Reasoning Through Language Arts Reading Comprehension Flashcards
6 cards from real GED practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Reasoning Through Language Arts Reading Comprehension flashcards as text
Read the passage: 'The old bridge had stood for over a century, its iron bones rusting in the salt air. Every winter, fewer cars crossed it. The city had promised repairs for five years, but the money always found other priorities. Then, one February morning, the inevitable happened.' What is the most likely meaning of 'the inevitable' in the last sentence?
Answer: The collapse of or serious damage to the bridge
The passage describes a deteriorating bridge with no repairs, building to 'the inevitable.' Given the context of rusting iron, declining use, and years of neglect, the most logical conclusion is structural failure.
Which reading strategy is most effective when you encounter an unfamiliar word in a passage?
Answer: Use context clues from surrounding sentences to infer its meaning
Using context clues — examining surrounding words, sentences, and the overall meaning of the passage — is the most practical and efficient strategy for determining unfamiliar word meanings.
A passage includes the following argument: 'We should eliminate homework in elementary schools. Studies show children learn better with less stress. Playing after school builds creativity. Countries with less homework, like Finland, have higher test scores.' What is the author's primary purpose?
Answer: To persuade readers that elementary school homework should be eliminated
The author presents multiple arguments (research, child development, international comparison) all in support of one position: eliminating homework. This pattern is characteristic of persuasive writing.
Read this sentence: 'The senator's speech was a marathon of contradictions, claiming to support both reduced taxes and increased spending simultaneously.' The comparison of the speech to a 'marathon' suggests it was:
Answer: Difficult, lengthy, and exhausting to endure
A 'marathon' metaphor emphasizes endurance and length. Applied to a speech full of contradictions, it implies the speech was tediously long and exhausting to sit through.
When identifying the main idea of a passage, what should you look for?
Answer: The central point the author is making, supported by details throughout
The main idea is the overarching point the entire passage supports. It is broader than any single detail and is reinforced by supporting details throughout the text.
What does it mean for a reader to 'make an inference'?
Answer: To draw a logical conclusion based on evidence in the text plus prior knowledge
An inference is a logical conclusion drawn from evidence in the text combined with prior knowledge — reading 'between the lines' based on what is implied rather than explicitly stated.