GED Reasoning Through Language Arts Practice Test

25 practice questions

Choose an answer, then check it under Show answer.

1. Question 1 of 25Easy

   Passage

   Before the storm arrived, Mateo reinforced his neighbor's sagging porch roof before turning to his own yard. When Mrs. Gable offered him cash for his labor, he waved it away with a warm chuckle. Two days later, torrential rains flooded Mateo's basement workshop, threatening his collection of antique hand tools. Before he could even begin hauling buckets upstairs, Mrs. Gable and three neighbors arrived at his door carrying submersible pumps and dry towels. Together, they cleared the water in just a few hours, leaving Mateo's valuable tools undamaged.

   What is the primary theme illustrated in the passage?

   1. AA. Financial compensation undermines genuine friendships.
   2. BB. Acts of kindness create strong bonds of mutual support.
   3. CC. Preparation before a crisis can eliminate all potential damage.
   4. DD. Natural disasters reveal the hidden weaknesses of older homes.
   Show answer to question 1

   Answer: B. Acts of kindness create strong bonds of mutual support.

   Mateo's selfless assistance to his neighbor is later repaid when the community rallies to help him during his own crisis, illustrating how goodwill fosters mutual support. Although Mateo declined money, the focus of the story is on community reciprocity rather than a claim that money ruins friendships.

2. Question 2 of 25Hard

   Passage

   Staying hydrated sounds simple, but many people forget to drink water during busy days. Drinking enough water is one of the few habits that ___ no special equipment, no membership fee, and no complicated schedule. A reusable bottle can serve as a visual reminder. Experts generally recommend drinking water throughout the day rather than waiting until you feel thirsty. Foods like fruit and soup also contribute to fluid intake. For most healthy adults, plain water is the best choice because it adds no sugar or calories.

   Which choice correctly completes the sentence in the passage?

   1. AA. require
   2. BB. requires
   3. CC. has required
   4. DD. is requiring
   Show answer to question 2

   Answer: A. require

   In the phrase "one of the few habits that," the relative pronoun "that" refers to the plural noun "habits," so the plural verb "require" is correct. The singular "requires" is tempting because it seems to agree with "one," but the sentence describes habits, not just one habit.

3. Question 3 of 25Medium

   Passage

   Dr. Alvarez examined the patient's blood culture beneath the microscope, expecting to see the familiar rod-shaped bacteria. Instead, the field revealed tiny, crystalline clusters that shimmered under the fluorescent bulb like frosted glass. She blinked, adjusted the fine-focus knob, and checked the sample identification label to confirm she had not mixed up the slides. The specimen number matched the chart of a forest ranger admitted two days earlier with an unidentified fever. Dr. Alvarez reached for her notebook, uncapped her pen, and froze as the shimmering clusters began to dissolve into clear, perfectly spherical droplets.

   How does the pacing in the final sentence affect the narrative?

   1. AA. It introduces a humorous tone that reduces the seriousness of the patient's condition.
   2. BB. It slows down the moment of observation to heighten suspense about the unusual discovery.
   3. CC. It shifts the story's focus away from laboratory science to the personal life of the doctor.
   4. DD. It speeds up the action to provide an immediate medical explanation for the ranger's fever.
   Show answer to question 3

   Answer: B. It slows down the moment of observation to heighten suspense about the unusual discovery.

   The final sentence stretches out a sequence of small physical movements before ending on the doctor freezing as the specimen changes, which builds suspense and underscores the mystery. It does not provide an immediate medical explanation, as the sudden transformation of the sample only deepens the puzzle.

4. Question 4 of 25Medium

   Passage

   Many people assume that a desk job is harmless because it involves no lifting or heavy labor. Yet sitting for long stretches keeps large muscles in the legs and back still. When muscles are idle, they take up less sugar from the blood, and the heart does not work as hard to circulate it. Over months, these small effects can add up. The fix does not require a gym membership. Standing up every half hour, taking a short walk at lunch, or holding a phone call while pacing can break up long periods of sitting. Even brief movement signals the muscles to work again, and the body responds.

   Which conclusion about desk jobs is best supported by the passage?

   1. AA. Sitting for long periods affects the body, but brief movement helps.
   2. BB. Only vigorous exercise at a gym can undo the effects of sitting.
   3. CC. A desk job is harmless because it involves no heavy labor.
   4. DD. Office workers should quit their jobs to avoid health risks.
   Show answer to question 4

   Answer: A. Sitting for long periods affects the body, but brief movement helps.

   The passage describes how long sitting changes muscle and heart activity, then explains that short bouts of movement can break up sitting time, which supports this conclusion. The idea that only vigorous gym exercise helps is contradicted by the passage's examples of standing, walking, and pacing.

5. Question 5 of 25Medium

   Passage

   Editorial 1: Permanent remote work policies offer clear advantages. A recent state labor survey revealed that remote workers reported twenty percent fewer sick days and higher overall output. Eliminating daily commutes also reduces traffic congestion and carbon emissions. Employers who resist telework risk losing top talent to flexible competitors. Editorial 2: While working from home has superficial appeal, sustained physical isolation weakens organizational culture. Creative breakthroughs depend on spontaneous, face-to-face hallway conversations that video conferences cannot duplicate. New hires miss out on informal mentorship when colleagues remain behind screens. True long-term innovation demands a shared physical space.

   Compared to Editorial 2, Editorial 1 strengthens its position primarily by doing which of the following?

   1. AA. Providing specific survey findings rather than relying solely on generalized observations
   2. BB. Presenting a historical analysis of workplace trends over several decades
   3. CC. Acknowledging and refuting the main points raised by the opposing viewpoint
   4. DD. Quoting direct statements from business executives and industry experts
   Show answer to question 5

   Answer: A. Providing specific survey findings rather than relying solely on generalized observations

   Editorial 1 includes concrete empirical evidence by citing a state labor survey showing a twenty percent decrease in sick days, whereas Editorial 2 relies entirely on generalized claims about culture and mentorship. The option suggesting Editorial 1 acknowledges opposing views is incorrect because the passage focuses entirely on building its own case without directly summarizing or refuting counterarguments.

6. Question 6 of 25Easy

   Passage

   Marcus walked between the raised garden beds after the summer squall had passed. Puddles mirrored the pale sky, and broken branches littered the grass. The heirloom tomato plants, which had stood proud and bushy only that morning, were now weary soldiers leaning against their wooden stakes. Marcus gently tied fresh twine around their battered stems, coaxing each vine back toward an upright position. The soil was soaked to capacity, smelling rich with ozone and damp earth. Even with their torn leaves, Marcus could see the green tomatoes clinging stubbornly to their stems, determined to survive the season.

   What does the figurative description of the tomato plants as "weary soldiers" emphasize?

   1. AA. Their advanced maturity and readiness for harvest
   2. BB. Their battered appearance and struggle to stand
   3. CC. Their natural resistance against common garden pests
   4. DD. Their orderly arrangement in straight defensive rows
   Show answer to question 6

   Answer: B. Their battered appearance and struggle to stand

   The phrase compares the storm-damaged tomato plants to weary soldiers leaning on stakes, emphasizing that they are battered and struggling to remain upright after the harsh weather. The option suggesting straight defensive rows misinterprets the military imagery by focusing on troop formation rather than physical exhaustion and damage.

7. Question 7 of 25Medium

   Passage

   City arborists must receive dedicated funding to plant broad-canopy shade trees throughout dense residential neighborhoods. Neighborhoods with sparse tree canopies often register ambient temperatures up to ten degrees higher during summer heat waves than adjacent districts with mature foliage. Surface sensors confirm that asphalt under continuous leaf cover remains significantly cooler throughout peak daylight hours, reducing heat transfer into nearby brick residences and lowering domestic air conditioning demands. Additionally, urban shade trees absorb stormwater runoff, which lightens the strain on municipal drainage pipes during heavy rainstorms. Expanding neighborhood greenery is primarily an essential public health defense against extreme urban heat.

   How does the evidence regarding asphalt surface temperatures support the author's main claim?

   1. AA. It demonstrates the physical mechanism through which tree canopies prevent heat buildup in homes.
   2. BB. It proves that brick residences require more air conditioning than homes made of other materials.
   3. CC. It explains the physiological process trees use to lower ambient atmospheric temperatures.
   4. DD. It shows that shade trees reduce municipal infrastructure repair costs following rainstorms.
   Show answer to question 7

   Answer: A. It demonstrates the physical mechanism through which tree canopies prevent heat buildup in homes.

   The author argues that planting shade trees mitigates extreme urban heat, and the asphalt temperature data illustrates how tree shade physically keeps surfaces cooler and reduces heat entering homes. Mentioning stormwater runoff addresses drainage infrastructure, which is a separate environmental issue from cooling urban neighborhoods.

8. Question 8 of 25Medium

   Passage

   The basement laboratory was silent save for the persistent drip of condensation from the overhead pipes. Pale fluorescent bulbs flickered overhead, casting elongated, trembling shadows against the cracked cinder-block walls. On the central workstation, the petri dishes containing the mutant fungal strain gave off a faint, sour odor of rot. Julian pulled his rubber gloves tighter, his pulse quickening as he noticed a hairline fracture running across the containment glass. Outside the heavy reinforced door, the wind howled through the ventilation shafts like a warning cry, rattling the loose metal vents.

   Which word best describes the tone established by the author in this passage?

   1. AA. Satirical and lighthearted
   2. BB. Objective and indifferent
   3. CC. Ominous and suspenseful
   4. DD. Joyful and nostalgic
   Show answer to question 8

   Answer: C. Ominous and suspenseful

   The author creates an ominous and suspenseful atmosphere through descriptive details such as flickering lights, cracked containment glass, foul odors, and howling wind that sounds like a warning. An objective tone would report scientific facts without emotional charge or threatening imagery, which does not match the tension surrounding Julian's racing pulse.

9. Question 9 of 25Easy

   Passage

   The city transit authority announced on Monday that all municipal buses will transition to a fully digital fare system beginning next month. Under the new plan, passengers must tap a contactless debit card, credit card, or smart transit card upon boarding. Cash fares will no longer be accepted on buses, though riders may still use cash to purchase reloadable cards at ticket vending machines located inside major bus terminals. Transit officials stated that senior citizens who are enrolled in the regional discount program will receive pre-loaded plastic passes by mail before the transition date.

   According to the article, where can riders still use cash under the new system?

   1. AA. At neighborhood retail stores and pharmacies
   2. BB. Through mobile applications on their smartphones
   3. CC. At ticket vending machines in major terminals
   4. DD. Directly with the bus driver upon boarding
   Show answer to question 9

   Answer: C. At ticket vending machines in major terminals

   The passage explicitly notes that riders may still use cash to purchase reloadable cards at ticket vending machines located inside major bus terminals. Paying cash directly upon boarding is incorrect because the article specifically states that cash fares will no longer be accepted on buses.

10. Question 10 of 25Hard

    Passage

    Healthcare reformers celebrated the rise of rural telemedicine programs, predicting that video consultations would bridge the historic specialist gap in remote counties. By connecting patients directly to urban cardiologists and neurologists from home, virtual appointments promised to eliminate lengthy highway commutes and reduce delayed diagnoses. Nevertheless, state telecommunications audits reveal that the most medically isolated rural areas also suffer from severe broadband gaps, with nearly one-third of residents lacking the bandwidth needed for stable video streaming. Consequently, many remote patients are forced to travel to regional libraries or county clinics simply to obtain an internet connection reliable enough to complete their digital doctor visits.

    Based on both paragraphs, which synthesis best captures the relationship between the two claims?

    1. AA. A promising healthcare solution is constrained by an underlying deficit in technological infrastructure.
    2. BB. Broadband gaps have completely halted the development of telemedicine platforms across the country.
    3. CC. Urban cardiologists are unwilling to treat patients located in medically isolated counties.
    4. DD. Rural patients broadly prefer driving to urban specialists rather than using home internet connections.
    Show answer to question 10

    Answer: A. A promising healthcare solution is constrained by an underlying deficit in technological infrastructure.

    The first paragraph describes the promise of telemedicine to fix rural healthcare access, but the second paragraph reveals that poor broadband infrastructure limits its effectiveness and forces patients to travel anyway, showing a promising remedy held back by infrastructure deficits. The option stating that broadband gaps completely halted telemedicine development is too extreme because the passage indicates consultations still occur, though often from libraries or clinics.

11. Question 11 of 25Easy

    Passage

    MEMORANDUM TO: All Regional Staff FROM: Accounting Department DATE: October 14 SUBJECT: Expense Reimbursement Protocols Please review the updated submission deadlines for quarterly travel expenses. All claims must be finalized through the financial portal by Friday afternoon at five o'clock. When employees submit the expense reports with attached receipts, they must be signed. Failure to provide proper authorization will delay your reimbursement payment until the next pay cycle. Please contact the accounting team directly if you have questions regarding eligible mileage rates or itemized hotel lodging costs. Thank you for your cooperation in maintaining accurate financial records.

    Which revision best clarifies the pronoun reference in the sentence: "When employees submit the expense reports with attached receipts, they must be signed"?

    1. AA. When employees submit them with attached receipts, they must be signed.
    2. BB. When submitting the expense reports with attached receipts, they must have signatures.
    3. CC. When employees submit the expense reports with attached receipts, the reports must be signed.
    4. DD. When employees submit the expense reports with attached receipts, these items must be signed.
    Show answer to question 11

    Answer: C. When employees submit the expense reports with attached receipts, the reports must be signed.

    Replacing the ambiguous pronoun "they" with the specific noun phrase "the reports" eliminates confusion about whether the receipts, the employees, or the reports require a signature. The choice using "these items" remains too vague because it still fails to specify which paperwork needs authorization. The other options retain the unclear pronoun "they" without resolving its antecedent.

12. Question 12 of 25Medium

    Passage

    Investing in modern municipal composting programs is an essential step toward environmental sustainability. Organic material dumped in standard landfills generates harmful methane gas, consumes valuable space, and valuable nutrients are permanently lost from local soil systems. When cities divert food scraps to dedicated composting facilities, they produce rich soil amendments that nourish public parks and protect local waterways. To achieve true progress, city councils should mandate residential participation, subsidize home compost bins, and educate consumers about proper waste sorting.

    Which revision of the clause 'and valuable nutrients are permanently lost from local soil systems' best preserves parallel structure with the other verbs in the series?

    1. AA. and permanently robs local soil systems of valuable nutrients
    2. BB. and with the permanent loss of nutrients from soil systems
    3. CC. and the permanent loss of valuable nutrients in soil systems
    4. DD. and local soil systems will permanently lose valuable nutrients
    Show answer to question 12

    Answer: A. and permanently robs local soil systems of valuable nutrients

    The sentence begins with two parallel third-person singular verbs, 'generates' and 'consumes,' requiring another active present-tense verb like 'permanently robs' to complete the pattern. The choice 'and local soil systems will permanently lose valuable nutrients' unnecessarily shifts both the subject and the verb tense to the future.

13. Question 13 of 25Easy

    Passage

    Over the past five years, the proportion of full-time employees working remotely at least two days a week rose from eight percent to nearly thirty percent nationwide. Corporate managers have debated whether this shift hurts or helps company output. While some companies have instituted strict return-to-office mandates, remote work remains the absolute best development in modern labor history. Flexible arrangements eliminate stressful commutes, save money on fuel, and provide workers with much-needed personal autonomy. Companies that insist on full in-person attendance are hopelessly out of touch with modern realities.

    Which statement from the passage expresses an opinion?

    1. AA. Over the past five years, remote work rose from eight percent to nearly thirty percent nationwide.
    2. BB. Corporate managers have debated whether the shift hurts or helps company output.
    3. CC. Some companies have instituted strict return-to-office mandates for their staff.
    4. DD. Remote work remains the absolute best development in modern labor history.
    Show answer to question 13

    Answer: D. Remote work remains the absolute best development in modern labor history.

    Calling remote work the absolute best development uses subjective superlatives based on individual preference rather than measurable proof. The change from eight percent to nearly thirty percent is a factual demographic claim that can be verified with workforce data.

14. Question 14 of 25Medium

    Passage

    At the first session of the walking group, the patient stayed at the back and counted how many times the others lapped her. She mentioned the number to the nurse each week, as if it were a grade. In April she missed two sessions with a cold, and when she returned she said something the nurse had not heard before: she wanted to know how many minutes she had walked, not where she had finished. By June she had stopped asking about the others entirely, and she carried a small notebook, not of laps or places, but of the streets she had managed without stopping to rest.

    Which sentence best shows that the patient has begun to measure herself differently?

    1. AA. She missed two sessions in April because of a cold.
    2. BB. She asked how many minutes she had walked, not where she finished.
    3. CC. She stayed at the back and counted how many times she was lapped.
    4. DD. She told the nurse the number as if it were a grade.
    Show answer to question 14

    Answer: B. She asked how many minutes she had walked, not where she finished.

    The change is from comparing herself with others to tracking her own minutes and streets, and that question about minutes marks the shift. Counting how many times she was lapped shows her old habit of comparing herself, so it illustrates the behavior she outgrows rather than the change.

15. Question 15 of 25Medium

    Passage

    Modern disc brake systems rely on hydraulic pressure to force friction pads against a spinning metal rotor. When a driver steps on the pedal, kinetic energy converts rapidly into thermal energy. Under prolonged or extreme use, such as descending a steep mountain grade without downshifting, temperatures in the assembly can soar past safe thresholds. This extreme heat can cause brake fade, a temporary reduction in stopping power that occurs when pad resins vaporize and form a thin cushion of gas between the pad and rotor. To combat this phenomenon, manufacturers design ventilated rotors and use heat-resistant semi-metallic compounds.

    As used in the passage, what is the meaning of the technical term "fade"?

    1. AA. Complete structural failure of the metal rotor
    2. BB. Loss of stopping effectiveness due to overheating
    3. CC. Gradual discoloration of external brake parts
    4. DD. Build-up of debris between the friction pads
    Show answer to question 15

    Answer: B. Loss of stopping effectiveness due to overheating

    The text directly explains that brake fade is a temporary reduction in stopping power caused by extreme heat and resin vaporization. While the everyday meaning of fade involves losing color or visual strength, in mechanical systems it specifically designates a temporary decrease in functional friction and braking performance.

16. Question 16 of 25Medium

    Passage

    Some people assume that frozen vegetables are less nutritious than fresh ones. In fact, vegetables are often frozen soon after harvest, which locks in vitamins. ___ , fresh produce may lose nutrients during long shipping and storage. Frozen vegetables can also be cheaper and available year-round. For these reasons, nutrition experts often recommend frozen vegetables as a convenient and healthy choice. Both fresh and frozen vegetables can be part of a balanced diet, and the best choice may depend on cost, season, and personal preference.

    Which transition best fills the blank in the passage?

    1. AA. Afterward
    2. BB. In the same way
    3. CC. By contrast
    4. DD. For this reason
    Show answer to question 16

    Answer: C. By contrast

    The blank introduces a point that contrasts with the previous sentence: frozen vegetables lock in vitamins, while fresh produce may lose nutrients during shipping and storage. By contrast correctly signals that difference. For this reason would incorrectly suggest that fresh produce loses nutrients because frozen vegetables lock in vitamins.

17. Question 17 of 25Medium

    Passage

    Online courses are superior to traditional classroom courses. Students can watch lectures at any time, pause to take notes, and review material as often as needed. They save time commuting and can study from anywhere with an internet connection. Critics claim that online learning lacks interaction, but discussion forums and video calls provide plenty of engagement. Since online courses offer flexibility, every student should choose them over in-person classes. The future of education is online, and students who resist are missing out.

    The argument that every student should choose online courses depends on which assumption?

    1. AA. Discussion forums are more effective than face-to-face conversation.
    2. BB. In-person classes never use any technology.
    3. CC. Online courses are always less expensive than in-person courses.
    4. DD. Students have the self-discipline to complete coursework without a fixed class schedule.
    Show answer to question 17

    Answer: D. Students have the self-discipline to complete coursework without a fixed class schedule.

    The argument assumes that flexibility will work for all students, which requires that they can manage their time independently. Cost is not mentioned as a reason, and the passage does not claim in-person classes use no technology or that forums are superior to face-to-face talk, so those options are not necessary assumptions.

18. Question 18 of 25Easy

    Passage

    Passage 1: A municipal report reveals that city bus ridership declined by 14 percent over the past two years following a fare increase of fifty cents. The transit director argues that this drop proves higher fares directly discourage residents from utilizing public transportation, creating an urgent need to lower ticket prices immediately to rebuild ridership. Passage 2: Addressing the same municipal report, an urban economist highlights that during that exact two-year timeframe, major road construction disrupted three of the city's primary bus corridors. The economist contends that widespread service delays and altered routes, rather than the modest fare adjustment, drove commuters to seek alternative transit options.

    How do the authors differ in their interpretation of the municipal report on bus ridership?

    1. AA. Passage 1 focuses on commuter satisfaction surveys, while Passage 2 focuses on budget shortfalls.
    2. BB. Passage 1 attributes the ridership decline to cost, while Passage 2 attributes it to route disruption.
    3. CC. Passage 1 questions the accuracy of the report, while Passage 2 accepts the data without hesitation.
    4. DD. Passage 1 recommends adding new bus routes, while Passage 2 recommends freezing future fare hikes.
    Show answer to question 18

    Answer: B. Passage 1 attributes the ridership decline to cost, while Passage 2 attributes it to route disruption.

    Passage 1 interprets the drop in ridership as direct evidence that higher fares discourage riders, whereas Passage 2 views the same drop as a consequence of widespread service delays and construction on primary routes. The suggestion that Passage 1 recommends adding routes while Passage 2 recommends freezing fares misstates the solutions proposed in the texts.

19. Question 19 of 25Medium

    Passage

    Inside the stamping plant, the thunder of pneumatic presses vibrated through Samuel's boots, shaking his bones with every rhythmic descent. Fluorescent tubes hummed overhead, casting a harsh glare on the oiled steel and safety barriers. When his shift ended, Samuel pushed open the heavy exit door and stepped into the gravel parking lot. The sudden absence of machinery was startling. Freezing winter air bit into his lungs, and the silent twilight enveloped him. He paused with his keys in hand, blinking at the quiet expanse of snow dusting the surrounding hills. In that stark quiet, the anxious tension that had coiled tightly in his chest throughout the workday slowly began to unravel.

    How does the change in setting from the factory to the parking lot affect Samuel?

    1. AA. It increases his anxiety about the dangerous driving conditions ahead.
    2. BB. It makes him feel disoriented and unable to find his vehicle.
    3. CC. It causes him to miss the energetic atmosphere of the workplace.
    4. DD. It prompts an immediate sense of physical and mental relief.
    Show answer to question 19

    Answer: D. It prompts an immediate sense of physical and mental relief.

    Stepping out of the loud, glaring factory into the cold, silent outdoors leads directly to the unwinding of Samuel's chest tension, showing relief and emotional release. The option claiming he feels increased anxiety about driving conditions confuses the cold weather with an emotional burden, when the text explicitly states his internal tension began to dissipate.

20. Question 20 of 25Easy

    Passage

    City planners frequently advocate for community gardens in vacant lots, arguing that local plots dramatically improve urban food security. Recent municipal data show that a single urban garden plot can yield several hundred pounds of fresh produce each growing season. This localized supply provides residents with fresh vegetables that are often scarce in neighborhoods lacking full-scale grocery stores. In addition, participants report feeling more connected to their immediate neighbors after working shared garden beds. These productive green spaces simultaneously address nutritional deficits and strengthen local social bonds across underserved urban neighborhoods.

    Which statement best synthesizes the two main pieces of evidence presented in the passage into a single supported claim?

    1. AA. Shared garden plots are valuable primarily because they convert abandoned municipal property into decorative landscaping.
    2. BB. Urban gardens resolve major food shortages while completely eliminating the need for neighborhood grocery stores.
    3. CC. Community gardens improve local food security through substantial vegetable yields while also reinforcing community cohesion.
    4. DD. Neighborhood food access can only be secured when residents dedicate their leisure time to shared agricultural labor.
    Show answer to question 20

    Answer: C. Community gardens improve local food security through substantial vegetable yields while also reinforcing community cohesion.

    The passage provides two key facts: urban gardens produce substantial amounts of produce to supply fresh food, and shared labor strengthens neighborly bonds. Combining both points accurately synthesizes the passage's dual claims. Claiming that gardens eliminate the need for grocery stores exaggerates the text, while viewing gardens merely as decorative landscaping or stating food security can only be achieved this way misrepresents the author's argument.

21. Question 21 of 25Hard

    Passage

    After the final bell, the girl found her friend sitting on the bleachers with the team roster folded in her hand. The friend's name was not on it. The girl knew this because she had seen the list first and had felt her own stomach drop. Now she sat beside her friend and said, 'I heard the bakery down the street is testing a new cinnamon roll. My brother says it's terrible, but he also says that about everything.' The friend laughed a little. They walked out together, and neither of them mentioned the roster.

    Which trait is best shown by the girl's choice of words on the bleachers?

    1. AA. Honest
    2. BB. Careless
    3. CC. Tactful
    4. DD. Competitive
    Show answer to question 21

    Answer: C. Tactful

    The girl senses her friend's disappointment and steers the conversation to a light story instead of the painful roster, which shows tact. Honest is tempting because she is not lying outright, but the excerpt emphasizes her sensitivity in avoiding an embarrassing subject rather than blunt truth-telling.

22. Question 22 of 25Hard

    Passage

    Dear Dr. Ramirez, I am applying for the clinical research assistant position advertised on your hospital website. During my three years working as an administrative specialist in a pediatric unit, I developed strong scheduling, data entry, and patient communication skills. I believe these administrative strengths will perfectly [blank] the analytical skills of your current research staff. My familiarity with patient database software allows me to organize complex health records efficiently while maintaining strict confidentiality standards. I am eager to support your ongoing study on adolescent sleep patterns and contribute to the productivity of your research team.

    Which word correctly completes the blank in the third sentence?

    1. AA. compliment
    2. BB. implement
    3. CC. compliance
    4. DD. complement
    Show answer to question 22

    Answer: D. complement

    The verb complement means to complete, balance, or enhance something by adding to it, matching the applicant's intent to pair administrative skills with analytical skills. The word compliment means an expression of praise or flattery, which alters the intended professional meaning.

23. Question 23 of 25Hard

    Passage

    Dr. Patel watched the line of patients and wondered whether the clinic could see everyone before noon. At the front desk, Marcus sorted insurance forms and worried that he had given the wrong clipboard to the man in the blue jacket. In the waiting room, the man in the blue jacket, Mr. Reyes, tapped his foot and rehearsed what he would tell the doctor about his dizziness. None of them noticed the rain starting outside. When the nurse called Mr. Reyes's name, Dr. Patel looked up, Marcus sighed with relief, and Mr. Reyes stood slowly, hoping his balance would hold.

    Which statement best describes the narrative point of view?

    1. AA. Objective, because it reports only actions and dialogue.
    2. BB. Third-person limited, because it follows only Dr. Patel's experience.
    3. CC. First-person, because one character tells the story.
    4. DD. Third-person omniscient, because it reveals the thoughts of several characters.
    Show answer to question 23

    Answer: D. Third-person omniscient, because it reveals the thoughts of several characters.

    The narrator reports the private worries of Dr. Patel, Marcus, and Mr. Reyes, which shows an omniscient viewpoint. A limited viewpoint would stay with one character and not reveal the inner thoughts of the others.

24. Question 24 of 25Hard

    Passage

    Community Health Advisory: Seasonal influenza activity is climbing sharply throughout the county, placing severe strain on local emergency rooms. Getting an annual vaccination provides your immune system with a dependable shield before regional transmission reaches its winter apex. Many healthy adults mistakenly view immunization as necessary only for high-risk demographics, forgetting that community immunity is a chain that is only as strong as its weakest link. An unvaccinated individual provides an open doorway for the virus to enter family homes, child care centers, and senior care facilities. Stop by any county health clinic this Saturday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. for a no-cost immunization.

    Why does the author use the metaphor "community immunity is a chain that is only as strong as its weakest link"?

    1. AA. To stress that total public protection relies on widespread individual participation
    2. BB. To argue that health clinics lack the proper supplies to treat sick individuals
    3. CC. To explain that viruses physically bind to healthy cells in vulnerable populations
    4. DD. To suggest that vaccination rates depend entirely on senior citizens getting immunized
    Show answer to question 24

    Answer: A. To stress that total public protection relies on widespread individual participation

    The metaphor comparing public immunity to a chain highlights that the community as a whole remains vulnerable if individual members fail to get vaccinated. Believing that vaccination rates depend solely on senior citizens misses the author's broader point that healthy adults must also participate to keep the entire chain of defense unbroken.

25. Question 25 of 25Hard

    Passage

    As the cold front collides with the warm, humid air over the plains, the regional barometer drops sharply. Dark cumulonimbus clouds form rapidly along the horizon, blocking the late afternoon sun and casting deep shadows across the valley. A meteorologist tracks the developing rotation on Doppler radar while emergency sirens wailed across the county. Residents heed the urgent broadcasts and move quickly into interior rooms away from exterior windows to await further instructions.

    Which change is necessary in sentence 3 to maintain consistent verb tense throughout the paragraph?

    1. AA. Change "wailed" to "had wailed"
    2. BB. Change "tracks" to "tracked"
    3. CC. Change "drops" to "dropped"
    4. DD. Change "wailed" to "wail"
    Show answer to question 25

    Answer: D. Change "wailed" to "wail"

    The paragraph is written in the present tense to create immediacy, using verbs like "collides," "drops," "tracks," and "heed." The past-tense verb "wailed" creates a disruptive shift and must be changed to "wail" to maintain consistency. Changing "tracks" to "tracked" is incorrect because it shifts a correct present-tense verb into the past tense.

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