GED Science
Lesson 1
The GED Science Test
50 multiple choice questions
For most questions you will have to read a
passage or look at an illustration to answer
the question
In some cases you will have to rely on your
prior scientific knowledge
The GED Science Test
Content Area
Percentage of Test
Life Science (Plant and Animal
Science; Human Biology)
45%
Physical Science
(Chemistry; Physics)
35%
Earth and Space Science
20%
Understanding Science Materials
Requires three abilities:
 The ability to summarize ideas
The ability to restate information
The ability to identify implications
Summarizing the Main Idea
In many passages, the author expresses
the main idea, or key thought, as a single sentence.
Other sentences provide details to support the main idea.
Summarizing the Main Idea
The action of ocean waves can change the shape of a
shoreline. Waves can erode the shore, breaking up land
masses near the water. Waves can also move the eroding
dirt and rocks great distances down the shoreline. Beaches
Will be formed when waves move more rock fragments
toward the shore than away from it. Cliffs are formed when
waves move more rock fragments away from the shore than
toward it.
Summarizing the Main Idea
The action of ocean waves can change the shape of a
shoreline. Waves can erode the shore, breaking up land
masses near the water. Waves can also move the eroding
dirt and rocks great distances down the shoreline. Beaches
will be formed when waves move more rock fragments
toward the shore than away from it. Cliffs are formed when
waves move more rock fragments away from the shore than
toward it.
Summarizing the Main Idea
Imagine taking a microscope and looking at the edge
of a piece of paper in the hope of seeing a single atom!
Using the world’s most powerful microscope, you still
couldn’t see one, you would find that it takes about 1 million
atoms, placed side by side to cross a distance as short as the
width of the edge of the paper. Atoms are so small that even
scientists must be content with studying large numbers of
them at the same time rather than trying to look at a single
atom in the way that a doctor might look at a patient.
Summarizing the Main Idea
Imagine taking a microscope and looking at the edge
of a piece of paper in the hope of seeing a single atom!
Using the world’s most powerful microscope, you still
couldn’t see one, you would find that it takes about 1 million
atoms, placed side by side to cross a distance as short as the
width of the edge of the paper. Atoms are so small that even
scientists must be content with studying large numbers of
them at the same time rather than trying to look at a single
atom in the way that a doctor might look at a patient.
1. What percent of Earth’s Surface is land?
2. What total percent of Earth’s surface is covered by the two
largest oceans?
3. What total percent of Earth’s surface is covered by water?
By comparing the amount of surface covered by water with the
amount of surface covered by land, what would you say would be
a key point made by this circle graph?
Restating Information
To restate information is to use different words
or phrases to express the same idea.
Restating Information
Original
Excess fat and carbohydrate consumption can lead to
obesity
Restatement
You’ll get fat if you eat too many fats and carbohydrates
Restating Information
Original
Rocks from the moon’s surface show features
characteristic of rocks found on Earth.
Restatement
Moon rocks are very similar to Earth rocks.
Describe the point you think that the author is trying
to make about translucent materials.
Identifying Implications
To imply means “to suggest”
An implication is a point of view or
idea that an author suggests.
Scientists may have invented nuclear weapons, but I
sure don’t want them to work on arms control!
Implies that he does not have a lot of faith in the political ability of scientists.
The scientific Method
Distinguishing facts from hypotheses
A scientific fact is a statement, based on evidence,
that can be proved to true.
A hypothesis is a reasonable explanation of a scientific fact.
An opinion is a personal belief that is often based on
a person’s own feelings.
Distinguishing facts from hypotheses
Fact, Opinion or Hypothesis
Because many people are frightened by snakes, there
should never be an effort to save any species of snake
Opinion
Fact, Opinion or Hypothesis
Moonlight is actually light from the sun that is
reflected off the moon’s surface.
Fact
Fact, Opinion or Hypothesis
The reason that moon rocks are similar to Earth
rocks may be that the moon and Earth were once part of
the same cloud of matter in space.
Hypothesis
Fact, Opinion or Hypothesis
During winter months, tree roots store food that is
used by the plant as it grows new leaves and
stems in the spring.
Fact
Fact, Opinion or Hypothesis
Regardless of what chemists claim, vitamins
produced in a laboratory can’t possibly be as
healthful as vitamins naturally found in foods.
Opinion
Fact, Opinion or Hypothesis
The reason that one person is often so strongly
attracted to a second person may be smell rather
than good looks or personality.
Hypothesis
Fact, Opinion or Hypothesis
Air pollution is a negative by-product of the
Industrial Revolution
Fact
Fact, Opinion or Hypothesis
Scientists genetically engineered squash to make
it resistant to a deadly virus.
Fact
Fact, Opinion or Hypothesis
The study of genetics has proved to be of little
value.
Opinion
What is life
What is life?
What is life?
Respiration
Living things get energy from food (often by using oxygen)
What is life?
Movement
Living things can move all or part of themselves.
What is life?
Reproduction
Living things can produce offspring.
What is life?
Nutrition
Living things feed. Plants use energy from light to make food.
Animals eat plants or other animals.
What is life?
Excretion
Living things get rid of waste substances they produce.
What is life?
Sensitivity
Living things can sense and respond to changes in
their surroundings.
What is life?
Growth
Living things can increase the size of their bodies by
adding mass and (often) new cells.
The Cell