GED Exam Flashcards

Q: What do GED flashcards help you review?

These GED flashcards review high-yield concepts across all four subject tests: math formulas and algebra moves, RLA reading and grammar distinctions, science reasoning terms, and social studies civics, history, economics, and source-analysis concepts.

Q: Can GED flashcards replace practice tests?

No. Flashcards build recall, but the GED also requires reading passages, interpreting charts, solving multi-step problems, and writing an extended response. Use flashcards with timed practice questions.

Q: How should I use these GED flashcards?

Review one subject at a time, mark weak cards, then immediately practice related questions. For example, after reviewing slope and equations, solve graph and word-problem items.

Question 1

Percent of a number

Accepted Answer

Convert the percent to a decimal, then multiply. For example, 30 percent of a value means 0.30 times that value; a discount subtracts that amount from the original.

Question 2

Ratio vs rate

Accepted Answer

A ratio compares two quantities; a rate compares quantities with different units, such as miles per hour. Both can be solved with proportional reasoning.

Question 3

Solving a linear equation

Accepted Answer

Use inverse operations to isolate the variable while doing the same thing to both sides. The goal is one variable term on one side and a number on the other.

Question 4

Distributive property

Accepted Answer

Multiply the outside factor by each term inside the parentheses. This is often the first step before combining like terms or solving an equation.

Question 5

Inequality flip rule

Accepted Answer

Reverse the inequality symbol only when multiplying or dividing both sides by a negative number. Adding, subtracting, or using a positive multiplier does not flip it.

Question 6

Slope

Accepted Answer

Slope measures rate of change: vertical change divided by horizontal change. Positive slopes rise left to right, negative slopes fall, zero slopes are horizontal, and undefined slopes are vertical.

Question 7

Slope-intercept form

Accepted Answer

In y = mx + b, m is the slope and b is the y-intercept. This form makes graphing easier because it gives the starting point and the rate of change.

Question 8

Function notation

Accepted Answer

f(x) means the output of a function when the input is x. To evaluate f(3), replace every x in the rule with 3 and simplify.

Question 9

Pythagorean theorem

Accepted Answer

For a right triangle, a^2 + b^2 = c^2, where c is the hypotenuse. Use it only when the triangle has a right angle.

Question 10

Area vs perimeter

Accepted Answer

Area measures space inside a shape and uses square units. Perimeter measures distance around the outside and uses regular length units.

Question 11

Mean vs median

Accepted Answer

The mean is the arithmetic average. The median is the middle value after ordering the data, so it is less affected by extreme outliers.

Question 12

Simple probability

Accepted Answer

Probability equals favorable outcomes divided by total possible outcomes when outcomes are equally likely. A probability must be between 0 and 1, or 0 percent and 100 percent.

Question 13

Scientific notation

Accepted Answer

Scientific notation writes a number as a decimal from 1 up to 10 times a power of 10. It is useful for very large or very small values.

Question 14

Central idea

Accepted Answer

The central idea is what the whole passage is mainly about. Details support it, but they are not broad enough to summarize the full text.

Question 15

Inference

Accepted Answer

An inference is a conclusion based on clues in the text plus reasonable background knowledge. It must be supported by evidence, not just a guess.

Question 16

Author's purpose

Accepted Answer

Author's purpose asks why the text was written, such as to inform, persuade, explain, or entertain. Look at tone, evidence, and the action the author wants from readers.

Question 17

Tone

Accepted Answer

Tone is the author's attitude toward the subject. Word choice is the strongest clue, especially loaded adjectives, humor, criticism, or neutral reporting language.

Question 18

Claim

Accepted Answer

A claim is the position an argument wants the reader to accept. Strong claims are specific enough to defend with evidence.

Question 19

Evidence

Accepted Answer

Evidence supports a claim with facts, examples, data, or quotations. On the GED, the best answer usually connects directly to the passage, not outside opinion.

Question 20

Counterclaim

Accepted Answer

A counterclaim is an opposing argument. Addressing it can make an essay stronger because it shows the writer understands and responds to another side.

Question 21

Extended response thesis

Accepted Answer

The thesis states which passage or argument is stronger and why. It should be clear, text-based, and supported by evidence in the body paragraphs.

Question 22

Subject-verb agreement

Accepted Answer

A singular subject needs a singular verb, and a plural subject needs a plural verb. Ignore phrases between the subject and verb when checking agreement.

Question 23

Comma splice

Accepted Answer

A comma splice joins two complete sentences with only a comma. Fix it with a period, semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.

Question 24

Misplaced modifier

Accepted Answer

A misplaced modifier is too far from the word it describes, which can make the sentence unclear or unintentionally funny. Move the modifier next to the correct noun or action.

Question 25

Parallel structure

Accepted Answer

Parallel structure keeps items in a list or comparison in the same grammatical form. It makes sentences easier to read and is common in editing questions.

Question 26

Independent variable

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is what the experimenter changes on purpose. It is the suspected cause being tested.

Question 27

Dependent variable

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable is what is measured as the result. It changes in response to the independent variable if the hypothesis is supported.

Question 28

Control group

Accepted Answer

A control group is treated the same as the experimental group except for the variable being tested. It gives a baseline for comparison.

Question 29

Correlation vs causation

Accepted Answer

Correlation means two things are associated. Causation means one thing directly produces a change in the other; an experiment needs controls to support causation.

Question 30

Hypothesis

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a testable explanation or prediction. It should be specific enough that evidence can support or reject it.

Question 31

Nucleus and DNA

Accepted Answer

The nucleus stores most of a cell's DNA, which contains instructions for traits and cell activity. Questions often connect genes, chromosomes, and inherited characteristics.

Question 32

Photosynthesis

Accepted Answer

Photosynthesis uses light energy to make sugar from carbon dioxide and water, releasing oxygen. It is the starting point for much of the energy in food webs.

Question 33

Energy flow in food webs

Accepted Answer

Energy moves from producers to consumers and decomposers, with less usable energy available at higher levels. Matter cycles, but energy flows through the ecosystem.

Question 34

Natural selection

Accepted Answer

Natural selection occurs when traits that improve survival or reproduction become more common over generations. It depends on variation, inheritance, and environmental pressure.

Question 35

Physical vs chemical change

Accepted Answer

A physical change alters form or state without making a new substance. A chemical change produces new substances, often shown by gas, heat, color change, or precipitate.

Question 36

Conservation of energy

Accepted Answer

Energy cannot be created or destroyed in a closed system; it changes form. A GED problem may ask where energy went, such as motion turning into heat.

Question 37

Net force

Accepted Answer

Net force is the combined effect of all forces on an object. If forces are unbalanced, the object accelerates in the direction of the greater force.

Question 38

Plate tectonics

Accepted Answer

Plate tectonics explains how Earth's crust moves in large plates. Plate boundaries are linked to earthquakes, volcanoes, mountain building, and seafloor spreading.

Question 39

Separation of powers

Accepted Answer

Separation of powers divides government authority among legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The purpose is to prevent one branch from holding all power.

Question 40

Checks and balances

Accepted Answer

Checks and balances let each branch limit the others. Examples include vetoes, judicial review, confirmations, impeachment, and control over funding.

Question 41

Bill of Rights

Accepted Answer

The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It protects individual freedoms such as speech, religion, due process, and protection from unreasonable searches.

Question 42

Federalism

Accepted Answer

Federalism divides power between the national government and state governments. GED civics questions often ask which level of government has authority in a scenario.

Question 43

Primary source

Accepted Answer

A primary source comes from the time or person being studied, such as a speech, law, diary, photograph, or court opinion. It is direct evidence, not later commentary.

Question 44

Declaration of Independence

Accepted Answer

The Declaration explains why the colonies separated from Britain and argues that governments get power from the consent of the governed. It is not the plan for the U.S. government.

Question 45

Reconstruction amendments

Accepted Answer

The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments ended slavery, defined citizenship and equal protection, and protected voting rights for Black men. They reshaped civil rights after the Civil War.

Question 46

Civil rights movement

Accepted Answer

The civil rights movement challenged segregation and unequal treatment through court cases, protest, legislation, and civic action. GED items often connect it to equal protection and voting rights.

Question 47

Supply and demand

Accepted Answer

Demand is how much buyers want at a price; supply is how much sellers offer. Prices tend to rise when demand increases or supply falls, and fall when the reverse happens.

Question 48

Gross domestic product (GDP)

Accepted Answer

GDP measures the value of goods and services produced in an economy during a period. It is used as a broad indicator of economic activity, not a direct measure of equality.

Question 49

Inflation

Accepted Answer

Inflation is a general rise in prices over time, which reduces purchasing power. If wages do not keep pace, people can buy less with the same income.

Question 50

Political cartoon clues

Accepted Answer

Read labels, symbols, exaggeration, captions, and the date. The main point is usually an opinion about a public issue, not just a literal description of the picture.

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