GED practice questions and answers 2026. Tap an option to test yourself — you'll see the correct answer and a plain-English explanation for every question. Free, no login.
Q21In July 1957, members of a field party from the University of Kansas Natural History Museum, under the direction of Sydney Anderson, spent 12 days collecting vertebrates in the vicinity of Creel in southwestern Chihuahua. Among the specimens were two snakes representing an undescribed species of the genus Geophis. The discovery of a new Geophis species in southern Chihuahua increased the number of species in the genus known to occur in Mexico to 21 and extended the range of the genus by over 500 miles. Geophis aquilonaris is different from all other Mexican representatives of the genus because it has numerous, alternating pale and dark bands on the body and tail. Both sets of bands are in the form of complete rings, or the dark bands are joined ventrally rendering the belly dark.<br/><br/>Which sentence from the paragraph supports the idea that species in the same genus can have unique characteristics?
✓ Correct answer: C. “Geophis aquilonaris is different from all other Mexican representatives of the genus because it has numerous, alternating pale and dark bands on the body and tail.”
The passage ends with the comparison of the newly discovered species of the genus Geophis. The word ‘different’ indicates that this species is unique from other species in the same genus, and the sentence continues to describe why: the snake has unique band markings on its body and tail. None of the other sentences discuss the specifics of why this particular species can be unique to other species in the same genus.
Q22Read the <em>supporting details</em> then correct the sentence below.<br/><br/>Sentence 8: This was followed by to digits that more closely pinpointed population concentrations and those sectional centers accessible to common transportation networks. <br/><br/>Which of the following changes should be made to correct sentence 8?
✓ Correct answer: D. Change “to digits” to “two digits”
In order to correct sentence 8, you should change “to digits” to “two digits.” The sentence is requiring the use of the number 2, which is spelled two, not to. The sentence does not require a comma after “concentrations” to make it grammatically correct. The pronoun “that” is used correctly, as it refers to “digits” in a restrictive clause (not set off with commas). The plural form of “centers” is used correctly to refer to multiple locations.
Q23The question is based on the passage below.<br/><br/>Notice to All Students<br/><br/>It has come to the attention of the administration that many of you are angered about recent changes to the dormitory curfew policy. As you should be aware, the administration has instituted a temporary curfew for those living in the Walcher Dormitory due to the recent spike in on‐campus crime. While we understand the reasons for your concern, we will continue to enforce this curfew as it was described in earlier notices. The details are given again below for clarification:<br/><br/>■ The curfew will be in effect from March 1 – March 31.<br/><br/>■ Students who enter or leave the dormitory between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. will be subject to disciplinary action.<br/><br/>■ Students who need to be exempted from the curfew may apply with Dr. Fowler at fowler@university.edu. Exemptions will only be given for students with work responsibilities or health issues. Other than emergency situations, students must have an official curfew exemption form in order to claim an exemption. The administration thanks you for your understanding and patience.<br/><br/>Other than emergency situations, students must have an official curfew form from Dr. Fowler in order to claim an exemption.<br/><br/>The bolded text in the sentence above indicates which of the following?
✓ Correct answer: A. emphasis
Underlining words in a text is a way to show emphasis. The underlined words are important and the line draws attention to them.
Q24The following excerpt is from Federalist 46 written by James Madison in 1788:<br/><br/>“The federal and State governments are in fact but different agents and trustees of the people, constituted with different powers, and designed for different purposes… the powers proposed to be lodged in the federal government are as little formidable to those reserved to the individual States, as they are indispensably necessary to accomplish the purposes of the Union.”<br/><br/>The above excerpt is an example of which of the following concepts?
✓ Correct answer: B. Federalism.
Federalism is the form of government employed in the United States in which central and state governments are part of one system. The US Constitution divides the powers by specifically granting some powers to the national government and granting other powers to the states.
Q25Which correction should be made to sentence (6) in the attached text?
✓ Correct answer: C. Change "are" after the word "products" to "is"
The subject of the sentence is "quality," not "products." As such, it is a singular noun and requires a singular verb.
Q26Noncount nouns are always singular.<br/><br/>Which noun is a noncount noun?
✓ Correct answer: B. Electricity
"Electricity" is a non-count noun. A noun is non count if it cannot be counted. Since they cannot be counted, it would be incorrect to make them plural or talk about them with number words.
Q27Where should the following sentence be placed in the paragraph below? Many people have proposed explanations for this drop. <br/><br/>1] Surveys of criminal activity in the United States have shown that the 1990s marked a significant drop in crimes such as vehicle theft, rape, and murder. <br/><br/>2] Economist Rick Nevin argues that one contributing factor is the ban on lead gasoline in the 70s because lead poisoning in children has been linked with criminal behavior later in life. <br/><br/>3] Other theories include the controversial claim that legalizing abortion has led to fewer unwanted children and, as a result, fewer potential criminals. <br/><br/>4] Some politicians, including Rudy Giuliani, even take personal responsibility, identifying their policies as effective deterrents to crime.
✓ Correct answer: A. After sentence 1
The sentence, “Many people have proposed explanations for this drop,” provides an introduction to the short explanations that follow. It should come after the first sentence.
Q28A system of mountains in eastern North America<br/><br/>Which region is it?
✓ Correct answer: D. Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains often called the Appalachians, are a system of mountains in eastern North America.
Q29A court of original jurisdiction has the authority to conduct the original trial of a case. This court is called the trial court. A court with appellate jurisdiction has the authority to hear an appeal of a case decided by a trial court. This court is called the appeals court. An appeals court does not conduct a new trial; instead it reviews the record of the trial and rules on whether or not the trial was conducted fairly and the law applied correctly. U.S. FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM <br/><br/><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td>Court</td><td>Original Jurisdiction</td><td>Appellate Jurisdiction</td></tr><tr><td>U.S. Supreme Court</td><td>Lawsuits between two state governments</td><td>Cases appealed from U.S. Court of Appeals and cases appealed from state supreme courts</td></tr><tr><td>U.S. Courts of Appeals</td><td>None</td><td>Cases appealed from U.S. District Courts</td></tr><tr><td>U.S. District Courts</td><td>Cases involving federal law or the U.S. Constitution</td><td>None</td></tr></tbody></table> <br/><br/>What court would conduct the trial in case in which the federal government charges a company with violating federal pollution regulations?
✓ Correct answer: C. A U.S. District Court
The U.S. District Courts (of which there are 94) have original jurisdiction and conduct trials in cases involving federal laws and regulations. State supreme courts, choice C, do not have original jurisdiction and cannot conduct trials. The Supreme Court, choice B, has original jurisdiction only in special cases. State trial courts, choice A, generally take cases involving state laws, not federal laws.
Q30What is the name of the civil rights demonstration that drew 200,000 people to the National Mall in 1963?
✓ Correct answer: C. March on Washington
The March on Washington was the largest public demonstration ever held in Washington DC. Over 200,000 people came to the National Mall to show their support for the Civil Rights Movement in 1963.
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Theory