GED Exam Questions

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1.

After working 8 hours, Marsha graded 48 papers. If she continued to work at the same rate, how many papers could she grade in 12 hours?

  • 72

  • 36

  • 60

  • 48

Correct answer: 72

Let x = number of papers Marsha can grade in 12 hours, and then set up a proportion.

8 / 48 = 12 / x

8x = 12(48)

8x = 576

x = 72

2.

Read the supporting details then answer the following question.

According to the passage, which of the following options would constitute an appropriate snack to eat on the go?

  • Protein bar

  • Candy bar

  • Nachos

  • Pretzels

Correct answer: Protein bar

According to the passage, a protein bar would constitute an appropriate snack to eat on the go. The passage’s last sentence states that the better approach is to pack a snack that contains protein and fiber, both of which would be found in a protein bar. 

The other options can be easily eliminated, as they would not contain the passage’s suggested protein and fiber contents.

3.

Solve the following by subtracting.

5/9 - 1/7 

  • 26/63

  • 4/9

  • 2

  • 4/63

Correct answer: 26/63

1. Find the Least Common Denominator (LCD) of 5/9, 1/7

Method 1: By Listing Multiples List out all multiples of each denominator, and find the first common one.

9 : 9,18,27,36,45,54,63

7 : 7,14,21,28,35,42,49,56,63

Therefore, the LCD is 63

Method 2: By Prime Factors List all prime factors of each denominator, and find the union of these primes.

9 : 3,3

7 : 7

Therefore, the LCD is 3×3×7=63

2. Make the denominators the same as the LCD

(5×7)/(9×7) − (1×9)/(7×9)

3. Simplify - Denominators are now the same

35/63 − 9/63

4. Join the denominators

(35−9)/63

5. Simplify

26/63

4.

What is the name given to the lines that run horizontally on a globe or map?

  • Latitude

  • Compass

  • Intersecting

  • Longitude

Correct answer: Latitude

Latitude lines run horizontally on a globe or map and provide the directions of north or south on the globe. These lines are also known as parallels. Latitude 0º is the Equator.

5.

Solve:

3.67 + 2.002 = x

  • 5.672

  • 56.72

  • 2.369

  • 5.369

Correct answer: 5.672

To add two numbers with a different number of decimal places, begin by lining up the decimal points. One easy way to do this is to add zeros to the end of the shorter number after the decimal point (3.67 turns into 3.670). Then, add from right to left.

3.670 + 2.002 = 5.672

6.

Read the supporting details then correct the sentence below.

Sentence 7: According to legend, the victims of a vampire either dies or becomes a vampire.

Which of the following changes should be made to correct sentence 7?

  • Change “victims” to “victim”

  • Change “a” to “an”

  • Change “dies” to “died”

  • Remove the comma after “legend”

Correct answer: Change “victims” to “victim”

The words “dies” and “becomes” are written in the singular tense; therefore, the subject that they are referring to needs to also be in the singular tense. In this sentence, “dies” and “becomes” are referring to “victims,” which is plural, so by changing “victims” to “victim,” you will correct the sentence. 

The other answer options are not options that would make the sentence grammatically correct.

7.

A farmer started breeding his cowherd with 9 Friesian cows. At the end of 3 years, he had 16 cows. What is the percentage increase of the cows?

  • 78%

  • 89%

  • 75%

  • 56%

Correct answer: 78%

To find the increase in the number of cows, subtract the final number of cows from the initial number of cows.

16 - 9 = 7

To find the percentage increase, solve the following:

percentage increase = 7 
    initial number           9

7  =  0.78
9

Multiply 0.78 by 100 to find the percentage:

0.78 × 100% = 78%

8.

What is the relation between the vector arrow in velocity and the direction of displacement?

  • They are identical

  • They are opposite

  • There is no relation

  • They are perpendicular to one another

Correct answer: They are identical

The direction of the vector and the direction of displacement are the same; they both express the same concept.

9.

Which type of chemical bond has a covalent bond in which electrons are equally attracted to both nuclei?

  • Nonpolar covalent bond

  • Polar covalent bond

  • Double covalent bond

  • Single covalent bond

Correct answer: Nonpolar covalent bond

A nonpolar covalent bond is a chemical bond that has a covalent bond in which electrons are equally attracted to both nuclei. 

A double covalent bond is a chemical bond that shares two electron pairs. A single covalent bond is a chemical bond that shares one electron pair. A polar covalent bond is a chemical bond that has a covalent bond in which electrons are more attracted to one nucleus than another.

10.

Read the supporting details then answer the following question.

Based only on the employment percent change that is provided, which of the following states would have the best employment opportunities?

  • Ohio

  • New York

  • Georgia

  • Arkansas

Correct answer: Ohio

When basing the state’s employment opportunities on the employment percent change, the state with the highest percent change would be the best, as more jobs are opening up in that state and an individual would be more likely to find a job.

Out of the states listed as options, Ohio has the highest employment percent change; therefore, Ohio would be the state with the best employment opportunities.

11.

If twice a number is half of the sum of that number and 12, what is the value of the number?

  • 4

  • 2

  • 12

  • 6

Correct answer: 4

'Twice a number' is 2 times a number x, or 2x.

'Half the sum of that number and 12' is x + 12 multiplied by 1/2, or:

 x + 12
    2

Therefore, 2x = (x +12)/2

Solve for x.

2x = (x +12)/2

2(2x) = x +12

4x = x +12

3x = 12

x = 4

12.

Read the supporting details then answer the following question.

From the passage, you can infer that the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was put into action to:

  • Prohibit the consumption of alcohol

  • Prohibit immigration into the United States

  • Prohibit Communist activities in the United States

  • Prohibit discrimination against African Americans

Correct answer: Prohibit the consumption of alcohol

The first sentence of the second paragraph states that the 18th Amendment prohibited the manufacture, transport, and sale of intoxicating liquor (alcohol). Although the Amendment does not directly state that an individual may not consume alcohol, you can infer that since it was against the law to make it, sell it, or transport it; individuals probably were not permitted to consume it.

13.

Read the supporting details then answer the following question.

The main issue that divides Speaker A and Speaker C is:

  • The way that federal aid is being spent

  • The hopelessness of the public transportation system

  • The amount of tax dollars that are collected

  • The number of people actually using public transportation

Correct answer: The way that federal aid is being spent

Speaker A would like to improve public transportation by receiving more federal funding. Speaker C would like to review how the current federal funding is being spent. Therefore, you can determine that the issue that divides Speaker A and Speaker C is the way that federal aid is being spent. 

The hopelessness, the amount of tax dollars collected, or the number of people who use public transportation is not discussed by either speaker; therefore, those options can all be eliminated.

14.

A room is 20 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 12 feet high. How many square yards of wallpaper are needed to paper the four walls of the room?

  • 74.7

  • 62.8

  • 42.6

  • 36.2

Correct answer: 74.7

Area of front wall = 20 x 12 = 240 sq. ft.
We multiply this by 2 since the front and back walls are the same.
240 x 2 = 480 sq. ft.

Area of side wall = 8 x 12 = 96 sq. ft.
We multiply this by 2 since the front and back walls are the same.
96 x 2 = 192 sq. ft.

Total area of walls =
480 + 192 = 672 sq. ft.
672 / 9 = 74.7 sq. yd.

15.

Read the supporting details then correct the sentence below.

Sentence 8: With the SUV we could be the sporty, explorer, outdoor enthusiast.

Which of the following changes should be made to correct the punctuation in sentence 8?

  • Remove the comma after “sporty”

  • Remove the comma after “explorer”

  • Insert a comma after “SUV”

  • Insert a comma after “outdoor”

Correct answer: Remove the comma after “sporty”

In order to correct the punctuation in sentence 8, you should remove the comma after “sporty.” The sentence is trying to say that you could be a sporty explorer, not a sporty, explorer, and outdoor enthusiast; therefore, you would not want a comma separating “sporty” and “explorer.” 

The other answer options are not options that would make the sentence grammatically correct.

16.

Blueprints for a house are drawn on a 1:10 scale. If one of the bedrooms of the actual house measures 10 feet by 12 feet, what are the measurements on the blueprints?

  • 12” x 14.4”

  • 10” x 12”

  • 5” x 6”

  • 1” x 1.2”

Correct answer: 12” x 14.4” 

First, convert 10 feet into inches.

1 foot = 12 inches

1 foot x 12 = 12 inches x 10 = 120 inches

Next, convert 12 feet into inches.

1 foot = 12 inches

1 foot x 12 = 12 inches x 12 = 144 inches

Next, set up proportions to find the dimensions on the blueprints.

1/10 = x/120

10x = 120

x = 12 inches

1/10 = x/144

10x = 144

x = 14.4 inches

The 10’ x 12’ bedroom will measure 12” x 14.4” on the blueprints.

17.

The Smith family spends 30% of its monthly income on food, 20% on rent, and 40% on other expenses. The Smiths save the remainder. If the family saves $400 per month, what is its monthly income?

  • $4,000

  • $4,400

  • $3,600

  • $3,200

Correct answer: $4,000

Expenditures: 30% + 20% + 40% = 90%

Savings: 100% - 90% = 10%

Let x = Smith family’s monthly income. Then, .10x=$400, so x = $400/.10 = $4,000.

18.

Darcie writes an article for the paper every 2 hours. How many articles does Darcie write in 48 hours of work?

  • 24

  • 96

  • 48

  • 52

Correct answer: 24

24 articles is the correct answer. In order to find out how many articles Darcie writes in 48 hours, you need to divide: 48 / 2 = 24.

19.

Which of these is not a cellular organelle?

  • Amino acids

  • Nucleolus

  • Vacuoles

  • Centrioles

Correct answer: Amino acids

The cell is made up of many components called organelles. Some of the major components are the nucleus, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, vacuoles, mitochondria, and chloroplasts.

20.

Which type of chemical bond shares two electron pairs?

  • Double covalent bond

  • Single covalent bond

  • Nonpolar covalent bond

  • Polar covalent bond

Correct answer: Double covalent bond

A double covalent bond is a chemical bond that shares two electron pairs. 

A single covalent bond is a chemical bond that shares one electron pair. A nonpolar covalent bond is a chemical bond that has a covalent bond in which electrons are equally attracted to both nuclei. A polar covalent bond is a chemical bond that has a covalent bond in which electrons are more attracted to one nucleus than another.