GED SCIENCE 2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026/2027 Q&A | INSTANT
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Core Domains
Life Science: Cells, Heredity, and Evolution
Life Science: Human Body Systems and Health
Life Science: Ecosystems and Energy Flow
Physical Science: Chemistry and Chemical Reactions
Physical Science: Physics, Motion, and Energy
Earth and Space Science: Geology, Climate, and Astronomy
Scientific Reasoning and Experimental Design
Data Interpretation: Graphs, Tables, and Charts
Reading for Meaning in Science
Using Numbers and Graphics in Science
Introduction
The GED Science Test assesses scientific reasoning and critical thinking skills through questions drawn
from life science, physical science, and earth and space science. This examination evaluates the ability to
read for meaning, design and interpret experiments, and analyze numbers and graphics. Questions are
structured in multiple-choice and scenario-based formats emphasizing real-world application, data
analysis, and evidence-based conclusions. Candidates must demonstrate competency in applying
scientific concepts, interpreting experimental results, and drawing logical conclusions from provided
information rather than relying on memorization.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A student conducts an experiment to test how temperature affects the rate of sugar dissolving in water.
One cup is cold, one is warm, and one is hot. The sugar dissolves fastest in the hot water. What is the
independent variable in this experiment?
A. The rate of dissolving
B. The type of sugar used
C. The temperature of the water
D. The amount of water in each cup
C. The temperature of the water
, RATIONALE: The independent variable is the factor the experimenter intentionally changes. In this
experiment, the student changed the water temperature. The rate of dissolving is the dependent
variable (what is measured) .
Question 2
A table shows plant growth over 4 weeks under two conditions: sunlight and no sunlight. Plants in
sunlight grew from 5 cm to 20 cm, while plants without sunlight grew from 5 cm to 8 cm. What
conclusion can be drawn from this data?
A. Plants cannot grow without sunlight.
B. Sunlight significantly increases plant growth.
C. Plants grow at the same rate regardless of light.
D. The plants without sunlight died.
B. Sunlight significantly increases plant growth.
RATIONALE: Comparing the change in height, plants with sunlight grew 15 cm while plants without
sunlight grew only 3 cm. This supports the conclusion that sunlight significantly increases growth. The
data does not show that plants cannot grow at all without sunlight .
Question 3
Which organelle is found only in plant cells and is responsible for photosynthesis?
A. Cell wall
B. Mitochondria
C. Chloroplast
D. Vacuole
C. Chloroplast
RATIONALE: Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and are the site of photosynthesis, converting sunlight
into chemical energy. Cell walls and vacuoles provide structural support but are not involved in
photosynthesis. Mitochondria are found in both plant and animal cells .
Question 4
Which statement best describes the role of DNA in a cell?
A. DNA is the material that the cell wall is constructed from.
B. DNA provides the energy that fuels the cell's activities.
C. DNA provides information to make proteins for the cell.
D. DNA is the building block for proteins in the cell.
C. DNA provides information to make proteins for the cell.
RATIONALE: DNA contains the genetic instructions for building proteins. Cell walls are made from
cellulose, not DNA. ATP provides cellular energy, not DNA. Amino acids, not DNA, are the building blocks
of proteins .
,Question 5
A graph shows a line increasing as time increases, representing distance traveled by a car. What does
the slope of the line represent?
A. The car's acceleration
B. The car's speed
C. The car's total distance
D. The car's direction
B. The car's speed
RATIONALE: The slope of a distance-versus-time graph represents the rate of change of distance
over time, which is speed. Acceleration would be shown on a velocity-versus-time graph. Total distance
is the value on the y-axis, not the slope .
Question 6
In an experiment testing how a new fertilizer affects tomato plant height, one group receives fertilizer
and another group receives no fertilizer. Both groups receive the same amount of water, sunlight, and
soil. What is the control group in this experiment?
A. The group receiving fertilizer
B. The group receiving no fertilizer
C. The amount of water given
D. The final height of the plants
B. The group receiving no fertilizer
RATIONALE: The control group is the standard against which the experimental group is compared.
The group receiving no fertilizer serves as the baseline. The group receiving fertilizer is the experimental
group .
Question 7
Which of the following is an example of a chemical change?
A. Ice melting into water
B. Sugar dissolving in water
C. Wood burning in a fireplace
D. Glass breaking into pieces
C. Wood burning in a fireplace
RATIONALE: Chemical changes produce new substances with different properties. Burning wood
produces ash, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. Melting, dissolving, and breaking are physical changes
that do not alter the chemical composition of the substance .
Question 8
, When methane (natural gas) burns, it produces light, heat, carbon dioxide, and water. Why would
natural gas be a good choice for keeping a house warm in winter?
A. The reaction produces carbon dioxide.
B. The reaction produces light.
C. The reaction produces water.
D. The reaction produces heat.
D. The reaction produces heat.
RATIONALE: In cold weather, a heat source is needed to warm a house. The combustion of methane
releases heat energy, which is the desired output for heating. The other products are not relevant to the
purpose of heating a home .
Question 9
For an airplane to take off, which condition must be true?
A. Lift must be greater than weight.
B. Weight must be greater than lift.
C. Drag must be greater than thrust.
D. Thrust must be less than drag.
A. Lift must be greater than weight.
RATIONALE: For an aircraft to rise off the ground, the upward force of lift must exceed the
downward force of weight. Additionally, thrust must be greater than drag for acceleration. The other
options describe conditions that would prevent takeoff .
Question 10
Work is defined as the product of force times displacement. If the force of gravity acting downward on a
hand holding a weight is greater than the upward force exerted by the hand muscles, what would
happen?
A. Nothing would happen.
B. The hand would move downward.
C. The hand would move to the right.
D. The hand would move upward.
B. The hand would move downward.
RATIONALE: When the downward force of gravity exceeds the upward muscular force, the net force
is downward. This results in the hand moving in the direction of the greater force. The other options
describe scenarios where forces are balanced or directed differently .
Question 11
What is the primary benefit of the varicella vaccine?
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026/2027 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Life Science: Cells, Heredity, and Evolution
Life Science: Human Body Systems and Health
Life Science: Ecosystems and Energy Flow
Physical Science: Chemistry and Chemical Reactions
Physical Science: Physics, Motion, and Energy
Earth and Space Science: Geology, Climate, and Astronomy
Scientific Reasoning and Experimental Design
Data Interpretation: Graphs, Tables, and Charts
Reading for Meaning in Science
Using Numbers and Graphics in Science
Introduction
The GED Science Test assesses scientific reasoning and critical thinking skills through questions drawn
from life science, physical science, and earth and space science. This examination evaluates the ability to
read for meaning, design and interpret experiments, and analyze numbers and graphics. Questions are
structured in multiple-choice and scenario-based formats emphasizing real-world application, data
analysis, and evidence-based conclusions. Candidates must demonstrate competency in applying
scientific concepts, interpreting experimental results, and drawing logical conclusions from provided
information rather than relying on memorization.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A student conducts an experiment to test how temperature affects the rate of sugar dissolving in water.
One cup is cold, one is warm, and one is hot. The sugar dissolves fastest in the hot water. What is the
independent variable in this experiment?
A. The rate of dissolving
B. The type of sugar used
C. The temperature of the water
D. The amount of water in each cup
C. The temperature of the water
, RATIONALE: The independent variable is the factor the experimenter intentionally changes. In this
experiment, the student changed the water temperature. The rate of dissolving is the dependent
variable (what is measured) .
Question 2
A table shows plant growth over 4 weeks under two conditions: sunlight and no sunlight. Plants in
sunlight grew from 5 cm to 20 cm, while plants without sunlight grew from 5 cm to 8 cm. What
conclusion can be drawn from this data?
A. Plants cannot grow without sunlight.
B. Sunlight significantly increases plant growth.
C. Plants grow at the same rate regardless of light.
D. The plants without sunlight died.
B. Sunlight significantly increases plant growth.
RATIONALE: Comparing the change in height, plants with sunlight grew 15 cm while plants without
sunlight grew only 3 cm. This supports the conclusion that sunlight significantly increases growth. The
data does not show that plants cannot grow at all without sunlight .
Question 3
Which organelle is found only in plant cells and is responsible for photosynthesis?
A. Cell wall
B. Mitochondria
C. Chloroplast
D. Vacuole
C. Chloroplast
RATIONALE: Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and are the site of photosynthesis, converting sunlight
into chemical energy. Cell walls and vacuoles provide structural support but are not involved in
photosynthesis. Mitochondria are found in both plant and animal cells .
Question 4
Which statement best describes the role of DNA in a cell?
A. DNA is the material that the cell wall is constructed from.
B. DNA provides the energy that fuels the cell's activities.
C. DNA provides information to make proteins for the cell.
D. DNA is the building block for proteins in the cell.
C. DNA provides information to make proteins for the cell.
RATIONALE: DNA contains the genetic instructions for building proteins. Cell walls are made from
cellulose, not DNA. ATP provides cellular energy, not DNA. Amino acids, not DNA, are the building blocks
of proteins .
,Question 5
A graph shows a line increasing as time increases, representing distance traveled by a car. What does
the slope of the line represent?
A. The car's acceleration
B. The car's speed
C. The car's total distance
D. The car's direction
B. The car's speed
RATIONALE: The slope of a distance-versus-time graph represents the rate of change of distance
over time, which is speed. Acceleration would be shown on a velocity-versus-time graph. Total distance
is the value on the y-axis, not the slope .
Question 6
In an experiment testing how a new fertilizer affects tomato plant height, one group receives fertilizer
and another group receives no fertilizer. Both groups receive the same amount of water, sunlight, and
soil. What is the control group in this experiment?
A. The group receiving fertilizer
B. The group receiving no fertilizer
C. The amount of water given
D. The final height of the plants
B. The group receiving no fertilizer
RATIONALE: The control group is the standard against which the experimental group is compared.
The group receiving no fertilizer serves as the baseline. The group receiving fertilizer is the experimental
group .
Question 7
Which of the following is an example of a chemical change?
A. Ice melting into water
B. Sugar dissolving in water
C. Wood burning in a fireplace
D. Glass breaking into pieces
C. Wood burning in a fireplace
RATIONALE: Chemical changes produce new substances with different properties. Burning wood
produces ash, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. Melting, dissolving, and breaking are physical changes
that do not alter the chemical composition of the substance .
Question 8
, When methane (natural gas) burns, it produces light, heat, carbon dioxide, and water. Why would
natural gas be a good choice for keeping a house warm in winter?
A. The reaction produces carbon dioxide.
B. The reaction produces light.
C. The reaction produces water.
D. The reaction produces heat.
D. The reaction produces heat.
RATIONALE: In cold weather, a heat source is needed to warm a house. The combustion of methane
releases heat energy, which is the desired output for heating. The other products are not relevant to the
purpose of heating a home .
Question 9
For an airplane to take off, which condition must be true?
A. Lift must be greater than weight.
B. Weight must be greater than lift.
C. Drag must be greater than thrust.
D. Thrust must be less than drag.
A. Lift must be greater than weight.
RATIONALE: For an aircraft to rise off the ground, the upward force of lift must exceed the
downward force of weight. Additionally, thrust must be greater than drag for acceleration. The other
options describe conditions that would prevent takeoff .
Question 10
Work is defined as the product of force times displacement. If the force of gravity acting downward on a
hand holding a weight is greater than the upward force exerted by the hand muscles, what would
happen?
A. Nothing would happen.
B. The hand would move downward.
C. The hand would move to the right.
D. The hand would move upward.
B. The hand would move downward.
RATIONALE: When the downward force of gravity exceeds the upward muscular force, the net force
is downward. This results in the hand moving in the direction of the greater force. The other options
describe scenarios where forces are balanced or directed differently .
Question 11
What is the primary benefit of the varicella vaccine?
