To pass the Reading portion of the GED Reasoning through Language Arts (RLA) subtest, you’ll need to demonstrate proficiency in reading and comprehending both literary and informational texts. This is a crucial skill that will be tested across multiple question types.
The GED RLA subtest evaluates both writing and reading abilities in a single, extensive module, lasting approximately 2.5 hours. Within this timeframe, the Reading section alone spans 95 minutes.
In the first part of the RLA Reading subtest, which assesses close reading skills, you’ll have 35 minutes. The second part, focusing on literary texts, allows 60 minutes. Understanding the specific skills required for the GED Reading component is crucial.
Struggling with GED reading comprehension? On this page, discover effective strategies to enhance your scores and pass the GED RLA faster!
Additionally, enroll in our online GED test prep course to access comprehensive study materials essential for passing the GED RLA test.
Tips for Understanding the Given Passage
Staying Engaged and Focused
When reading, it’s important to actively monitor your understanding of the material. This involves:
Assessing Your Comprehension: As you read, think about what you already understand and what you still need to learn. This keeps your mind engaged rather than allowing it to wander or skim the text without truly internalizing the information.
Handling Unfamiliar Words: If you come across a word you don’t understand, it’s often better to keep reading rather than stopping immediately to look up the meaning.
In many cases, the context will provide enough clues for the meaning to become clear on its own as you continue reading.
When encountering an unfamiliar word , the recommended approach is to keep reading rather than stopping immediately to look up the meaning.
Here’s why:
- Maintaining Flow: Stopping to look up every unknown word can disrupt the flow of information and make it harder to maintain focus and comprehension. Continuing to read allows you to keep the overall context in mind.
- Contextual Clues: As you read on, the meaning of the unfamiliar word may become clearer through the surrounding context. The word’s meaning may be implied or explained later in the passage.
- Efficient Learning: By waiting to look up the word until the end of the sentence or paragraph, you can often determine its meaning without interrupting your reading. This is a more efficient learning strategy than constantly stopping to look up words.
The key is to strike a balance – if the unknown word is crucial to understanding the passage, it may be worth briefly pausing to try to infer the meaning. But in general, continuing to read and allowing the context to provide clarity is the recommended approach for most situations.
Form a Visual Representation While Reading
When reading, it can be very helpful to form a mental picture or visual representation of the scene being described. This involves engaging multiple senses to create a more immersive and vivid experience:
Sight: Imagine the specific details of the setting, such as the colors, shapes, and textures you would see if you were actually there.
Sound: Think about the sounds you might hear – the rustling of leaves, the chirping of birds, the crunch of twigs underfoot.
Smell: Picture the scents that might fill the air, like the earthy aroma of damp soil or the crisp fragrance of pine needles.
Touch: Envision how the environment might feel to the skin – the coolness of the air, the roughness of tree bark, the softness of moss.
Engaging your senses in this way, creates a more vivid and immersive mental picture of the scene. This can help you better understand and empathize with the character’s experience, as well as make the story more memorable and engaging.
Pose Questions
Activate your thinking with questions before, during, and after reading. Clarify content, identify gaps, and discern the author’s intent.
Example: When reading about a farmer’s agricultural practices, consider: What techniques does the farmer use to improve soil health? How does weather variability impact crop yields? What economic challenges does the farmer face in a competitive market?
Apply this natural curiosity from daily conversations to your reading.
Relate to Personal Experiences
Connect what you’re reading to your hobbies or interests outside of academics. This approach enhances comprehension by making the information more relatable and engaging.
Example: If you’re reading an article about nutrition and healthy eating, think about your own cooking experiences. How do the dietary recommendations align with your favorite recipes or meal planning habits? Have you tried incorporating new food choices based on nutritional advice?
By integrating your personal interests in cooking and food with the article’s content on nutrition, you can deepen your understanding and apply the information practically in your daily life.
Identify Key Information
When reading a text, it’s important to identify the most crucial information and organize it in a way that reflects its relative importance. This helps you focus on what you need to remember and understand, rather than getting bogged down in unnecessary details.
Key information comprises the characters, setting, basic storyline, and themes.
Read Between the Lines
When reading a text, it’s important to look beyond the literal, written words and try to understand the implicit meaning that the author is conveying. This involves reading between the lines and asking yourself, “What is the author really trying to say here?”
By identifying the signals and clues that the author provides, you can develop a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the text. This skill allows you to:
- Uncover Subtext: Detect the underlying emotions, motivations, and unspoken messages that the author is communicating.
- Analyze Authorial Intent: Gain insight into the author’s purpose, perspective, and the overall message they are trying to convey.
- Make Informed Inferences: Draw logical conclusions about the text that go beyond the surface-level information provided.
- Enhance Comprehension: Develop a richer, more comprehensive understanding of the text by considering the implicit meaning alongside the explicit details.
For example, if a character suddenly becomes defensive when questioned about their whereabouts, despite no direct accusation being made, you can infer they have something to hide based on their reaction and the context of the conversation.
This method helps you find deeper meanings by looking at subtle clues.
Check Out: How Do You Get a GED?
Key Concepts for Effective Reading Comprehension
When reading a fiction passage, it can be challenging to take in all the information at once. By focusing on the key elements of Setting, Characters, Conflict, and Theme , you can better understand and process the information in manageable chunks.
Setting
The setting refers to the time and place where the story takes place. It helps you visualize the environment and context in which the events unfold. Pay attention as the setting may change throughout the story.
Characters
Keeping track of the characters is crucial for comprehension. For each character introduced, note details such as:
- Age
- Backstory and origin
- Relationship to other characters
- Personality and moral alignment (good, bad, neutral)
- Unique physical or behavioral descriptions
Conflict
The conflict is the central problem or challenge that the main character(s) must face. Identifying the conflict will give you a clear understanding of the story’s driving force and the obstacles the characters must overcome.
Theme
The theme is the central message or idea that the author is trying to convey. It is often a broader, universal statement about life, human nature, or the human condition. The theme may be stated directly or implied through the events and characters.
By focusing on these four key elements – Setting, Characters, Conflict, and Theme – you can more effectively process the information in a fiction passage and develop a deeper understanding of the story.
In addition to these four elements, GED reading comprehension tests critical skills such as identifying main ideas, making inferences, summarizing key points, understanding chronological sequences, and other essential concepts.
For a thorough understanding of these skills, register at Prepsaret to access detailed notes and lessons designed to prepare you comprehensively for the GED tests.
The package also includes valuable study resources to help you master how to write a GED essay effectively.
GED Reading Comprehension Practice Questions
Excerpt from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
By L. Frank Baum
- At noon they sat down by the roadside, near a little brook, and Dorothy opened her basket and
got out some bread. She offered a piece to the Scarecrow, but he refused.
- I am never hungry, he said, and it is a lucky thing I am not, for my mouth is only painted, and
if I should cut a hole in it so I could eat, the straw I am stuffed with would come out, and that
would spoil the shape of my head. Dorothy saw at once that this was true, so she only nodded
and went on eating her bread.
- Tell me something about yourself and the country you came from, said the Scarecrow, when
she had finished her dinner. So she told him all about Kansas, and how gray everything was
there, and how the cyclone had carried her to this Land of Oz.
- The Scarecrow listened carefully, and said, I cannot understand why you should wish to leave
this beautiful country and go back to the dry, gray place you call Kansas.
- That is because you have no brains answered the girl. No matter how dreary and gray our
homes are, we people of flesh and blood would rather live there than in any other country, be it
ever so beautiful. There is no place like home.
Identify the setting of this excerpt.
a) Oz
b) Country
c) Dorothy
d) Kansas
Explanation
The setting is where the story takes place. In the excerpt provided, the setting is in the Land of
Oz. This is evident in paragraph three where the characters, Dorothy and the Scarecrow, are
having a conversation about their current location. The use of the word ‘this’, implies that they
are situated in Oz.
To access more practice questions, enroll in the Prepsaret GED Test Prep course, which includes over 1000 practice questions. Additionally, free questions are available for further preparation.
FAQS
How to Pass the RLA Test?
To pass the GED RLA (Reasoning through Language Arts) test, focus on developing strong reading comprehension skills. Actively engage with the passages, identify key information, and practice answering different types of questions.
Manage your time effectively, employ test-taking strategies, and maintain a positive mindset to boost your confidence and reduce anxiety. Consistent practice and a personalized approach are crucial for success on the GED RLA exam.
How to Pass a Reading Comprehension Test?
To pass a reading comprehension test, actively engage with the text by previewing, annotating, and identifying key information. Develop strategies to understand the main idea, context, and inferences.
Practice regularly using high-quality materials and manage your time effectively. Approach different question types with targeted techniques, and maintain a positive mindset to reduce test anxiety and boost your confidence.
Is the Ged RLA Test Hard?
The GED RLA (Reasoning through Language Arts) test can be challenging, as it requires strong reading comprehension skills. However, with the right strategies and consistent practice, it is possible to succeed.
Focus on actively engaging with the passages, developing effective time management techniques, and building confidence through personalized preparation. With dedication and the right approach, the GED RLA test can be conquered.
Is 155 a Good GED Score?
A GED score of 155 is considered a good score, as it indicates proficiency in the subject area. For the GED RLA (Reasoning through Language Arts) test, a score of 155 is equivalent to a high school junior’s reading level.
This score demonstrates a strong understanding of reading comprehension and language arts skills, making it a solid achievement.
How Can Prepsaret Help Me with Ged RLA Reading Comprehension?
Prepsaret helps with GED RLA reading comprehension by providing comprehensive online courses, GED language arts practice test, and engaging lessons. These resources cover all key areas, including grammar, writing, and reading comprehension.
The courses include quizzes, practice tests, and an essay checker to enhance your skills and confidence. With Prepsaret, you can prepare effectively and pass the GED RLA test with ease.
Does Prepsaret Provide Practice Exams for Ged RLA Comprehension?
Yes, Prepsaret offers comprehensive GED RLA practice tests and simulated exams to help students prepare for the reading comprehension section. These practice materials cover the various question formats and provide detailed explanations to identify and address weaknesses.
Prepsaret’s approach ensures students gain familiarity with the test structure and develop effective strategies for success on the GED RLA exam.