Master the GED and get your high school equivalency diploma... Our test experts show you the right way to prepare for this important test. REA's latest GED edition examines all subject areas to be found on the exam including in-depth coverage of the GED's essay test. The comprehensive review covers every possible exam topic: Language Arts/Writing, Language Arts/Reading, Social Studies, Science, and Math. Features 3 full-length practice exams. Each practice exam question is fully explained to help you better understand the subject material. Use the book's appendix and index for speedy look-ups and smarter searches.Follow up your study with REA's proven test-taking strategies and study schedule that get you ready to master the GED.DETAILS- Comprehensive review of every subject to appear on the GED exam: Language Arts/Writing, Language Arts/Reading, Social Studies, Science, and Math- Flexible study schedule tailored to your needs- Packed with proven test tips, strategies and advice to help you master the GED- 3 full-length practice GED exams. Each exam question is answered with easy-to-follow, easy-to-grasp explanations to allow for greater understanding of each problem.- Fully indexed for quicker and smarter searches.TABLE OF CONTENTSABOUT RESEARCH & EDUCATION ASSOCIATION ACKNOWLEDGMENTS CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION About this BookAbout the Test How to Use this BookFormat for the GEDAbout the Review SectionsScoring the ExamGED Essay ScoresScoring WorksheetStudying for the GEDRequirements for Issuance of Certificate/DiplomaGED Test-Taking TipsThe Day of the TestGED Study Course ScheduleCHAPTER 2 - LANGUAGE ARTS: WRITING REVIEW Part I ReviewWriting I StrategiesReview of Standard Written EnglishCapitalizationPunctuationSpelling and Word UsagePart II Review The Essay TestWhy Essays ExistEssay StrategiesPre-Writing/Planning TimeWriting Your Rough DraftRevising, Editing, and ProofreadingCHAPTER 3 - SOCIAL STUDIES REVIEWSocial Studies TopicsU.S. HistoryEconomicsPolitical ScienceGeographyCHAPTER 4 - SCIENCE REVIEW Strategies for Science SectionsBiologyChemistryEarth SciencePhysicsCHAPTER 5 - LANGUAGE ARTS: READING REVIEWLanguage Arts: Reading TopicsReading ProseReading PoetryReading DramaReading CommentaryCHAPTER 6 - MATH REVIEW Strategies for Math SectionsArithmeticAlgebraGeometryPRACTICE EXAMSEXAM I Answer KeyDetailed Explanations of AnswersEXAM II Answer KeyDetailed Explanations of AnswersEXAM III Answer KeyDetailed Explanations of AnswersAPPENDIX ANSWER SHEETS INDEX EXCERPTAbout Research & Education AssociationResearch & Education Association (REA) is an organization of educators, scientists, and engineers specializing in various academic fields. Founded in 1959 with the purpose of disseminating the most recently developed scientific information to groups in industry, government, high schools, and universities, REA has since become a successful and highly respected publisher of study aids, test preps, handbooks, and reference works. REA's Test Preparation series includes study guides for all academic levels in almost all disciplines. Research & Education Association publishes test preps for students who have not yet completed high school, as well as high school students preparing to enter college. Students from countries around the world seeking to attend college in the United States will find the assistance they need in REA's publications. For college students seeking advanced degrees, REA publishes test preps for many major graduate school admission examinations in a wide variety of disciplines, including engineering, law, and medicine. Students at every level, in every field, with every ambition can find what they are looking for among REA's publications. While most test preparation books present practice tests that bear little resemblance to the actual exams, REA's series presents tests that accurately depict the official exams in both degree of difficulty and types of questions. REA's practice tests are always based upon the most recently administered exams, and include every type of question that can be expected on the actual exams. REA's publications and educational materials are highly regarded and continually receive an unprecedented amount of praise from professionals, instructors, librarians, parents, and students. Our authors are as diverse as the fields represented in the books we publish. They are well-known in their respective disciplines and serve on the faculties of prestigious high schools, colleges, and universities throughout the United States and Canada.Chapter 1: INTRODUCTIONABOUT THIS BOOKThis book provides you with an accurate and complete representation of the Tests of General Educational Development (GED). REA's three full-length practice tests are based on the latest editions of the GED tests, which were overhauled for 2002. Our topical reviews and drills are designed to prepare you for the very kind of material you will see when taking the actual test. You are allowed 7 hours and 5 minutes to complete each of our sample tests. That's the same amount of time you will be given during the actual exam. (Don't panic! The actual exam is usually administered during two or three sittings over a period of two days. Check with your state's department of education for information on GED test centers, test times, and test dates.) Our sample tests have been carefully calibrated to match the GED's level of difficulty, format, and content. Following each model test you will find an answer key along with detailed explanations designed to help you master the material and score high. ABOUT THE TESTWho takes the test and what is it used for?The GED is taken by people who did not complete their high school education and would like to obtain a state-issued high school diploma. The diploma is awarded upon successful completion of the five GED tests. Candidates may choose to take the GED to fulfill requirements for admission to colleges or other schools, to further their careers, or even just for the sake of self-satisfaction. The GED is taken by nearly 800,000 people every year.Who administers the test?The GED is developed and administered by the GED Testing Service of the American Council on Education (ACE). Questions for the GED are created by writers and reviewers who are experienced in secondary or adult education. They follow standardized procedures, developed by the GED Testing Service, to ensure that the content and difficulty levels are appropriate. According to the American Council on Education, the writers and reviewers represent a wide variety of ethnic groups and are selected from many geographic areas. All questions are reviewed by a number of people, revised as necessary, and then are standardized based on a nationally selected sample of graduating high school seniors.When and where is the test given?The GED is administered on a regular basis in the United States and Canada. To accommodate all candidates, there are many versions of the exam, including administrations in English, French, Spanish, Braille, large print, and on audiotape.To receive information on upcoming administrations of the GED, contact your local high school, adult school, GED Testing Center, or the GED Testing Service at:1-800-62 MY GED (1-800-626-9433) orGeneral Educational DevelopmentGED Testing ServiceAmerican Council on EducationOne Dupont Circle, N.W.Washington, DC 20036Website: http://www.gedtest.orgHOW TO USE THIS BOOKWhat do I study first?Before you do anything else, take Practice Exam I to help you determine what areas may cause you the most difficulty. After you are done with the first practice exam, go through and check your answers against the answer keys found at the end of the practice test. It is also suggested that you read through the detailed explanations of answers found at the end of each practice test, as this will help you to understand what you are doing wrong. Once you have taken a practice test, you should first study the reviews which cover your problem areas. The reviews will cover the information you will need to know when taking the exam. When you have done this, you should go back and study all of the remaining reviews and the test-taking tips which appear at the end of this introduction. Make sure you take the review drills that are interspersed within each review. Both the reviews and the drills will be very useful in helping you brush up on your skills. It will be also be beneficial to read through the Appendix, which includes the Periodic Table, a math reference table, the Constitution of the United States, and the Declaration of Independence.After studying REA's review, take Practice Exam II and Practice Exam III. When you take our GED practice tests, be sure to do your best to simulate testing conditions: sit at a table in a room free of distractions and time yourself. Doing this will make you less nervous on the day of the actual test and, more importantly, you will develop a sense of pacing. After timing yourself for all of the practice tests, you will have a very good idea of how much time you can spend on each question during the actual GED.When should I start studying?It is never too early for you to start studying for the GED - the earlier the better. You should start studying as soon as possible so that you will be able to learn more. Starting early will allow you the time necessary to strengthen your problem areas. Do not procrastinate! Cramming is not an effective way to study since it does not allo...