. 60. b. No other mineral deficiency has this symptom.
51. e. The passage states that Pluto’s density is closer 61. b. The table lists that the function of both calcium
to an asteroid’s than to any of the planets’. This and phosphorous is the formation of healthy
would lead the reader to think that Pluto, based bones and teeth.
on its density, may be an asteroid. But the pas-
sage states that this is not the case and does not 62. d. While alcohol damages other tissues as well,
give arguments to support the statement. The most alcoholics first experience liver failure.
statements in all other choices are supported One of the functions of the liver is to rid the
with facts. body of toxins. Alcohol is a toxin to the body.
52. b. Binoculars are used to view objects or animals 63. c. Only certain contagious diseases can be trans-
in the distance. They don’t have the kind of mitted through kissing. Health problems associ-
magnification necessary for studies in choices a, ated with the other choices are not contagious.
c, d, and e. One can’t get lung cancer, a brain tumor, dia-
betes, or Down’s syndrome by kissing someone
53. b. Choices a and e are not relevant. Choices c and who has it.
d are false.
64. b. The graph shows that the level of LH rapidly
54. c. The soda bubbles you see when you open a can rises right before the 14th day of the cycle, and
are made of carbon dioxide gas that was dis- then falls.
solved in the soda under pressure. Pressure is
not used to dissolve carbon dioxide in any of the 65. b. Only the action in choice b involves friction (of
substances described in the other choices. one hand against the other).
55. b. The instrument is a compass, used to find direc- 66. d. The boiling point decreases with increasing
tions of the world. pressure. So, the lower the pressure, the higher
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the boiling point. At high altitudes, the atmo- G lossar y Of Terms: Science
spheric pressure is low, so the boiling point
should be higher at higher altitudes. The highest the rate that velocity changes per unit of
acceleration
altitude listed is at the top of Mount Everest. time and the direction it changes in, computed from
the change in velocity divided by the change in time.
67. a. A diver would want to take a lot of oxygen with- Common units are meters per second squared (m/s2).
out letting the tank get too bulky. Other choices acceleration due to gravity the acceleration of
are either false (choices d and e) or not a major an object that is only acted on by the force of the
concern (choices b and c). Earth’s gravity. This value is given the symbol g, and
near the surface of the Earth, it has a value of approx-
68. e. According to the graph, at 40° C, about 250 imately 9.8 m/s2. The direction of acceleration due to
grams of sugar can be normally dissolved in 100 gravity is downward.
grams of water. In order to make rock candy, accuracy the closeness of an experimental measure-
this amount has to be exceeded. ment to the accepted or theoretical value
acid a proton donor substance. The pH of an acid is
69. d. There is no pollution or waste associated with less than 7.
solar energy. analysis a stage in the scientific method where pat-
terns of the observations are made
70. c. The passage explained that other scientists at the aqueous solution a solution in which the solvent is
time mistakenly thought that the heart uses up water
blood. Choices a, b, and e are not misconcep- arteries the vascular tissues that carry blood away
tions. Choice d was not mentioned in the from the heart
passage. astronomy the study of the planets, stars, and space
atom the smallest structure that has the properties of
71. d. The passage explained that Harvey did I, II, and an element. Atoms contain positively charged protons
IV. Although he also calculated the amount of and uncharged neutrons in the nucleus. Negatively
blood that passes through the heart every hour, charged electrons orbit around the nucleus.
he did not count the blood cells one by one ATP (adenosine triphosphate) a chemical considered
(III), nor did he have the technology to do that. the “fuel” or energy source for an organism
atria the chambers of the heart that receive blood
72. d. There was no mention of Einstein in the pas- base a proton acceptor substance. The pH of a base is
sage. All the other statements were made. greater than 7.
calibration the examination of the performance of
73. b. Danger II was mentioned in the passage. Curie an instrument in an experiment whose outcomes are
died of leukemia because of lifelong exposure to known, for the purpose of accounting for the inaccu-
radiation. Danger I is true, but was not dis- racies inherent in the instrument in future experi-
cussed in the passage. Danger III is false; radia- ments whose outcomes are not known
tion does not cause chemotherapy. Radiation is capillaries vascular tissues that receive blood from
applied in chemotherapy. the arterioles and releases the blood to the venuoles
catalyst an agent that changes the rate of a reaction,
74. d. Statements I, III, and IV were made in the pas- without itself being altered by the reaction
sage. Statement II is true, but it does not prove celestial equator the extension of the Earth’s
that the Earth is round and was not discussed in equator out onto the celestial sphere
the passage. celestial poles the extension of the Earth’s north
and south poles onto the celestial sphere
75. c. The whole passage is focused on listing evidence celestial sphere the imaginary sphere that all the
that the Earth is round, not flat. Choice a is not stars are viewed as being on for the purposes of locat-
a misconception. Choices b, d, and e were not ing them
discussed in the passage.
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an organelle found in all cells that the top layer on a leaf. It is a nonliving layer
cell membrane cuticle
acts as the passageway through which materials can consisting primarily of wax that is produced by the
pass in and out. This organelle is highly selectively epithelium, a cell layer directly underneath.
permeable, only allowing materials to pass through cytoplasm a jelly-like substance located in the cell
that it “chooses” chemically. where all of the internal organelles can be found. The
cell wall an organelle found primarily in plant cells cytoplasm consists primarily of water and supports
and fungi cells, and also some bacteria. The cell wall is the cell and its organelles.
a strong structure that provides protection, support, cytoskeleton organelles that are the internal
and allows materials to pass in and out without being “bones” of the cell. They exist in thick and thin
selectively permeable. tubules.
centripetal force the net force that acts to result in decibel a unit of measure for the relative intensity of
the centripetal acceleration. It is not an individual sounds
force, but the sum of the forces in the radial direction. declination the celestial coordinate similar to that of
It is directed toward the center of the circular motion. latitude on the Earth. Declination measures how
chemical change a process that involves the for- many degrees, minutes, and seconds north or south of
mation or breaking of chemical bonds the celestial equator an object is.
chromosome an organelle that contains the entire delta a fan-shaped deposit of material at the mouth of
DNA of the organism a river
component the part of a vector that lies in the hor- density the mass of a substance for a given unit vol-
izontal or vertical direction ume. A common unit of density is grams per milliliter
compound a substance composed of more than one (g/ml).
element that has a definite composition and distinct displacement the change in position of an object,
physical and chemical properties computed by calculating the final position minus
concentration a measure of the amount of solute the initial position. Common units of measure are
that is present in a solution. A solution that contains meters (m).
very little solute is called dilute. A solution that con- divergent boundary a boundary between two of
tains a relatively large amount of solute is said to be the Earth’s plates that are moving away from each
concentrated. other
conclusion the last stage of the scientific method, DNA contains all genetic material for an organism.
where explanations are made about why the patterns The smallest units of DNA are called nucleotides.
identified in the analysis section occurred ecliptic the apparent path of the sun across the sky
constellation an apparent grouping of stars in the over the course of a year
sky that is used for identification purposes. These stars electric potential energy the energy due to an
are not necessarily near each other in space, since they object’s position within an electric field
are not necessarily the same distance from the Earth. electromagnetic wave a light wave that has an
continental rift the region on a continent where electric field component and a magnetic field com-
new crust is being created, and the plates on either ponent. An electromagnetic wave does not require a
side of the rift are moving apart medium to travel through.
convergent boundary a boundary between two of electrostatic force the force that exists between
the Earth’s plates that are moving toward each other particles due to their charge. Particles of like charge
cosmology the study of the formation of the repel, particles of unlike charge attract.
universe element the smallest entity that has distinct chemical
crystal a solid in which atoms or molecules have a properties. It cannot be decomposed by ordinary
regular repeated arrangement chemical reactions.
current the flow of charge past a point per unit time; ellipse a geometric shape that is formed when a plane
current is measured in amperes (A) intersects with a cone. In this case, the plane intersects
the cone at an angle, so that a shape similar to a circle
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but stretched in one direction is formed. The orbits of the model of the solar system
heliocentric model
the planets around the sun represent ellipses. that places the sun at the center with the planets orbit-
endoplasmic reticulum an organelle that is used ing around it
to transport proteins throughout the cell heterogeneous a mixture that is not uniform in
energy the ability to do work or undergo change. composition
Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, while poten- homogeneous a mixture in which the components
tial energy is stored energy. are uniformly distributed
epicycle smaller circles on which the planets traveled hydrate a crystal of a molecule that also contains
around the Earth in the geocentric model of the solar water in the crystal structure. If the water evaporates,
system. Epicycles were used to explain the retrograde the crystal becomes anhydrous.
motion of planets and help make the predicted posi- hydrology the study of the Earth’s water and water
tions of the planets match the observed positions. systems
equilibrium a state at which the forward and reverse hypothesis a step in the scientific method where a
reactions proceed at the same rate prediction is made about the end result of an experi-
focal length the distance from a focal point to a mir- ment. A hypothesis is generally based on research of
ror or lens related data.
force that which acts on an object to change its igneous rock a rock formed through the cooling of
motion; a push or pull exerted on one object by magma
another. Common units are newtons (N). image distance the distance from an image to a
freefall an object in one-dimensional motion that is mirror or lens
only acted on by the force of the Earth’s gravity. In this inertia the tendency of an object to follow Newton’s
case its acceleration will be –g or g downward. first law, the Law of Inertia. That is the tendency of an
frequency the number of cycles or repetitions per object to remain at rest or in motion with constant
second. Frequency is also often measured as the num- velocity unless acted on by a force.
ber of revolutions per second. The common units inorganic a material that is neither plant nor animal
of frequency are hertz (Hz), where one hertz equals in origin
1 cycle/second. intensity the power per unit area of a wave; measured
in watts/m2
frictional force the force that acts parallel to sur-
faces in contact opposite the direction of motion or ion an atom that has either lost electrons to become a
tendency of motion positively charged cation, or has gained electrons to
functional group a group of atoms that give a mol- become a negatively charged anion
ecule a certain characteristic or property isomers substances that have the same molecular
gel electrophoresis a process used in laboratories formula (same number of elements) in different
to determine the genetic makeup of DNA strands. arrangements
This process involves the movement of chromosomes isotopes atoms of the same element, with different
through a gel from one pole to the other. Magnetism numbers of neutrons, and hence a different atomic
is used to pull the chromosomes through the gel. mass
geocentric model the model of the solar system Jovian planet one of the outer planets of the solar
that places the Earth at the center with the planets and system that have characteristics similar to that of
the sun orbiting around it Jupiter. They are also called gas planets. They are large,
geology the study of rocks and minerals have high mass, have many moons, may have rings,
glacier a large mass of snow-covered ice are far from the sun and each other, have thick atmos-
Golgi apparatus an organelle that packages pro- pheres, are gaseous and have low density, have a com-
teins so that they can be sent out of the cell position similar to that of the sun, have short rotation
gravitational force the attractive force that exists rates, and have long revolution periods around the
between all particles with mass sun. The Jovian planets are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus,
and Neptune.
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the energy due to an object’s motion the sum of the atomic masses in a
kinetic energy molecular mass
or velocity molecule
the breeze that develops on the shore- a substance formed by a chemical bond
land breeze molecule
line due to unequal heating of the air above the land between two or more atoms
and ocean. Land breeze occurs at night when the air net force the vector sum of all the forces acting on
above the land is cooler and the air above the ocean is an object
warmer. The breeze blows from the land to the sea. newton the metric and System International unit of
force. One newton equals one kg/s2.
latitude the coordinate used to measure positions on
the Earth north or south of the Earth’s equator. Lati- nonrenewable resource a resource that is not
tude is measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds. replaced in nature as quickly as it is used. In many
Zero degrees latitude is the Earth’s equator. cases, it is not replaced or re-formed at all.
longitude the coordinate used to measure positions normal force this force acts between any two sur-
on the Earth east or west of the prime meridian, faces in contact. It is the part of the contact force that
which goes through Greenwich, England. Longitude is acts normal or perpendicular to the surfaces in
measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds. contact.
longitudinal wave a wave that has the direction of nucleolus an organelle found inside a nucleus that is
motion of the particles in the medium parallel to the responsible for the production of ribosomes
direction of motion of the wave. Sound is an example nucleotide the smallest unit of DNA. There are five
of a longitudinal wave. different types of nucleotides: adenine, guanine,
mass the amount of matter in an object; also a meas- thymine, cytosine, and uracil. The arrangement of
ure of the amount of inertia of an object. Common genes is based directly on the specific arrangement of
units are kilograms (kg). nucleotides.
meander a broad curve in a river nucleus an organelle in a cell that contains all the
meiosis a process of cellular reproduction where the DNA and controls the functions of the cell
daughter cells have half the amount of chromosomes. object distance the distance from an object to a
This is used for purposes of sexual reproduction to mirror or lens
produce sex cells that will be able to form an offspring oceanography the study of the Earth’s oceans
with a complete set of chromosomes with different orbit the path an object takes as it travels around
DNA than the parents. another in space
meniscus the curved surface of a liquid in a con- organic a material that is plant or animal in origin
tainer, caused by surface tension oxbow lake a crescent-shaped lake formed when a
metamorphic rock a rock whose crystal structure meander is cut off from the river it was part of
has been changed through heat and/or pressure oxidation the loss of electrons by a substance in a
meteorology the study of the Earth’s atmosphere chemical reaction
and weather parallel circuit a circuit with more than one path
mid-oceanic ridge a region under the ocean where for the current to follow
new crust is being created, and the plates on either period the time, often measured in seconds, for one
side of the ridge are moving apart complete repetition or rotation
mineral a naturally occurring element or compound phloem vascular tissue found in plants that trans-
found in the Earth’s crust ports mostly sugar and water; can travel either “shoot
mitochondria an organelle that produces ATP to root” or “root to shoot.”
mitosis a process in which cells produce genetically photon a particle of light. A discrete amount of light
identical offspring energy where a single photon of light is the smallest
mixture a physical combination of different unit of light energy possible.
substances photosynthesis a process by which the sunlight’s
mole the amount of substance that contains as many energy, water, and carbon dioxide are transformed
particles as there are atoms in 12 grams of the carbon into sugar and oxygen
12 isotope (6.022 × 1023 particles)
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a property that can be observed the resistance to the flow of electrons
physical property resistance
without performing a chemical transformation of that through a circuit. The resistance is dependant on the
substance current flowing through the circuit element and the
plate tectonics the theory in which Earth’s crust is voltage across the circuit element; resistance is meas-
made up of many plates that float on the mantle. This ured in ohms.
theory explains the movement of the continents, the respiration a process by which sugar is converted
formation of mountains, earthquakes, volcanoes, into ATP and carbon dioxide; may include oxygen,
and the existence of mid-oceanic ridges. which is called aerobic respiration
polymer a large molecule made up of repeating units retrograde motion the apparent westward motion
of one or more small molecules (monomers) of objects in the sky from one night to another
position the location of an object in a coordinate sys- reversible reaction a reaction in which products
tem. Common units of measure are meters (m). can revert back into reactants
potential difference the difference in electric ribosome an organelle where protein synthesis
potential energy per unit charge between two points. occurs; can be found floating freely in the cytoplasm
This is commonly called voltage. The common units or attached to the outside of endoplasmic reticulum
of measure for potential difference are called volts. right ascension the celestial coordinate similar to
potential energy the energy due to an object’s posi- that of longitude on the Earth. Right ascension is
tion or state measured in hours, minutes, and seconds, with 24
precession the process by which the Earth’s axis hours making up 360° around the celestial sphere.
traces out a circle on the celestial sphere river system a river and its associated tributaries
precision the measurement of the closeness of meas- and drainage basin
urements obtained from two or more experimental RNA ribonucleic acid; responsible for transmitting
runs genetic information from the DNA to the ribosomes
pressure force per unit area. Units used to measure for protein synthesis
pressure are torr, atmosphere (atm), and pascal (pa). rock cycle the rock cycle summarizes how rocks of
procedure a logical list of steps that explain the different types are formed and how they can be trans-
exact actions taken to perform an experiment formed from one type into another
projectile an object in two-dimensional motion that scalar a quantity that has a magnitude or amount
has a vertical acceleration equal to −g (or g down- only
ward) and a horizontal acceleration of zero scientific method a process by which data is col-
protein synthesis a process by which DNA will lected to answer an integral question. The major steps
transport its information by way of RNA to the ribo- are problem, hypothesis, research, procedure, obser-
somes where proteins will be assembled vations and data collection, analysis of data, and
qualitative observation an observation that conclusion.
includes characteristics other than amounts or meas- sedimentary rock a rock made up of sediments
urements; may include shapes, colors, actions, and that have been deposited and compacted and
odors cemented over time
quantitative observation an observation that sea breeze the breeze that develops on the shoreline
includes characteristics of measurements or amounts due to unequal heating of the air above the land and
radiation the emission of energy ocean. Sea breeze occurs during the day when the air
reactant a substance that is consumed in a chemical above the ocean is cooler and the air above the land is
reaction to form products warmer. The breeze blows from the sea to the land.
reduction the gain of electrons by a substance in a series circuit a circuit with only one path for the
chemical reaction current to follow. The current in each element in a
renewable resource a renewable resource is series circuit is the same.
replaced in nature as quickly as it is used solubility the amount of solute that can be dissolved
completely in a solvent at a given temperature
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a homogeneous mixture of a solute (usually the study of the surface features of the
solution topography
solid, but sometimes liquid or gas) in a solvent (usu- planet primarily through mapping
ally a liquid, but sometimes a solid or gas) transverse wave a wave that has the direction of
speed the magnitude of velocity. It measures the rate motion of the particles in the medium perpendicular
position changes with time without regard to the to the direction of motion of the wave.
direction of motion; common units are meters per uniform circular motion motion with constant
second (m/s). speed in a circle. Since the direction of the velocity
speed of light The speed of light in a vacuum is the changes in this case, there is acceleration even though
fastest speed possible. As light travels in other materi- the speed is constant.
als, it will change speed. The speed of light in any valence electrons electrons that are in the outer
material is still the fastest speed possible in that mate- atomic shell and can participate in a chemical reaction
rial; commonly denoted by the symbol c. vector a quantity that has both a magnitude (an
spindle fiber an organelle used during mitosis and amount) and a direction. In one-dimensional motion,
meiosis that separates and “pulls” chromosomes direction can be represented by a positive or negative
towards the opposite poles of the cell sign. In two-dimensional motion, the direction is rep-
spontaneous reaction a reaction that does not resented as an angle in the coordinate system.
require an external source of energy to proceed veins in plants, found in the leaves; sometimes called
star a body composed mostly of hydrogen and the vascular bundle that contains the xylem and
helium that radiates energy and that has fusion phloem. In animals, tube-like tissue that usually trans-
actively occurring in the core ports blood.
states of matter solid, liquid, and gas. In solids, velocity the rate that a position changes per unit time
atoms or molecules are held in place. The shape and and the direction it changes in. Common units are
volume of a solid usually do not vary much. In liquids, meters per second (m/s).
atoms or molecules can move, but their motion is ventricles chambers found in animal hearts that
constrained by other molecules. Liquids assume the pump blood away from the heart
shape of their container. In gases, the motion of atoms voltage another name for potential difference
or molecules is unrestricted. Gases assume both the voltmeter a device used to measure voltage in a
volume and the shape of their containers, and they are circuit
easily compressible. water cycle the movement of water between the
temperature the measure of the average kinetic land, oceans, and atmosphere
energy of the molecules of a substance weight the force of the Earth’s gravity on an object.
tension the force that acts and is transferred along Near the surface of the Earth, the weight is equal to
ropes, strings, and chains the object’s mass times the acceleration due to gravity
terminal moraine a ridge of material deposited by (w = mg).
a glacier at its farthest point of advance xylem vascular tissue found in plants that transports
terrestrial planet one of the inner planets of the water in one direction: “root to shoot.” This is the
solar system that have characteristics similar to that of water that will be sent to the photosynthetic cells in
the Earth. They are small, have low mass, have few or no order to perform photosynthesis.
moons, have no rings, are close to the sun and close to
each other, have thin or no atmosphere, are rocky and
have high density, have long rotation rates, and have
short revolution periods around the sun. The terres-
trial planets are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
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- PART
V The GED
Language Arts,
Reading Exam
I n this section, you will learn about the GED Language Arts, Reading Test. You
will find out what the test is like, what kind of passages and questions to expect, and
how to tackle those questions. You will also review the genres and elements of liter-
ature and the fundamental reading comprehension skills you need to do well on this exam.
At the end of this section, you will find 65 practice questions like those you will see on the
GED exam.
Before you begin this chapter, take a few minutes to do the following short pretest. The
passages and questions are the same type you will find on the Language Arts, Reading Test.
When you are finished, check the answer key carefully to assess your results. Your pretest
score will help you determine how much preparation you need and the areas in which you
need the most careful review and practice.
2 97
- – THE GED LANGUAGE ARTS, READING EXAM –
P retest: GED Language Arts, 2. In line 6, the speaker compares the eagle to a
Reading thunderbolt. This comparison suggests that the
eagle
a. was hit by a thunderbolt.
Directions: Read the following passages carefully. Choose
b. is as powerful as a thunderbolt.
the best answer to each multiple-choice question.
c. is as loud as a thunderbolt.
To practice the timing of the exam, take approxi-
d. is flying during a storm.
mately 15 minutes to complete this pretest. Record your
e. is out of control.
answers on the answer sheet provided here.
Note: On the GED, you are not permitted to write in
3. The poet’s goal is most likely to
the test booklet. Make any notes on a separate piece of
a. make the reader feel as lonely as the eagle.
paper.
b. paint a detailed picture of an eagle on a
mountain.
c. convey the magnificence and power of eagles.
ANSWER SHEET
d. convince the reader to get involved in saving
endangered species.
1. a b c d e
2. e. tell a story about a special eagle.
a b c d e
3. a b c d e
4. a b c d e 4. Line 6 tells us that the eagle “falls” from the
5. a b c d e
mountain. The eagle is most likely
6. a b c d e
a. falling because it was hit by a lightning bolt.
7. a b c d e
b. dying.
8. a b c d e
c. going to look for another eagle.
9. a b c d e
d. going down toward the sea where it is not so
10. a b c d e
close to the sun.
e. going after an animal that it spotted from the
Questions 1 through 5 refer to the following poem. mountain.
Passage I: How does the speaker 5. If the poet could belong to a contemporary
feel about eagles? organization, which group might he join?
a. National Association for the Advancement of
The Eagle
Colored People
He clasps the crag with crooked hands;
(1)
b. The World Wildlife Fund
(2) Close to the sun in lonely lands,
c. National Human Rights Organization
(3) Ringed with the azure world, he stands.
d. International Mountain Climbers Club
e. The Vegetarian Society
The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls;
(4)
(5) He watches from his mountain walls,
(6) And like a thunderbolt he falls.
—Alfred Lord Tennyson, “The Eagle,” 1851
1. The “he” that the speaker refers to in the poem is
a. the poet.
b. the speaker.
c. an eagle.
d. a man on a mountain.
e. the reader.
298
nguon tai.lieu . vn
