How much time do I get for the GED essay?

45 minutes, scheduled between the two multiple-choice blocks of the RLA test.

Should I give my own opinion in the essay?

No. The prompt asks which passage argues its position more effectively based on evidence, not which position you agree with.

GED Writing and Organization Practice

Writing items ask you to improve a passage rather than produce one: choose the better transition, reorder sentences, cut what does not belong, and match tone to purpose. The same judgments carry into the Extended Response.

Question 1 of 28

0 answered

“The first draft of the safety manual was thirty pages long. ______, the final version fit on a single laminated card.” Which transition fits best?

Writing and organization study guide

Writing questions ask you to improve someone else’s text: link ideas, order sentences, keep the tone right, and build an argument. The same skills drive the RLA extended response, where you write an argument analysis of your own.

Transitions that show the relationship

A transition tells the reader how two ideas connect. Pick the transition by the relationship, not by how formal it sounds. Contrast uses however, nevertheless, or on the other hand. Addition uses furthermore, also, or in addition. Cause and effect uses therefore, as a result, or consequently. Example uses for instance. Sequence uses first, then, or finally.

To check a choice, read the two sentences and state their relationship in your own words before looking at the options. If the second sentence surprises you given the first, you need a contrast word.

Worked example

“The new software saves time on data entry. ____, staff will need two days of training to use it.” Which word fits?

The first sentence is a benefit and the second is a cost. That is a contrast.
“Therefore” would claim the training is caused by the time savings, which is wrong.
“However” fits.

Ordering sentences and paragraphs

Paragraphs usually move from general to specific, or from background to event to result. Pronouns and words like this, these, and such point back to something already mentioned, so a sentence that begins “This change” must come after the change is introduced.

When asked where a sentence belongs, look for the sentence that sets it up and the one that follows from it. The right placement makes both connections clear.

Topic sentences, relevance, and concision

A topic sentence states what the paragraph is about. Every other sentence should support it. If a question asks which sentence to delete, look for one that drifts to a different subject, even if it is interesting.

Shorter is usually better when meaning stays the same. “Due to the fact that” becomes “because.” “At this point in time” becomes “now.” Repeated ideas, such as “each and every,” can be trimmed.

Tone and audience

A business letter, a report, and a text to a friend use different registers. In formal writing, avoid slang and casual phrases like “a ton of.” Questions may ask which revision best fits the rest of the document; match the level of formality already on the page.

The extended response: analyzing two arguments

The RLA test has included an extended response in which you read two passages that take opposite positions on an issue and explain which argument is better supported. You are not asked for your personal opinion of the issue. You are asked to judge the quality of the evidence. Check ged.com for the current format and timing before test day.

A simple structure works. In the introduction, name both positions and state which is better supported. In two body paragraphs, cite specific evidence from the stronger passage and explain why it is convincing, and point out weaknesses in the other passage, such as unsupported claims or emotional appeals. Close with a short conclusion that restates your judgment.

Spend a few minutes planning before you write.
Quote or paraphrase specific evidence from both passages.
Explain why the evidence is strong or weak, not just what it says.
Leave time to proofread grammar and punctuation.

Combining sentences

Some writing questions give you two or three short, choppy sentences and ask for the best way to join them. The best choice keeps every important idea, cuts words that repeat, and shows how the ideas connect. It must also be a correct sentence, so check each choice for comma splices and dangling phrases before you pick it.

Start by finding what repeats. In “The bakery moved. The bakery is on Pine Street now,” the word bakery appears twice, so one sentence can absorb the other: “The bakery moved to Pine Street.” A detail that describes a noun can often become a short phrase next to it. “Mr. Hale will run the meeting. He is the new site manager” becomes “Mr. Hale, the new site manager, will run the meeting.”

Next, name the relationship. Use because or since for a cause, although or but for a contrast, and when, after, or while for time. “The store was crowded. We left early” could become “Because the store was crowded, we left early.” If you write “and” where the ideas really contrast, the sentence loses its meaning even if it is correct.

Wrong choices follow a few patterns. Some join two complete sentences with only a comma. Some open with a phrase that describes the wrong person. Others drop a detail, such as a day or a number, to sound shorter. Shorter is better only when nothing important is lost.

Worked example

Combine these sentences: “The community center offers a free class. The class teaches basic first aid. It meets on Thursday nights.”

Find the repeated word. “Class” appears twice, so the second sentence can become a description of the class: a basic first aid class.
Find the detail to keep. The class meets on Thursday nights, so that time must stay in the sentence.
Check the relationship. All three sentences describe one class, so no contrast or cause word is needed.
Check the result for errors. “The community center offers a free basic first aid class on Thursday nights” is one complete sentence with no comma splice.
Confirm nothing is lost: the class is still free, the subject is still first aid, and the day and time are still there.

Checklist before test day

These habits cover most writing items.

Name the relationship between two sentences before choosing a transition.
Use pronouns and “this” or “these” as clues to sentence order.
Delete sentences that do not support the topic sentence.
Cut wordy phrases when meaning stays the same.
Match the formality of the surrounding text.
Outline an argument analysis in under five minutes.

Writing and Organization practice set 1: 28 questions with answers

Work each question on paper first, then open the answer to check your reasoning.

1.“The first draft of the safety manual was thirty pages long. ______, the final version fit on a single laminated card.” Which transition fits best?
1. A.As a result,
2. B.In addition,
3. C.Likewise,
4. D.By contrast,
Show answer
Answer: D. By contrast,
The sentences contrast a long draft with a very short final version. “As a result” is tempting, but a long first draft did not cause the short final card.

2.Sentences: (1) After that, add the dry ingredients slowly. (2) First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. (3) Finally, pour the batter into a greased pan. (4) Next, mix the butter and sugar until smooth. Which order is most logical?
1. A.2, 1, 4, 3
2. B.2, 4, 3, 1
3. C.2, 4, 1, 3
4. D.4, 2, 1, 3
Show answer
Answer: C. 2, 4, 1, 3
The signal words First, Next, After that, and Finally set the order. Placing sentence 1 before sentence 4 would add dry ingredients before anything has been mixed.

3.A cover letter for a medical assistant job includes the following sentences. Which one should be removed?
1. A.I have always enjoyed watching hospital dramas on television
2. B.I have scheduled patients using two different records systems
3. C.I am certified in phlebotomy and in basic life support
4. D.I completed a 900-hour clinical program at Eastside Technical College
Show answer
Answer: A. I have always enjoyed watching hospital dramas on television
Enjoying television shows does not show the employer any job skill. Every other sentence gives training or experience that fits the position.

4.Which revision is most concise without losing meaning? “The reason we were late is because of the fact that traffic was heavy.”
1. A.We were late
2. B.We were late because traffic was heavy
3. C.Because of traffic being heavy, the reason was that we were late
4. D.Traffic was heavy, and that is the reason why we were late
Show answer
Answer: B. We were late because traffic was heavy
This revision keeps both the event and its cause in the fewest words. “We were late” is shorter but drops the reason, so it changes the meaning.

5.A sales representative is emailing a client about a delayed shipment. Which sentence is most appropriate?
1. A.Sorry, stuff happens, and your order is gonna be a few days late
2. B.The shipment has experienced a regrettable temporal displacement
3. C.Your order will arrive three days late, and we apologize for the delay
4. D.Your order is late, but honestly that is not our fault at all
Show answer
Answer: C. Your order will arrive three days late, and we apologize for the delay
This sentence is polite, clear, and specific about the delay. The formal-sounding option uses inflated wording that hides the simple message.

6.A writer argues that a neighborhood needs its own library branch. Which sentence is the strongest evidence for this claim?
1. A.The writer has fond memories of visiting libraries as a child
2. B.The nearest branch is four miles away and is not on a bus line
3. C.Libraries are an important part of any healthy community
4. D.Other neighborhoods in the city have attractive library buildings
Show answer
Answer: B. The nearest branch is four miles away and is not on a bus line
A specific fact about distance and transit shows a real access problem in this neighborhood. The statement about healthy communities is a general opinion, not evidence.

7.“The tenants’ association met with the landlord twice. ______, the heating problem remained unresolved through January.” Which transition fits best?
1. A.Nevertheless,
2. B.Consequently,
3. C.For instance,
4. D.Similarly,
Show answer
Answer: A. Nevertheless,
The meetings would be expected to solve the problem, but they did not, so a contrast transition fits. “Consequently” would mean the meetings caused the problem to continue.

8.Which choice best combines these sentences? “The store opens at 7 a.m. The store closes at 10 p.m. The store is open every day.”
1. A.The store opens at 7 a.m., and it closes at 10 p.m., and it is open every day
2. B.Every day the store opens, at 7 a.m., closing at 10 p.m. each day
3. C.The store is open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
4. D.The store, opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 10 p.m., is a store open daily
Show answer
Answer: C. The store is open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
This version states all three facts in one clear sentence with no repetition. The version strung together with “and” keeps every word but is wordy and repetitive.

9.A writer is making a flyer to recruit teenage volunteers for a summer reading program. Which sentence best fits the audience and purpose?
1. A.Applicants must satisfy all eligibility criteria prior to any placement
2. B.Spend your summer helping kids discover books, and earn service hours too
3. C.The reading program was established by the library board many years ago
4. D.Children’s literacy rates remain a topic of ongoing academic research
Show answer
Answer: B. Spend your summer helping kids discover books, and earn service hours too
The sentence speaks directly to teenagers and gives them reasons to sign up. The eligibility sentence is accurate in tone for a policy document but would not persuade a teen reader.

10.Which finding would most weaken the claim that a new downtown parking garage will reduce traffic congestion?
1. A.Several downtown business owners have said they support the project
2. B.Construction on the garage will be finished in about eighteen months
3. C.A similar garage in a nearby city drew more cars into its downtown
4. D.The new garage will have 600 parking spaces spread over five levels
Show answer
Answer: C. A similar garage in a nearby city drew more cars into its downtown
Evidence that a similar garage increased traffic directly challenges the claim. Business owners’ support says nothing about whether congestion will drop.

11.(1) To apply for a library card, visit any branch or the library’s website. (2) You will need a photo ID and proof of your current address. (3) Fill out the short application form and submit it with your documents. (4) Cards can be used at all twelve branches. Where should this sentence be placed? “Once your application is approved, you will receive your card by mail within a week.”
1. A.Before sentence 1
2. B.After sentence 1
3. C.After sentence 3
4. D.After sentence 4
Show answer
Answer: C. After sentence 3
Approval and mailing come right after the application is submitted in sentence 3. Placing it after sentence 4 would separate it from the steps it completes.

12.Which choice best combines these sentences to show cause and effect? “The meeting was canceled. The manager was sick.”
1. A.The manager was sick, therefore, the meeting was canceled.
2. B.The meeting was canceled, the manager was sick.
3. C.The meeting was canceled although the manager was sick.
4. D.The meeting was canceled because the manager was sick.
Show answer
Answer: D. The meeting was canceled because the manager was sick.
“Because” shows that the illness caused the cancellation. The “therefore” version names the right relationship, but joining two sentences with “therefore” and only commas creates a comma splice.

13.Which choice best combines these sentences? “Ms. Ortiz will lead the training. She is the new safety coordinator.”
1. A.Ms. Ortiz, the new safety coordinator, will lead the training.
2. B.Ms. Ortiz will lead the training, she is the new safety coordinator.
3. C.Ms. Ortiz and the new safety coordinator will lead the training.
4. D.The new safety coordinator will lead the training, Ms. Ortiz is.
Show answer
Answer: A. Ms. Ortiz, the new safety coordinator, will lead the training.
Setting “the new safety coordinator” off with commas renames Ms. Ortiz in one smooth sentence. The “Ms. Ortiz and” version is tempting, but “and” turns one person into two.

14.(1) ______ (2) The caller may say your bank account has been frozen. (3) Some demand payment in gift cards. (4) Many warn that you will be arrested if you hang up. Which sentence is the best topic sentence for this paragraph?
1. A.Phone scammers often rely on pressure and fear.
2. B.Gift cards are a popular gift for many teenagers.
3. C.Banks sometimes freeze accounts that look unusual.
4. D.Most people own both a cell phone and a landline.
Show answer
Answer: A. Phone scammers often rely on pressure and fear.
Each supporting sentence shows a caller using a threat or demand to scare the listener. The sentence about banks freezing accounts is tempting because it echoes sentence 2, but it does not introduce scams at all.

15.A writer’s paragraph explains that a vacant lot became a community garden, that neighbors who had never spoken now share tools, and that litter on the block has dropped. Which sentence is the best topic sentence?
1. A.Many kinds of vegetables grow well in the summer months.
2. B.Vacant lots in many places are owned by the city itself.
3. C.Neighbors should always return the tools they borrow.
4. D.Turning a vacant lot into a garden changed the whole block.
Show answer
Answer: D. Turning a vacant lot into a garden changed the whole block.
The paragraph describes several ways the garden affected the block, and this sentence covers all of them. The tool sentence is tempting because tools are mentioned, but it gives advice instead of introducing the paragraph.

16.(1) Research the company’s products and recent news. (2) Practice answering common questions out loud. (3) My cousin once had an interview that lasted three hours. (4) Plan your route so you arrive ten minutes early. Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph about preparing for a job interview?
1. A.Sentence 4
2. B.Sentence 2
3. C.Sentence 1
4. D.Sentence 3
Show answer
Answer: D. Sentence 3
Every other sentence is a tip for preparing, while the story about a cousin is an unrelated anecdote. Sentence 4 may seem to be about travel rather than the interview, but arriving on time is part of preparing.

Use this passage for questions 17 to 18

Which revision of this sentence is most concise without losing meaning?

17.“The committee will meet together at 3 p.m. in the afternoon to discuss the future plans.”
1. A.The committee will meet together at 3 p.m. to discuss plans.
2. B.The committee will meet together at 3 p.m. for future plans.
3. C.The committee will meet at 3 p.m. in the afternoon about plans.
4. D.The committee will meet at 3 p.m. to discuss the plans.
Show answer
Answer: D. The committee will meet at 3 p.m. to discuss the plans.
“Meet” already means together, “p.m.” already means afternoon, and plans are always for the future. The version that keeps “together” drops one repetition but still keeps another.
18.“Due to the fact that the printer was broken, we were unable to print out the report.”
1. A.Because the printer was broken, we could not print the report.
2. B.Because of the fact that the printer broke, we could not print the report.
3. C.Due to the printer being broken, we were unable to print out the report.
4. D.The printer was broken, due to the fact that we could not print the report.
Show answer
Answer: A. Because the printer was broken, we could not print the report.
“Because” replaces “Due to the fact that,” and “could not print” replaces “were unable to print out.” The “Because of the fact” version trims some words but keeps the wordy phrase “the fact that.”

19.A tenant is writing to a landlord to report a broken heater. Which sentence is most appropriate?
1. A.If it is not too much trouble, maybe someone could look at it sometime.
2. B.Heaters break sometimes, so I guess that is just how things go around here.
3. C.Your heater is junk, and I am sick of freezing in this run-down apartment.
4. D.The heater in Unit 4B stopped working on Monday; please send a repair person.
Show answer
Answer: D. The heater in Unit 4B stopped working on Monday; please send a repair person.
A repair request should be polite and specific about the unit, the problem, and the date. The “not too much trouble” sentence is polite, but it is so vague that the landlord does not know what to fix or how urgent it is.

20.Which revision of “The guy in the red truck totally smashed into the gate” is most appropriate for a formal incident report?
1. A.Some dude in a red truck wrecked the gate pretty badly.
2. B.The driver of the red truck drove into the front gate.
3. C.The driver of the red truck kind of smashed the gate.
4. D.The red truck guy smashed right into the gate, big time.
Show answer
Answer: B. The driver of the red truck drove into the front gate.
An incident report uses neutral, precise wording such as “the driver” and “drove into.” The “kind of smashed” version starts formally, but “kind of” is casual and vague.

21.Sentences: (1) Then they sorted the cans by expiration date. (2) The volunteers unloaded the donation truck at 9 a.m. (3) Finally, they stocked the shelves so the oldest cans went out first. Which order is most logical?
1. A.2, 3, 1
2. B.1, 2, 3
3. C.3, 1, 2
4. D.2, 1, 3
Show answer
Answer: D. 2, 1, 3
Unloading comes first, “Then” marks sorting as the next step, and “Finally” marks the last step. The order 2, 3, 1 is tempting, but stocking by date requires the cans to be sorted first.

22.(1) Our office will switch to a new phone system on March 4. (2) Each employee will receive a new extension number. (3) These numbers will be listed in the staff directory by March 1. (4) The old system will be shut off at noon that day. Where should sentence 4 be placed to make the paragraph most logical?
1. A.Before sentence 1
2. B.After sentence 1
3. C.Where it is now
4. D.After sentence 2
Show answer
Answer: B. After sentence 1
“That day” must refer to March 4, the switch date in sentence 1. Leaving it at the end is tempting, but there “that day” seems to mean March 1, which is wrong.

23.A student is writing a paragraph arguing that her town should build a skate park. Which sentence should be removed?
1. A.My older brother broke his wrist skiing back in high school.
2. B.A nearby town’s skate park cut skating injuries on streets.
3. C.The site the council is considering already has lights.
4. D.Teens now skate in a bank parking lot where cars pull in.
Show answer
Answer: A. My older brother broke his wrist skiing back in high school.
A skiing injury does not support building a skate park. The parking lot sentence may seem like a complaint, but it shows why teens need a safe place to skate.

24.Which choice best combines these sentences? “The safety training lasts two hours. All new hires must attend it.”
1. A.The safety training lasts two hours, all new hires attend.
2. B.All new hires must attend the two-hour safety training.
3. C.Lasting two hours, all new hires must attend the training.
4. D.The safety training is a training that new hires must attend.
Show answer
Answer: B. All new hires must attend the two-hour safety training.
The correct choice keeps both facts in one clear sentence. The “Lasting two hours” choice is tempting because it sounds smooth, but it says the new hires last two hours.

25.(1) ______ (2) Wash your hands before handling food. (3) Keep raw meat away from vegetables. (4) Put leftovers in the refrigerator within two hours. Which sentence is the best topic sentence for this paragraph?
1. A.Many people enjoy cooking large meals on the holidays.
2. B.Vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet.
3. C.A few simple habits can prevent food poisoning at home.
4. D.Restaurants are inspected by the local health department.
Show answer
Answer: C. A few simple habits can prevent food poisoning at home.
Each sentence gives a step that keeps food safe, so the topic sentence should name that purpose. The vegetable sentence is tempting because vegetables are mentioned, but the paragraph is about safety, not nutrition.

26.Which sentence would be the best topic sentence for a paragraph explaining how a new transit app helps riders?
1. A.The city bought forty new buses with federal money just last year.
2. B.The city’s new transit app makes riding the bus easier in several ways.
3. C.Transit apps can be downloaded to most phones and tablets today.
4. D.Some riders still prefer to buy paper tickets at the main station.
Show answer
Answer: B. The city’s new transit app makes riding the bus easier in several ways.
A topic sentence should state the paragraph’s main point, which is how the app helps riders. The sentence about downloading apps is tempting because it mentions apps, but it does not say how this one helps.

27.“The clinic now sees patients by appointment only. ______, patients can no longer walk in without calling first.” Which transition fits best?
1. A.For instance,
2. B.On the other hand,
3. C.In other words,
4. D.Meanwhile,
Show answer
Answer: C. In other words,
The second sentence restates the first in plainer terms, which calls for “In other words.” “For instance” is tempting, but the second sentence does not give an example of something broader.

28.Which revision is most concise without losing meaning? “Each and every employee who works here should make sure to read the new policy in its entirety.”
1. A.Every employee should read the entire new policy.
2. B.Every employee here should make sure to read it all.
3. C.Each and every employee should read the new policy.
4. D.Employees should make sure to read the new policy.
Show answer
Answer: A. Every employee should read the entire new policy.
The correct revision cuts repeated words but keeps the point that the whole policy must be read. The “Each and every” version is tempting because it is short, but it drops the word “entire” and keeps a wordy phrase.

More practice sets

Writing and Organization has 2 practice sets. None of these questions appear in the full practice tests.

Set 1: 28 questions (this page)
Set 2: 28 questions

How GED transition questions signal relationships

Each transition word declares a relationship, and the wrong one breaks the logic even when the sentence reads smoothly. However and nevertheless mark contrast. Therefore and consequently mark result. Furthermore and likewise mark addition. For example marks illustration.

Read the two sentences on either side and name the relationship before looking at the choices. Choosing first and checking after is how people talk themselves into a plausible but wrong transition.

Organization and paragraph unity on the GED

Every body paragraph should serve one controlling idea. When a question presents a sentence that does not fit, the answer is almost always to delete it rather than relocate it. Test writers include the move-it option specifically because it feels less wasteful.

Sentence-ordering questions follow a predictable logic: background first, then the event or trigger, then the response or result. Look for pronouns and definite articles: a sentence beginning with this decision cannot come before the decision is described.

Writing the GED Extended Response essay

Spend the first ten minutes reading both passages and marking the strongest evidence in each. Then write a thesis that names which argument is better supported and why. Devote one paragraph to each reason, quoting briefly and explaining what the quotation proves. Close by restating the judgment.

Keep sentences plain. Scorers reward clarity and evidence, not vocabulary. An essay with three specific citations and simple sentences beats an elegant one that never touches the texts.

Frequently asked questions

How much time do I get for the GED essay?: 45 minutes, scheduled between the two multiple-choice blocks of the RLA test.
Should I give my own opinion in the essay?: No. The prompt asks which passage argues its position more effectively based on evidence, not which position you agree with.