GED Language Arts (RLA) : Completing Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GED Language Arts (RLA)

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Completing Sentences

1 Reason and emotion are often seen [Question 1] in other words, people believe the two can’t coexist. 2 Pure rationality is often considered [Question].3 Emotion, on the other hand [Question 3]. 4 However, scientists have recently discovered that the reason-emotion binary is in fact a false dichotomy. 5 [Question 4] the two are not mutually exclusive, and emotion often aids reason in filtering out poor, dangerous, or distracting choices. 6 This symbiosis is particularly obvious in decision making [Question 5]. 7 All in all, one should strive to make choices using [Question 6].

Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 7?

Possible Answers:

, both your head and your heart

both your head and heart

both one’s head and one’s heart

None of these other choices

both, one’s head and one’s heart

Correct answer:

both one’s head and one’s heart

Explanation:

Since the beginning of Sentence 7 uses the 3rd-person pronoun “one,” the end should maintain that usage. We can therefore rule out those answer choices using the 2nd-person pronoun “you.” No comma is necessary in this part of the sentence.

Example Question #281 : Ged Language Arts (Rla)

1 Igloos, a longstanding source of fascination for children and adults alike [Question 1]. 2 [Question 2] it is actually based on very practical specifications. 3 First, the snow must be packed firmly into rectangular shapes. 4 These shapes [Question 3]. 5 Continue to stack rows of rectangular blocks [Question 4] this will ensure that the igloo is dome-shaped and closes over your head. 6 Once you have assembled all the snow blocks, be sure to place the “capstone” block carefully [Question 5]. 7 Lastly [Question 6] and you’ll be on your way.

Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 1?

Possible Answers:

, is constructed in a very precise way.

can be constructed in a very precise way.

are constructed in a very precise way.

, constructed as they are in a very precise way.

, are constructed in a very precise way.

Correct answer:

, are constructed in a very precise way.

Explanation:

In Sentence 1, “a longstanding source of fascination…” is a parenthetical clause. In other words, it must be set off on both sides with commas. Since “igloos” is a plural noun, we need to use a plural verb conjugation: “are.” The only choice that is grammatically correct here is “, are constructed in a very precise way.”

Example Question #282 : Ged Language Arts (Rla)

1 Igloos, a longstanding source of fascination for children and adults alike [Question 1]. 2 [Question 2] it is actually based on very practical specifications. 3 First, the snow must be packed firmly into rectangular shapes. 4 These shapes [Question 3]. 5 Continue to stack rows of rectangular blocks [Question 4] this will ensure that the igloo is dome-shaped and closes over your head. 6 Once you have assembled all the snow blocks, be sure to place the “capstone” block carefully [Question 5]. 7 Lastly [Question 6] and you’ll be on your way.

Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 2?

Possible Answers:

Despite their design appears whimsical,

While their design may appear whimsical,

Because their design appears whimsical,

Even though their design is appearing whimsical

Moreover, their design may appear whimsical

Correct answer:

While their design may appear whimsical,

Explanation:

Here we have a dependent clause followed by an independent clause. The correct way to separate these two clauses is with a comma. We also have a relationship of contrast between the two clauses, meaning that the transitional words “While,” “Even though,” and “Despite” are the only ones that fit the subject.

Example Question #283 : Ged Language Arts (Rla)

1 Igloos, a longstanding source of fascination for children and adults alike [Question 1]. 2 [Question 2] it is actually based on very practical specifications. 3 First, the snow must be packed firmly into rectangular shapes. 4 These shapes [Question 3]. 5 Continue to stack rows of rectangular blocks [Question 4] this will ensure that the igloo is dome-shaped and closes over your head. 6 Once you have assembled all the snow blocks, be sure to place the “capstone” block carefully [Question 5]. 7 Lastly [Question 6] and you’ll be on your way.

Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 4?

Possible Answers:

will line it, the bottom of a circular trench

must line the bottom of, a circular trench

will line the bottom of a circular trench

must have lined the bottom of a circular trench

lined the bottom, of a circular trench

Correct answer:

will line the bottom of a circular trench

Explanation:

Don’t be confused by the use of “must” in the previous sentence; the future tense “will” is the correct choice for Sentence 4. No comma is necessary in this phrase.

Example Question #284 : Ged Language Arts (Rla)

1 Igloos, a longstanding source of fascination for children and adults alike [Question 1]. 2 [Question 2] it is actually based on very practical specifications. 3 First, the snow must be packed firmly into rectangular shapes. 4 These shapes [Question 3]. 5 Continue to stack rows of rectangular blocks [Question 4] this will ensure that the igloo is dome-shaped and closes over your head. 6 Once you have assembled all the snow blocks, be sure to place the “capstone” block carefully [Question 5]. 7 Lastly [Question 6] and you’ll be on your way.

Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 5?

Possible Answers:

; being careful to slope them inward,

, carefully slope them inward;

; careful to slope them inward,

, being careful to slope them inward;

; carefully sloping them inward,

Correct answer:

, being careful to slope them inward;

Explanation:

Observing that the second half of Sentence 5 is an independent clause lets us know that the missing phrase ends with a semicolon. Observing that the first half of Sentence 5 is also an independent clause and that the missing phrase should be a dependent clause lets us know that the missing phrase must be preceded by a comma.

Example Question #285 : Ged Language Arts (Rla)

1 Igloos, a longstanding source of fascination for children and adults alike [Question 1]. 2 [Question 2] it is actually based on very practical specifications. 3 First, the snow must be packed firmly into rectangular shapes. 4 These shapes [Question 3]. 5 Continue to stack rows of rectangular blocks [Question 4] this will ensure that the igloo is dome-shaped and closes over your head. 6 Once you have assembled all the snow blocks, be sure to place the “capstone” block carefully [Question 5]. 7 Lastly [Question 6] and you’ll be on your way.

Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 6?

Possible Answers:

, and carve vents to allow for air circulation

and carve vents, which, allows for air circulation

, and carve vents, allowing for air circulation

and carve vents to allow for air circulation

and carve vents allowing for air circulation

Correct answer:

and carve vents to allow for air circulation

Explanation:

Since “carve vents to allow for air circulation” is not an independent clause, no comma should be used before the “and.” If the second half of the missing phrase is changed to “allowing for air circulation,” a comma must precede the word “allowing.” However, the best choice is still “and carve vents to allow for air circulation.”

Example Question #286 : Ged Language Arts (Rla)

1 Igloos, a longstanding source of fascination for children and adults alike [Question 1]. 2 [Question 2] it is actually based on very practical specifications. 3 First, the snow must be packed firmly into rectangular shapes. 4 These shapes [Question 3]. 5 Continue to stack rows of rectangular blocks [Question 4] this will ensure that the igloo is dome-shaped and closes over your head. 6 Once you have assembled all the snow blocks, be sure to place the “capstone” block carefully [Question 5]. 7 Lastly [Question 6] and you’ll be on your way.

Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 7?

Possible Answers:

None of these other choices

patch all gaps with handfuls of loose snow;

, patch all gaps with handfuls of loose snow;

patch all gaps with handfuls of loose snow

, patch all gaps with handfuls of loose snow,

Correct answer:

, patch all gaps with handfuls of loose snow,

Explanation:

“Lastly” is an introductory word, which means that it requires a comma after it. The missing part of the sentence is an independent clause, as is the last part of the sentence, and they are separated with a conjunction. This means that a comma must precede the conjunction as well.

Example Question #22 : Completing Sentences

1 Baby elephants have an extensive gestation period of around two years, [Question One]. 2 Although they can walk soon after they are born, baby elephants are quite feeble for the first few weeks of their lives. 3 Around three months after birth, baby elephants are capable of foraging for their own food [Question 2]. 4 They communicate with their mothers by intertwining or touching their trunks [Question 3]. 5 Young elephants are very intelligent, [Question 4]. 6 That is to say, all ages of elephants can communicate, interpret human behavior, use tools, and even mourn their dead.

Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 1?

Possible Answers:

, because the fetus has ample time to develop.

, however, this means that the fetus will not have ample time to develop.

, which complicates the fetus’s development.

, however, this hastens the fetus’s development.

, which gives the fetus ample time to develop.

Correct answer:

, which gives the fetus ample time to develop.

Explanation:

The use of “extensive” in Sentence 1 makes it clear that a two-year gestation is unusually long. It stands to reason that the rest of the sentence is explaining that this excessive gestation period allows the elephant fetus adequate time to develop.

Example Question #288 : Ged Language Arts (Rla)

1 Over the past few decades, an abundance of new cooking techniques [Question 1]. 2 A combination of internet tutorials, popular cooking shows, and celebrity chefs [Question 2]. 3 Today, professional and amateur cooks alike have access to information and tools that allow them to explore everything from fire-roasting vegetables [Question 3]. 4 Some chefs [Question 4], a strategy they say allows them to respect tradition while maintaining innovation. 5 Among these old techniques [Question 5] pickling, fermenting, and smoking, for instance. 6 Whether you’re interested in X, Y, or Z [Question 6].

Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 1?

Possible Answers:

has perused across the modern world.

has profligated across the modern world.

has proliferated across the modern world.

have profligated across the modern world.

have proliferated across the modern world.

Correct answer:

has proliferated across the modern world.

Explanation:

Knowing the correct diction for this sentence will help you eliminate choices. New cooking techniques can “proliferate,” or spread, across the world; they cannot “peruse.” “Profligated” is not a word; “profligate” means spendthrift. You should also note that “abundance,” a singular noun, requires the verb conjugation “has” and not “have.”

Example Question #51 : Syntax

1 Over the past few decades, an abundance of new cooking techniques [Question 1]. 2 A combination of internet tutorials, popular cooking shows, and celebrity chefs [Question 2]. 3 Today, professional and amateur cooks alike have access to information and tools that allow them to explore everything from fire-roasting vegetables [Question 3]. 4 Some chefs [Question 4], a strategy they say allows them to respect tradition while maintaining innovation. 5 Among these old techniques [Question 5] pickling, fermenting, and smoking, for instance. 6 Whether you’re interested in X, Y, or Z [Question 6].

Which of the following phrases best completes Sentence 2?

Possible Answers:

is responsibly rising its popularity.

is responsible for this rise in popularity.

are responsible for this rise in popularity.

are responsible for its rising popularity.

were responsibility of its rising popularity.

Correct answer:

is responsible for this rise in popularity.

Explanation:

Note that the subject of this sentence is “combination,” a singular noun that requires the verb “is.” This allows us to rule out all but two of the answers. Of the remaining options, “is responsibly rising its popularity” is very awkward, leaving us with “is responsible for this rise in popularity.”

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