TEST THREE: SCIENCE

TEST THREE: SCIENCE


The GED Science Test contains multiple-choice questions
drawn from the following content areas:

* Biology

* Earth Science

* Physics

* Chemistry

All questions in the Science Test require you to use
information provided in the test question or learned through
life experience. The information may be a paragraph, or it may
be a chart, table, graph, map, or figure. In every case, to
answer the questions in the Science Test, you must understand
the information provided or use the information to solve a
problem or make a judgment.


Directions and Sample Questions for Science

Choose the one best answer to each item.

Item 1 is based on the following figure.



1. A large fiberglass tank was placed in a pit as shown in
the diagram above. Before pipes could be attached and the
tank filled with gasoline, the workers were asked to move
the tank to another location.

Which of the following suggestions would be the best way
to raise the tank off the bottom of the pit so cables
could be placed under the tank?

(1) Fill the tank with gasoline.

(2) Fill the tank with water.

(3) Fill the pit with water.

(4) Fill the pit with water and the tank with gasoline.

(5) Fill both the pit and the tank with water.


Correct Answer: 3
Difficulty Level: Easy


Typical of most questions in the Science Test, this
physics question presents a practical problem that must be
solved. To answer the question correctly, you must be able to
understand the key features of the figure and understand the
physical reaction that will result from each of the proposed
solutions.

Option (3) is the best answer because the method it
proposes is most likely to cause the tank to float off the
bottom of the pit. By filling the pit with water and leaving
the tank filled only with air, the tank becomes buoyant and is
likely to rise off the bottom of the pit so that cables can be
placed under the tank.


2. An electric current releases heat to the wire in which it
is traveling.


Which of the following electric appliances would best
illustrate an application of the above statement?

(1) mixer

(2) clock

(3) vacuum

(4) toaster

(5) fan


Correct Answer: 4
Difficulty Level: Easy


Many of the questions in the Science Test, like this one,
provide a scientific principle, followed by a question or
problem regarding its application. Only one of the appliances
named in the options--the toaster--uses heat produced by the
electric current in the wire. In this sense, the toaster best
illustrates an application of the principle. All of the
appliances named in the other options contain wires which
undoubtedly release heat, but the heat is a by-product and not
central to the intended purpose of the appliance.

Item 3 refers to the following graph.



3. According to the graph above, which of the following
colors of light is absorbed the least by a plant?


(1) red

(2) yellow

(3) green

(4) blue

(5) violet


Correct Answer: 3
Difficulty Level: Difficult


To answer this biology question correctly, you must first
read and correctly interpret the graph that is provided. First,
note that the question calls for you to identify the color
absorbed the least. Next, notice the labels that identify the
vertical and horizontal axes of the graph. You must recognize
that the label on the vertical axis, "Percentage of Light
Absorbed," is a measure of the quantity of light absorbed.
Following the line graph to its lowest point, you can see that
that point is closest to the label "green" on the horizontal
axis.


TEST FOUR: INTERPRETING LITERATURE AND THE ARTS


The GED Interpreting Literature and the Arts Test contains
multiple-choice questions drawn from three content areas:

* Popular Literature

* Classical Literature

* Commentary

The questions measure your ability to understand and
analyze what you read.

While most literature selections are drawn from American
authors, English and Canadian authors are also represented, as
are translations of important works from throughout the world.
Popular and classical literature selections include fiction,
prose nonfiction, poetry, and drama. Materials in the
Commentary section include prose excerpts about literature and
the arts.


Directions and Sample Questions for Interpreting Literature and
the Arts


Direction: Choose the one best answer to each item.

Items 1 to 3 refer to the following excerpt from an essay.