GED Test (Mathematical Reasoning, Science, Social Studies, Reasoning Through Language Arts)
Evidence and arguments: practice questions
Our GED bank has 30 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
Read the passage. "Supporters of a higher city minimum wage argue that full-time workers should not live in poverty. They point to a study of six cities that raised wages and found that restaurant employment did not fall. Opponents respond that small businesses run on thin margins. Some owners in our city say they would cut hours or replace cashiers with kiosks. Both sides cite real concerns, but the evidence so far suggests that modest increases, phased in over several years, have not caused the job losses critics predicted." Which claim in the passage is supported by evidence rather than only stated?
- Owners will replace cashiers with kiosks
- Full-time workers should not have to live in poverty in a wealthy city
- Small businesses run on thin margins
- Modest wage increases have not caused large job losses
Show the answer
D. Modest wage increases have not caused large job losses — The six-city study is cited as evidence that restaurant employment did not fall. The others are positions or predictions.
Question 2
Read the passage. "When engineers designed the new Harbor Street Bridge, they faced a problem: the old bridge had been closed twice in ten years because of flooding. Rather than simply raising the roadway, the team studied a century of river data. They learned that the worst floods came not from heavy rain alone but from rain arriving at the same time as high tide. The final design lifts the deck four feet higher and adds wider openings beneath it so that water can pass quickly. Since it opened, the bridge has stayed dry through two record storms." What did the engineers learn from the river data?
- Rain alone causes every flood
- The river never floods during storms
- The worst floods came when heavy rain coincided with high tide
- The old bridge was too high for the river and caused water to back up behind it
Show the answer
C. The worst floods came when heavy rain coincided with high tide — The data showed rain plus high tide caused the worst floods.
Question 3
Read the passage. "Bottled water costs hundreds of times more than tap water, yet many Americans assume it is safer. In fact, public water systems must test regularly for dozens of contaminants under federal rules and publish an annual quality report for customers. Bottled water is regulated as a food product, and its testing requirements differ. Some popular brands are simply filtered municipal water. For most households, a reusable bottle filled at the kitchen sink is the cheaper and equally safe choice." Which sentence best supports the author's claim that tap water is safe?
- Public water systems must test regularly for dozens of contaminants.
- Bottled water costs hundreds of times more than the tap water most people already have.
- Some brands are simply filtered municipal water.
- Bottled water is regulated as a food product.
Show the answer
A. Public water systems must test regularly for dozens of contaminants. — Regular required testing supports the claim of safety. Cost supports a different point.
Question 4
Read the passage. "When engineers designed the new Harbor Street Bridge, they faced a problem: the old bridge had been closed twice in ten years because of flooding. Rather than simply raising the roadway, the team studied a century of river data. They learned that the worst floods came not from heavy rain alone but from rain arriving at the same time as high tide. The final design lifts the deck four feet higher and adds wider openings beneath it so that water can pass quickly. Since it opened, the bridge has stayed dry through two record storms." Which detail shows the design was successful?
- The deck is four feet higher.
- The bridge has stayed dry through two record storms.
- The old bridge had been closed twice in ten years because of flooding.
- The team studied a century of river data.
Show the answer
B. The bridge has stayed dry through two record storms. — The outcome after opening is evidence of success.
Question 5
Read the passage. "Volunteers wanted! The Riverside Community Garden needs helpers on Saturday mornings from April through October. No experience is necessary; we will teach you how to plant, water and harvest. Volunteers must be at least 16, or 12 with a parent present. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a water bottle. Gloves and tools are provided. All vegetables harvested are donated to the Riverside Food Pantry, which served more than 2,000 families last year. To sign up, email the garden coordinator by March 31." What does a volunteer need to bring?
- Gloves and gardening tools
- Proof of gardening experience
- Closed-toe shoes and a water bottle
- Seeds and a watering can
Show the answer
C. Closed-toe shoes and a water bottle — Gloves and tools are provided; volunteers wear closed-toe shoes and bring water.