Preview McGrawHill Education Preparation for the GED Test, 4th Edition by McGraw Hill Editors (2021)

Preview McGrawHill Education Preparation for the GED Test, 4th Edition by McGraw Hill Editors (2021) Preview McGrawHill Education Preparation for the GED Test, 4th Edition by McGraw Hill Editors (2021) Preview McGrawHill Education Preparation for the GED Test, 4th Edition by McGraw Hill Editors (2021) Preview McGrawHill Education Preparation for the GED Test, 4th Edition by McGraw Hill Editors (2021) Preview McGrawHill Education Preparation for the GED Test, 4th Edition by McGraw Hill Editors (2021)

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How to Use This Book

Introducing the GED ® Test

About the GED® Test

How Do I Register?

Question Formats

The Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) Test

The Mathematical Reasoning Test

The Science Test

The Social Studies Test

More About the Test Interface

How the Tests Are Scored

General Test-Taking Tips

Analyze Documents

Read Critically

Use the Process of Elimination

Watch Out for Extreme Answer Choices

Find the Answer in the Passage

Use the Answers

Estimate Values

Essay Tips

Time Management Tips

Test Day Tips

How to Use This Book to Set Up a Study Plan

Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) One-Month Study Plan Mathematical Reasoning One-Month Study Plan

Science One-Month Study Plan

Social Studies One-Month Study Plan

PRETESTS

How to Use the Pretests

Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) Pretest

Part 1: Multiple Choice

Part 2: Extended Response

Part 3: Multiple Choice

Answers and Explanations

Evaluation Chart

Mathematical Reasoning Pretest

Mathematics Formula Sheet

Part 1, Questions 1–5: No calculator allowed

Part 2: Calculator allowed

Answers and Explanations

Evaluation Chart

Science Pretest

Answers and Explanations

Evaluation Chart

Social Studies Pretest

Answers and Explanations

Evaluation Chart

REASONING THROUGH LANGUAGE ARTS (RLA)

INTRODUCTION

The Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) Test

The Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) Review

The Top 25 Things You Need to Know for the GED® RLA Test

CHAPTER 1 Testing Basic English Usage

Standard English

“Drop Down” Questions

Editing Mechanics

Improving Awkward Sentences

Eliminating Informal or Nonstandard Words

Subject-Verb Agreement

Verb Tenses

Pronoun Usage

Apostrophes and Possessive Nouns

Transitional Words and Expressions

Frequently Confused Words

Practice: Testing Basic English Usage

CHAPTER 2 Testing Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension on the GED® Test

Question Types

Multiple-Choice Questions

“Drag and Drop” Questions

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

Basic Critical Reading Skills

Identifying the Main Idea in a Text

Finding Details in a Text

Analyzing Implicit Main Ideas

Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions

Identifying Textual Evidence

Making Connections Between Ideas

Practice: Testing Reading Comprehension

CHAPTER 3 Structure and Author’s Choices

Sequence of Events

Practice: Structure and Author’s Choices

CHAPTER 4 Literary Texts

Using Textual Evidence to Analyze Elements of Fiction

Character and Narrator Viewpoint

Practice: Literary Texts

CHAPTER 5 Informational Texts

Foundational Texts

Inferring Relationships Between Ideas

Cause and Effect

Compare and Contrast

Author’s Response to Conflicting Viewpoints and Bias

Comparing Texts

Practice: Informational Texts

CHAPTER 6 RLA Extended Response

Elements of a Persuasive Essay

Writing a Persuasive Essay

Practice: RLA Extended Response

Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) Answers and Explanations

MATHEMATICAL REASONING

INTRODUCTION

The Mathematical Reasoning Test

The Mathematical Reasoning Review

The Top 25 Things You Need to Know for the GED® Mathematical

Calculators and the GED® Mathematical Reasoning Test

Word Problems Involving Basic Operations

CHAPTER 2 Exponents, Roots, and Number

Exponents

Negative Exponents

The Rules of Exponents

Rule 1: When Multiplying Two Terms with the Same Base, Add the

Exponents

Rule 2: When Dividing Two Terms with the Same Base, Subtract the

Exponents

Rule 3: To Take a Term with an Exponent to a Power, Multiply the Powers

Square Roots and Cube Roots

Exponents and Roots on the TI-30XS

Exponents

Roots

Order of Operations

The Distributive Property

CHAPTER 3 Decimal Numbers and Operations

Decimals and Place Value

Rounding Decimals

Comparing Decimals

Scientific Notation

Scientific Notation on the Calculator

Adding and Subtracting Decimals

Multiplying Decimals

Dividing Decimals

Dividing a Decimal by a Whole Number

Dividing a Whole Number by a Decimal

Dividing a Decimal by a Decimal

CHAPTER 4 Fractions and Operations

Equivalent Fractions

Reducing Fractions to Lowest Terms

Reducing Fractions on the Calculator

Fractions and Decimals

Converting Between Fractions and Decimals on the Calculator

Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers

Converting Between Mixed Numbers and Improper Fractions on the

Calculator

Comparing Fractions

Comparing Fractions and Decimals

Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Multiplying Fractions

Dividing Fractions

Operations with Fractions, Whole Numbers, and Mixed Numbers

Operations with Fractions on the Calculator

CHAPTER 5 Ratios, Rates, and Proportions

Ratios and Rates

Word Problems with Ratios and Rates

Proportions

Word Problems with Proportions

CHAPTER 6 Percents and Applications

Converting Between Fractions, Decimals, and Percents

Converting a Percent to a Fraction

Converting a Percent to a Decimal

Converting a Decimal to a Percent

Working with Percents

Word Problems with Percents

Simple Interest

CHAPTER 7 The Number Line and Negative Numbers

The Number Line

Absolute Value

Adding and Subtracting Negative Numbers

Multiplying and Dividing Negative Numbers

Negative Numbers on the Calculator

CHAPTER 8 Probability and Counting

CHAPTER 9 Statistics and Data Analysis

Analyzing Data Sets

CHAPTER 10 Algebraic Expressions

Variables, Terms, and Expressions

Evaluating Expressions

Combining Like Terms

Adding and Subtracting Polynomials

Multiplying Polynomials

Multiplying Single Terms

Multiplying Single Terms and Larger Polynomials

Multiplying Two Binomials

Multiplying Polynomials with More than Two Terms

Factoring

Factoring Using the Greatest Common Factor

Factoring by Reversing FOIL

Difference of Squares

Rational Expressions

Simplifying Rational Expressions

Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions

Multiplying Rational Expressions

Dividing Rational Expressions

Writing Linear Equations and Inequalities

Word Problems with Equations and Inequalities

Systems of Two Equations with Two Unknowns

Word Problems and Systems of Equations

Solving Quadratic Equations with the Square Root Rule

Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring

Solving with the Quadratic Formula

Writing Quadratic Equations

CHAPTER 12 Graphing Equations

Plotting Points

Graphing Lines

Intercepts

Slope

Calculating the Slope

Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

Interpreting Slope

Finding the Equation of a Line

Graphs and Systems of Equations

CHAPTER 13 Functions

Evaluating Functions

Recognizing Functions

Properties of Functions

Key Features of Function Graphs

Increasing and Decreasing Functions

Relative Maximums and Minimums

Positive and Negative Values

End Behavior and Periodic Functions

The Pythagorean Theorem

Mathematical Reasoning Answers and Explanations

SCIENCE

INTRODUCTION

The Science Test

The Science Review

The Top 25 Things You Need to Know for the GED® Science Test

PART 1 Life Science

CHAPTER 1 Structures and Functions of Life

Cells, Tissues, and Organs

CHAPTER 4 Evolution

Evolutionary Relationships

Cladograms

Evolution by Natural Selection

Requirements for Selection

Effects of Disease on Populations

Practice: Life Science

PART 2 Physical Science

CHAPTER 7 Chemical Interactions

Structures of Matter

Atomic Particles

Ions and Isotopes

Molecules, Elements, and Compounds

Physical and Chemical Properties

Types of Chemical Reactions

Solutions and Solubility

Types of Electromagnetic Radiation

Uses and Dangers of Electromagnetic Radiation

Heat

Heat Transfer

Energy in Reactions

Endothermic Reactions

Mass and Weight

Work and Machines

Simple Machines

Mechanical Advantage and Power

Practice: Physical Science

PART 3 Earth and Space Science

CHAPTER 10 Space Systems

The Age of Earth

The Solar System

Interactions Between Earth and the Solar System

The Universe

Age and Development of the Universe

Age and Development of Stars

CHAPTER 11 Earth Systems

The Structure of Earth

Tectonic Plates

Earth’s Atmosphere

Atmospheric Gases

Effects of Gases on Earth

Weathering and Erosion

Practice: Earth and Space Science

Science Answers and Explanations

SOCIAL STUDIES

INTRODUCTION

The Social Studies Test

The Social Studies Review

The Top 25 Things You Need to Know for the GED® Social Studies Test

CHAPTER 1 Civics and Government

Types of Historical and Modern Governments

Basic Principles of American Constitutional Democracy

Structure and Design of the U.S Federal Government

The Legislative Branch

The Executive Branch

The President’s Cabinet

The Judicial Branch

Amending the Constitution

The Bill of Rights

Citizens’ Rights and Civic Responsibilities

Political Parties

Political Campaigns, Elections, and the Electoral Process

Contemporary Public Policy

Practice: Civics and Government

CHAPTER 2 United States History

European Exploration of the Americas

The English Colony in Virginia

English Colonies in New England and Maryland

The Thirteen Colonies Take Shape

Tensions Rise Between the Colonies and Great Britain

The First Continental Congress and the Beginning of the AmericanRevolution

The Second Continental Congress and the Declaration of IndependenceThe Revolutionary War

From the Articles of Confederation to the U.S Constitution

The War of 1812

The Monroe Doctrine

U.S Policy Toward Native Americans

Manifest Destiny

Civil War and Reconstruction

The United States Becomes a Major Industrial Nation

The United States Becomes a World Power

World War I

The Great Depression

World War II

Postwar America

The Cold War

The Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s MovementThe Great Society, the Vietnam War, and Watergate

Presidencies in the Late 20th and Early 21st Centuries

Issues Facing the United States at the Start of the 21st Century

Practice: United States History

CHAPTER 3 Economics

Fundamental Economic Concepts

Microeconomics and Macroeconomics

Microeconomics

Macroeconomics

Banking and Credit

The Role of Government in the National Economy

Geography and the Development of Human Societies

Human Changes to the Environment

Human Migration

Population Trends and Issues

Geography Tools and Skills

Practice: Geography and the World

CHAPTER 5 Focusing Themes

What Are Focusing Themes on the Social Studies Test?

The Earliest Civilizations

Early China

Early India

Classical Greece

Rome

The Great Migration and the Middle Ages

Feudalism

The Middle East and Africa

Civilizations in the Americas

Renaissance and Reformation in Europe

The Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, and the Industrial RevolutionThe Age of Exploration

Building Empires

Revolutions in Britain and France

New Political Ideas in the 19th Century

Political Developments in 19th-Century Europe

World War I and the Russian Revolution

The Rise of Fascism

World War II

The End of European Dominance and the Formation of the European UnionThe End of the Soviet Union

China Today

The Arab World

Practice: Focusing Themes

Social Studies Answers and Explanations

POSTTESTS

How to Use the Posttests

Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) Posttest

Part 1: Multiple Choice

Part 2: Extended Response

Part 3: Multiple Choice

Answers and Explanations

Evaluation Chart

Mathematical Reasoning Posttest

Mathematics Formula Sheet

Part 1, Questions 1–5: No calculator allowed Part 2: Calculator allowed

Answers and Explanations

Evaluation Chart

Science Posttest

Answers and Explanations

Evaluation Chart

Social Studies Posttest

Answers and Explanations

Evaluation Chart

GLOSSARY

Important GED® RLA Terms

Important GED® Math Terms

Important GED® Science Terms

Important GED® Social Studies Terms

How to Use This Book

Welcome to McGraw-Hill Education: Preparation for the GED® Test! This

book contains practical test-taking information and review sections for each

of the test’s four sections It also contains a pretest and a posttest for everytest section It will give you the information and practice you need to do yourbest on test day For best results, follow this five-step plan:

1 Learn about the GED® test Read “Introducing the GED® Test”

beginning on page 1 In this section you will learn all about what subjectsthe test covers, how the test is structured, and how it is scored You willalso see examples of the different question types, including the interactivequestion formats that appear on the computerized test This section willalso give you valuable test-taking strategies that can raise your score, aswell as useful study suggestions and tips for test day

2 Start with the pretests The pretests in this book are modeled closely on

the real GED® test They have the same number and types of questions andthe same degree of difficulty Take each pretest as your first step in

preparing for each part of the real exam Use the Answers and

Explanations section to score yourself, and complete the Evaluation Chart

at the end of the test The chart will help you pinpoint your areas of

strength and weakness in your knowledge base and your skill set

3 Develop a study plan Use your results on the pretest to develop a study

plan Prepare to focus particularly on the topics that were difficult for you

on the pretest Set up a study schedule based on the amount of time youhave available The review sections of this book are broken into short,manageable chunks of information, so you can study one topic at a time atyour own pace A sample study plan for each test is included

4 Prepare for each test section The four main sections of this book provide

a complete review of the subjects you need to master in order to succeed

on the GED® test The Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) andMathematical Reasoning sections include numerous examples to illustratekey concepts The Science and Social Studies sections contain helpful

charts and other graphics to clarify ideas and make learning easier TheRLA section also includes vital information on how to answer the

extended-response (essay) question Work through these sections at yourown pace, paying special attention to topics or question types that wereparticularly difficult for you on the pretests Check your understanding bycompleting the exercises and taking the practice quizzes you’ll find in eachsection

5 Take the posttests When you have completed your review for each test

section, take the corresponding posttest you’ll find at the end of the book.Like the pretests, the posttests are closely modeled on the real exam interms of question types, number of questions, and degree of difficulty Usethe posttests to check your progress, to gain experience with the GED® testformat, and to learn to pace yourself to get your highest score

Interactive Practice Tests

In addition to the pretests and posttests in this book, you will find two

additional, full-length sample tests on the bonus practice test app that

accompanies this book You can use this app on your smartphone or tablet Ifyou prefer studying with a computer or laptop, you can use the online version

of the app found on the companion website, MHE Practice Plus.

These interactive practice tests offer a number of features that will helpyou meet your study goals:

• You can choose whether to take a test section timed or open-ended,

depending on your practice goals

• When you finish a section of the test, you will immediately receive ascore that shows the percentage of correct answers

• Your scores will be saved so you can refer back to them and follow yourprogress

• Review mode allows you to see your answer and the correct answer

together (We hope they’re the same!) Here you’ll find concise and clearexplanations to more challenging questions Moreover, you’ll be able tosee the original question for reference If you exit a test section beforefinishing it you can simply return to where you left off at a later time

Accessing the Practice Test App

If you take the practice tests on your tablet or smartphone, you will find thepractice test app to be the ideal companion to your study plans Depending onthe device you have, go to one of the following:

Apple → iTunes

Android → Google Play

Once you are at the appropriate app store, search “MHE Practice Test

App for the GED ® Test” and download.

Accessing the Practice Tests Online

To find the online version of the practice test app visit

mhprofessional.com/GEDTest Below the book’s illustration, open the tab

“Downloads & Resources.” Here, click on the link under “Practice Tests” andyou will be able to use the sample tests on your laptop or home computer

See page 24 for information on two bonus apps!

Introducing the GED ® Test

Welcome to McGraw-Hill Education: Preparation for the GED® Test!

Congratulations on choosing the preparation guide from America’s leadingeducational publisher You probably know us from many of the textbooksyou used in school Now we’re ready to help you take the next step—and getthe high school equivalency credential you want

Before you start your study program, this chapter will give you a briefintroduction to the exam In the following pages, you’ll learn:

• The history of the GED® test and how it took its current shape

• The structure of each part of the GED® test

• How the test is scored

• Some basic test-taking strategies

• Some dos and don’ts for test day

About the GED ® Test

“GED®” stands for General Educational Development The GED® test iscommonly referred to as a “high school equivalency” test because passingscores on all the test sections are usually accepted as equal to a high schooldiploma

The GED® program started in 1942 during World War II Many youngpeople had joined the armed services before completing high school As away to help returning veterans reenter civilian life with the equivalent of ahigh school diploma, which would help them get better jobs or go on to

college, the U.S military asked the American Council on Education (ACE) todevelop the GED® test

The GED® test was revised several times over the years, but many things

remained constant There were five separate test sections: Language

Arts―Reading, Language Arts―Writing, Social Studies, Science, and

Mathematics These were standard “paper and pencil” tests that featuredmostly multiple-choice questions In 2002 a computerized version of the testwas introduced It did not differ much from the paper-and-pencil version.ACE, a nonprofit organization, administered the GED® program until

2011 In that year, ACE formed a new partnership with Pearson, a majoreducational publisher, to create the GED® Testing Service The first majorgoal of the new joint venture was to overhaul the old GED® test series andcreate a new series of tests that use modern computer technology to measurecareer and college readiness

The 2014 version of the GED® test was a major departure from the 2002and earlier versions Some key differences are:

• There is no paper-and-pencil version of the test Only a computer version

• Multiple-choice questions have four, not five, answer options

There are some other major differences that are more important to test

designers and teachers than to test-takers like you, but in case you are

interested, here they are:

• Instead of using Benjamin Bloom’s Taxonomy for measuring the

difficulty of questions, the tests now use Norman Webb’s Depth of

Knowledge measurements

• Questions are aligned to the Common Core Standards rather than to

standards generated by various boards or groups of educators, as theywere in the past

Again, these are not changes you need to be concerned about These changestell the test designers what to test and how difficult to make each item

In February of 2014, a few additional changes were made to the test The