Copyright
Copyright © 2010 by Peterson’s, a Nelnet company
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this
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Visit our website at www.petersons.com
First eBook Edition: August 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7689-3258-4
OTHER RECOMMENDED TITLES
Peterson’s 30 Days to the GED
Peterson’s Master the GED: Language Arts, Reading
Peterson’s Master the GED: Language Arts, Writing
Peterson’s Master the GED: Mathematics
Peterson’s Master the GED: Social Studies
Peterson’s Master the GED: Science
Peterson’s Master the GED 2011
Peterson’s GED Success
Contents
Copyright
OTHER RECOMMENDED TITLES
1 Using This Guide
Answering Your Questions about the GED
Study Tips for Passing the GED
Links to HippoCampus™
Find Us on Facebook® and Follow Us on Twitter™
2 Language Arts, Reading
Test-Taking Tips
Nonfiction
Commentary
Fiction
Drama
Poetry
Test Yourself
3 Language Arts, Writing
Test-Taking Tips
The Language Arts, Writing Test Part I—Writing a Complete Sentence
Subject-Verb Agreement
Sentence Fragments
Run-on Sentences
Word Choice
Sentence Structure
Test Yourself
Grammar Review
Punctuation Review
Test Yourself
The Language Arts, Writing Test, Part II—Writing an Essay
Test Yourself
Sample GED Essays
4 Social Studies
Test-Taking Tips
Geography
Behavioral Science
Economics
Political Science
History
Test Yourself
5 Science
Test-Taking Tips
Life Science
Earth and Space Science
Chemistry
Physics
Test Yourself
6 Math
Test-Taking Tips
Basic Math
Test Yourself
Analyzing Data
Test Yourself
Relationships of Numbers
Test Yourself
Measurement
Test Yourself
Geometry
Coordinate Geometry (Distance and Slope)
Test Yourself
Algebra
Test Yourself
CHAPTER 1
Using This Guide
Congratulations on taking the first step to advancing your academic career. Whether you are taking
the GED Tests to prepare for college entrance or looking for the career opportunities that become
available after completing the GED Tests, you are not alone. From 1942 to 2009, an estimated 17
million people earned their GED credential. It is estimated that in the United States today, 1 out of
every 7 high school students will complete their education by taking the GED Tests.
Each of the chapters in this guide deals specifically with one of the elements of the GED. At the
beginning of each chapter, you will find study tips for each component that will help you review the
material efficiently and prepare for the test. Following the study tips are tutorials for every subsection
of the GED. Finally, each subsection includes practice exercises and a mini-test so you can track your
progress. The answers to the tests are included in each subsection as is an explanation of each answer.
By testing yourself periodically and fully understanding the answers to the test questions, you will
ensure that you are able to answer each type of question that arises on the test. You may find that
keeping a notebook handy while you go through the guide is a good idea. Jotting down terms,
examples, and definitions as you go along will help you to remember concepts and key points.
When you have completed the subject reviews and practice test questions presented in this book,
you may want to continue your studies with the companion book, Master the GED. Like GED Basics,
Master the GED offers lessons that will help you develop skills that are essential to passing each test,
and the individual subject reviews will help you become comfortable with the knowledge areas
covered on the tests. Master the GED also features example questions throughout the lessons, along
with the book’s diagnostic and practice tests. Both GED Basics and Master the GED offer plenty of
practice, with the types of questions you will encounter on the actual GED.
ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GED
What Is the GED?
GED stands for General Educational Development. GED Tests are standardized tests that measure
skills required of high school graduates in the
United States and Canada. These tests are designed to measure adult basic knowledge in five
content areas (Language Arts, Reading; Language Arts, Writing; Social Studies; Science; and Math).
The test is an opportunity for you to earn the equivalent of a high school diploma without having to
return to a formal school setting. A GED certificate can be useful for gaining admission to college, for
obtaining certain vocational licenses, or for finding employment in the many types of jobs that require
a high school diploma or its equivalent.
The battery of five GED Tests are designed and administered by the GED Testing Service of the
American Council of Education. In 2002, the test was revised to place more emphasis on adult-context
information, in order to reflect changing demographics and vocational goals among the GED testtaking population. One thing that has not changed, though—millions of motivated men and women
like you have earned their high school credential by passing the five GED Tests.
Where Can I Take the GED?
Every state has testing centers that are qualified to administer the test. Currently, there are more than
3,400 testing centers throughout the United States and Canada, as well as international locations.
Testing centers are typically located at adult-education and community-education facilities. Some
centers are located at military installations. The tests are offered in English, French, Spanish, large
print, Braille, and even audiotape format. Special testing accommodations may be available for testtakers with a diagnosed learning disability. For more information, visit www.acenet.edu and follow
the links to the GED Test and accommodations for disabilities.
The number of times the GED Tests are administered each year varies from one testing center to
another. Each center establishes its own schedule. Centers in urban areas may offer testing every day,
whereas centers in remote, rural areas may offer testing only once or twice a year. Each state sets its
own GED testing fees, which average about $100 for the entire test battery but vary from one center to
another. The five GED tests are typically administered over two or three consecutive days or during
two consecutive weekends. (The total GED testing time is over 7 hours, not including breaks between
tests—far too long for a single testing day.)
Finding a convenient testing center should not be difficult if you live in a populous state. Local
testing centers in the United States and Canada can be found by calling the toll-free hotline at 800626-9433
(800-62-MY GED).
To
find
an
international
testing
center,
visit
http://securereg3.prometric.com/.
What’s On the Test?
The GED Tests consist of five individual tests. Each test covers a different component of standard
high school curriculum, and each test is primarily a skills test rather than a knowledge test. Except for
Part II of the Language Arts, Writing Test (the essay-writing exercise), each of the GED Tests consists
entirely of multiple-choice questions—five choices per question. So the basic question format is the
same across all five tests.
Passing the GED Tests does not require rote memorization or extensive knowledge of the subject
areas they cover. Instead, each of the five tests is designed to gauge the same four broad skills:
• Comprehension (understanding and interpreting information)
• Analysis (drawing specific inferences and conclusions from information)
• Synthesis and evaluation (characterizing, generalizing from, and making judgments about
information)
• Application (using information in ways other than those presented)
You will be tested on Writing in a two-part exam. The first part consists of fifty multiple-choice
questions dealing with sentence structure, organization, mechanics, and usage. You will be given 1
hour and 15 minutes to complete this part of the test. You will be asked to read several passages of
twelve to eighteen sentences each. Each passage is followed by a series of multiple-choice questions
that ask you to either find mistakes in the sentences or indicate the best way to rewrite the sentences.
Thirty percent of the total number of questions deal with sentence structure; 30 percent test your
knowledge of standard usage; 15 percent deal with the organization of ideas; and 25 percent deal with
mechanics such as punctuation, proper use of homophones, and capitalization.
The second part of the Language Arts, Writing Test is your opportunity to write an essay. You will
be given your topic, scratch paper on which to jot notes and write an outline, and lined paper on which
to write your essay. You will have 45 minutes to compose an essay of approximately 200 words that
clearly states your ideas and is reasonably well organized and free of mechanical errors.
The Social Studies Test is made up of fifty multiple-choice questions, and you will have 1 hour and
10 minutes in which to complete it. The five areas this test covers and the percentage of questions for
each area are as follows: U.S. history (25 percent), world history (15 percent), civics and government
(25 percent), economics (20 percent), and geography (15 percent). The reading material for this test
will either be formatted as a single paragraph or as a longer passage. You will be expected to interpret
graphics such as graphs, maps, and political cartoons.
The Science Test is similar to the Social Studies Test in format—you will be asked to read either
short paragraphs or longer passages, and you will need to be able to understand graphic information.
Forty-five percent of the Science Test covers life science, 20 percent deals with earth and space
science, and 35 percent with chemistry and physics. There are fifty multiple-choice questions, and you
will have 1 hour and 20 minutes to finish this test.
The Language Arts, Reading Test is the fourth component of the exam. The reading selections vary
from short poems to longer passages and include contemporary classical literature, poetry, and drama.
The prose passages consist of selections written before 1920, between 1920 and 1960, and after 1960.
Although there are only forty multiple-choice questions in this test, you will be given 1 hour and 5
minutes to complete the test because many of the passages are lengthy. Forty-five percent of the
Language Arts, Reading Test covers prose fiction. The remaining portions of the test cover nonfiction
(25 percent), drama (15 percent), and poetry (15 percent). You will be asked not only to comprehend
what you are reading, but also to analyze the material and apply your knowledge to related topics.
Each passage of this section of the GED is headed by a question designed to direct your thoughts to
the purpose of the passage. By paying attention to these questions, you will be on the right track for
formulating the best possible answer to the multiple-choice questions following the reading selection.
Math is the final test in the battery that makes up the GED Test. You will have 90 minutes to
complete this portion. Each of the fifty questions has five answers from which to choose. The
Mathematics Test will require you to apply basic operations using whole numbers, fractions, and
decimals. You will also be tested on your knowledge of ratios, percents, and measurement. Your skills
on computation will be applied to word problems, so your ability to read and comprehend the
questions is essential for success. Twenty to thirty percent of the Math Test will deal with arithmetic
and numbers. Another 20 to 30 percent will cover data, statistics, and probability, and 20 percent to 30
percent deals with algebra. A final 20 to 30 percent of the Math Test will assess your basic knowledge
of geometry and measurement. The Math Test is arranged so that the easier questions will be at the
beginning of the test. This is important to remember when pacing yourself.
How Is the Test Scored?
Most states now use a “standard score” system, in which the number of correct answers on each GED
Test is converted to a 200–800 scale. The use of a scaled scoring system accounts for the varying
number of questions among the GED tests, as well as for possible variations in overall difficulty
among different versions of a test. In general, most states require an average score of at least 450 and
a score of at least 410 for each test.
GED test-takers also receive a percentile rank based on each of the scaled scores described above.
Percentile ranks range from 0–99 percent and indicate the test-taker’s performance compared with the
entire GED-testing population. For example, a percentile rank of 60 percent means that the test-taker
scored higher than 60 percent of all other test-takers.
For each GED component test, the more questions you answer correctly, the higher your score. No
penalties are assessed for incorrect responses. Your GED essay (Part II of the Language Arts, Writing
Test) will be evaluated by 2 trained readers who score the essay on a scale of 0–6. Your score for Part
II will be combined with your score for Part I (the multiple-choice portion) into a single Language
Arts, Writing score.
When Will I Know My Results?
An official score report, or transcript, is mailed to test-takers who have met all the GED requirements
within six to eight weeks. If you fail to meet the requirements, you will receive an unofficial transcript
instead. Official and unofficial transcripts provide scaled scores, but they do not provide the number
of correct or incorrect answers for any of the five tests. The states’ testing services do not
accommodate requests to provide transcripts earlier than the six-to-eight-week period, and neither
official nor unofficial GED transcripts are made available over the Internet. Once you receive an
official transcript, you may present it to a college admissions office or as proof for employment
purposes that you have met all GED requirements.
The GED certificate is a separate document issued by the state where you took the GED Test.
(Some states refer to this document as a diploma.) GED certificates are generally mailed together with
official transcripts. However, most states require that you reach a minimum age before the certificate
is issued to you. It is important to keep your certificate in a safe place because some states will issue
only one to you.
Official duplicates of your transcript will generally be made available to you through your state,
for a fee. Many states now refer requests for duplicate transcripts to Educational Testing Service
(ETS), an outside organization that keeps the transcripts and handles test-takers’ requests for
duplicates.
Can I Take the GED More Than Once?
After you’ve received your official scores in the mail, you will be eligible to retest, if necessary, on
any or all of the sections of the GED in which you did not meet the minimum passing score for your
state. At the time of retesting, you will be given a different version of the test, which means that you
will not be tested on the same questions you worked with previously.
Most testing centers charge an additional fee for retaking all or part of the GED. You may retake
the same test no more than twice during the same calendar year, and most states impose a waiting
period before each retesting. Multiple scores for the same test (for example, the Mathematics Test)
are not averaged. Only your highest score for each test is considered in determining whether you have
attained the minimum passing score for that test.
STUDY TIPS FOR PASSING THE GED
This book is designed to help you study for the GED. Although it is divided into sections
corresponding to the test, you will find that the guide has been arranged so that the Language Arts,
Reading component is first. Because your ability to read and comprehend what you have read is
crucial for the entire test, most of what you learn in this chapter about developing your reading skills
will be helpful to you throughout your studies.
Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to prepare for all five of the GED tests. Many GED
candidates find that taking a course with an instructor gives them the needed structure to accomplish
their goal. Others have the self-discipline to study on a regular basis without the structure of a class.
Regardless of which method you use, GED counselors often recommend spreading out GED testing—
rather than taking all the GED tests in a short period of time—to allow plenty of time to prepare
adequately for each test.
There are some proven strategies that will help to make this a successful experience for you. These
strategies are reviewed in general below, and they will be discussed in greater detail in each of the
following chapters.
Planning
Your chances of passing the GED on the first try will be improved by determining how much time you
will need to thoroughly study for the test and then choosing a realistic target date for testing. You
probably already have a good idea of your strengths and weaknesses, in terms of general knowledge,
and after briefly reviewing the competencies addressed in each test, you will be able to decide which
areas will require more attention than others. You will need to devise a systematic approach to
studying—one that works best for you. As a rule, “cramming” is not the best way to tackle studying
for the GED. Remember that the GED is not based on recalling facts—your ability to analyze and
interpret information is the key to success, and this ability is not learned in an all-night study session.
After deciding the areas to which you will devote the majority of your time, make up a study
schedule for yourself. Several weeks before the exam, set up a regular review and practice schedule.
You will ultimately learn more by working on small sections of material than by trying to do
everything at once. This might mean that you will only be studying 1 hour each day, or you might
choose to spend longer periods of time on a particularly difficult section. The important thing is to
devise a plan and then stick to it.
It is also important to find the right place to study. Choose a location that is comfortable for you,
but not so comfortable that you get sleepy. Ideally, you should be at a desk or seated at a table with
good lighting where you can spread out your materials and have a good writing surface. Make sure
there are no distractions, such as a TV, in the place you choose.
If possible, try to stagger, or spread out, your practice testing evenly rather than waiting until the
last few days—or even the last week—before the exam. This way, you will experience steady
improvement over time, which will instill confidence that will motivate you and help boost your
scores. The more you practice under exam-like conditions, the better you’ll perform during the actual
exam. Try to take each practice test from beginning to end in one sitting, just as you will during the
actual test. Be sure to thoroughly review each test after taking it, so you can identify your weaknesses
and focus on them in further study.
In working out your study schedule, don’t forget to factor in time to periodically go back and
review sections you have already completed to refresh your memory and to prepare you for upcoming
sections. Even though you might have completed Language Arts, Reading, the reading skills you
applied there will also be applicable to Science and Social Studies. You will be asked in these sections
to read for the main idea and details, and you will be required to know how to draw conclusions from
some of the passages. Analyzing data in the Math section of the book will also be helpful in other
sections where you will need to read and decipher maps and charts.
Get a good night’s sleep before your test day, and avoid the temptation to “cram” for the test. If
you have followed your study schedule, last-minute studying won’t be necessary and will only confuse
you and leave you tired on the day of the test. Although it is natural to be nervous when you are faced
with the actual test, if you have prepared yourself well, you won’t panic—and after you begin the test,
you will be able to relax and concentrate on your task.
Attitude
Your mental outlook will affect your test-taking ability. Everyone has a wide base of knowledge
gleaned from just living, and being able to apply this knowledge is what much of the GED is all about.
If you have worked in a department store where you have had to apply discounts to the prices of
merchandise, you have a working knowledge of decimals, for example. If you have cooked, you are
probably experienced in working with fractions. Have you ever used public transportation? If so, you
are already familiar with reading charts in the form of timetables to get to your destination. Analyzing
your skills and giving yourself credit for what you already know will go a long way in boosting your
self-confidence. At this point, achieving your GED might seem like an overwhelming task, but after
you scan the topics in this book, you will realize that you already have many of the skills you need for
success in this endeavor. Some of the material in this book will be new to you; but generally, you will
be learning new ways to apply a great deal of knowledge you already have.
You have already decided to take the GED for your own reasons. You might be planning to attend
college, or you might need your GED for promotion in a job or for licensing in a trade, or you might
have chosen to pursue your GED for your own personal satisfaction. Whatever your reasons are for
taking the GED, you have made a commendable decision that will affect your life in a positive way.
Staying focused on your goal will help you to overcome any doubts and frustrations along the way.
Multiple-Choice Questions
With the exception of the essay component, the GED Test is formatted with multiple-choice questions
that require you to choose the best answer from five possibilities. There are a number of things to keep
in mind when you are taking a multiple-choice test:
• Use your pencil to mark up the test booklet and scratch paper. Using your pencil and paper
can help you organize your thoughts, keep key ideas straight in your mind, and prevent
careless errors. When reading a passage of text, remember to underline or circle words and
phrases that are essential to understanding the passage’s ideas. During the portion of
Mathematics Test for which a calculator is not allowed, perform all but the simplest
computations on your scratch paper.
• When answering a question based on visual information, size up the visual first. Many
questions on the Math, Science, and Social Studies Tests contain visual information (graphs,
charts, illustrations, diagrams, and so forth). Inspect the visual carefully, and try to understand
its overall intent and meaning. Be sure to read any title or caption that may help you answer
the question correctly.
• Make sure you understand the question. Read each question carefully so you know exactly
what it is asking. If a question is based on a passage of text, read the question stem (the
question itself, apart from the answer choices) before you read the passage so you have an idea
of what to look for in the passage.
• Attempt to answer the question in your own words before you even read the choices. If you
can answer the question in your own words, you will simply have to choose the answer that
best matches in wording what you already know is correct. You’ll waste less time trying to
understand the other choices, which can often be confusing and irrelevant.
• Focus on the main idea of the passage you read. Generally, the correct answer is embedded
in the passage’s main idea.
• Read all the answer choices carefully. The first answer you see might appear to be the correct
one, but, by reading further, you might discover that there is a better choice. Never select a
final answer before reading and carefully considering all five choices.
• Eliminate decidedly wrong answers. Because you already know that there is only one best
answer, you can usually eliminate at least one answer that you instinctively know is wrong or
illogical. Many questions will come with at least two choices that are either contradicted by
the text or off topic, meaning that they convey ideas that are not relevant to the specific topic
or the question.
• Apply common sense and practical knowledge to answer the question. Many questions may
involve concepts and topics that are unfamiliar to you. You can use your real-life, practical
knowledge and common sense to help you answer many such questions—or at least to narrow
the answer choices.
• Don’t waste time on a question that is completely puzzling to you. Because these are timed
tests, you can’t afford to spend too much time on one question. You can always go back to the
questions that were difficult for you. Sometimes, by proceeding, you will actually be able to
get a hint from the questions that follow.
• Pace yourself to leave enough time for reviewing your answers. Don’t be a constant clockwatcher, but do check the time every so often to make sure you are on pace to read and answer
all questions within the time allowed. Try to maintain a pace that leaves you at least 5 minutes
to return to those questions you were unsure about and reconsider them.
• Answer every question, even if you have to guess. Your score is determined from the number
of questions you get right. There is no penalty for answering a question wrong, so you should
never leave a question unanswered. If you don’t know the answer, guess—you have nothing to
lose and everything to gain.
The Essay
For many people, the thought of writing a 200-word essay is a scary one. Most of us don’t write on a
daily basis, so putting ideas down on paper in a logical and clear fashion is something that doesn’t
come naturally. Making an outline and a first draft of the essay will help you create a good essay.
Chapter 3 of this guide will go into greater detail explaining how to write an essay that will pass the
scrutiny of the readers, as well as how to best proofread your essay for clarity and structure.
LINKS TO HIPPOCAMPUS™
Need additional subject review in history, science, or math? Throughout GED Basics, you’ll see links
t o HippoCampus.org, a great new way to get the extra subject help you need. From algebra to
American government to biology, HippoCampus brings learning to life by providing multimedia
lessons and course materials to students and teachers via the Web. Follow the links to the
HippoCampus Web site, and you’ll instantly have access to information on a wide variety of general
education subjects.
Throughout the Social Studies, Science, and Math Review chapters, you’ll see links that look like
this:
http://bit.ly/hippo_bio2
Each link will take you to the specific subject you want to review. You can also use
HippoCampus.org to take an actual refresher course. Either way, you’ll not only have fun while
learning, you’ll also gain the extra knowledge and confidence you need to score high on your
GED.
A technical note: The HippoCampus Web site uses Adobe Flash. It’s recommended that you
have Adobe Flash Player 7.0 or higher installed on your system. In addition, some of the
Environmental Science content require Apple QuickTime version 6 or higher. Be sure to have
QuickTime set to enable embedded flash content (you will find this option in the QuickTime
control panel under advanced settings). Finally, because HippoCampus contains multimedia
instructional content, it is also recommended that you have a high-speed Internet connection,
such as DSL or Cable Modem.
HippoCampus is a project of the Monterey Institute for Technology and Education (MITE). Its
goal is to provide high-quality, multimedia content on general education subjects to high school and
college students free of charge. HippoCampus is supported by The William and Flora Hewlett
Foundation and was designed as part of Open Education Resources (OER). The continually growing
content on HippoCampus has been created by colleges and universities worldwide.
Peterson’s is proud to join forces with HippoCampus to offer students like you access to the finest
—and most innovative—educational content and resources.
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are available to help you do your best on this important exam—and others in your future.
Peterson’s publishes a full line of books—test prep, education exploration, financial aid, and career
preparation. Peterson’s publications can be found at high school guidance offices, college libraries and
career centers, and your local bookstore and library. Peterson’s books are now also available as
eBooks.
We welcome any comments or suggestions you may have about this publication. Your feedback
will help us make educational dreams possible for you—and others like you.