GED REASONING THROUGH LANGUAGE
ARTS (RLA) PRACTICE TEST 2026–2027 |
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE & PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS, READING
STRATEGIES & WRITING REVIEW
• This practice guide contains 200 exam-style questions covering all GED RLA tested
skills — reading comprehension, extended response writing, grammar, vocabulary,
and language conventions.
• Work through each question carefully, review every EXPERT RATIONALE to
reinforce understanding, and revisit weak areas before your exam day.
QUESTION 1
Which of the following best describes the main purpose of an argumentative
text?
A. To entertain readers with a fictional narrative
B. To describe a sequence of historical events
C. To inform readers about a scientific process
D. To persuade readers to accept a particular viewpoint
E. To compare two unrelated subjects without a conclusion
Correct Answer: D. To persuade readers to accept a particular viewpoint
EXPERT RATIONALE: Argumentative texts are written with the primary purpose of
convincing the reader to agree with the author's position using evidence, reasoning,
and rhetoric.
QUESTION 2
What is the term for the central idea or message that an author develops
throughout a literary work?
A. Plot
,B. Setting
C. Theme
D. Tone
E. Mood
Correct Answer: C. Theme
EXPERT RATIONALE: The theme is the central, underlying message or insight about
life or human nature that the author communicates throughout the work. It differs
from plot, which is the sequence of events.
QUESTION 3
Which sentence contains a correctly placed comma?
A. The dog, ran quickly across the yard.
B. After the storm ended the streets were flooded.
C. She bought apples, oranges, and bananas.
D. He went to the store and, bought milk.
E. My brother is tall dark and handsome.
Correct Answer: C. She bought apples, oranges, and bananas.
EXPERT RATIONALE: Commas are used to separate items in a list of three or more.
Option C correctly uses commas between all listed items including before the
conjunction.
QUESTION 4
Read the following sentence: "The politician's speech was filled with empty
promises." What is the connotation of the word "empty" in this context?
A. Hollow in physical space
,B. Lacking sincerity or substance
C. Quiet and calm in delivery
D. Brief and concise
E. Optimistic and forward-looking
Correct Answer: B. Lacking sincerity or substance
EXPERT RATIONALE: Connotation refers to the implied meaning beyond the literal
definition. "Empty" here connotes insincerity — the promises have no real meaning
or intention behind them.
QUESTION 5
Which of the following is an example of a compound sentence?
A. Running through the park is my favorite hobby.
B. Because it was raining, she stayed inside.
C. The sun set, and the stars appeared.
D. Although tired, he finished his homework.
E. She sang beautifully during the concert.
Correct Answer: C. The sun set, and the stars appeared.
EXPERT RATIONALE: A compound sentence contains two independent clauses
joined by a coordinating conjunction. "The sun set" and "the stars appeared" are
both independent clauses connected by "and."
QUESTION 6
Which literary device is used in the phrase: "The wind whispered through the
trees"?
A. Simile
, B. Hyperbole
C. Personification
D. Alliteration
E. Metaphor
Correct Answer: C. Personification
EXPERT RATIONALE: Personification gives human qualities to non-human things.
Wind cannot literally whisper — this human action is attributed to a natural
element.
QUESTION 7
What does it mean when a passage has an "objective" tone?
A. The author is emotionally invested in the topic.
B. The writing is meant to entertain readers.
C. The author presents information without personal bias.
D. The writing includes many personal anecdotes.
E. The author strongly advocates for one side.
Correct Answer: C. The author presents information without personal bias.
EXPERT RATIONALE: An objective tone is neutral and fact-based. The author does
not insert personal feelings or opinions, presenting information fairly from all sides.
QUESTION 8
Which of the following correctly uses a semicolon?
A. She loves hiking; but prefers swimming in summer.
B. He was tired; he decided to rest.
C. Although; he was tired he rested.
ARTS (RLA) PRACTICE TEST 2026–2027 |
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE & PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS, READING
STRATEGIES & WRITING REVIEW
• This practice guide contains 200 exam-style questions covering all GED RLA tested
skills — reading comprehension, extended response writing, grammar, vocabulary,
and language conventions.
• Work through each question carefully, review every EXPERT RATIONALE to
reinforce understanding, and revisit weak areas before your exam day.
QUESTION 1
Which of the following best describes the main purpose of an argumentative
text?
A. To entertain readers with a fictional narrative
B. To describe a sequence of historical events
C. To inform readers about a scientific process
D. To persuade readers to accept a particular viewpoint
E. To compare two unrelated subjects without a conclusion
Correct Answer: D. To persuade readers to accept a particular viewpoint
EXPERT RATIONALE: Argumentative texts are written with the primary purpose of
convincing the reader to agree with the author's position using evidence, reasoning,
and rhetoric.
QUESTION 2
What is the term for the central idea or message that an author develops
throughout a literary work?
A. Plot
,B. Setting
C. Theme
D. Tone
E. Mood
Correct Answer: C. Theme
EXPERT RATIONALE: The theme is the central, underlying message or insight about
life or human nature that the author communicates throughout the work. It differs
from plot, which is the sequence of events.
QUESTION 3
Which sentence contains a correctly placed comma?
A. The dog, ran quickly across the yard.
B. After the storm ended the streets were flooded.
C. She bought apples, oranges, and bananas.
D. He went to the store and, bought milk.
E. My brother is tall dark and handsome.
Correct Answer: C. She bought apples, oranges, and bananas.
EXPERT RATIONALE: Commas are used to separate items in a list of three or more.
Option C correctly uses commas between all listed items including before the
conjunction.
QUESTION 4
Read the following sentence: "The politician's speech was filled with empty
promises." What is the connotation of the word "empty" in this context?
A. Hollow in physical space
,B. Lacking sincerity or substance
C. Quiet and calm in delivery
D. Brief and concise
E. Optimistic and forward-looking
Correct Answer: B. Lacking sincerity or substance
EXPERT RATIONALE: Connotation refers to the implied meaning beyond the literal
definition. "Empty" here connotes insincerity — the promises have no real meaning
or intention behind them.
QUESTION 5
Which of the following is an example of a compound sentence?
A. Running through the park is my favorite hobby.
B. Because it was raining, she stayed inside.
C. The sun set, and the stars appeared.
D. Although tired, he finished his homework.
E. She sang beautifully during the concert.
Correct Answer: C. The sun set, and the stars appeared.
EXPERT RATIONALE: A compound sentence contains two independent clauses
joined by a coordinating conjunction. "The sun set" and "the stars appeared" are
both independent clauses connected by "and."
QUESTION 6
Which literary device is used in the phrase: "The wind whispered through the
trees"?
A. Simile
, B. Hyperbole
C. Personification
D. Alliteration
E. Metaphor
Correct Answer: C. Personification
EXPERT RATIONALE: Personification gives human qualities to non-human things.
Wind cannot literally whisper — this human action is attributed to a natural
element.
QUESTION 7
What does it mean when a passage has an "objective" tone?
A. The author is emotionally invested in the topic.
B. The writing is meant to entertain readers.
C. The author presents information without personal bias.
D. The writing includes many personal anecdotes.
E. The author strongly advocates for one side.
Correct Answer: C. The author presents information without personal bias.
EXPERT RATIONALE: An objective tone is neutral and fact-based. The author does
not insert personal feelings or opinions, presenting information fairly from all sides.
QUESTION 8
Which of the following correctly uses a semicolon?
A. She loves hiking; but prefers swimming in summer.
B. He was tired; he decided to rest.
C. Although; he was tired he rested.
