WGU TutoringAbout UsContact
GED Practice Questions

GED Language Arts Practice Questions

GED Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA)Practice with free GED RLA sample questions covering reading comprehension, language and grammar, and extended response writing. Each question comes with a detailed answer key and explanation so you actually understand the material - not just memorize answers.

46
Total Questions
150 minutes (includes 45-minute extended response)
Time Limit
145 out of 200
Passing Score
$80 (varies by state)
Registration Fee

Free Sample Questions

Here are 5 free sample questions from our full bank of 250+ GED Language Arts practice questions. Try them out below — click "Show Answer" to reveal the correct response and explanation.

1

Read the following passage: 'The city council voted 7-2 to approve the new zoning ordinance, despite vocal opposition from several neighborhood associations. Council member Rivera argued that the changes would attract new businesses and create jobs, while opponents warned that increased traffic and noise would diminish residents' quality of life.' Based on this passage, which statement best describes the central conflict?

AA) The city council cannot agree on any policies
BB) Economic development goals are in tension with residential quality of life concerns
CC) Neighborhood associations have too much influence over city policy
DD) Council member Rivera is the only supporter of the new ordinance
2

Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?

AA) The manager asked, who would be available to work Saturday?
BB) The manager asked who would be available to work Saturday.
CC) The manager asked "who would be available to work Saturday."
DD) The manager, asked who would be available to work Saturday.
3

Read the following excerpt from a workplace memo: 'All employees must complete the updated safety training by March 15. Failure to complete training will result in suspension of building access privileges. Training modules are available online through the company portal or in person at the HR office on Tuesdays and Thursdays.' What is the author's primary purpose in writing this memo?

AA) To persuade employees that safety training is valuable
BB) To entertain employees with information about company policy
CC) To inform employees about a requirement and how to fulfill it
DD) To compare online training with in-person training options
4

Select the sentence that uses correct subject-verb agreement. The group of researchers _____ published their findings in a peer-reviewed journal.

AA) have recently
BB) has recently
CC) are recently
DD) were recently
5

A student is writing an essay arguing that public libraries remain essential in the digital age. Which of the following would be the MOST effective evidence to support this argument?

AA) A personal anecdote about visiting the library as a child
BB) A statistic showing that 25% of Americans lack home internet access and rely on library computers
CC) A quote from a famous author saying libraries are wonderful places
DD) A description of a library's beautiful architecture and quiet atmosphere

Get the Full GED Language Arts Question Bank — 250+ Practice Questions

You just saw 5 sample questions. We have a complete bank of 250+ GED Language Arts practice questions with detailed answers and explanations ready for you. Fill out the form below and we'll send you the full question bank — completely free.

We'll send the full question bank to this email.

We won't spam you. Just a quick follow-up if needed.

All fields are required.

About the GED Language Arts

Format & Structure

Total Questions
46
Time Limit
150 minutes (includes 45-minute extended response)
Format
Multiple choice, drag-and-drop, and extended response

Scoring & Cost

Passing Score
145 out of 200
Registration Fee
$80 (varies by state)

Frequently Asked Questions

What's on the GED Language Arts section?

The GED Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) covers three main areas: reading comprehension of informational and literary texts, language skills like grammar and sentence mechanics, and one extended response essay. About 75% of the content is based on informational texts (workplace documents, news articles, opinion pieces) and 25% comes from literary passages like fiction or nonfiction excerpts.

How long is the GED RLA section?

You get 150 minutes total for the GED RLA, which breaks down into three parts. The first section is about 35 minutes of reading and language questions, followed by a 45-minute extended response (the essay portion), and then a 10-minute break before the final 60 minutes of reading and language questions. It's one of the longer GED subject areas, so pacing yourself matters.

What is the extended response on the GED RLA?

The extended response is basically an essay where you analyze two passages that present different viewpoints on the same topic. You have 45 minutes to read the source material, form an argument about which position is better supported, and write your response. Graders evaluate your ability to create clear claims, use evidence from the texts, organize your writing logically, and demonstrate command of standard English conventions.

How many questions are on the GED Reasoning Through Language Arts section?

The GED RLA has approximately 46 questions in addition to the extended response essay. These questions use different formats - most are multiple choice, but you'll also see drag-and-drop, drop-down menus, and fill-in-the-blank items. The questions are spread across reading comprehension and language usage, with roughly 75% focused on informational texts.

What score do I need to pass the GED Language Arts section?

You need a minimum score of 145 out of 200 to pass the GED RLA section. Scores between 145 and 164 mean you've passed at the high school equivalency level. A score of 165-174 qualifies as 'GED College Ready,' and 175 or above earns 'GED College Ready + Credit,' which could potentially translate into college credits at participating institutions.

Any tips for the reading comprehension portion?

Read the questions before the passage - it sounds backwards, but knowing what you're looking for makes reading way more efficient. Pay close attention to the author's purpose and tone rather than just memorizing details. Practice identifying the main idea versus supporting details, and watch out for answer choices that are partially true but don't fully answer the question. On the actual GED, you can highlight and flag items, so use those tools.

How do I prepare for the extended response essay?

Practice writing timed essays where you analyze two opposing arguments - that's the core skill being assessed. Spend about 10 minutes planning before you write, and make sure every body paragraph connects back to your thesis with specific evidence from the provided texts. Don't just summarize what the passages say; explain why the evidence supports your position. Grammar counts too, so leave a few minutes at the end to proofread for obvious errors.

Can you use notes or scratch paper during the GED RLA?

Yes, you'll get an erasable note board (or scratch paper depending on the testing center) that you can use throughout the session. This is especially helpful during the extended response for outlining your essay before writing. You can also use the built-in highlighting and flagging tools on the computer screen. However, you can't bring any outside materials, notes, or reference guides into the testing room.

Get 250+ GED Language Arts Practice Questions

Don't settle for just 5 sample questions. Request the full question bank and start preparing with confidence.

Get Started