GED Language Arts (RLA) : Language Usage and Grammar
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GED Language Arts (RLA)
All GED Language Arts (RLA) Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #285 : Ged Language Arts (Rla)
1 Igloos, a longstanding source of fascination for children and adults alike [Question 1]. 2 [Question 2] it is actually based on very practical specifications. 3 First, the snow must be packed firmly into rectangular shapes. 4 These shapes [Question 3]. 5 Continue to stack rows of rectangular blocks [Question 4] this will ensure that the igloo is dome-shaped and closes over your head. 6 Once you have assembled all the snow blocks, be sure to place the “capstone” block carefully [Question 5]. 7 Lastly [Question 6] and you’ll be on your way.
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 6?
and carve vents allowing for air circulation
and carve vents to allow for air circulation
and carve vents, which, allows for air circulation
, and carve vents, allowing for air circulation
, and carve vents to allow for air circulation
and carve vents to allow for air circulation
Since “carve vents to allow for air circulation” is not an independent clause, no comma should be used before the “and.” If the second half of the missing phrase is changed to “allowing for air circulation,” a comma must precede the word “allowing.” However, the best choice is still “and carve vents to allow for air circulation.”
Example Question #286 : Ged Language Arts (Rla)
1 Igloos, a longstanding source of fascination for children and adults alike [Question 1]. 2 [Question 2] it is actually based on very practical specifications. 3 First, the snow must be packed firmly into rectangular shapes. 4 These shapes [Question 3]. 5 Continue to stack rows of rectangular blocks [Question 4] this will ensure that the igloo is dome-shaped and closes over your head. 6 Once you have assembled all the snow blocks, be sure to place the “capstone” block carefully [Question 5]. 7 Lastly [Question 6] and you’ll be on your way.
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 7?
, patch all gaps with handfuls of loose snow,
patch all gaps with handfuls of loose snow;
None of these other choices
, patch all gaps with handfuls of loose snow;
patch all gaps with handfuls of loose snow
, patch all gaps with handfuls of loose snow,
“Lastly” is an introductory word, which means that it requires a comma after it. The missing part of the sentence is an independent clause, as is the last part of the sentence, and they are separated with a conjunction. This means that a comma must precede the conjunction as well.
Example Question #121 : Language Usage And Grammar
1 Baby elephants have an extensive gestation period of around two years, [Question One]. 2 Although they can walk soon after they are born, baby elephants are quite feeble for the first few weeks of their lives. 3 Around three months after birth, baby elephants are capable of foraging for their own food [Question 2]. 4 They communicate with their mothers by intertwining or touching their trunks [Question 3]. 5 Young elephants are very intelligent, [Question 4]. 6 That is to say, all ages of elephants can communicate, interpret human behavior, use tools, and even mourn their dead.
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 1?
, which gives the fetus ample time to develop.
, which complicates the fetus’s development.
, however, this means that the fetus will not have ample time to develop.
, however, this hastens the fetus’s development.
, because the fetus has ample time to develop.
, which gives the fetus ample time to develop.
The use of “extensive” in Sentence 1 makes it clear that a two-year gestation is unusually long. It stands to reason that the rest of the sentence is explaining that this excessive gestation period allows the elephant fetus adequate time to develop.
Example Question #121 : Language Usage And Grammar
1 Over the past few decades, an abundance of new cooking techniques [Question 1]. 2 A combination of internet tutorials, popular cooking shows, and celebrity chefs [Question 2]. 3 Today, professional and amateur cooks alike have access to information and tools that allow them to explore everything from fire-roasting vegetables [Question 3]. 4 Some chefs [Question 4], a strategy they say allows them to respect tradition while maintaining innovation. 5 Among these old techniques [Question 5] pickling, fermenting, and smoking, for instance. 6 Whether you’re interested in X, Y, or Z [Question 6].
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 1?
has profligated across the modern world.
has perused across the modern world.
has proliferated across the modern world.
have profligated across the modern world.
have proliferated across the modern world.
has proliferated across the modern world.
Knowing the correct diction for this sentence will help you eliminate choices. New cooking techniques can “proliferate,” or spread, across the world; they cannot “peruse.” “Profligated” is not a word; “profligate” means spendthrift. You should also note that “abundance,” a singular noun, requires the verb conjugation “has” and not “have.”
Example Question #122 : Language Usage And Grammar
1 Over the past few decades, an abundance of new cooking techniques [Question 1]. 2 A combination of internet tutorials, popular cooking shows, and celebrity chefs [Question 2]. 3 Today, professional and amateur cooks alike have access to information and tools that allow them to explore everything from fire-roasting vegetables [Question 3]. 4 Some chefs [Question 4], a strategy they say allows them to respect tradition while maintaining innovation. 5 Among these old techniques [Question 5] pickling, fermenting, and smoking, for instance. 6 Whether you’re interested in X, Y, or Z [Question 6].
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 2?
were responsibility of its rising popularity.
are responsible for this rise in popularity.
are responsible for its rising popularity.
is responsibly rising its popularity.
is responsible for this rise in popularity.
is responsible for this rise in popularity.
Note that the subject of this sentence is “combination,” a singular noun that requires the verb “is.” This allows us to rule out all but two of the answers. Of the remaining options, “is responsibly rising its popularity” is very awkward, leaving us with “is responsible for this rise in popularity.”
Example Question #123 : Language Usage And Grammar
1 Over the past few decades, an abundance of new cooking techniques [Question 1]. 2 A combination of internet tutorials, popular cooking shows, and celebrity chefs [Question 2]. 3 Today, professional and amateur cooks alike have access to information and tools that allow them to explore everything from fire-roasting vegetables [Question 3]. 4 Some chefs [Question 4], a strategy they say allows them to respect tradition while maintaining innovation. 5 Among these old techniques [Question 5] pickling, fermenting, and smoking, for instance. 6 Whether you’re interested in X, Y, or Z [Question 6].
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 3?
, and infusing oils, syrups, and liquors with herbs.
; moreover, infusing oils, syrups, and liquors with herbs.
to infusing oils, syrups, and liquors with herbs.
, with infusing oils, syrups, and liquors with herbs.
while infusing oils, syrups, and liquors with herbs.
to infusing oils, syrups, and liquors with herbs.
Based on the middle of Sentence 3, we can see that we have a “everything from _____________ to _______________” construction. This construction can’t have other prepositions substituted in it; you must use “from” and “to” to write it correctly. The construction also does not require any punctuation before the “to.”
Example Question #124 : Language Usage And Grammar
1 Writer’s block is a challenge that faces many creative people [Question 1]. 2 Inventors and theoreticians alike have long speculated about the possible [Question 2]. 3 Some people believe that it comes from lack of preparation [Question 3]. Recently, neurological and psychological studies have identified potential underlying causes of creative block [Question 4]. 5 Still others assert that a lack of resources (including time, money, and community) [Question 5].
6 People faced with writer’s block [Question 6] may take comfort in the fact that many of the world’s greatest artists have struggled similarly. 7 Take Ludwig van Beethoven, Vincent van Gogh, and Frida Kahlo as just a few examples of individuals who [Question 7] prevailed in creating lasting masterpieces. 8 [Question 8] then an artist can always try consulting with peers, taking a break, or turning their attention to a new art form altogether. 9 After all, through [Question 9] a person can overcome almost any artistic impediment.
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 1?
, not just writers.
; including writers.
, just writers.
just writers
not just writers
, not just writers.
Since “just writers” is in contrast with “many creative people,” the “not” is essential to clarify this relationship of contrast. Similarly, since “not just writers” is not part of the main independent clause of the sentence, it needs to be set off with a comma. A semicolon is incorrect because “not just writers” is not an independent clause of its own.
Example Question #125 : Language Usage And Grammar
1 Writer’s block is a challenge that faces many creative people [Question 1]. 2 Inventors and theoreticians alike have long speculated about the possible [Question 2]. 3 Some people believe that it comes from lack of preparation [Question 3]. Recently, neurological and psychological studies have identified potential underlying causes of creative block [Question 4]. 5 Still others assert that a lack of resources (including time, money, and community) [Question 5].
6 People faced with writer’s block [Question 6] may take comfort in the fact that many of the world’s greatest artists have struggled similarly. 7 Take Ludwig van Beethoven, Vincent van Gogh, and Frida Kahlo as just a few examples of individuals who [Question 7] prevailed in creating lasting masterpieces. 8 [Question 8] then an artist can always try consulting with peers, taking a break, or turning their attention to a new art form altogether. 9 After all, through [Question 9] a person can overcome almost any artistic impediment.
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 2?
causes of this artistic community.
causes of this artistic contusion.
causes of this artistic conundrum.
causes of this artistic corollary.
causes of this artistic colloquium.
causes of this artistic conundrum.
Here, the only difference between your answer choices is the main noun. The sentence requires you to home in on the fact that we’re talking about some sort of “challenge” (Sentence 1) or dilemma and identify which noun fits best. A colloquium is an academic gathering or seminar, a corollary is a mathematical proposition, and a contusion is another word for a bruise. Community doesn’t fit the context, so that leaves us with conundrum, a dilemma or difficult problem.
Example Question #292 : Ged Language Arts (Rla)
1 Writer’s block is a challenge that faces many creative people [Question 1]. 2 Inventors and theoreticians alike have long speculated about the possible [Question 2]. 3 Some people believe that it comes from lack of preparation [Question 3]. Recently, neurological and psychological studies have identified potential underlying causes of creative block [Question 4]. 5 Still others assert that a lack of resources (including time, money, and community) [Question 5].
6 People faced with writer’s block [Question 6] may take comfort in the fact that many of the world’s greatest artists have struggled similarly. 7 Take Ludwig van Beethoven, Vincent van Gogh, and Frida Kahlo as just a few examples of individuals who [Question 7] prevailed in creating lasting masterpieces. 8 [Question 8] then an artist can always try consulting with peers, taking a break, or turning their attention to a new art form altogether. 9 After all, through [Question 9] a person can overcome almost any artistic impediment.
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 3?
, others fearing inadequacy or negative criticism.
; others, a fear of inadequacy or negative criticism.
; while others fear inadequacy or negative criticism.
; while others fear inadequacy, or negative criticism.
; others fear an inadequacy or negative criticism.
; others, a fear of inadequacy or negative criticism.
Here, we have to make the two parts of the sentence parallel. When two independent clauses appear in the same sentence, either a semicolon or a comma and conjunction word are needed to separate them. The best choice here is “; others, a fear of inadequacy or negative criticism” because, while it ellipses or implies the verb “believe,” it is still a correctly punctuated independent clause.
Example Question #126 : Language Usage And Grammar
1 Writer’s block is a challenge that faces many creative people [Question 1]. 2 Inventors and theoreticians alike have long speculated about the possible [Question 2]. 3 Some people believe that it comes from lack of preparation [Question 3]. Recently, neurological and psychological studies have identified potential underlying causes of creative block [Question 4]. 5 Still others assert that a lack of resources (including time, money, and community) [Question 5].
6 People faced with writer’s block [Question 6] may take comfort in the fact that many of the world’s greatest artists have struggled similarly. 7 Take Ludwig van Beethoven, Vincent van Gogh, and Frida Kahlo as just a few examples of individuals who [Question 7] prevailed in creating lasting masterpieces. 8 [Question 8] then an artist can always try consulting with peers, taking a break, or turning their attention to a new art form altogether. 9 After all, through [Question 9] a person can overcome almost any artistic impediment.
Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 4?
, damage to the brain’s frontal lobe, anxiety, and depression, to name a few.
; damage to the brain’s frontal lobe, anxiety, and depression; to name a few.
; damage to the brain’s frontal lobe, anxiety, and depression, to name a few.
: damage to the brain’s frontal lobe, anxiety, and depression, to name a few.
: damage to the brain’s frontal lobe, anxiety, and depression; to name a few.
: damage to the brain’s frontal lobe, anxiety, and depression, to name a few.
Since the first part of Sentence 4 introduces a list, we would use a colon to begin the list. “To name a few” is a dependent clause, so it should be separated from the main list by a comma and not a semicolon. These two rules eliminate all the wrong choices, leaving us with the correct answer of “: damage to the brain’s frontal lobe, anxiety, and depression, to name a few.”
Certified Tutor
Certified Tutor
All GED Language Arts (RLA) Resources
