GED RLA 2026 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026/2027 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Reading Comprehension for Literary Texts
Reading Comprehension for Informational Texts
Analyzing Arguments and Evidence
Grammar, Usage, and Sentence Structure
Punctuation and Capitalization
Writing Organization and Development
Essay Writing: Argumentative and Informational
Vocabulary and Word Choice
Text Structure and Author's Purpose
Editing and Revising Strategies
Introduction
The GED Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) Test assesses reading, writing, and language skills
essential for career and college readiness. This examination evaluates reading comprehension of literary
and informational texts, argument analysis, grammar and usage, punctuation, and essay writing.
Questions are structured in multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and extended-response formats emphasizing
real-world application, critical thinking, and evidence-based reasoning. Candidates must demonstrate
competency in analyzing texts, evaluating arguments, applying standard English conventions, and
constructing well-organized written responses.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Which sentence uses correct subject-verb agreement?
A. Each of the students have completed their assignment.
B. Each of the students has completed their assignment.
C. Each of the students have completed his or her assignment.
D. Each of the students has completed his or her assignment.
D. Each of the students has completed his or her assignment.
RATIONALE: The subject "Each" is singular and requires the singular verb "has." The pronoun "his or
her" is singular and agrees with "each." "Each" is an indefinite pronoun that is always singular,
regardless of the prepositional phrase that follows it.
,Question 2
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A. I bought apples, oranges, bananas and grapes.
B. I bought apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes.
C. I bought apples oranges bananas and grapes.
D. I bought apples; oranges; bananas; and grapes.
B. I bought apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes.
RATIONALE: Commas should separate items in a series. The Oxford comma (comma before "and") is
preferred in formal writing and on the GED. Semicolons are used between independent clauses or
complex list items, not simple list items.
Question 3
What is the main idea of a passage?
A. The first sentence of the passage
B. The most important point the author is making
C. A supporting detail
D. The title of the passage
B. The most important point the author is making
RATIONALE: The main idea is the central point or message that the author is conveying. It is not
always the first sentence, a supporting detail, or the title. Supporting details explain or provide evidence
for the main idea.
Question 4
Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
A. I wanted to go to the party; but I had to study.
B. I wanted to go to the party; however, I had to study.
C. I wanted to go to the party; and I had to study.
D. I wanted to go to the party; because I had to study.
B. I wanted to go to the party; however, I had to study.
RATIONALE: A semicolon joins two independent clauses. "However" is a conjunctive adverb that
requires a semicolon before it and a comma after it. "But," "and," and "because" are conjunctions that
should not follow a semicolon in this manner.
Question 5
What is the author's purpose in an informational text that explains how to change a tire?
A. To entertain
B. To inform
, C. To persuade
D. To express feelings
B. To inform
RATIONALE: An instructional text that explains a process is written to inform or educate the reader.
Persuasive texts aim to convince, entertaining texts aim to amuse, and expressive texts convey personal
feelings.
Question 6
Which of the following is a complete sentence?
A. Running down the street.
B. Because I was late.
C. The dog barked loudly.
D. After the movie ended.
C. The dog barked loudly.
RATIONALE: A complete sentence must have a subject and a predicate and express a complete
thought. "The dog barked loudly" contains the subject "dog" and the predicate "barked." The other
options are fragments.
Question 7
What does it mean to "cite evidence" in a written response?
A. To copy the entire passage
B. To quote or reference specific details from the text to support your answer
C. To give your opinion without proof
D. To summarize the passage
B. To quote or reference specific details from the text to support your answer
RATIONALE: Citing evidence means using specific details, quotes, or examples from the passage to
support your analysis or argument. This demonstrates close reading and strengthens your response.
Question 8
Which transition word best completes the sentence? "I wanted to go to the beach; __________, it
rained all day."
A. therefore
B. however
C. moreover
D. consequently
B. however
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026/2027 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Reading Comprehension for Literary Texts
Reading Comprehension for Informational Texts
Analyzing Arguments and Evidence
Grammar, Usage, and Sentence Structure
Punctuation and Capitalization
Writing Organization and Development
Essay Writing: Argumentative and Informational
Vocabulary and Word Choice
Text Structure and Author's Purpose
Editing and Revising Strategies
Introduction
The GED Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) Test assesses reading, writing, and language skills
essential for career and college readiness. This examination evaluates reading comprehension of literary
and informational texts, argument analysis, grammar and usage, punctuation, and essay writing.
Questions are structured in multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and extended-response formats emphasizing
real-world application, critical thinking, and evidence-based reasoning. Candidates must demonstrate
competency in analyzing texts, evaluating arguments, applying standard English conventions, and
constructing well-organized written responses.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Which sentence uses correct subject-verb agreement?
A. Each of the students have completed their assignment.
B. Each of the students has completed their assignment.
C. Each of the students have completed his or her assignment.
D. Each of the students has completed his or her assignment.
D. Each of the students has completed his or her assignment.
RATIONALE: The subject "Each" is singular and requires the singular verb "has." The pronoun "his or
her" is singular and agrees with "each." "Each" is an indefinite pronoun that is always singular,
regardless of the prepositional phrase that follows it.
,Question 2
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A. I bought apples, oranges, bananas and grapes.
B. I bought apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes.
C. I bought apples oranges bananas and grapes.
D. I bought apples; oranges; bananas; and grapes.
B. I bought apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes.
RATIONALE: Commas should separate items in a series. The Oxford comma (comma before "and") is
preferred in formal writing and on the GED. Semicolons are used between independent clauses or
complex list items, not simple list items.
Question 3
What is the main idea of a passage?
A. The first sentence of the passage
B. The most important point the author is making
C. A supporting detail
D. The title of the passage
B. The most important point the author is making
RATIONALE: The main idea is the central point or message that the author is conveying. It is not
always the first sentence, a supporting detail, or the title. Supporting details explain or provide evidence
for the main idea.
Question 4
Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
A. I wanted to go to the party; but I had to study.
B. I wanted to go to the party; however, I had to study.
C. I wanted to go to the party; and I had to study.
D. I wanted to go to the party; because I had to study.
B. I wanted to go to the party; however, I had to study.
RATIONALE: A semicolon joins two independent clauses. "However" is a conjunctive adverb that
requires a semicolon before it and a comma after it. "But," "and," and "because" are conjunctions that
should not follow a semicolon in this manner.
Question 5
What is the author's purpose in an informational text that explains how to change a tire?
A. To entertain
B. To inform
, C. To persuade
D. To express feelings
B. To inform
RATIONALE: An instructional text that explains a process is written to inform or educate the reader.
Persuasive texts aim to convince, entertaining texts aim to amuse, and expressive texts convey personal
feelings.
Question 6
Which of the following is a complete sentence?
A. Running down the street.
B. Because I was late.
C. The dog barked loudly.
D. After the movie ended.
C. The dog barked loudly.
RATIONALE: A complete sentence must have a subject and a predicate and express a complete
thought. "The dog barked loudly" contains the subject "dog" and the predicate "barked." The other
options are fragments.
Question 7
What does it mean to "cite evidence" in a written response?
A. To copy the entire passage
B. To quote or reference specific details from the text to support your answer
C. To give your opinion without proof
D. To summarize the passage
B. To quote or reference specific details from the text to support your answer
RATIONALE: Citing evidence means using specific details, quotes, or examples from the passage to
support your analysis or argument. This demonstrates close reading and strengthens your response.
Question 8
Which transition word best completes the sentence? "I wanted to go to the beach; __________, it
rained all day."
A. therefore
B. however
C. moreover
D. consequently
B. however
