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Entrance Test GED

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Entrance Test GED

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15 MatheMatical

c h a p t e r

Reasoning
PRactice test

To access online GED Test Mathematical Reasoning practice that provides

instant scoring and feedback:
• Navigate to your LearningExpress platform and make sure you’re logged in.
• Search for the following test and then click “Start Test.”
• GED Mathematical Reasoning Practice Test 2

T his practice test is modeled on the format, content, and timing of the official GED® Mathematical
Reasoning test. Like the official test, the questions focus on your quantitative and algebraic problem-
solving skills.
You may refer to the formula sheet in the Appendix on page 577 as you take this exam. Answer questions
1–5 without using a calculator. You may use a scientific calculator (or a calculator of any kind) for the remaining
exam questions.
Before you begin, it’s important to know that you should work carefully but not spend too much time on
any one question. Be sure you answer every question.
Set a timer for 115 minutes (1 hour and 55 minutes), and try to take this test uninterrupted, under quiet
conditions.
Complete answer explanations for all of the test questions follow the exam. Good luck!

435
– MAT HE MAT I C A L R E A SO NING P R A CTICE TE ST –

45 Questions 4. Draw a dot on the grid below to plot the point

115 Minutes indicated by the ordered pair (–2,1).

1. Joseph owns v video games. Harry owns 10 y

fewer than two times the number of video
games that Joseph owns. Which expression
represents the number of video games that
Harry owns in terms of v?
a. 10v – 2
b. 2v – 10
c. 2(v – 10) x
d. 10(v – 2)

2. Which of the following is equivalent to

3 3
9 × 18 ?
3

a. 2
3

b. 3 3 2
c. 3 6
d. 3 18
5. As part of a game, Gilbert must take a number
3. Write your answer on the line below. You may and use a special procedure to come up with a
use numbers, symbols, and/or text in your new number. To come up with his new num-
response. ber, Gilbert takes the original number, cubes it,
An expression is shown below. Simplify the adds 5 to it, and ﬁnally multiplies it by 2. If the
expression completely. Be sure to leave your original number is represented by x, which of
answer in radical form. the following represents Gilbert’s new number?
a. 2(3x + 5)
72 b. 2(x3 + 5)
36
c. 2x3 + 5
d. x6 + 5

6. The sum of a number n and 4 is less than 5

times the number m. If m is 6, which of the fol-
lowing is true?
a. n is greater than 6
b. n + 4 is less than 26
c. n is less than 26
d. n is equal to 26

436
– MAT HE MAT I CA L R E A SO NING P R A CTICE TE ST –

7. A company pays its sales employees a base rate 12. What is the value of f(–1) if f(x) = 3(x – 1)2 + 5?
of $450 a week plus a 4% commission on any a. 8
sales the employee makes. If an employee b. 11
makes $1,020 in sales one week, what will be c. 15
his total paycheck for that week? Write your d. 17
answer in the box below.
13. What is the equation of the line that passes
through the points (–2,1) and (4,5) in the
Cartesian coordinate plane?
8. The diameter of a circle is 10 meters. In meters, 2
a. y = __ 4
x – __
3 3
which of the following is the circumference of 2 1
b. y = __ x – __
this circle? 3 3
2 7
a. 5 c. y = __
3
x + __
3
b. 10 2
d. y = __
3
x+4
c. 25
d. 100
14. A 9-foot-long ladder is placed against the side
3 3
of a building such that the top of the ladder
9. Which of the following is equivalent to ( __ )?
4 reaches a window that is 6 feet above the
3 3
a. __
43
ground. To the nearest 10th of a foot, what is
3×3
the distance from the bottom of the ladder to
_____
b. 4×3 the building?
3
c. __
3
a. 1.7
4
b. 2.4
3
_____
d. 4×3 c. 6.7
d. 10.8
10. The line n is parallel to the line y = 3x – 7 and
passes through the point (5,1). At what point
does the line n cross the y-axis? Write your
answer in the box below.

11. A line passes through the point (4,0) and has a

1
slope of – __
2
. What is the equation of this line?
1
a. y = – __
2
x+2
1
b. y = – __
2
x–2
1
c. y = – __
2
x+4
1
d. y = – __
2
x–4

437
– MAT HE MAT I C A L R E A SO NING P R A CTICE TE ST –

15. The ﬁgure below represents the rate of cooling 16. In a study of its employees, a company found
for a particular material after it was placed in a that about 50% spent more than 2 hours a day
super-cooled bath. composing or reading emails. The overall dis-
tribution of time employees spent on these
250 activities was skewed right with a mean time of
about 2.5 hours. Complete the box plot below
so that is matches the given information.
200
Draw as many vertical lines as needed on the
Temperature (ºF)

150 graph to represent the data.

100

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1 2 3 4 5 Hours per Day Spent on E-mail
Hours

17. What is the equation of the line graphed in the

If the temperature, in Fahrenheit, is repre- ﬁgure below?
sented by T and the number of hours elapsed is y

represented by H, then which of the following 6

would represent a situation where the rate of
cooling was faster than the rate indicated in the
graph?

a. T = –25H + 150
b. T = –60H + 300
–6 6 x
c. T = –10H + 200
d. T = –50H + 250

–6

2
a. y = __
5
x–2
2
b. y = – __
5
x–2
2
c. y = __
5
x+5
2
d. y = – __
5
x–5

438
– MAT HE MAT I CA L R E A SO NING P R A CTICE TE ST –

18. What is a positive solution to the equation 23. Which of the following expressions is equiva-
3 5x
x2 – 5x = 14? lent to __
x
÷ __
2
for all nonzero x?
a. 2 6
a. ___
5x2
b. 7 2
c. 5 b. 15x
___
2
d. 9 c. 3
__
2
15
__
19. What is the slope of the line represented by the d. 2
equation 10x – y = 2?
a. 1 24. A factory is able to produce at least 16 items,
b. 2 but no more than 20 items, for every hour the
c. 5 factory is open. If the factory is open for 8
d. 10 hours a day, which of the following are possibly
the numbers of items produced by the factory
20. Which of the following is equivalent to over a 7-day work period?
1
5 2 × 52 ? Select all of the correct possibilities from the
−3
a. 5 2
list and write them in the box below.
b. 5
5 128
c. 5 2
1
150
d. 5 4 850
910
21. A specialized part for a manufacturing process 1,115
has a thickness of 1.2 × 10–3 inches. To the ten-
thousandth of an inch, what would be the
thickness of a stack of 10 of these parts? 25. A 32-ounce bag of potato chips has a retail cost
a. 0.0001 of $3.45. To the nearest 10th of a cent, what is
b. 0.0012 the price per ounce of this item (in cents)?
c. 0.0120 a. 9.3
d. 0.1200 b. 10.8
c. 28.5
5
22. A line is perpendicular to the line y = __
6
x+1 d. 35.45
and has a y-intercept of (0,–4). What is the
equation of this line?
a. y = –4x + 1
5
b. y = __
6
x–4
6
c. y = – __
5
x+1
6
d. y = – __
5
x–4

439
– MAT HE MAT I C A L R E A SO NING P R A CTICE TE ST –

26. 27. Circle the line in the coordinate plane below

that represents the graph of the equation
3x – 2y = 1.
y
60
Revenue in Thousands of Dollars

5
50
4
3
40
2

30 1

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4 5 x
20 –1
–2
10
–3
–4

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 –5

Week

The graph shown here represents the total

weekly revenue of a company over several
weeks. For which of the following periods has 28. A line z is perpendicular to the line y = –x + 5.
the weekly revenue increased? If z passes through the points (0,–2) and (x,5),
a. between weeks 2 and 3 what is the value of x?
b. between weeks 3 and 4 a. 0
c. between weeks 4 and 5 b. 3
d. between weeks 6 and 7 c. 7
d. 10

29. Which of the following is equivalent to the

numerical expression 2( 18 6)?
a. 4 3
b. 5 6)
c. 6 – 3
d. 6 – 6)

440
– MAT HE MAT I CA L R E A SO NING P R A CTICE TE ST –

30. A beauty-product manufacturer has been 31. A walking trail is 11,088 feet long. If a mile is
researching the way that people use various 5,280 feet, how many miles long is the walking
beauty products. After several surveys, it has trail?
collected the data shown in the scatterplot a. 0.2
below, which shows the time that participants b. 0.5
spent on their beauty routines on a typical c. 1.6
morning versus the amount of money the par- d. 2.1
ticipants spent per month on beauty products.
32. The product of x2 – 6 and x4 is
a. x8 – 6
Amount Spent per Month (dollars)

60 b. x6 – 6
c. x6 – 6x4
50
d. x8 – 6x4
40
33. The table below indicates the behavior of the
30 price of one share of a given stock over several
weeks.
20
end of change
10
Week 1 Increased by $5.00
Week 2 Decreased by 10%
5 15 25 35 45 55 65
Week 3 Decreased by $1.10
Time Spent on Morning Routine
Week 4 Doubled in value

Given this plot, which of the following best If the stock was worth $10.15 a share at the
describes the relationship between the amount beginning of week 1, what was the value of one
of time spent and the amount of money spent? share of this stock at the end of week 4?
a. In general, the longer people spent on their
morning beauty routine, the more money a. $25.07
they spent per month on beauty products. b. $29.46
b. In general, the longer people spent on their c. $32.20
morning beauty routine, the less money they d. $50.12
spent per month on beauty products.
c. In general, the amount of time people spent 34. What is the mode of the data set 9, 4, –1, 12, 4,
on their morning beauty routine was about 8, 7?
the same as the amount of money they spent a. –1
in dollars on beauty products. b. 4
d. In general, there is no clear relationship c. 7
between the amount of time people spent on d. 13
their beauty routine and the amount of
money they spent per month on beauty
products.

441
– MAT HE MAT I C A L R E A SO NING P R A CTICE TE ST –

35. There are 48 total applicants for a job. Of these 39. Which of the following represents the solution
applicants, 20 have a college degree, 15 have set of the inequality x + 2 > 5?
ﬁve years of work experience, and 8 have a col- a. {x: x > 10}
lege degree and ﬁve years of work experience. b. {x: x > 7}
If an applicant is randomly selected, what is the c. {x: x > 3}
probability, to the nearest tenth of a percent, d. {x: x > 2.5}
that he or she has a college degree or has 5
x–5 1
years of work experience? 40. What is the value of x____
2 – 1 when x =
__
2
?
a. 41.7% a. –10
3
b. 56.3% b. __
2
c. 72.9% c. 6
d. 89.6% d. 0

36. A customer uses two coupons to purchase a 41.

product at a grocery store, where the original
price of the product was $8.30. If the ﬁnal price
paid by the customer was $7.00 and each cou-
pon gave the same discount, what was the
value of the discount provided by a single
coupon?
8 cm
a. $0.65
2 cm
b. $0.90
c. $1.30 3 cm
d. $2.60

37. Lee is planning to buy a new television and has What is the volume of the ﬁgure above?
been watching the price of a particular model a. 6
for the past month. Last month, the price was b. 24
$309.99, while this month, the price is $334.99. c. 48
To the nearest tenth of a percent, by what per- d. 108
cent has the price increased over the past
month? Write your answer in the box below.

38. Which of the following are the two solutions to

the equation x2 – 2x – 3 = 0?
a. 3 and –1
b. –3 and 1
c. –3 and –2
d. 2 and 2

442
– MAT HE MAT I CA L R E A SO NING P R A CTICE TE ST –

42. The bar chart represents the total dollar value 43. The surface area of a sphere is 36 cubic
of sales for four product versions in July. meters. To the nearest meter, what is the
diameter of this sphere?
a. 3
b. 6
50 c. 12
d. 24
Sales in Thousands

40
44. What value of x satisﬁes the system of
30 equations x – 2y = 8 and x + 2y = 14?
a. –6
b. 11
20
c. There are inﬁnitely many values of x that
satisfy this system.
10
d. There are no values of x that satisfy this
system.

1 2 3 4
45. (x2 + 5) – (x2 – x) =
Product Version
a. 5 + x
b. 5 – x
c. 2x2 – 5x
Which two products have combined sales of d. 2x2 + x + 5
more than $50,000 in July?
a. Products 1 and 2
b. Products 2 and 3
c. Products 2 and 4
d. Products 1 and 3

443
Reasoning

16 ThRough
c h a p t e r

Language aRTs
(RLa) PRaCTiCe
TesT
To access online GED Test Reasoning through Language Arts practice that
provides instant scoring and feedback:
• Navigate to your LearningExpress platform and make sure you’re logged in.
• Search for the following test and then click “Start Test.”
• GED Reasoning through Language Arts Practice Test 2

T
Part I
his practice test is modeled on the format, content, and timing of the ofﬁcial GED® Reasoning through
Language Arts test.

Like the ofﬁcial exam, this section presents a series of questions that assess your ability to read, write, edit, and
understand standard written English. You’ll be asked to answer questions based on informational and literary
reading passages. Refer to the passages as often as necessary when answering the questions.
Work carefully, but do not spend too much time on any one question. Be sure you answer every question.
Set a timer for 95 minutes (1 hour and 35 minutes), and try to take this test uninterrupted, under quiet
conditions.

453
– R E A S O N I N G TH R O UG H LA NGU A GE A RTS (R LA ) P R A CTICE TE ST –

Part II
Part i
The ofﬁcial GED® Reasoning through Language Arts
test also includes an essay question, called the
48 Questions
Extended Response. Set a timer for 45 minutes, and
95 Minutes
try to read the given passage and then brainstorm,
write, and proofread your essay without interruption,
Please use the following to answer questions 1–6.
under quiet conditions.
Complete answer explanations for every test
Remarks by the First Lady on a visit to thank USDA
question and sample essays at different scoring levels
employees.
follow the exam. Good luck!

May 3, 2013
1 Thank you for supporting our farmers and our ranchers and working tirelessly to market their
products across the globe, which, by the way, helps to create jobs right here at home. Thank you
for protecting our environment by promoting renewable energy sources that will power our coun-
try for generations to come. So that’s an impact on not just us but our children and our grandchil-
dren and their children. Thank you for that work. Thank you for lifting up rural communities. And
thank you for keeping our food safe. And I think this is something most of the country doesn’t
realize—the work that you do here to protect the environment, you keep our food safe, working
to end hunger, improve nutrition for families across this country.
2 And the nutrition issue, as Tom mentioned, as you all know, is something near and dear to my
heart, not just as First Lady but as a mother. In fact, one of the first things that I did as, you know,
as First Lady, was to plant the garden at the White House. And it’s really pretty. [Laughter.] I hope
you guys get a chance to see it—it’s beautiful now. It rained a couple of days. Thank you. [Laugh-
ter.] And the idea with planting the garden wasn’t just to encourage kids to eat more vegetables.
I also wanted to teach them about where their food comes from.
3 I think you’ve known this—we see this as we traveled around the country—some kids have never
seen what a real tomato looks like off the vine. They don’t know where a cucumber comes from.
And that really affects the way they view food. So a garden helps them really get their hands dirty,
literally, and understand the whole process of where their food comes from. And I wanted them
to see just how challenging and rewarding it is to grow your own food, so that they would better
understand what our farmers are doing every single day across this country and have an appre-
ciation for that work, that tradition—that American tradition of growing our own food and feeding
ourselves.
4 And the garden helped spark a conversation in this country about healthy eating that led us to
create Let’s Move. As you know, it’s a nationwide initiative to end childhood obesity in this coun-
try in a generation, so that all of our kids can grow up healthy. And all of you all at USDA, let me
just tell you, have been such a critical part of this effort right from the very start. This would not
happen—all the conversation, all the movement around health—that’s all because of so many of
you right here in this room and throughout this building, and in agencies and facilities all over this
country. You helped to launch our new MyPlate icon, which is changing the way families serve their
meals and gives them a really easy way to understand what a healthy plate looks like.

454
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1. What is the likely overall purpose or intent of 4. Which statement is NOT supporting evidence
the passage? that the health of United States citizens is
a. to discuss the programs Mrs. Obama began important to the First Lady?
with the goal of inspiring kids to eat a. “Thank you for protecting our environment
healthier by promoting renewable energy sources that
b. to thank farmers for their work will power our country for generations to
c. to introduce Mrs. Obama’s nutrition come.”
initiative b. “And thank you for keeping our food safe.”
d. to emphasize the important role of USDA c. “And the nutrition issue, as Tom mentioned,
employees in creating good nutrition in the as you all know, is something near and dear
United States to my heart not just as a First Lady but as a
mother.”
2. Write your response in the box below. d. “You helped to launch our new MyPlate
icon, which is changing the way families
According to Mrs. Obama,
serve their meals and gives them a really easy
mentioned that the nutrition issue is some-
way to understand what a healthy plate looks
thing near and dear to her heart.
like.”

3. Based on the passage, Mrs. Obama would most 5. Which of the following is a synonym of the
likely word initiative as it’s used in this sentence: “It’s
a. take her children to watch a professional a nationwide initiative to end childhood obe-
basketball game. sity in this country in a generation, so that all
b. spend an evening teaching her children how our kids can grow up healthy”?
to cook dinner. a. program
c. organize a family game night. b. enthusiasm
d. spend an afternoon playing soccer with her c. disinterest
husband, the president. d. involvement

6. How does the inclusion of Paragraph 3 affect

the overall theme of the passage?
a. It damages Mrs. Obama’s claim.
b. It strengthens Mrs. Obama’s position.
c. It has no effect on the overall theme.
d. It intentionally confuses the reader.

455
– R E A S O N I N G TH R O UG H LA NGU A GE A RTS (R LA ) P R A CTICE TE ST –

Please use the following to answer questions 7–11.

Excerpt from “The Cask of Amontillado,” by Edgar Allan Poe

1 He had a weak point—this Fortunato—although in other regards he was a man to be respected

and even feared. He prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine. Few Italians have the true
virtuoso spirit. For the most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and opportunity, to
practice imposture upon the British and Austrian millionaires. In painting and gemmary, Fortunato,
like his countrymen, was a quack, but in the matter of old wines he was sincere. In this respect I
did not differ from him materially—I was skillful in the Italian vintages myself, and bought largely
whenever I could.
2 It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season, that I encoun-
tered my friend. He accosted me with excessive warmth, for he had been drinking much. The man
wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the
conical cap and bells. I was so pleased to see him that I thought I should never have done wring-
ing his hand.
3 I said to him—“My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking to-
day. But I have received a pipe of what passes for Amontillado, and I have my doubts.”
4 “How?” said he. “Amontillado, a pipe? Impossible! And in the middle of the carnival!”
5 “I have my doubts,” I replied, “and I was silly enough to pay the full Amontillado price without
consulting you in the matter. You were not to be found, and I was fearful of losing a bargain.”
6 “Amontillado!”
7 “I have my doubts.”
8 “Amontillado!”
9 “And I must satisfy them.”
10 “Amontillado!”
11 “As you are engaged, I am on my way to Luchresi. If anyone has a critical turn it is he. He will tell
me—”
12 “Luchresi cannot tell Amontillado from Sherry.”
13 “And yet some fools will have it that his taste is a match for your own.
14 “Come, let us go.”
15 “Whither?”
16 “To your vaults.”
17 “My friend, no; I will not impose upon your good nature. I perceive you have an engagement.
Luchresi—”
18 “I have no engagement—come.”
19 “My friend, no. It is not the engagement but the severe cold with which I perceive you are
afflicted. The vaults are insufferably damp. They are encrusted with nitre.”
20 “Let us go, nevertheless. The cold is merely nothing. Amontillado! You have been imposed upon.
And as for Luchresi, he cannot distinguish Sherry from Amontillado.”
21 Thus speaking, Fortunato possessed himself of my arm; and putting on a mask of black silk and
drawing a roquelaire closely about my person, I suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo.

456
– R E A S O N I N G TH R O UGH LA NGU A GE A RTS (R LA ) P R A CTICE TE ST –

7. Who are Fortunato’s “countrymen”? 10. In the context of the story, which of the follow-
a. Italians ing is an example of irony?
b. Britons a. “He prided himself on his connoisseurship
c. Austrians in wine.”
d. Spaniards b. “For most part their enthusiasm is adopted
to suit the time and opportunity. . . .”
8. What do Fortunato and the narrator have in c. “My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met.”
common? d. “The vaults are insufferably damp.”
a. an interest in Italian history
b. they are wearing the same clothing 11. Why does the narrator ﬁrst insist that he will
c. a passion for wine ask Luchresi’s opinion of the Amontillado?
d. a love of the carnival season a. because Luchresi has more expertise in wine
than Fortunato does
9. Which statement, in context, is NOT supporting b. because Fortunato and the narrator are
evidence that Fortunato has a passion for wine? known enemies
a. “But in the matter of old wines he was c. to gain the trust of Fortunato
sincere.” d. to prey on Fortunato’s pride
b. “I was so pleased to see him that I thought I
should never have done wringing his hand.”
c. “Luchresi cannot tell Amontillado from
Sherry.”
d. “The cold is merely nothing. Amontillado!”

Please use the following to answer questions 12–16.

Excerpt from “My First Lie, and How I Got Out of It,” by Mark Twain

1 I do not remember my first lie, it is too far back; but I remember my second one very well. I was
nine days old at the time, and had noticed that if a pin was sticking in me and I advertised it in
the usual fashion, I was lovingly petted and coddled and pitied in a most agreeable way and got
a ration between meals besides.
2 It was human nature to want to get these riches, and I fell. I lied about the pin—advertising one
when there wasn’t any. You would have done it; George Washington did it, anybody would have
done it. During the first half of my life I never knew a child that was able to raise above that temp-
tation and keep from telling that lie. Up to 1867 all the civilized children that were ever born into
the world were liars—including George. Then the safety pin came in and blocked the game. But
is that reform worth anything? No; for it is reform by force and has no virtue in it; it merely stops
that form of lying, it doesn’t impair the disposition to lie, by a shade. It is the cradle application
of conversion by fire and sword, or of the temperance principle through prohibition.
3 To return to that early lie. They found no pin and they realized that another liar had been added
to the world’s supply. For by grace of a rare inspiration a quite commonplace but seldom noticed
(continues)

457
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fact was borne in upon their understandings—that almost all lies are acts, and speech has no part
in them. Then, if they examined a little further they recognized that all people are liars from the
cradle onward, without exception, and that they begin to lie as soon as they wake in the morning,
and keep it up without rest or refreshment until they go to sleep at night. If they arrived at that
truth it probably grieved them—did, if they had been heedlessly and ignorantly educated by their
books and teachers; for why should a person grieve over a thing which by the eternal law of his
make he cannot help? He didn’t invent the law; it is merely his business to obey it and keep it still;
join the universal conspiracy and keep so still that he shall deceive his fellow-conspirators into
imagining that he doesn’t know that the law exists. It is what we all do—we that know. I am speak-
ing of the lie of silent assertion; we can tell it without saying a word, and we all do it—we that know.
In the magnitude of its territorial spread it is one of the most majestic lies that the civilizations
make it their sacred and anxious care to guard and watch and propagate.
4 For instance. It would not be possible for a humane and intelligent person to invent a rational
excuse for slavery; yet you will remember that in the early days of the emancipation agitation in
the North the agitators got but small help or countenance from anyone. Argue and plead and
pray as they might, they could not break the universal stillness that reigned, from pulpit and press
all the way down to the bottom of society—the clammy stillness created and maintained by the
lie of silent assertion—the silent assertion that there wasn’t anything going on in which humane
and intelligent people were interested.

12. Which of the following can be inferred from 14. Which of the following best expresses the
the first two paragraphs? author’s position on lying?
a. The author grew up in the same state as a. It should be forbidden.
George Washington. b. It should be forgiven, but only for children.
b. Before 1867, parents punished infants by c. It should be studied so that its cause can be
poking them with pins. found and eliminated.
c. Before 1867, infants wore diapers fastened d. It should be accepted as a fundamental part
with straight pins. of human nature.
d. Safety pins were critical to eliminating a
child’s disposition to lie. 15. Based on the fourth paragraph, why does the
author think that slavery was allowed to con-
13. In the first two paragraphs, which of the fol- tinue for so long?
lowing does the author present as evidence that a. because people acted as though it was not an
humans are born liars? important issue
a. scientific data b. because people understood the economic
b. personal experience importance of slaves to the South
c. physical evidence c. because slave owners lied to everyone else
d. historical documentation about how they treated their slaves
d. because agitators in the North didn’t state
their case

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16. Which of the following details does NOT sup-

port the main idea of the passage?
a. Even babies have a disposition to lie.
b. The introduction of the safety pin occurred
in 1867.
c. People often lie through acts rather than
words.
d. Early opponents of slavery faced indifference
from society.

Please use the following to answer questions 17–20.

Rebecca Garcia, Executive Director

Abacus Childcare
2404 Bellevue Ave
Baton Rouge, LA 70810

(1) I would like to submit an application for the childcare position that was recently posted on your
website. I’ve (2) with children in varying capacities for almost four years, and absolutely love kids
of all ages. I have a high energy level and infinite amount of patience that blends well with suc-
cessfully managing a group of children.
(3), I nannied two preschool-aged twins before they entered kindergarten. During that time, I
learned to effectively develop entertaining and educational activities, manage disputes and dis-
ruptive behavior in a caring yet firm manner, and maintain a safe environment in the home. I also
helped teach the children proper manners, personal cleanliness, and appropriate social skills. I
believe the time I spent working with the family allowed me to develop excellent communication
skills and management capabilities.

Outside of my work experience, I’m detail-oriented and very organized. I pride myself in (4)
problem-solving abilities and love working hard to provide value to my work environment. I am
dependable, always on time, and keep the promises that I make.

I would love to speak with you regarding the position if you feel like I would be a good fit on your
team. I have attached my resume with contact information and have three references available
upon request.

Thank you for your time,

Mallory Holloway

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17. Which is the correct choice for (1)? 19. Which transitional word ﬁts best in the begin-
a. Dear Ms. Dyer, ning of (3)?
b. dear ms. dyer, a. Recently
c. dear ms. Dyer, b. Currently
d. Dear ms. dyer, c. However
d. In addition
18. What is the correct form of the verb “to work”
in (2)? 20. Which of the following is a correct ﬁt for (4)?
a. to work a. your
b. works b. me
c. worked c. my
d. work d. mine

Please use the following to answer questions 21–24.

John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address, 1961

1 Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President
Nixon, President Truman, Reverend Clergy, fellow citizens:

2 We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom—symbolizing an end as well
as a beginning—signifying renewal as well as change. For I have sworn before you the same sol-
emn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago.

3 The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms
of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which
our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe.

4 We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from
this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation
of Americans—born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace,
proud of our ancient heritage—and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those
human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed
today at home and around the world.

5 Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden,
meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of
liberty.

6 This much we pledge—and more.

7 To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful
friends. United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is
little we can do—for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.

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8 To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form
of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny.
We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find
them strongly supporting their own freedom—and to remember that, in the past, those who fool-
ishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.

9 To those peoples in the villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery,
we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required—not
because the communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right.
If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.

10 To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge—to convert our good words
into good deeds—in a new alliance for progress—to assist free men and free governments in
casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of
hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or
subversion anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know that this hemisphere
intends to remain the master of its own house.

11 To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age where
the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of sup-
port—to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective—to strengthen its shield of the
new and the weak—and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.

12 Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a
request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction
unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.

21. Which sentence best represents the theme of 22. What word or phrase signiﬁes to the reader the
the speech? meaning of the word tyranny in the following
a. “We observe today not a victory of party but sentence? “To those new states whom we wel-
a celebration of freedom—symbolizing an come to the ranks of the free, we pledge our
end as well as a beginning—signifying word that one form of colonial control shall
renewal as well as change.” not have passed away merely to be replaced by
b. “We dare not forget today that we are the a far more iron tyranny.”
heirs of that ﬁrst revolution.” a. new states
c. “But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot b. ranks of the free
become the prey of hostile powers.” c. colonial control
d. “Let all our neighbors know that we shall d. iron
join with them to oppose aggression or
subversion anywhere in the Americas.”

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23. What is the purpose of repeating “little we can- 24. From the list of 5 choices below, circle all of the
not do” and “little we can do” in the following characteristics that Kennedy displays in this
sentence? “United, there is little we cannot do speech.
in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, 1. fear
there is little we can do—for we dare not meet 2. a strong will
a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.” 3. compassion
a. to contrast the difference between being 4. morality
united and being divided 5. aggression
b. to highlight the similarity of being united
and being divided
c. to stress the United States’ role in foreign
politics
d. to promise what Kennedy wants to
accomplish during his presidency

Please use the following to answer questions 25–30.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation, 1941

1 Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:

2 Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was
suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

3 The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in con-
versation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the
Pacific.

4 Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island
of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Sec-
retary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it
seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of
war or of armed attack.

5 It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was
deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese
government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expres-
sions of hope for continued peace.

6 The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and
military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition,
American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and
Honolulu.

7 Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.

(continues)

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8 Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

9 Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

10 Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

11 Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

12 And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

13 Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The
facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already
formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our
nation.

14 As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our
defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.

15 No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people
in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

16 I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not
only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery
shall never again endanger us.

17 Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are
in grave danger.

18 With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will
gain the inevitable triumph.

19 I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sun-
day, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese
empire.

25. What is the tone of the address? 27. What can be inferred from the ﬁrst sentence in
a. shocked but assertive paragraph 5?
b. timid and fearful a. Japan is close to Hawaii.
c. surprised and scared b. Japan and Hawaii are a signiﬁcant distance
d. insecure yet aggressive apart.
c. The United States mainland is as close to
26. What purpose does the word indeed serve in Hawaii as Japan is.
the third paragraph? d. Japan announced that it was going to attack.
A. to conclude his former idea
B. to alert the audience of a new premise
c. to emphasize the surprise of the attack
d. to introduce a new theme in the speech
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28. What is the purpose of repeating the phrase 30. Which of the following is NOT evidence that
“Last night, Japanese forces attacked”? the attack came as a surprise?
a. to show that Japanese forces were disorganized a. “The United States was at peace with that
b. to emphasize that it is cowardly to attack at nation.”
night b. “One hour after Japanese squadrons had
c. to show how other countries are united commenced bombing in the American
against Japan island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to
d. to emphasize the extent of Japan’s attack the United States and his colleague delivered
to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a
29. Which of the following describes “the character recent American message.”
of the onslaught against us”? c. “During the intervening time, the Japanese
a. expected government has deliberately sought to
b. aggressive deceive the United States by false statements
c. regretful and expressions of hope for continued peace.”
d. unintentional d. “Hostilities exist.”
Please use the following to answer questions 31–34.

Memo to: All Employees

From: Alexandra Chandler
Subject: Work Hours

Hello all!
(1) Beginning next week, we will poll the ofﬁce in order to receive everyone’s input as we modify work hours.
The company (2) they want to change the schedule in order to better fit the needs of the employ-
ees. We will have three options to choose from. The first option is to keep the work schedule as
it is currently: 9 to 5, Monday through Friday. The second option is to work one more hour per
day on Monday through Thursday, but work only half a day on Friday. The third option is to work
two extra hours on Monday through Thursday, and have Fridays off.
Although (3) completely open to all three options, the members of the executive board feel that
the second option may fit the goals of the company and employees the best. Many of us already
stay to work late at the beginning of the week, and the extra hour would not feel unnatural. We
have also noticed that on (4). We understand this to be normal behavior and want to alter hours
so that we can better serve you.
We think that the second option would fit well with the patterns we have already observed; how-
ever, we still want your opinions. We will be sending questionnaires via email for you to fill out
within the week. Please take some time to think about your responses before completing the
survey as we want the possible change to best reflect the needs of the office.
Please keep a lookout for the questionnaire and return it to us by the end of next week.
Thank you for your time,
Alexandra Chandler

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31. Which choice fits correctly in (1)? 33. Which choice fits correctly in (3)?
a. We are announcing some really big changes a. there
that might really affect us in the next few b. their
months. c. they is
b. We would like to announce some potential d. they are
changes affecting our team in the next few
months. 34. Which choice fits correctly in (4)?
c. FYI, stuff might be different soon. a. Friday, afternoons employee activity drops
d. PS: Thank you for your cooperation. b. Friday afternoons employee, activity drops
c. Friday afternoons, employee activity drops
32. Choose the correct form of decide for (2). d. Friday afternoons employee activity, drops
a. will decide
b. has decided
c. decides
d. decide
Please use the following to answer questions 35–42.

Excerpt from Barack Obama’s First Inaugural Address, January 20, 2009

1 In reaffirming the greatness of our nation we understand that greatness is never a given. It must
be earned. Our journey has never been one of short cuts or settling for less. It has not been the
path for the faint-hearted, for those that prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of
riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things—some cele-
brated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor—who have carried us up the long
rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

2 For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a
new life. For us, they toiled in sweatshops, and settled the West, endured the lash of the whip,
and plowed the hard earth. For us, they fought and died in places like Concord and Gettysburg,
Normandy and Khe Sahn.

3 Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were
raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual
ambitions, greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

4 This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth.
Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive,
our goods and services no less needed than they were last week, or last month, or last year. Our
capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and
putting off unpleasant decisions—that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick our-
selves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

5 For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of our economy calls for action, bold
and swift. And we will act, not only to create new jobs but to lay a new foundation for growth. We
(continues)

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will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and
bind us together. We’ll restore science to its rightful place and wield technology’s wonders to raise
health care’s quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel
our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to
meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. All this we will do.

6 Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions, who suggest that our system can-
not tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short, for they have forgotten what this
country has already done, what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to
common purpose and necessity to courage. What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground
has shifted beneath them, that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long
no longer apply.

7 The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it
works—whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement
that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no,
programs will end. And those of us who manage the public’s dollars will be held to account, to
spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day, because only then can
we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Excerpt from Barack Obama’s Second Inaugural Address, January 21, 2013

1 We, the people, still believe that every citizen deserves a basic measure of security and dignity.
We must make the hard choices to reduce the cost of health care and the size of our deficit. But
we reject the belief that America must choose between caring for the generation that built this
country and investing in the generation that will build its future. For we remember the lessons of
our past, when twilight years were spent in poverty, and parents of a child with a disability had
nowhere to turn. We do not believe that in this country, freedom is reserved for the lucky, or hap-
piness for the few. We recognize that no matter how responsibly we live our lives, any one of us,
at any time, may face a job loss, or a sudden illness, or a home swept away in a terrible storm.
The commitments we make to each other—through Medicare, and Medicaid, and Social Secu-
rity—these things do not sap our initiative; they strengthen us. They do not make us a nation of
takers; they free us to take the risks that make this country great.

2 We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all
posterity. We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would
betray our children and future generations. Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of
science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and crippling drought, and
more powerful storms. The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes
difficult. But America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it. We cannot cede to other
nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries—we must claim its promise.
(continues)

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That’s how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure—our forests and water-
ways; our croplands and snowcapped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded
to our care by God. That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared.

3 We, the people, still believe that enduring security and lasting peace do not require perpetual
war. Our brave men and women in uniform, tempered by the flames of battle, are unmatched in
skill and courage. Our citizens, seared by the memory of those we have lost, know too well the
price that is paid for liberty. The knowledge of their sacrifice will keep us forever vigilant against
those who would do us harm. But we are also heirs to those who won the peace and not just the
war, who turned sworn enemies into the surest of friends, and we must carry those lessons into
this time as well.

4 We will defend our people and uphold our values through strength of arms and rule of law. We
will show the courage to try and resolve our differences with other nations peacefully—not
because we are naïve about the dangers we face, but because engagement can more durably lift
suspicion and fear. America will remain the anchor of strong alliances in every corner of the globe;
and we will renew those institutions that extend our capacity to manage crisis abroad, for no one
has a greater stake in a peaceful world than its most powerful nation. We will support democracy
from Asia to Africa; from the Americas to the Middle East, because our interests and our con-
science compel us to act on behalf of those who long for freedom. And we must be a source of
hope to the poor, the sick, the marginalized, the victims of prejudice—not out of mere charity, but
because peace in our time requires the constant advance of those principles that our common
creed describes: tolerance and opportunity; human dignity and justice.

35. Which best summarizes the main idea 36. Which sentence’s meaning is strengthened by
expressed in the first paragraph of Obama’s the “men and women [who] sacrificed and
First Inaugural Address? struggled” mentioned in the first three para-
a. Luck made the United States a successful graphs of Obama’s First Inaugural Address?
and great nation. a. “Our capacity remains undiminished.”
b. Those who worked hard and took risks b. “For everywhere we look, there is work to be
shaped America. done.”
c. The United States is a great nation, and hard c. “We’ll restore science to its rightful place,
work will keep it so. and wield technology’s wonders to raise
d. Obama feels very fortunate to have been healthcare’s quality and lower its cost.”
elected president. d. “Their memories are short, for they have
forgotten what this country has already
done, what free men and women can achieve
when imagination is joined to a common
purpose, and necessity to courage.”

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37. From the list of five choices below, circle all of 40. Which of the following does not support
the phrases that support the main idea of Obama’s claim in his Second Inaugural
Obama’s First Inaugural Address. Address that Americans feel an obligation to
1. “Our journey has never been one of future generations?
shortcuts or settling for less.” a. “For we remember the lessons of our past,
2. “This is the journey we continue today.” when twilight years were spent in poverty,
3. “All this we can do. All this we will do.” and parents of a child with a disability had
4. “We will harness the sun and the winds nowhere to turn.”
and the soil to fuel our cars and run our b. “We will respond to the threat of climate
factories.” change, knowing that the failure to do so
5. “What the cynics fail to understand is that would betray our children and future
the ground has shifted beneath them, that generations.”
the stale political arguments that have c. “Time and again these men and women
consumed us for so long no longer apply.” struggled and sacrificed and worked till their
hands were raw so that we might live a better
38. What is Obama’s purpose in beginning each of life.”
the first three paragraphs of his second inaugu- d. “We will defend our people and uphold our
ral address with “We, the people”? values through strength of arms and rule of
a. to show American pride law.”
b. to stress past successes in order to prove the
country does not need to change 41. Where will Obama support democracy, accord-
c. to quote the Preamble ing to his Second Inaugural Address?
d. to emphasize the theme of betterment in the a. in the Americas
United States of America b. worldwide
c. in Europe
39. What is the effect of repeating the words gen- d. in the Middle East
eration and build to compare “the generation
that built this country” with the “generation 42. Which of the following sentences from the Sec-
that will build the future?” ond Inaugural Address best fits into the theme
a. to emphasize that he is talking about the of the First Inaugural Address?
same people a. “They do not make us a nation of takers;
b. to create a connection between the past and they free us to take the risks that make this
the future country great.”
c. to show that he thinks the next generation b. “That’s what will lend meaning to the creed
will be better than the last our fathers once declared.”
d. to emphasize that both generations still have c. “We, the people, still believe that enduring
work to do security and a lasting peace do not require
perpetual war.”
d. “We must make the hard choices to reduce
the cost of health care and the size of our
deficit.”

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Please use the following to answer questions 43–48.

Remarks upon Signing the Civil Rights Bill (July 2, 1964), Lyndon Baines Johnson

1 My fellow Americans:

2 I am about to sign into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964. I want to take this occasion to talk to you
about what that law means to every American.

3 One hundred and eighty-eight years ago this week a small band of valiant men began a long
struggle for freedom. They pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor not only to
found a nation, but to forge an ideal of freedom—not only for political independence, but for
personal liberty—not only to eliminate foreign rule, but to establish the rule of justice in the affairs
of men.

4 That struggle was a turning point in our history. Today in far corners of distant continents, the
ideals of those American patriots still shape the struggles of men who hunger for freedom.

5 This is a proud triumph. Yet those who founded our country knew that freedom would be secure
only if each generation fought to renew and enlarge its meaning. From the minutemen at Concord
to the soldiers in Viet-Nam, each generation has been equal to that trust.

6 Americans of every race and color have died in battle to protect our freedom. Americans of every
race and color have worked to build a nation of widening opportunities. Now our generation of
Americans has been called on to continue the unending search for justice within our own borders.

7 We believe that all men are created equal. Yet many are denied equal treatment.

8 We believe that all men have certain unalienable rights. Yet many Americans do not enjoy those
rights.

9 We believe that all men are entitled to the blessings of liberty. Yet millions are being deprived of
those blessings—not because of their own failures, but because of the color of their skin.

10 The reasons are deeply imbedded in history and tradition and the nature of man. We can under-
stand—without rancor or hatred—how this all happened.

11 But it cannot continue. Our Constitution, the foundation of our Republic, forbids it. The principles
of our freedom forbid it. Morality forbids it. And the law I will sign tonight forbids it.

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43. Which sentence is NOT an example of an 47. Which sentence best expresses the theme of
American ideal? President Johnson’s remarks?
a. “We believe that all men are created equal.” a. American ideals include fair treatment for
b. “The principles of our freedom forbid it.” everyone.
c. “Not only for political independence, but for b. The United States is a great country.
personal liberty.” c. Everyone is treated the same in the United
d. “Yet many are denied equal treatment.” States.
d. Lyndon B. Johnson was one of the best
44. Which sentence expresses the same idea as presidents.
“Yet many are denied equal treatment”?
a. Yet many Americans do not enjoy those 48. Which of the following does NOT support
rights. Lyndon B. Johnson’s stance that the Civil
b. We believe that all men are entitled to the Rights Bill is in line with American values?
blessings of liberty. a. “They pledged their lives, their fortunes, and
c. We can understand—without rancor or their sacred honor not only to found a
hatred—how this all happened. nation, but to forge an ideal of freedom.”
d. Americans of every race and color have died b. “Today in far corners of distant continents,
in battle to protect our freedom. the ideals of those American patriots still
shape the struggles of men who hunger for
45. Based on Johnson’s remarks, which is the best freedom.”
example of the United States’ “unending search c. “Americans of every race and color have
for justice within our own borders”? died in battle to protect our freedom.”
a. Civil War d. “The reasons are deeply imbedded in history
b. The Grand Canyon and tradition and the nature of man.”
c. Civil Rights Act of 1964
d. Vietnam War
Part ii
46. Which answer best summarizes the main idea
expressed in the paragraph that begins “One 1 question
hundred and eighty-eight years ago”? 45 minutes
a. The United States was formed a long time
ago. This practice allows you to compose your response to
b. The founding fathers worked hard to create the given task and then compare it with examples of
a just nation. responses at the different score levels. You will also get
c. The country has always treated everyone a scoring guide that includes a detailed explanation of
fairly. how ofﬁcial GED® test graders will score your
d. Men of all races fought for freedom 188 response. You may use this scoring guide to score
years ago. your own response.
Before you begin, it is important to note that on
the ofﬁcial test this task must be completed in no
more than 45 minutes. But don’t rush to complete

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your response; take time to carefully read the n Thoroughly construct your main points, organiz-
passage(s) and the question prompt. Then think ing them logically, with strong supporting details.
about how you would like to respond. n Connect your sentences, paragraphs, and ideas
As you write your essay, be sure to: with transitional words and phrases.
n Express your ideas clearly and choose your words
n Decide which position presented in the passages carefully.
is better supported by evidence. n Use varied sentence structures to increase the
n Explain why your chosen position has better clarity of your response.
support. n Reread and revise your response.
n Recognize that the position with better support
may not be the position you agree with. Good luck!
n Present multiple pieces of evidence from the pas-
sage to defend your assertions.

Please use the following to answer the essay question.

An Analysis of Nuclear Energy

1 America runs on energy. As a matter of fact, the United States is the second largest energy con-
sumer in the world, behind China. In recent years, it can be argued that we need to ease our
dependence on foreign countries that supply us with oil and develop energy at home. But where
can we get the energy we need?

Benefits of Nuclear Energy

2 The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) promotes the development of safe, domestic nuclear
power, and there are many who support the idea that nuclear power is the answer. Compared to
fossil fuels such as gas, coal, and oil, nuclear energy is the most efficient way to make electricity.
For example, the Idaho National Laboratory reports that “one uranium fuel pellet—roughly the
size of the tip of an adult’s little finger—contains the same amount of energy as 17,000 cubic feet
of natural gas, 1,780 pounds of coal, or 149 gallons of oil.”

3 Supporters of nuclear energy cite that nuclear generators don’t create the great amounts of poi-
sonous carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide like the burning of fossil fuels does.
The DOE reports that a nuclear generator produces 30 tons of spent fuel a year compared to the
300,000 tons of coal ash produced by a coal-powered electrical plant.

4 In terms of safety, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission ensures that each and every nuclear reac-
tor maintains strict safety standards. Radioactive waste is contained deep underground behind
steel-reinforced, 1.2-meter-thick concrete walls. The DOE also points out that “ash from burning
coal at a power plant emits 100 times more radiation into the surrounding environment than a
nuclear power plant.”
(continues)

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Arguments against Nuclear Energy

5 Opponents of nuclear energy argue that nuclear reactors endanger all life on Earth for three basic
reasons. First, nuclear radioactivity is deadly and must be contained for thousands of years. Sec-
ond, no matter how many safety measures are in place, accidents happen, and nuclear meltdowns
are global environmental catastrophes. Finally, nuclear fuel used to generate electricity can also
be used to build atomic bombs.

6 Nuclear generators used radioactive plutonium and uranium for fuel. Scientists say that exposure
to a millionth of an ounce of pluntonium causes cancer. Even nuclear energy proponents agree
that life-threatening nuclear waste must be contained for half a million years before it becomes
safe to be around. Radioactive dumps last generations.

7 Opponents of nuclear energy also cite the ever-present threat of meltdowns. Widespread radioac-
tive contamination and death caused by the nuclear accidents at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl,
and Fukushima are cautionary lessons. Researchers disagree on how possible it is to safely contain
radioactivity, but it’s undeniable that nuclear meltdown causes widespread contamination of the
air, water, and land with deadly radioactivity. It is also verifiable that nuclear accidents have
caused environmental catastrophes that continue to this day.

8 Perhaps even more disturbing than the threat of toxic waste and meltdown is the use of uranium for
sinister purposes. On December 7, 2013, Reuters reported that “. . . in news that may concern world
powers . . . Iran is moving ahead with testing more efﬁcient uranium enrichment technology. . . .”
Indeed, the United Nations and the entire world are worried about Iran’s enhancement of uranium
for use in nuclear power plants because the same enhanced uranium can be used to build atomic
weaponry.

9 Opponents argue that in the same way we learned that fossil fuels are limited and destroy the
environment, so must we learn from nuclear disasters. Opponents say the answer is to develop
safe, clean, and renewable sources of alternative energy, such as solar, wind, tidal, and geother-
mal power. Why gamble? The future of the world is at stake.

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QUESTION:
Nuclear energy proponents argue that it is safe and efﬁcient, while opponents make the case for alternative
energy sources, citing the deadly consequences of nuclear disaster.
In your response, analyze both positions presented in the article to determine which one is best supported.
Use relevant and speciﬁc evidence from both articles to support your response.
You should expect to spend up to 45 minutes planning, drafting, and editing your response.

________________________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________________________

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17
c h a p t e r

Science
PRAcTice TeST

To access online GED Test Science practice that provides instant scoring
and feedback:
• Navigate to your LearningExpress platform and make sure you’re logged in.
• Search for the following test and then click “Start Test.”
• GED Science Practice Test 2

T his practice test is modeled on the format, content, and timing of the official GED® Science test and,
like the official exam, presents a series of questions that focus on the fundamentals of scientific
reasoning.
Work carefully, but do not spend too much time on any one question. Be sure you answer every question.
Set a timer for 90 minutes (1 hour and 30 minutes), and try to take this test uninterrupted, under quiet
conditions.
Complete answer explanations for every test question follow the exam. Good luck!

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PART i

35 total questions
90 minutes to complete

Please use the following to answer questions 1–3.

A non-predatory relationship between two organisms that benefits at least one of the organisms is
called a symbiotic relationship. These relationships can be categorized further based on the effect
of the relationship on the second organism. The table shows the three types of symbiotic relation-
ships and their effects on each organism.

SYMBiOTic ReLATiOnSHiP SPecieS 1 SPecieS 2 KeY

Mutualism + + + benefits
Commensalism + 0 – harmed
Parasitism + – 0 no effect

Veterinary clinics often treat pets with illnesses resulting from parasitism. Three common
parasites diagnosed in dogs are the dog flea, the deer tick, and Cheyletiella mites.
Dog fleas and deer ticks both feed on the host animal’s (dog’s) blood and can transmit dis-
eases to the host animal through their bites. Dog fleas lay their eggs on the host animal’s body
and can survive on the host animal or on surfaces the animal comes in contact with, such as bed-
ding. Deer ticks lay their eggs on the ground and attach to the host animal only while feeding.
Cheyletiella mites live within and feed on the keratin layer of the host animal’s skin. Cheyleti-
ella mites reproduce on the host animal and can survive away from the host animal only for short
periods of time.

1. Read the two descriptions of symbiotic rela- extracts water and nutrients from the tree’s
tionships below, and select the correct term for branches.
each relationship from the following list. Write
the correct answer in the box after each
description. E. coli bacteria live within the intestinal tract of
commensalism humans, obtaining nutrients from the food par-
mutualism ticles that pass through the intestines. Vitamin K
parasitism produced by the E. coli is absorbed through the
intestinal walls for use in the human body.
Mistletoe attaches to spruce trees. Using special-
ized structures, mistletoe penetrates into and

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2. According to the passage, all of the dog para- 4. The passing of one object in space through the
sites gain which beneﬁt from their symbiotic shadow of another object is called an eclipse.
relationships with the host dogs? The orbits of the moon and Earth in relation
a. a habitat for living to the sun cause both solar and lunar eclipses
b. a vector for disease to occur. During a solar eclipse, the speciﬁc
c. a source of nutrients alignment of these three objects causes the
d. a site for reproduction moon to cast a shadow on the Earth. During a
lunar eclipse, the alignment causes the Earth to
3. A veterinary technician is preparing to exam- cast a shadow on the moon.
ine a dog suspected of having Cheyletiella
The following diagram shows the alignment of
mites. Based on the information in the passage,
the sun, Earth, and moon during a lunar
which precaution would most effectively
eclipse. Draw an “X” in the correct spot to
prevent the transmission of mites to other
identify the location of the moon necessary to
animals in the clinic?
produce a solar eclipse.
a. administering a vaccine to the infected dog
b. wearing disposable gloves while examining
the dog
c. avoiding contact with open wounds on the
dog
d. sterilizing the exam room before examining
the dog

Penumbra

Umbra
Moon

Earth

Sun

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5. The table below compares characteristics for four different groups of plants. A “1” indicates that the
characteristic is present, and a “0” indicates that the characteristic is absent.

Vascular
Plant Type Tissue Seeds Flowers
Confers 1 1 0
Ferns 1 0 0
Flowering Plants 1 1 1
Mosses 0 0 0

A cladogram illustrates the relatedness of organisms based on shared characteristics. Branches below a
given characteristic represent organisms that do not exhibit that characteristic. Branches above a given
characteristic represent organisms that do exhibit that characteristic. Each branch represents one plant
type.

Use the information in the table to organize the four plant types onto the appropriate branches in the
cladogram.

Write the correct plant type into each box. Select from the choices below.

conifers
ferns
ﬂowering plants
mosses

Flowers

Seeds

Vascular Tissue

Ancestral Plant Species

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Please use the following to answer questions 6 and 7. 7. Researchers ﬁnd that a body of fresh water
with an average temperature of 21°C has a
dissolved oxygen concentration of 7.2 mg/L.
The amount of oxygen gas dissolved in a What is a reasonable prediction of the water’s
body of water can provide information about dissolved oxygen concentration after the
the health of the aquatic ecosystem. In gen- population size of freshwater grasses doubles?
eral, the closer the dissolved oxygen level to a. 6.3 mg/L
the maximum level, the more productive and b. 7.2 mg/L
less polluted the ecosystem can be assumed c. 8.5 mg/L
to be. d. 14.4 mg/L
The table below shows the maximum
amount of oxygen gas that can be dissolved 8. The chart below shows that the color of the
in water at various temperatures. light emitted by a star is dependent on the
star’s temperature.
WATeR
TeMPeRATuRe MAxiMuM OxYgen
(°c) SOLuBiLiTY (Mg/L) cLASS cOLOR SuRfAce TeMP. (K)
0 14.6 O Blue >25,000 K

10 11.3 B Blue-white 11,000–25,000 K

20 9.2 A White 7,500–11,000 K

30 7.6 F White 6,000–7,500 K

40 6.4 G Yellow 5,000–6,000 K

100 0 K Orange 3,500–5,000 K

M Red <3,500 K

Which of the following statements is supported

by the data in the table?
6. The data in the table support which of the fol-
lowing statements about the relationship a. In general, white stars are hotter than blue-
between water temperature and oxygen white stars.
solubility? b. A star with a surface temperature of 3,700 K
a. Bodies of water with a lower average produces red light.
temperature can support a higher c. Yellow light is produced by stars within the
concentration of dissolved oxygen. narrowest temperature range.
b. Bodies of water with an average temperature d. The highest known surface temperature of a
higher than 40°C contain no dissolved star is 25,000 K.
oxygen.
c. A 10°C increase in water temperature results
in an approximately 3-mg/L change in
oxygen solubility.
d. The oxygen solubility of a body of water is
affected by many variables, including water
temperature.

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9. The diagram below illustrates the structure of an ocean wave.

Direction of travel
A B
Wavelength
Wave height
Calm sea level

Crest Trough

The period of a wave is the time required for the wave crest at point A to reach point B. The wave period
can also be described as the amount of time required for a wave to do which of the following?
a. reach the shoreline
b. travel one wavelength
c. return to calm sea level
d. travel from crest to trough

Please use the following to answer questions 10 and 11. 10. What is the probability of a hurricane and a
tornado, each with 10 or more fatalities, both
occurring in the same year?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) tracks the a. 0
annual occurrence and effects of natural haz- b. 0.37
ards in the United States. Based on its data, c. 0.96
the USGS has calculated the probability of a d. 1.35
natural hazard occurring in any given year
that would cause 10 or more fatalities. The 11. Write the appropriate natural hazard from the
table below lists the probabilities for the four table in the box below.
most commonly occurring natural hazards.
A boundary between the Paciﬁc and North
PROBABiLiTY Of An
AnnuAL evenT WiTH American tectonic plates lies along the west
A A E N E coast of the continental United States. The
evenT uniTed STATeS
probability of a(n) with 10 or
Earthquake 0.11
more fatalities is much higher in this region
Hurricane 0.39
than the probability for the United States as a
Flood 0.86 whole.
Tornado 0.96
0 = no chance of occurring / 1 = 100% chance
of occurring

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12. A marathon runner consumes foods with a

high carbohydrate content before and during a
race to prevent muscle fatigue. This practice,
called carb loading, supports which of the fol-
lowing energy transformations within the run-
ner’s body?
a. chemical to thermal
b. thermal to kinetic
c. kinetic to thermal
d. chemical to kinetic
Please use the following to answer questions 13–15.

Consumers in an ecosystem are classified by feeding level. Primary consumers feed on producers.
Secondary consumers feed on primary consumers, and tertiary consumers feed on secondary con-
sumers. Consumers in a food web are classified according to their highest feeding level.
A consumer’s population size is determined largely by the complex relationships that exist
within the ecosystem’s food web. Population size is most obviously limited by the population size of
the consumer’s food source(s). An increase or decrease in a food source population often leads to a
similar change in the consumer population. The availability of a food source may be limited by other
consumer populations competing for the same food source. An increase in a competitor population
may lead to a decreased availability of the shared food source. Population size is also limited by the
population size of the consumer’s predator(s). Predation by higher-level consumers keeps the lower
consumer population from growing out of control and upsetting the ecosystem’s balance.
The food web for a woodland ecosystem bordering an area of farmland is shown below.

Foxes
Owls
Birds

Mice Grasshoppers
Rabbits

Carrots Grasses
Grains

(Not drawn to scale)

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13. According to the passage, rabbits are consid- 15. A bacterial disease has destroyed most of the
ered primary consumers because they farm’s carrot crop for the past two seasons. As a
a. feed on grasses and carrots result, the rabbit population has been forced to
b. are consumed by foxes only rely more heavily on grasses for a food source.
c. compete with grasshoppers only
Explain how this disruption is likely to affect
d. are the only consumer of carrots
the rest of the ecosystem’s food web. Include
multiple pieces of evidence from the text and
14. Which three organisms in the food web obtain
discuss speciﬁc populations (other than carrots
energy directly or indirectly from
and rabbits) as examples to support your
grasshoppers?
answer.
a. owls, birds, and mice
b. owls, birds, and grains Write your response on the lines below. This
c. foxes, rabbits, and mice task may take approximately 10 minutes to
d. foxes, owls, and birds complete.

________________________________________________________________________________________

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16. The table below illustrates the range of normal 17. The process of meiosis is depicted in the dia-
body temperatures in Fahrenheit for different gram below.
age groups.
Meiosis
nORMAL BOdY TeMPeRATuRe
Parent cell
TeMPeRATuRe
Age gROuP (in °fAHRenHeiT)
Newborn 97.7°F–99.5°F
Infants (1 year or less) 97.0°F–99.0°F
Children (1–17 years) 97.5°F–98.6°F
Adults (above 18 years) 97.6°F–99°F
Elders (above 70 years) 96.8°F–97.5°F

The formula for converting Fahrenheit to

Celsius is shown below.
5
(°F – 32) × __
9 = °C

The normal body temperature range of a Daughter cells

newborn baby is °C to
°C. (You may use a calculator
to answer this question.) The daughter cells produced during meiosis
are used for what purpose?
a. growth
b. tissue repair
c. differentiation
d. reproduction

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18. A highway patrol ofﬁcer is monitoring the 19. Meiosis produces cells containing one chromo-
speed of vehicles along a stretch of highway some from each chromosome pair. The dia-
with a speed limit of 55 mph. The results are gram below shows the chromosome
shown below. combinations that can be produced from a cell
Vehicle 1: 61 mph containing two pairs of chromosomes.
Vehicle 2: 48 mph
Vehicle 3: 61 mph
Vehicle 4: 51 mph
Vehicle 5: 59 mph
What is the average speed of the ﬁve vehicles?
(You may use a calculator to answer this
question.)
a. 55 miles per hour
b. 56 miles per hour
c. 59 miles per hour
d. 61 miles per hour

A barley plant has seven pairs of chromosomes.

How many unique combinations of chromo-
somes can result from meiosis in barley?
a. 7
b. 14
c. 49
d. 128

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Please use the following to answer questions 20–22. 20. A student draws the model below to represent
the process of aerobic respiration.

Respiration is the cellular process used by

living things to convert the chemical energy
+ + + energy
in food to a form that can be used by cells.
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the high-
energy molecule that all living things use to Which change would improve the accuracy of
fuel cellular processes. During respiration, a the student’s model?
molecule of glucose is converted to mole- a. connecting all of the circles to each other to
cules of ATP to be used by the cell. show bonds
Depending on the conditions, respira- b. moving the energy symbol to the left side of
tion occurs by two different pathways: aero- the equation
bic and anaerobic. When a cell has a c. adding ﬁve triangles to balance the right side
sufficient supply of oxygen, aerobic respira- of the equation
tion occurs. This pathway uses oxygen as a d. making the rectangles smaller to show
reactant, along with glucose, to produce 36 relative molecular sizes
to 38 molecules of ATP from each molecule
of glucose. Aerobic respiration is the pre- 21. The energy produced by respiration is in what
ferred pathway in most cells. The general form?
equation for aerobic respiration is shown a. ATP
below. b. oxygen
C6H12O6 + 6O2 energy + 6CO2 + 6H2O c. glucose
d. carbon dioxide
When sufficient oxygen is not avail-
able, anaerobic respiration occurs. This 22. Explain the beneﬁt of having two pathways for
pathway produces two molecules of ATP respiration in the human body.
from each molecule of glucose. Anaerobic
respiration sometimes occurs in human Include multiple pieces of evidence from the
muscle cells. During exercise, muscle cells text to support your answer.
use energy faster than the oxygen supply Write your response on the lines on the follow-
can be replenished, causing the cells to ing page. This task may take approximately 10
switch temporarily to anaerobic respiration. minutes to complete.

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________________________________________________________________________________________

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Please use the following to answer questions 23 and 24.

Matter exists in solid, liquid, and gas states. A substance may change between these three states. State changes
can alter the physical properties of a substance, as depicted in the models below.

Solid Liquid Gas

23. Which summary best explains the model of the Please use the following to answer questions 25–26.
states of matter?
a. Liquids have a fixed shape like solids but Information about five different fuel sources is listed
assume the volume of the container as gases in the table below.
do.
b. Liquids have a fixed volume and shape like eneRgY cO 2
cOnTenT ReLeASed
solids. Gases assume the volume and shape (KJ/g) 3 KJ)
of the container.
Hydrogen 120 ------
c. Liquids have a fixed volume like solids but
Natural gas 51.6 1.2
assume the shape of the container as gases
do. Petroleum 43.6 1.6

d. Liquids assume the volume and shape of the Coal 39.3 2.0
container as gases do. Solids have a ﬁxed Ethanol 27.3 1.6
volume and shape.
25. Which statement represents a fact supported
24. Based on the model, which state change by the data in the table?
increases the density of a substance? a. All cars will be fueled by hydrogen cells in
a. gas to liquid the future.
b. solid to gas b. Petroleum is a better fuel source for cars
c. liquid to gas than ethanol is.
d. solid to liquid c. Natural gas is too expensive to use as a fuel
source for cars.
d. Ethanol fuel provides a car with less energy
per gram than petroleum does.

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26. Natural gas, petroleum, and coal are fossil 28. The graph below represents the motion of a
fuels. Ethanol is derived from biomass. remote-controlled car. The car’s acceleration,
or change in velocity, is indicated by the slope
Based on the data in the table, what is the best
of the graph.
estimate of the energy content of fossil fuels?
a. 40 kJ/g
b. 42 kJ/g 60
c. 45 kJ/g
50

Velocity (m/s)
d. 50 kJ/g
40

27. The term exothermic describes a process in 30

which energy is released, usually as thermal 20
energy. The term endothermic describes a 10
process in which thermal energy is absorbed.

Which of the following is an example of an 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

exothermic process? Time (sec)

a. a candle burning
During which period did the car experience a
b. a snow bank melting
constant positive acceleration?
c. a loaf of bread baking
a. between 0 and 20 seconds
d. a plant making sugar
b. between 20 and 40 seconds
c. between 40 and 50 seconds
d. between 50 and 90 seconds

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Please use the following to answer questions 29 and 30.

The mechanical advantage (MA) of a machine is a measure of how much the machine multiplies the
input force applied to it.

Input Force
MA = Load
Input Force

Load

The table below shows the input force required to lift different loads using the pulley system
shown above.

LOAd (n) inPuT fORce (n)

30 10
60 20
90 30
150 50

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29. Based on the data in the table, what happens to 30. A 1-Newton load has a mass of 10 grams.
the mechanical advantage of the pulley system According to the table, what is the maximum
as the load size increases? mass that can be lifted by the pulley system
a. The mechanical advantage increases at a using an input force of 50 Newtons?
constant rate. a. 15 grams
b. The system’s mechanical advantage does not b. 50 grams
change. c. 150 grams
c. The pulley system multiplies the mechanical d. 1,500 grams
advantage.
d. The mechanical advantage decreases at a
constant rate.

31. Artiﬁcial selection is the process of breeding plants or animals to increase the occurrence of desired
traits. Farmers use artiﬁcial selection to produce new crop species from existing plant species. The dia-
gram below illustrates six crop species that have been derived from the common wild mustard plant.

Cabbage Cauliﬂower

Broccoli
Brussels
sprouts

Selection for
ﬂower clusters
Selection for
terminal bud Kale
Selection for
Kohlrabi
stems and ﬂowers
Selection for
lateral buds

Selection
Selection for for leaves
stem

Brassica oleracea
(a common wild mustard)

Based on the information in the passage, how did farmers produce kale?
a. Farmers removed the stems and ﬂowers from mustard plants as they grew.
b. Farmers allowed only wild mustard plants with large leaves to reproduce.
c. Farmers bred small-leafed plants with large-leafed plants to increase leaf size.
d. Farmers prevented wild mustard plants with large leaves from reproducing.

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32. According to the graph, in which atmospheric

layers does temperature decrease as altitude
520 km
Exosphere increases?
500 km a. mesosphere and exosphere
490 km b. troposphere and thermosphere
c. stratosphere and thermosphere
d. troposphere and mesosphere
160 km Thermosphere

140 km

120 km

100 km
Altitude

80 km
Mesosphere
60 km

40 km
Stratosphere
20 km

Troposphere
–10 –50 0 50 100 150 200 500/1500
Temperature ºC

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33. Surface currents in the ocean are classiﬁed as warm or cold currents. In general, warm currents tend to
travel from the equator toward the poles along the eastern coast of continents. Cold currents tend to
travel from the poles toward the equator along the western coast of continents.

The map below shows the major surface ocean currents of the world.

60º

30º

0º

30º

60º

Based on the passage, which of the following statements about the Alaska current is true?
a. The Alaska current is a typical cold current because it travels along the western coast of the continent.
b. The Alaska current is not a true surface current because it does not follow the general pattern of
surface currents.
c. The Alaska current is an exception to the general pattern because warm currents typically travel along
the eastern coast of continents.
d. The Alaska current transports water from the north pole toward the equator because it travels along
the western coast of the continent.

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34. Every person has two copies, or alleles, of the 35. Blood glucose levels are tightly regulated in the
ABO blood type gene. A person’s ABO blood human body by the hormones insulin and glu-
type is determined by his or her speciﬁc com- cagon. When glucose levels become too high or
bination of alleles. The table below shows the low, the pancreas produces the appropriate
allele combinations that cause the four differ- hormone to return the body to homeostasis.
ent ABO blood types. The diagram below shows the feedback mecha-
nism for regulating blood glucose levels.
BLOOd TYPe genOTYPe Body cells
take up more Insulin
A IAIA or I Ai glucose.
Beta cells of
B IBIB or I Bi pancreas
release insulin
into the blood.
AB IAIB
Liver takes
O ii up glucose
and stores it
as glycogen.
Suppose that a mother’s allele combination is STIMULUS:
Blood glucose Blood glucose
level rises.
IAi, and a father’s allele combination is IAIB. level declines.

Which of the following statements is true Homeostasis:

Blood glucose level
about the blood type of their ﬁrst child? (about 90 mg/100mL)

a. The child will have the same blood type as Blood glucose STIMULUS:
level rises. Blood glucose
the mother. level falls.

b. The child cannot have the father’s blood

type. Alpha cells of
pancreas
c. The child will have a blood type different Liver breaks release glucagon.
down glycogen
from both parents’. and releases
glucose.
Glucagon
d. The child cannot have blood type O.

Diabetes mellitus is a disease in which the pan-

creas is unable to produce the insulin needed to
regulate blood glucose levels. What result would
occur from providing an insulin injection to a
diabetic person with high blood sugar?
a. The insulin travels to the liver, where it binds
to and destroys excess glucose in the
bloodstream.
b. The insulin signals the pancreas to produce
glucagon, which increases the level of
glucose in the bloodstream.
c. The insulin causes the liver to convert
glucose to glycogen, removing excess glucose
from the bloodstream.
d. The insulin breaks down glycogen into
glucose, releasing stored glucose into the
bloodstream.

515
18
c h a p t e r

Social StudieS
PRactice teSt

To access online GED Test Social Studies practice that provides instant
scoring and feedback:
• Navigate to your LearningExpress platform and make sure you’re logged in.
• Search for the following test and then click “Start Test.”
• GED Social Studies Practice Test 2

T
Part I
his practice test is modeled on the format, content, and timing of the ofﬁcial GED® Social Studies test
and, like the ofﬁcial exam, presents a series of questions that focus on the fundamentals of social stud-
ies reasoning.

You’ll be asked to answer questions based on brief texts, maps, graphics, and tables. Refer to the information
provided as often as necessary when answering the questions.
Work carefully, but do not spend too much time on any one question. Be sure to answer every question.
Set a timer for 65 minutes (1 hour and 5 minutes), and try to take this test uninterrupted, under quiet
conditions.

Part II
The ofﬁcial GED® Social Studies test also includes an Extended Response question—an essay question. Set a
timer for 25 minutes and try to read the given passage, brainstorm, write, and proofread your essay uninter-
rupted, under quiet conditions.
Complete answer explanations for every test question and sample essays at different scoring levels follow
the exam. Good luck!
529
– SO C I AL STU DIE S P R A CTICE TE ST –

Part i

35 total questions
65 minutes to complete

Please use the following passage to answer questions 1–3.

This excerpt is from a speech by George W. Bush given on March 19, 2008.

Operation Iraqi Freedom was a remarkable display of military effectiveness. Forces from the U.K.,
Australia, Poland, and other allies joined our troops in the initial operations. As they advanced, our
troops fought their way through sandstorms so intense that they blackened the daytime sky. Our
troops engaged in pitched battles with Fedayeen Saddam, death squads acting on the orders of
Saddam Hussein that obeyed neither the conventions of war nor the dictates of conscience. These
death squads hid in schools, and they hid in hospitals, hoping to draw fire against Iraqi civilians.
They used women and children as human shields. They stopped at nothing in their efforts to pre-
vent us from prevailing, but they couldn’t stop the coalition advance.
Aided by the most effective and precise air campaign in history, coalition forces raced across
350 miles of enemy territory, destroying Republican Guard divisions, pushing through the Karbala
Gap, capturing Saddam International Airport, and liberating Baghdad in less than one month.
Because we acted, Saddam Hussein no longer fills fields with the remains of innocent men,
women, and children. . . . Because we acted, Saddam’s regime is no longer invading its neighbors
or attacking them with chemical weapons and ballistic missiles.

1. Based on the primary-source excerpt concern- 2. Which of the following statements is an opin-
ing a central idea of American foreign policy ion, NOT a fact?
since 9/11, what was President Bush’s purpose a. “coalition forces raced across 350 miles of
for launching Operation Iraqi Freedom? enemy territory, . . . liberating Baghdad in
a. to liberate Baghdad in less than one month less than one month”
by destroying Republican Guard divisions b. “Forces from the U.K., Australia, Poland, and
b. to liberate Iraqi people from a brutal regime other allies joined our troops in the initial
and remove Saddam Hussein from power operations.”
c. to stop Saddam Hussein from invading c. “Our troops engaged in pitched battles with
other nations Fedayeen Saddam, death squads acting on
d. to join countries in aiding Saddam Hussein’s the orders of Saddam Hussein.”
control of the Iraqi people’s natural rights d. “Operation Iraqi Freedom was a remarkable
display of military effectiveness.”

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3. Based on the primary-source excerpt, what can 5. Why is it important for the U.S. Constitution
be concluded about the credibility of Bush’s to include rules, such as the one in the excerpt,
choice to launch Operation Iraqi Freedom? that allow for power checking between the dif-
a. The operation was not justified, and Bush ferent branches of government?
makes this clear in his speech. a. to ensure that the legislative branch has
b. Bush feels that the operation was justified, power over the executive and judicial
but the realities of Saddam’s regime discredit branches
any justification. b. to ensure a separation of power that
c. The operation was justified in trying to balances the powers of the three branches in
bring down a detrimental and brutal regime. order to prevent any one person or group
d. The actions of Saddam’s regime justify the from holding too much or all power
operation, but Bush expresses his concern c. to ensure that the president has the ability to
that the operation may not have been check the power of all other branches
justified in his speech. d. to ensure that the president does not have
the power to make treaties without some say
Please use the following to answer questions 4–6. from the Senate

This excerpt is from the U.S. Constitution. 6. Based on the excerpt from the U.S. Constitu-
tion, what can you infer would be the effect of
a failure to receive a two-thirds agreement
The President shall be Commander in Chief from the Senate in this instance?
of the Army and Navy of the United States, a. the Senate could not make a treaty but the
and of the Militia of the several States, when president could make a treaty
called into the actual Service of the United b. the Senate could make a treaty
States. . . . He shall have Power, by and with c. the president could not make a treaty
the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to because the Senate does not agree
make Treaties, provided two thirds of the d. the president could make a treaty
Senators present concur.

4. In this portion of the U.S. Constitution, which

branch of the government checks the power of
which other branch of government by a two-
thirds agreement?
a. the executive checks the power of the
legislative
b. the judicial checks the power of the
executive
c. the legislative checks the power of the
executive
d. the legislative checks the power of the
judicial

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7. What is the difference between a government 8. Determine whether each aspect of the federal
ruled by popular sovereignty and a govern- government listed below is associated with the
ment ruled by a dictatorship? executive, legislative, or judicial branch of gov-
a. a government ruled by popular sovereignty ernment. Write your answers in the boxes
means that the authority has the consent of below.
the governed to rule, and a government The Supreme Court
ruled by a dictatorship means that the The House of Representatives
authority is held by one individual The Senate
b. a government ruled by a dictatorship means The president’s Cabinet
that the authority has the consent of the The president
governed to rule, and a government ruled by
popular sovereignty does not have consent
c. popular sovereignty means that the
government is ruled by the most popular
individual, and a dictatorship means that the
government is ruled by the least popular
individual
d. a dictatorship means that the government is
ruled by the most popular individual, and
popular sovereignty means that the
government is ruled by the least popular
individual

Executive Branch Legislative Branch Judicial Branch

532
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Please use the following passage to answer questions 9 and 10.

This excerpt is from a speech by Bill Clinton given on July 19, 1995.

The purpose of affirmative action is to give our Nation a way to finally address the systemic exclu-
sion of individuals of talent on the basis of their gender or race from opportunities to develop,
perform, achieve, and contribute. Affirmative action is an effort to develop a systematic approach
to open the doors of education, employment, and business development opportunities to qualified
individuals who happen to be members of groups that have experienced longstanding and persis-
tent discrimination.
It is a policy that grew out of many years of trying to navigate between two unacceptable
pasts. One was to say simply that we declared discrimination illegal and that’s enough. We saw
that that way still relegated blacks with college degrees to jobs as railroad porters and kept
women with degrees under a glass ceiling with a lower paycheck.
The other path was simply to try to impose change by leveling draconian penalties on
employers who didn’t meet certain imposed, ultimately arbitrary, and sometimes unachievable
quotas. That, too, was rejected out of a sense of fairness.
So a middle ground was developed that would change an inequitable status quo gradually
but firmly, by building the pool of qualified applicants for college, for contracts, for jobs, and giv-
ing more people the chance to learn, work, and earn. When affirmative action is done right, it is
flexible, it is fair, and it works.

9. According to the excerpt from Clinton’s speech,

afﬁrmative action is a partial solution to which
long-standing societal problem that has
affected history?
a. slavery
b. discrimination
c. unemployment
d. poverty

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10. According to the excerpt, what changes would Please use the following two documents to answer ques-
affirmative action cause to come about for tions 11 and 12.
minority groups that suffer from
discrimination? This excerpt is from the Declaration of Independence.
a. It will give more people in these minority
groups the chance to work, learn, and earn a
living by increasing the number of qualified We hold these truths to be self-evident, that
applicants from these groups who are all men are created equal, that they are
accepted for job positions and places in endowed by their Creator with certain
college. unalienable Rights that among these are
b. It will give fewer people in these minority Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
groups the chance to work, learn, and earn a That to secure these rights, Governments
living by decreasing the number of qualified are instituted among Men, deriving their just
applicants from these groups who are powers from the consent of the governed.
accepted for job positions and places in That whenever any Form of Government
college. becomes destructive of these ends, it is the
c. It will change nothing for minority groups Right of the People to alter or to abolish it,
and will instead only reduce penalties on and to institute new Government, laying its
employers who do not meet a certain quota foundation on such principles and organiz-
of minority workers in their workplaces. ing its powers in such form, as to them shall
d. It will reduce the pay of women in the seem most likely to effect their Safety and
workplace and decrease the number of Happiness.
minority groups in universities.

This excerpt is from the U.S. Constitution.

We the People of the United States, in Order

to form a more perfect Union, establish Jus-
tice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for
the common defence, promote the general
Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty
to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution for the United
States of America.

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11. Analyze the two excerpts taken from key his- 12. In the excerpt from the Declaration of Inde-
torical documents that have shaped American pendence, what concept is being described in
constitutional government. Based on these the following sentences?
excerpts, which of the following ideas is incor-
“That to secure these rights, Governments are
porated into both documents?
instituted among Men, deriving their just pow-
a. the equality of men
ers from the consent of the governed. That
b. the right to abolish destructive government
whenever any Form of Government becomes
c. the abolition of slavery
destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the
d. the right to liberty
People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute
new Government, laying its foundation on
such principles and organizing its powers in
such form, as to them shall seem most likely to
effect their Safety and Happiness.”
a. federalism
b. popular sovereignty
c. popular socialism
d. capitalism

13. The table below displays the number of men killed, wounded, and captured during two battles of the
Revolutionary War on both the American and British sides.

Date Engagement Commander Troops Killed Wounded Captured

Apr. 19, Lexington/Concord American: Capt. John 3,763 49 41 0

1775 Parker, et al.
British: Lt. Col. 1,800 73 174 7
Francis Smith
June 17, Bunker American: Gens. 2,000 140 271 30
1775 (Breed’s) Hill Putnam & Ward
British: General 2,400 226 826 0
William Howe

Based on this information, what was the mean value of men killed in both engagements? Write your
answer in the box below. (You may use a calculator to answer this question.)

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14. The graph shows the changes in unemployment rates for nonfarm workers between 1926 and 1947.

Unemployment Rate During the New Deal

Percentage of Jobless Nonfarm Workers, 1926–1947
FDR’s ﬁrst New Deal Supreme Court declares much
40% of New Deal unconstitutional

35%
FDR “court packing” crisis; second New Deal
30% Germany invades Poland, WWII begins

25%
U.S. creates “war economy”
20%
U.S. enters WWII
15% Stock market
crash
10% End of WWII

0
’26 ’27 ’28 ’29 ’30 ’31 ’32 ’33 ’34 ’35 ’36 ’37 ’38 ’39 ’40 ’41 ’42 ’43 ’44 ’45 ’46 ’47

Based on the information shown, select the event that led to the greatest drop in the unemployment rate
the following year for nonfarm workers.
a. FDR’s ﬁrst New Deal
b. the United States enters World War II
c. the stock market crash
d. Germany invades Poland, World War II begins

15. Read the following deﬁnition of capitalism.

Capitalism is an economic and political system

that allows a country’s trade and industry to be
controlled by private owners for proﬁt.

Based on this deﬁnition, write the appropriate

word in the box that makes the following state-
ment true.

Capitalism gives owners the free-

dom to make a proﬁt from control of the
country’s trade and industry.

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16. The graph shows the percentage of citizens

afﬁliated with each U.S. political party.

Political Party
50
45
40
35
30
Percent

25
20
15
10
5
0
Democrat Republican Libertarian Socialist

Political Party

Which political party has the most members,

and how does the graph show that?
a. The Democratic Party has the most
members. Political parties are labeled on the
x-axis, and the percent of members in those
parties is labeled on the y-axis. The bar for
percentage of Democrats is highest.
b. The Democratic Party has the most
members. Political parties are labeled on the
y-axis, and the percent of members in those
parties is labeled on the x-axis. The bar for
percentage of Democrats is highest.
c. The Libertarian Party has the most
members. Political parties are labeled on the
x-axis, and the percent of members in those
parties is labeled on the y-axis. The bar for
percentage of Libertarians is highest.
d. The Libertarian Party has the most
members. Political parties are labeled on the
y-axis, and the percent of members in those
parties is labeled on the x-axis. The bar for
percentage of Libertarians is highest.

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17.

Urban rail transit system

under construction in 2010
High-speed rail routes
under construction in 2010
High-growth power centers
(Estimated >6% annual increase in power
demand between 2010 and 2020)

Based on this map of China, select the answer that correlates to a gray triangle surrounded by a circle.
a. urban rail transit system under construction in 2010
b. urban rail transit system and high-speed rail routes under construction in 2010
c. high-speed rail routes under construction in 2010
d. high-growth power centers

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18. The graph shows the total campaign expenditures by candidates for the California State Legislature
between 1975 and 1998.

Total Campaign Expenditures by Candidates

for the California State Legislature: 1975–1998

120
General
100
Primary
$ (Millions)

80
60

40
20

0
75– 77– 79– 81– 83– 85– 87– 89– 91– 93– 95– 97–
76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98
Two-Year Periods

What was the trend in expenditures by candidates for the California State Legislature from 1983 to 1988?
a. decreasing
b. increasing then decreasing
c. decreasing then increasing
d. increasing

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Please use the following passage to answer questions 19 and 20.

This excerpt is from a speech by Barack Obama announcing his candidacy for president in Springﬁeld, Illinois,
in 2007.

All of us know what those challenges are today—a war with no end, a dependence on oil that
threatens our future, schools where too many children aren’t learning, and families struggling pay-
check to paycheck despite working as hard as they can. We know the challenges. We’ve heard
them. We’ve talked about them for years.
What’s stopped us from meeting these challenges is not the absence of sound policies and
sensible plans. What’s stopped us is the failure of leadership, the smallness of our politics—the
ease with which we’re distracted by the petty and trivial, our chronic avoidance of tough deci-
sions, our preference for scoring cheap political points instead of rolling up our sleeves and build-
ing a working consensus to tackle big problems.
For the last six years we’ve been told that our mounting debts don’t matter, we’ve been told
that the anxiety Americans feel about rising health care costs and stagnant wages are an illusion,
we’ve been told that climate change is a hoax, and that tough talk and an ill-conceived war can
replace diplomacy, and strategy, and foresight. And when all else fails, when Katrina happens, or
the death toll in Iraq mounts, we’ve been told that our crises are somebody else’s fault. We’re dis-
tracted from our real failures, and told to blame the other party, or gay people, or immigrants.
And as people have looked away in disillusionment and frustration, we know what’s filled the
void. The cynics, and the lobbyists, and the special interests who’ve turned our government into a
game only they can afford to play. They write the checks and you get stuck with the bills, they get
the access while you get to write a letter, they think they own this government, but we’re here
today to take it back. The time for that politics is over. It’s time to turn the page.

19. Based on the excerpt from Obama’s speech 20. The paragraph starting with “For the last six
announcing his candidacy for president, which years. . . .” could be viewed as an example of
of the following pairs of words represents which of the following?
instances of loaded language? a. economic chart
a. hoax, frustration b. campaign speech
b. today, decisions c. statistical data
c. void, lobbyists d. campaign promise
d. page, diplomacy

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Please use the following passage to answer questions 21 and 22.

This is an excerpt from a speech about health care delivered to Congress by President Obama on September 9,
2009.

Then there’s the problem of rising cost. We spend one and a half times more per person on health
care than any other country, but we aren’t any healthier for it. This is one of the reasons that insur-
ance premiums have gone up three times faster than wages. It’s why so many employers, especially
small businesses, are forcing their employees to pay more for insurance or are dropping their cov-
erage entirely. It’s why so many aspiring entrepreneurs cannot afford to open a business in the first
place and why American businesses that compete internationally, like our automakers, are at a
huge disadvantage. And it’s why those of us with health insurance are also paying a hidden and
growing tax for those without it, about $1,000 per year that pays for somebody else’s emergency
room and charitable care.
Finally, our health care system is placing an unsustainable burden on taxpayers. When health
care costs grow at the rate they have, it puts greater pressure on programs like Medicare and
Medicaid. If we do nothing to slow these skyrocketing costs, we will eventually be spending more
on Medicare and Medicaid than every other government program combined. Put simply, our
health care problem is our deficit problem. Nothing else even comes close. Nothing else.

21. In the excerpt from Obama’s speech on health 22. According to the excerpt from Obama’s speech
care, what type of statement is “we aren’t any on health care, what does he think will be the
healthier for it”? eventual effect of unchecked added pressure
a. supported fact being put on Medicare and Medicaid from rap-
b. statistic idly increasing health-care costs?
c. warning a. the government spending less on Medicare
d. opinion and Medicaid than every other program
combined
b. the government spending more on Medicare
and Medicaid than every other program
combined
c. the shutdown of Medicare and Medicaid
instead of other programs
d. the government no longer spending any
money on Medicare and Medicaid

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23. Why did Christopher Columbus set sail in 24. Based on the pie chart showing the number of
1492 in an expedition that would eventually women working in the U.S. military during
bring him into contact with the Americas for World War II, fill in the box in the following
the first time? statement to make it correct.
a. He was attempting to claim new territory in
the Americas for Spain. Women in the US MIlitary during WWII
(out of a total of 358,074)
b. He was going to the Americas to trade with
Navy Nurse Corps
Women’s Airforce
the native peoples. 4%
Service Pilots
(WASP)
c. He was attempting to find a new route to 0.3%

Asia for trade purposes.

d. He was going to the Americas in order to
Army Nurse Corps
start a settlement. 17%
Marine Corps Women’s Army
Women’s Reserve Corps (WAC)
6% 42%

Coast Guard
Women’s Reserves
(SPARS) Navy’s Women
3% Accepted for
Voluntary
Emergency Service
(WAVES)
28%

During World War II, the number of women

who joined was almost equal to
the combined number of women who joined
WASP, the Army and Navy Nurse Corps,
SPARS, and the Marine Corps Women’s
Reserve.

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25. The map shows the division of European countries according to political alignment during most of the
Cold War.

Cold War

According to the map, how was Turkey aligned in this division?

a. with the Western Bloc
b. with the Eastern Bloc
c. with the Iron Curtain
d. with the United States

543
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26. This excerpt is from a speech by George W. 28. Write the word in the box that completes the
Bush given on March 19, 2008. following deﬁnition.

A is a tax or duty a government

places upon imported or exported goods.
To ensure that military progress in Iraq is
quickly followed up with real improvements
29. This excerpt describes the eligibility require-
in daily life, we have doubled the number of
ments for a Stateside Union Bank College
Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Iraq.
Credit Card.
These teams of civilian experts are serving
all Iraqi—18 Iraqi Provinces, and they’re
helping to strengthen responsible leaders
To qualify for a Stateside Union Bank Col-
and build up local economies and bring
lege Credit Card, a student must be at the
Iraqis together, so that reconciliation can
age of majority in the state of residence and
happen from the ground up. They’re very
show proof of enrollment in an accredited
effective. They’re helping give ordinary
college or university.
Iraqis confidence that by rejecting the
Applicants must have a minimum
extremists and reconciling with one another,
income greater than $4,000. Applicants
they can claim their place in a free Iraq and
who do not meet this criterion will need a
build better lives for their families.
co-applicant with an ability to repay the
debt.
Based on the excerpt, you can infer which of the
following is NOT a reason that it was
Based on the excerpt, in which of the following
important to have civilian expert teams in Iraq
situations would someone NOT qualify for the
after the military action in the area?
card?
a. to strengthen the local leadership and
a. aged 20, student at the University of Texas,
economy
income of $5,000
b. to take control of the local leadership and
b. aged 14, high-school student, no income
economy
c. aged 24, graduate student at Rice University,
c. to help give conﬁdence to the people of Iraq
income of $11,000
d. to help the Iraqi people build a free Iraq
d. aged 18, student at Baylor University,
income of $4,250
27. If a company purchases a product for $1 and
sells it to consumers for $2.35, the $1.35 that
the company receives is an example of what
economic concept?
a. monopoly
b. expense
c. proﬁt
d. loss

544
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30. 31. The graph below shows the correlation

between metal exploration budgets in the
Government spending during war that is United States and the prices of metals between
associated with wartime expenses has short- 1989 and 2008.
term positive economic benefits because
high levels of spending associated with con- Estimated Global Nonferrous Exploration Budgets
and Relative Metals Prices, 1989–2008*
flict increase economic growth. However,

Relative Gold and Copper Prices (1989=1)

$15 3.0
Uranium Exploration Total
after the war is over, unintended residual Nonferrous Exploration Total
$12 2.5
effects of that heightened wartime spend- Relative Gold Price
Relative Copper Price

ing, which is no longer taking place, tend to

(US$ Billion)
$9 2.0
cause long-term impediments to economic
prosperity. $6 1.5

$3 1.0

Based on the information above, choose the best

$0 0.5
description of the economic effects of war. 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08

a. short-term negative effects followed by *1989–2006 studies did not include uranium; 2008 relative metals prices are an
average through September.

positive long-term effects

b. wars produce neither positive nor negative Based on the graph, how did the price of gold
economic effects and copper correlate to U.S. exploration spend-
c. short-term positive effects followed by ing from 2006 to 2008?
negative long-term effects a. as the price of gold and copper increased,
d. wars produce short-term and long-term the amount that the U.S. spent on
negative effects exploration increased
b. as the price of gold and copper increased,
the amount that the U.S. spent on
exploration decreased
c. as the price of gold and copper decreased,
the amount that the U.S. spent on
exploration increased
d. as the price of gold and copper decreased,
the amount that the U.S. spent on
exploration decreased

545
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32. The following two excerpts are taken from sep- 33. The map below shows the major ethnic regions
arate sources about the Industrial Revolution. of Paciﬁc Asia.

The era known as the Industrial Revolution

was a period in which fundamental changes
occurred in agriculture, textile and metal
manufacture, transportation, economic poli-
cies and the social structure in England. . . .
The year 1760 is generally accepted as the
“eve” of the Industrial Revolution. In reality,
this eve began more than two centuries
before this date. The late 18th century and
the early 19th century brought to fruition the
ideas and discoveries of those who had long
passed on, such as, Galileo, Bacon, Des-
cartes, and others.

Industrial Revolution, in modern history, is

the process of change from an agrarian,
handicraft economy to one dominated by What is the label for the region on the map
industry and machine manufacture. This pro- that covers one island that borders the Korean
cess began in England in the 18th century ethnic region and is located north of the
and from there spread to other parts of the Malay/Indonesian and Papuan ethnic regions?
world. a. Turkic
b. Thai
c. Han
What is the discrepancy between what is stated
d. Japanese
in these two passages?
a. the date of the 18th century as the time
period
b. deﬁning the time period as a time of
fundamental change
c. the real start beginning two centuries before
the 18th century
d. the revolution starting and growing in
England

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Please use the following maps to answer questions 34 and 35.

These maps are based on information from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Population for States and Puerto Rico: July 1, 2009

Population size
25,000,000 or more
15,000,000 to 24,999,999
5,000,000 to 14,999,999
Less than 5,000,000

Population for States and Puerto Rico: July 1, 2011

Population size
25,000,000 or more
15,000,000 to 24,999,999
5,000,000 to 14,999,999
2,000,000 to 4,999,999
Less than 2,000,000

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34. Based on the maps showing the population of Part ii

American states in 2009 and 2011, what has
been the population trend between those years 1 question
for the state of Texas? 25 minutes to complete
a. increased
b. stayed the same This practice test will familiarize you with the
c. decreased Extended Response question found on the GED®
d. increased then decreased Social Studies test.
Before you begin, it is important to note that on
35. Based on the 2011 Census map, how does the the ofﬁcial test, this task must be completed in no
population of California relate to the popula- more than 25 minutes. But don’t rush to complete
tion of Texas? your response; take time to carefully read the passages
a. population two categories larger than Texas and the prompt. Then think about how you would
b. in the same population category as like to respond to the prompt.
Tennessee As you write your essay, be sure to:
c. population two categories smaller than
Texas n Develop an argument about how the ideas
d. in the same population category as Texas expressed by President Kennedy are related to the
quotation from the Declaration of Independence
n Thoroughly construct your main points, organiz-
ing them logically, with strong supporting details
n Present multiple pieces of evidence, using ideas
from the quotation and the excerpt
n Connect your sentences, paragraphs, and ideas
with transitional words and phrases
n Express your ideas clearly and choose your words
carefully
n Use varied sentence structures to increase the
clarity of your response
n Reread and revise your response

Good luck!

548
– S O C I A L STU DIE S P R A CTICE TE ST –

Please use the following passages to answer the essay question.

This excerpt is from the Declaration of Independence.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of
Happiness.

This excerpt is from a speech on civil rights given by President John F. Kennedy on June 11, 1963.

This Nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the prin-
ciple that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the
rights of one man are threatened. Today we are committed to a worldwide struggle to promote
and protect the rights of all who wish to be free. And when Americans are sent to Viet-Nam or West
Berlin, we do not ask for whites only. It ought to be possible, therefore, for American students of
any color to attend any public institution they select without having to be backed up by troops. It
ought to be possible for American consumers of any color to receive equal service in places of
public accommodation, such as hotels and restaurants and theaters and retail stores, without being
forced to resort to demonstrations in the street, and it ought to be possible for American citizens
of any color to register and to vote in a free election without interference or fear of reprisal. It ought
to be possible, in short, for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without
regard to his race or his color. In short, every American ought to have the right to be treated as he
would wish to be treated, as one would wish his children to be treated. But this is not the case. The
Negro baby born in America today, regardless of the section of the Nation in which he is born, has
about one-half as much chance of completing a high school as a white baby born in the same place
on the same day, one-third as much chance of completing college, one-third as much chance of
becoming a professional man, twice as much chance of becoming unemployed, about one-seventh
as much chance of earning $10,000 a year, a life expectancy which is 7 years shorter, and the pros-
pects of earning only half as much. This is not a sectional issue. Difficulties over segregation and
discrimination exist in every city, in every State of the Union, producing in many cities a rising tide
of discontent that threatens the public safety. Nor is this a partisan issue. In a time of domestic
crisis men of good will and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics. This
is not even a legal or legislative issue alone. It is better to settle these matters in the courts than
on the streets, and new laws are needed at every level, but law alone cannot make men see right.
We are confronted primarily with a moral issue. It is as old as the scriptures and is as clear as the
American Constitution.

549
– SO C I AL STU DIE S P R A CTICE TE ST –

QUESTION:
In your response, develop an argument about how President Kennedy’s stance on the civil rights issues of the
time reﬂected beliefs that were already built into the section of the Declaration of Independence quoted here,
even though the Declaration of Independence was written centuries before civil rights for African Americans
became a national focus. Incorporate relevant and speciﬁc evidence from the two excerpts and your knowledge
of the enduring issue and circumstances surrounding the Civil Rights movement to support your analysis.

________________________________________________________________________________________

550
– S O C I A L STU DIE S P R A CTICE TE ST –

________________________________________________________________________________________

551
– SO C I AL STU DIE S P R A CTICE TE ST –

________________________________________________________________________________________

552
– S O C I A L STU DIE S P R A CTICE TE ST –

________________________________________________________________________________________

553
– SO C I AL STU DIE S P R A CTICE TE ST –

________________________________________________________________________________________

554
– S O C I A L STU DIE S P R A CTICE TE ST –

________________________________________________________________________________________

555
– SO C I AL STU DIE S P R A CTICE TE ST –

________________________________________________________________________________________

556
– S O C I A L STU DIE S P R A CTICE TE ST –

________________________________________________________________________________________

557
APPENDIX:
MATHEMATICAL REASONING
FORMULAS SHEET

T he following are the formulas you will be supplied with on the GED® Mathematical Reasoning Test.

Area

Parallelogram: A = bh
1
Trapezoid: A = __
2 h(b1 + b2)

Surface Area and Volume

Rectangular/right prism: SA = ph + 2B V = Bh
Cylinder: SA = 2 rh + 2 r2 V = r2h
1
__ 1
__
Pyramid: SA = 2 ps +B V= 3 Bh
1
__
Cone: SA = rs + r2 V= 2
3 r h
4
__
Sphere: SA = 4 r2 V= 3 r
3

(p = perimeter of base B; 3.14)

577
– A P P E N D I X : M ATH E MATICA L R E A SO NING FO R M U LA S SH E E T –

Algebra
y –y
Slope of a line: m = ______
2
x –x
1
2 1

Slope-intercept form of the equation of a line: y = mx + b

Point-slope form of the equation of a line: y – y1 = m(x – x1)
Standard form of a quadratic equation: y = ax2 + bx + c
2
Quadratic formula: x = −b ± b − 4ac
2a
Pythagorean theorem: a2 + b2 = c2
Simple interest: I = prt
(I = interest, p = principal, r = rate, t = time)

578

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