GED Practice Test Sample Questions

Question 1

Simplify the following using scientific notation:<br></div>^{(8.76 x 10⁹)(6.52 x 10^-3)}/_{13.27 x 10⁵}

1. 4.3 x 101
2. 0.43 x 101
3. 43 x 10-1
4. 43.06 x 10-2

Answer: 4.3 x 101

Explanation: Using scientific notation, this problem would have two main steps. <br><br>First, you would multiply the numbers in the numerator (8.76 x 6.52) and divide them by the number in the denominator (13.27). Answer is approximately 4.3. <br><br>Secondly, you would divide the exponents of the numerator and denominator (9 + (-3))-5. Answer is 1 (or 10¹). Now multiply the two together and you get 4.3 x 10¹.<br><br>By definition, scientific notation is a number greater than or equal to 1 and less than 10 times 10 raised to some power. Option 1 is the only one that meets that criteria.

Question 2

Simplify the following using scientific notation:<br><br>^{(83.9 x 10¹²)(2.87 x 10^-3)}/_{3.76 x 10²}

1. 0.6404 x 10-1
2. 6.404 x 1018
3. 64.04 x 10-1
4. 6.404069148 x 108

Answer: 6.404069148 x 108

Explanation: Using scientific notation, this problem would have three main steps. <br><br>First, you would multiply the numbers in the numerator (83.9 x 2.87) and divide them by the number in the denominator (3.76). Answer is approximately 64.04069148. <br><br>Secondly, you would divide the exponents of the numerator and denominator (12 + (-3))-2. Answer is 7 (or 10⁷). Now multiply the two together and you get 64.04069148 x 10⁷.<br><br>Finally, move your decimal space one to the left and add a one to your exponent to get 6.404069148 x 10⁸. <br><br>This ensures that the answer meets the demands of scientific notation, which is a number should be greater than or equal to 1 and less than 10 times 10 raised to some power. Option 4 is the only one that meets the criteria.

Question 3

Sort the following fractions in ascending order:<br><br><div>⁷/₈,&nbsp;⁹/₁₀,&nbsp;¹⁶/₂₀</div>

1. 7/8, 9/10, 16/20
2. 16/20, 7/8, 9/10
3. 7/8, 16/20, 9/10

Answer: 16/20, 7/8, 9/10

Explanation: Ascending order means from least to greatest in value. If you convert each to a decimal, it's easier to see how they line up. 16/20 is .80, 7/8 is 0.875, and 9/10 is 0.90, thus option 3 is the correct answer.

Question 4

Using order of operations, solve for the following when x=3, y=-3, and z=5:&nbsp; <div><br> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td>-3xy² -&nbsp;</td> <td style="text-align: center;">-z<hr>3</td> <td>&nbsp;xz</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div>

1. 65
2. -56
3. 248/45
4. 245/48

Answer: -56

Explanation: When performing order of operations, remember PEMDAS: <br> <ol> <li>Parentheses</li> <li>Exponents</li> <li>Multiplication</li> <li>Division</li> <li>Addition</li> <li>Subtraction</li> </ol> Follow that, and you'll get -56, after plugging in the variable numbers, of course.

Question 5

<i>The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult I vowed revenge. You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that gave utterance to a threat. At length I would be avenged; this was a point definitely, settled --but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk. I must not only punish but punish with impunity. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.<br><br>It must be understood that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause to doubt my good will. I continued, as was my wont, to smile in his face, and he did not perceive that my smile now was at the thought of his immolation.<br><br>He had a weak point -- this Fortunato -- although in other regards he was a man to be respected and even feared. He prided himself on his connoisseurship in wine. Few Italians have the true virtuoso spirit. For the most part their enthusiasm is adopted to suit the time and opportunity, to practise imposture upon the British and Austrian millionaires. In painting and gemmary, Fortunato, like his countrymen, was a quack, but in the matter of old wines he was sincere. In this respect I did not differ from him materially; --I was skilful in the Italian vintages myself, and bought largely whenever I could.<br><br>It was about dusk, one evening during the supreme madness of the carnival season, that I encountered my friend. He accosted me with excessive warmth, for he had been drinking much. The man wore motley. He had on a tight-fitting parti-striped dress, and his head was surmounted by the conical cap and bells. I was so pleased to see him that I thought I should never have done wringing his hand.</i><br><br>What can you infer will happen next in the story?

1. The narrator and Fortunato will enjoy a wild night of drinking and reconciling.
2. The narrator will play a prank on Fortunato.
3. The narrator will sincerely seek Fortunato’s wine expertise in determining if what he’s come upon is Amontillado.
4. The narrator will take severe vengeance on Fortunato, perhaps even killing him.

Answer: The narrator will take severe vengeance on Fortunato, perhaps even killing him.