GED Reasoning Through Language Arts Reading Comprehension 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage includes this sentence: 'Unlike the reckless spending of his predecessor, the new mayor balanced the budget within his first year.' What does this sentence suggest about the predecessor?
- The predecessor was also a skilled financial manager
- The predecessor managed city finances irresponsibly (Correct answer)
- The predecessor served for only one year
- The predecessor refused to create a budget
Correct answer: The predecessor managed city finances irresponsibly
The word 'reckless' directly characterizes the predecessor's spending as irresponsible.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the structure of a compare-and-contrast passage?
- It presents a problem and then offers solutions
- It tells events in the order they happened
- It examines similarities and differences between two or more subjects (Correct answer)
- It argues for one position using supporting evidence
Correct answer: It examines similarities and differences between two or more subjects
A compare-and-contrast passage specifically analyzes what two or more subjects share and how they differ.
Question 3: Read this excerpt: 'The old house creaked and groaned in the wind. Shadows crept across the peeling wallpaper. A single candle flickered at the end of the hall.' What mood does the author create?
- Joyful and celebratory
- Ominous and eerie (Correct answer)
- Peaceful and serene
- Busy and chaotic
Correct answer: Ominous and eerie
Details like creaking, shadows, peeling wallpaper, and a flickering candle all combine to create a dark, unsettling mood.
Question 4: A student reads a historical article claiming that a particular battle 'single-handedly determined the outcome of the entire war.' This claim is most likely an example of:
- A well-supported historical fact
- Exaggeration or oversimplification (Correct answer)
- A primary source account
- A balanced historical analysis
Correct answer: Exaggeration or oversimplification
Saying one battle 'single-handedly' determined a whole war's outcome oversimplifies complex historical causes and effects.
Question 5: Which sentence from a passage would most likely appear in the CONCLUSION?
- There are three major causes of soil erosion that we will examine
- First, wind removes the top layer of exposed soil
- Soil erosion is a growing concern in agricultural regions worldwide
- Ultimately, addressing erosion requires both individual action and government policy (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Ultimately, addressing erosion requires both individual action and government policy
The word 'Ultimately' and the broad call to action signal a concluding sentence that wraps up the passage's argument.
Question 6: An author describes two characters: one who speaks loudly and interrupts others, and another who listens carefully before responding. What is the author most likely illustrating through this contrast?
- The importance of being outgoing versus shy
- Different communication styles and their social effects (Correct answer)
- Why introverts are better leaders than extroverts
- The relationship between age and communication habits
Correct answer: Different communication styles and their social effects
The contrasting behaviors clearly illustrate different approaches to communication and how people interact differently.
Question 7: Which of the following is the BEST summary of a passage that describes the history of the Internet, its growth in the 1990s, and its impact on modern business?
- The Internet was invented in the 1990s and changed everything
- The Internet has a rich history and has significantly transformed how modern businesses operate (Correct answer)
- Businesses today rely on computers to function
- The 1990s were an important decade for technology
Correct answer: The Internet has a rich history and has significantly transformed how modern businesses operate
A good summary captures the main ideas—history, growth, and impact on business—without distorting or omitting key points.
