GED Exam Reading Comprehension Practice | Actual Questions
and Answers Latest Updated 2026/2027 (Graded A+)
In the words of Thomas DeQuincey, "It is notorious that the memory strengthens as you
lay burdens upon it." If, like most people, you have trouble recalling the names of those
you have just met, try this: The next time you are introduced, plan to remember the
names. Say to yourself, "I'll listen carefully; I'll repeat each person's name to be sure I've
got it, and I will remember." You'll discover how effective this technique is and probably
recall those names for the rest of your life.
• Question
The main idea of the paragraph maintains that the memory
A. always operates at peak efficiency.
B. breaks down under great strain.
C. improves if it is used often.
D. becomes unreliable if it tires.
Correct Answer: C
• Question
Unemployment was the overriding fact of life when Franklin D. Roosevelt became
president of the United States on March 4, 1933. An anomaly of the time was that the
government did not systematically collect statistics of joblessness; actually it did not
start doing so until 1940. The Bureau of Labor Statistics later estimated that 12,830,000
persons were out of work in 1933, about one-fourth of a civilian labor force of more than
51 million. Roosevelt signed the Federal Emergency Relief Act on May 12, 1933. The
president selected Harry L. Hopkins, who headed the New York relief program, to run
FERA. A gifted administrator, Hopkins quickly put the program into high gear. He
gathered a small staff in Washington and brought the state relief organizations into the
FERA system. While the agency tried to provide all the necessities, food came first. City
dwellers usually got an allowance for fuel, and rent for one month was
Correct Answer: D
It is said that a smile is universally understood. And nothing triggers a smile more
universally than a taste of sugar. Nearly everyone loves sugar. Infant studies indicate
that humans are born with an innate love of sweets. Based on statistics, a lot of people
in Great Britain must be smiling because on average, every man, woman, and child in
that country consumes 95 pounds of sugar each year.
, • Question
From this passage it seems safe to conclude that the English
A. do not know that too much sugar is unhealthy.
B. eat desserts at every meal.
C. are fonder of sweets than most people.
D. have more cavities than any other people.
Correct Answer: C
With varying success, many women around the world today struggle for equal rights.
Historically, women have achieved greater equality with men during periods of social
adversity. The following factors initiated the greatest number of improvements for
women: violent revolution, world war, and the rigors of pioneering in an undeveloped
land. In all three cases, the essential element that improved the status of women was a
shortage of men, which required women to perform many of society's vital tasks.
• Question
We can conclude from the information in this passage that
A. women today are highly successful in winning equal
rights.
B. only pioneer women have been considered equal to
men.
C. historically, women have only achieved equality
through force.
D. historically, the principle of equality alone has not been
enough to secure women equal rights.
Correct Answer: D
In 1848, Charles Burton of New York City made the first baby carriage, but people
strongly objected to the vehicles because they said the carriage operators hit too many
pedestrians. Still convinced that he had a good idea, Burton opened a factory in
England. He obtained orders for the baby carriages from Queen Isabella II of Spain,
Queen Victoria of England, and the Pasha of Egypt. The United States had to wait
another 10 years before it got a carriage factory, and only 75 carriages were sold in the
first year.
• Question
Even after the success of baby carriages in England,
A. Charles Burton was a poor man.
B. Americans were still reluctant to buy baby carriages.
C. Americans purchased thousands of baby carriages.
D. the United States bought more carriages than any other
country.
Correct Answer: B
and Answers Latest Updated 2026/2027 (Graded A+)
In the words of Thomas DeQuincey, "It is notorious that the memory strengthens as you
lay burdens upon it." If, like most people, you have trouble recalling the names of those
you have just met, try this: The next time you are introduced, plan to remember the
names. Say to yourself, "I'll listen carefully; I'll repeat each person's name to be sure I've
got it, and I will remember." You'll discover how effective this technique is and probably
recall those names for the rest of your life.
• Question
The main idea of the paragraph maintains that the memory
A. always operates at peak efficiency.
B. breaks down under great strain.
C. improves if it is used often.
D. becomes unreliable if it tires.
Correct Answer: C
• Question
Unemployment was the overriding fact of life when Franklin D. Roosevelt became
president of the United States on March 4, 1933. An anomaly of the time was that the
government did not systematically collect statistics of joblessness; actually it did not
start doing so until 1940. The Bureau of Labor Statistics later estimated that 12,830,000
persons were out of work in 1933, about one-fourth of a civilian labor force of more than
51 million. Roosevelt signed the Federal Emergency Relief Act on May 12, 1933. The
president selected Harry L. Hopkins, who headed the New York relief program, to run
FERA. A gifted administrator, Hopkins quickly put the program into high gear. He
gathered a small staff in Washington and brought the state relief organizations into the
FERA system. While the agency tried to provide all the necessities, food came first. City
dwellers usually got an allowance for fuel, and rent for one month was
Correct Answer: D
It is said that a smile is universally understood. And nothing triggers a smile more
universally than a taste of sugar. Nearly everyone loves sugar. Infant studies indicate
that humans are born with an innate love of sweets. Based on statistics, a lot of people
in Great Britain must be smiling because on average, every man, woman, and child in
that country consumes 95 pounds of sugar each year.
, • Question
From this passage it seems safe to conclude that the English
A. do not know that too much sugar is unhealthy.
B. eat desserts at every meal.
C. are fonder of sweets than most people.
D. have more cavities than any other people.
Correct Answer: C
With varying success, many women around the world today struggle for equal rights.
Historically, women have achieved greater equality with men during periods of social
adversity. The following factors initiated the greatest number of improvements for
women: violent revolution, world war, and the rigors of pioneering in an undeveloped
land. In all three cases, the essential element that improved the status of women was a
shortage of men, which required women to perform many of society's vital tasks.
• Question
We can conclude from the information in this passage that
A. women today are highly successful in winning equal
rights.
B. only pioneer women have been considered equal to
men.
C. historically, women have only achieved equality
through force.
D. historically, the principle of equality alone has not been
enough to secure women equal rights.
Correct Answer: D
In 1848, Charles Burton of New York City made the first baby carriage, but people
strongly objected to the vehicles because they said the carriage operators hit too many
pedestrians. Still convinced that he had a good idea, Burton opened a factory in
England. He obtained orders for the baby carriages from Queen Isabella II of Spain,
Queen Victoria of England, and the Pasha of Egypt. The United States had to wait
another 10 years before it got a carriage factory, and only 75 carriages were sold in the
first year.
• Question
Even after the success of baby carriages in England,
A. Charles Burton was a poor man.
B. Americans were still reluctant to buy baby carriages.
C. Americans purchased thousands of baby carriages.
D. the United States bought more carriages than any other
country.
Correct Answer: B
