GED Language Arts - Writing (Essay Writing Exam) Sample Questions:

1. The most effective revision of sentence 2 would begin with which group of words?

A) Pharaohs using gold
B) Using pharaohs
C) Crowning gold the
D) Gold and the ancient
E) The ancient Egyptians

2. -- Exhibit- -- Exhibit -

Which revision would improve the effectiveness of paragraph D?

A) move sentence 18 to follow sentence 16
B) move sentence 16 to the end of paragraph D
C) remove sentence 13
D) move sentence 14 to the beginning of paragraph D
E) remove sentence 14

3. -- Exhibit- -- Exhibit -

Sentence 7:Thus, two needs are quiet apparent-the need to update these files on a constant basis and to file reports promptly.
Which correction should be made to sentence 7?

A) change are to is
B) insert a comma after update
C) replace basis with bases
D) insert a comma after need
E) replace quiet with quite

4. -- Exhibit -Ethnic Architecture
(A)

A) respond
B) responded
C) responds
D) are responding
E) responding
F) Here is a question that is not as silly as it sound:Have you ever wondered why houses are shaped the way they are? B.Bringing with them many different ideas about how to build
a house, settlers from around the world have come to the United States for centuries.
(B)
G) Many of us today take for granted certain features of a house and forget that someone had to invent them.D.The veranda, a covered porch that wraps around the front of many southern houses is probably an adaptation of overhanging roofs found all over the world.E.In addition to the veranda, the South is known for its cooking and its hospitality.(6) Long ago, home builders responded to hot, humid climates by making the cooling shade of a porch a common feature of houses in such places as West Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean area.
(C)
(7)
For instance, French settlers in New Orleans tried to put the frames of their homes directly on the ground as they had done in France; however, the heat, humidity, and abundant rainfall caused the homes to rot within a few years.(8) The settlers learned a lesson by observing the West Indian Creoles, which built raised houses with many doors and windows to keep cool.
(D)
(9)
Some settlers, like those from Germany, held on to their old building methods even though such methods were no longer necessary.(10) Because of a shortage of wood in some parts of Germany, builders had constructed half-timber houses; they used clay or brick to save wood.(11) When German immigrants settled in Wisconsin where wood was abundant, they still built their familiar half-timber homes.(12) European peasants and their animals once shared a shelter called a "house-barn," which allowed immediate care for the animals during harsh whether.(13) Today's covered breezeways serve a related purpose of protecting people who need to go to their"car barns,"or garages.
(E)
(14)
No matter which country settlers started from, they brought home-building traditions.(15) Some they changed to adapt to their new land, some they abandoned,and some their descendants still use today. -- Exhibit -Sentence 6:Long ago, home builders responded to hot, humid climates by making the cooling shade of a porch a common feature of houses in such places as West Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean area. Which is the best way to write the underlined portion of this sentence? If the original is the best way, choose optionA.

5. -- Exhibit-

-- Exhibit --
Sentence 1We have spoken with three design firms have given them our budget.
Which is the best way to write the underlined portion of this sentence? If the original is the best way, choose optionA.

A) firms have gave them
B) firms and have given them
C) firms have given them
D) firms, but have given them
E) firms and have gave them

Solutions: