GED Reasoning Through Language Arts Reading Comprehension 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the passage: "Despite the storm warnings, the fishing fleet departed at dawn. The captain, a veteran of thirty seasons, had weathered worse. By noon, however, the sea had turned violent, forcing three vessels to radio for assistance." What is the main idea of this passage?
- Experienced sailors can underestimate dangerous conditions at sea (Correct answer)
- The fishing fleet was well-prepared for the storm
- Radio communication saved the fishing vessels
- Storm warnings are often inaccurate
Correct answer: Experienced sailors can underestimate dangerous conditions at sea
The passage shows that even a veteran captain ignored storm warnings, leading to distress. The main idea centers on the danger of overconfidence when facing natural hazards.
Question 2: In the sentence "Her argument was a labyrinth of contradictions," the word "labyrinth" most likely means:
- A complex, confusing maze (Correct answer)
- A straight, clear path
- A logical structure
- A short summary
Correct answer: A complex, confusing maze
A labyrinth is a maze-like structure. Used metaphorically, it suggests the argument was complex and hard to navigate, full of contradictions that confuse the reader.
Question 3: Which transition word best completes the sentence: "The study required months of data collection; _______, the results were inconclusive."
- nevertheless (Correct answer)
- therefore
- furthermore
- for example
Correct answer: nevertheless
"Nevertheless" shows contrast between the effort (months of work) and the disappointing outcome (inconclusive results). "Therefore" would imply the long study caused the inconclusiveness, which is illogical.
Question 4: A news article states: "Officials announced that crime in the district dropped by 12% last year." This sentence is best described as:
- A statement of fact that can be verified (Correct answer)
- An opinion based on emotion
- A persuasive argument
- An inference from limited evidence
Correct answer: A statement of fact that can be verified
A verifiable statistic announced by officials is a factual claim — it can be confirmed with data. Opinions involve personal judgments or feelings, not measurable figures.
Question 5: The author writes: "The new policy, while well-intentioned, may produce unintended consequences." What is the author's tone?
- Cautiously critical (Correct answer)
- Enthusiastically supportive
- Bitterly opposed
- Completely neutral
Correct answer: Cautiously critical
The author acknowledges good intentions but raises concerns about consequences. This balanced but skeptical tone is cautiously critical — neither wholly positive nor harshly negative.
Question 6: Which sentence contains a logical fallacy known as "hasty generalization"?
- "I met two rude people from that city, so everyone there must be rude." (Correct answer)
- "Many studies show that exercise improves mood."
- "Since he passed the test, he must have studied."
- "The weather forecast predicts rain tomorrow."
Correct answer: "I met two rude people from that city, so everyone there must be rude."
A hasty generalization draws a broad conclusion from very limited evidence. Judging an entire city's population based on two encounters is a classic example of this fallacy.
GED Reasoning Through Language Arts Reading Comprehension 3
Read the passage: "Despite the storm warnings, the fishing fleet departed at dawn.
The captain, a veteran of thirty seasons, had weathered worse.
By noon, however, the sea had turned violent, forcing three vessels to radio for assistance." What is the main idea of this passage?