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GED Sample Test Questions
Science

The Science Test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions in the following content areas:

• Physical Science (physics and chemistry) (35%)
• Life Science (45%)
• Earth and Space Science (20%)

Test questions require you to understand, interpret, or apply information that is provided on the test or that is learned through life experience. The information may be a paragraph, chart, table, graph, map, or figure.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Directions: Choose the one best answer to each question.

	1.	Clay soil forms a fairly effective barrier against the movements of water. It also swells and shrinks significantly as its water content changes. Sandy soil, in contrast, allows water to move freely and does not change shape as the water content varies. In which statement is the appropriate soil selected for its intended site?
		1. Sandy soil would make a good lining for a toxic waste site. 2. Clay soil would work well in a drain field. 3. Clay soil would be a good foundation for a large building. 4. Clay soil would form a good liner if a person built a pond. 5. A sandy lake bottom would prevent water from seeping out of the lake.
	2.	The root hair of a plant, shown in the diagram below, is the most efficient way for the plant to absorb water from surrounding soil.
		At what point is the flow of water the GREATEST?
		1. C to B 2. C to A 3. D to B 4. A to B 5. D to C
	3.	A cook decides to recover some table salt that has been completely dissolved in water. Which of the following processes would be the most effective method of extracting salt from the solution?
		1. spinning the solution in a mixer 2. boiling away the water 3. pouring the solution through cloth 4. dripping the solution through a paper filter 5. bubbling oxygen through the solution
	4.	Question 4 refers to the following chart: A large fiberglass tank was placed in a pit, as shown below. Before pipes could be attached and the tank filled with gasoline, however, the workers were asked to move the heavy tank to another location.
		Which of the following methods would be the best way to raise the tank off the bottom of the pit so that cables could be placed under the tank?
		1. Fill the tank with gasoline. 2. Fill the tank with water. 3. Fill the pit with water. 4. Fill the pit with water and fill the tank with gasoline. 5. Fill both the pit and the tank with water.
	5.	Viscosity is a measure of the internal resistance of a fluid to flow. For example, motor oil is more viscous than water. The viscosity of a fluid will change with temperature. The graph below illustrates how the viscosity of oil changes with temperature. Under which situation will the viscosity of the oil increase?
		1. as temperature decreases 2. when mixed with water 3. as its volume decreases 4. as its flow increases 5. if its resistance stabilizes

Answers to these sample questions are also available on the Answers pages.

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This page last updated on 05/19/2009