GED Reasoning Through Language Arts Course: The extended response

1. Question 1 of 18

   What does the RLA extended response ask you to do?

   • ATell a personal story about a time you learned an important lesson
   • BDecide which position is better supported by evidence and explain why
   • CSummarize each passage in your own words without giving a judgment
   • DWrite a short poem or story that responds to the topic of the passages
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   Answer: B. Decide which position is better supported by evidence and explain why

   The task is to analyze the arguments, decide which position is better supported by evidence from the passages, and explain why.

2. Question 2 of 18

   Which position should you choose as the better-supported one?

   • AThe one that appears first, since the test lists the stronger side first
   • BThe one with the longer passage, since it contains more information
   • CThe one you personally agree with, since your opinion matters most
   • DThe one with stronger evidence, even if you personally disagree with it
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   Answer: D. The one with stronger evidence, even if you personally disagree with it

   The official guidelines say the better-supported position is not necessarily the one you agree with. Judge the evidence, not your opinion.

3. Question 3 of 18

   How many traits is the extended response scored on, and how many points can each trait earn?

   • A1 trait, 0–10 points
   • B3 traits, 0–2 points each
   • C2 traits, 0–5 points each
   • D4 traits, 0–3 points each
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   Answer: B. 3 traits, 0–2 points each

   The response is scored on three traits, each worth 0, 1 or 2 points, for 6 possible points.

4. Question 4 of 18

   What is the name of Trait 1?

   • ACreation of Arguments and Use of Evidence
   • BClarity and Command of Standard English Conventions
   • CDevelopment of Ideas and Organizational Structure
   • DSpelling and Handwriting
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   Answer: A. Creation of Arguments and Use of Evidence

   Trait 1 is about building an argument and using evidence from the passages. Trait 2 is organization, and Trait 3 is conventions.

5. Question 5 of 18

   Which skills does Trait 2 cover?

   • ASpelling every single word correctly and using the longest vocabulary words you know
   • BUsing as many direct quotations from both passages as possible in every paragraph
   • CDeveloping ideas logically, organizing them, using a formal tone and choosing precise words
   • DAgreeing with the writer of the first passage and explaining your personal feelings
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   Answer: C. Developing ideas logically, organizing them, using a formal tone and choosing precise words

   Trait 2, Development of Ideas and Organizational Structure, covers well-developed ideas, a clear progression and organization, a formal tone and precise word choice.

6. Question 6 of 18

   Which skills does Trait 3 cover?

   • AWhether the position you chose is the one that the test makers secretly think is correct
   • BThe number of direct quotations you copy from each of the two passages into your essay
   • CHow quickly you finish the essay and whether you use all 45 minutes of the allowed time
   • DSentence structure and conventions such as agreement, pronouns, apostrophes and punctuation
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   Answer: D. Sentence structure and conventions such as agreement, pronouns, apostrophes and punctuation

   Trait 3, Clarity and Command of Standard English Conventions, covers sentence structure and conventions like subject-verb agreement, pronoun use, capitalization, apostrophes and punctuation.

7. Question 7 of 18

   About how long do the official guidelines say a full response often needs to be?

   • A1 short paragraph of about 100 words in total
   • BExactly 250 words, counted by the computer
   • C4 to 7 paragraphs, or about 300 to 500 words
   • D10 to 12 paragraphs, or about 1,500 words
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   Answer: C. 4 to 7 paragraphs, or about 300 to 500 words

   The guidelines suggest 4 to 7 paragraphs of 3 to 7 sentences each, typically 300 to 500 words. A much shorter response risks a score of 0.

8. Question 8 of 18

   According to the official quick tips, how much time should you save at the end for proofreading?

   • AAbout 20 minutes
   • BNo time is needed for proofreading
   • CAbout 30 seconds
   • D4 to 5 minutes
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   Answer: D. 4 to 5 minutes

   The quick tips suggest saving 4 to 5 minutes to proofread, with a focus on grammar and usage.

9. Question 9 of 18

   What happens if you write a story about your own life as your main support?

   • AIt is generally ignored, because the support must come from the passages.
   • BIt automatically earns full marks on Trait 1 if it is well written.
   • CIt replaces the need to use any evidence from the two passages.
   • DIt earns extra points on Trait 1 for being original and personal.
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   Answer: A. It is generally ignored, because the support must come from the passages.

   The scoring guide treats personal experience as "white noise" that is generally ignored. Use evidence from the passages.

10. Question 10 of 18

    What is the risk of copying large parts of the passages into your response?

    • AIt counts as perfect grammar on Trait 3.
    • BIt always earns full points for using evidence.
    • CThere is no risk as long as every quotation is accurate.
    • DCopying without explaining earns little or no credit.
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    Answer: D. Copying without explaining earns little or no credit.

    The official quick tips say simply lifting information from the passages is not enough to earn points. A response made only of copied text cannot be scored.

11. Question 11 of 18

    After you quote evidence from a passage, what should you do next?

    • AExplain how the quotation supports your point
    • BRepeat the quotation in different words only
    • CStart a new paragraph right away
    • DAdd another quotation from the same paragraph
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    Answer: A. Explain how the quotation supports your point

    The quick tips say to comment on every quotation. Lifting information without explaining it is not enough to earn points.

12. Question 12 of 18

    A response only summarizes what each passage says and never evaluates the arguments. How is it likely to score on Trait 1?

    • A2, because it covers both passages
    • B0, because summary alone is not an argument
    • C2, if it is long enough
    • D1, because summaries always earn partial credit
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    Answer: B. 0, because summary alone is not an argument

    The scoring guide says a response that only summarizes the passage earns 0 on Trait 1. You must analyze which argument is better supported.

13. Question 13 of 18

    Which sentence has the formal tone the extended response needs?

    • ALOL, the second author has no clue what they are even talking about.
    • BHonestly, I think the second one kind of stinks, if you ask me.
    • CThe second author's claim is weak because it relies on a single example.
    • DThe second guy's argument is totally lame and makes zero sense to me.
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    Answer: C. The second author's claim is weak because it relies on a single example.

    Trait 2 rewards a formal, appropriate tone. Slang and casual words lower the score.

14. Question 14 of 18

    Which is the best way to deal with the weaker position in your essay?

    • ACriticize the writer personally instead of the argument
    • BSay that both positions are equally strong and well argued
    • CIgnore it completely so the essay stays short and simple
    • DPoint out a specific weakness in its evidence or reasoning
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    Answer: D. Point out a specific weakness in its evidence or reasoning

    A strong response explains why the other side is less convincing, such as relying on opinion, a single story or no data.

15. Question 15 of 18

    Which position is better supported?

    Passage A (from a city health official)
    Our city should require large restaurant chains to post calorie counts on their menus. In a 2024 study of 1,200 diners in two nearby cities, people who saw calorie labels ordered meals with an average of 70 fewer calories. Labels would cost the chains little, since most already calculate calories for their websites.

    Passage B (from a diner owner)
    Calorie labels are a waste of time. I have run my diner for 20 years, and my customers have never once asked about calories. People come out to eat to enjoy themselves. Besides, everyone already knows a burger has more calories than a salad.

    • APassage A, because it uses study data and responds to the cost concern
    • BPassage B, because the owner has 20 years of experience running a diner
    • CPassage A, because health officials are always right about food
    • DPassage B, because people come out to eat to enjoy themselves
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    Answer: A. Passage A, because it uses study data and responds to the cost concern

    Passage A gives a study with numbers and answers the cost objection. Passage B relies on one owner's experience and a generalization.

16. Question 16 of 18

    Which statement makes a claim about all people without giving any evidence?

    Passage A (from a city health official)
    Our city should require large restaurant chains to post calorie counts on their menus. In a 2024 study of 1,200 diners in two nearby cities, people who saw calorie labels ordered meals with an average of 70 fewer calories. Labels would cost the chains little, since most already calculate calories for their websites.

    Passage B (from a diner owner)
    Calorie labels are a waste of time. I have run my diner for 20 years, and my customers have never once asked about calories. People come out to eat to enjoy themselves. Besides, everyone already knows a burger has more calories than a salad.

    • A"My customers have never once asked about calories."
    • B"I have run my diner for 20 years."
    • C"Our city should require large restaurant chains to post calorie counts on their menus."
    • D"Everyone already knows a burger has more calories than a salad."
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    Answer: D. "Everyone already knows a burger has more calories than a salad."

    "Everyone already knows" makes a claim about all people with no evidence. The diner details are a personal report, not a claim about everyone.

17. Question 17 of 18

    Which is the strongest thesis statement for an essay about these passages?

    Passage A (from a city health official)
    Our city should require large restaurant chains to post calorie counts on their menus. In a 2024 study of 1,200 diners in two nearby cities, people who saw calorie labels ordered meals with an average of 70 fewer calories. Labels would cost the chains little, since most already calculate calories for their websites.

    Passage B (from a diner owner)
    Calorie labels are a waste of time. I have run my diner for 20 years, and my customers have never once asked about calories. People come out to eat to enjoy themselves. Besides, everyone already knows a burger has more calories than a salad.

    • ABoth passages talk about calorie labels on restaurant menus, and each writer has a different opinion about whether labels are a good idea.
    • BI love burgers and eat out every weekend, so I agree with the diner owner that calorie labels on menus are a waste of everyone's time.
    • CPassage A is better supported because it uses study results and answers the cost concern, while Passage B relies on one owner's experience.
    • DCalorie labels are a topic many people have strong opinions about, and this essay will discuss what the two passages say about them.
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    Answer: C. Passage A is better supported because it uses study results and answers the cost concern, while Passage B relies on one owner's experience.

    A strong thesis names the better-supported position and previews the reasons. The others only state the topic or a personal preference.

18. Question 18 of 18

    Which piece of evidence from Passage A would best support the claim that labels change what people order?

    Passage A (from a city health official)
    Our city should require large restaurant chains to post calorie counts on their menus. In a 2024 study of 1,200 diners in two nearby cities, people who saw calorie labels ordered meals with an average of 70 fewer calories. Labels would cost the chains little, since most already calculate calories for their websites.

    Passage B (from a diner owner)
    Calorie labels are a waste of time. I have run my diner for 20 years, and my customers have never once asked about calories. People come out to eat to enjoy themselves. Besides, everyone already knows a burger has more calories than a salad.

    • AThe study of diners took place in two cities near the writer's own city.
    • BDiners who saw calorie labels ordered meals with an average of 70 fewer calories.
    • CThe writer of Passage A works as a health official for the city government.
    • DMost large restaurant chains already calculate calories for their websites.
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Diners who saw calorie labels ordered meals with an average of 70 fewer calories.

    The 70-calorie difference directly measures a change in orders. The website detail supports the cost point, not the ordering point.

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The real test: 145 in each GED subject