GED Science

Life Science: 45% Physical Science: 35% Earth and Space Science: 20% 50 multiple choice questions - 80 minutes

You will be tested on your ability to understand and analyze concepts and processes in science, and to apply them in problem-solving situations. The Science test questions are drawn from life science, earth and space sciences, and physical science (physics and chemistry). There is an emphasis on environmental and health topics such as recycling, heredity, disease prevention, pollution, and climate. Assessments are based on conceptual understanding, problem solving, and graphic stimuli (maps, charts, graphs, and illustrations). One-third of the questions relate to a drawing, chart, map or graph.

Life Science 45% Cells Molecular basis of heredity Biological evolution Interdependence of organisms Matter, energy, and organization in living systems Behavior of organisms

Physical Science 35% Structure of atoms Structure and properties of matter Chemical reactions Motion and forces Conservation of energy Interactions of energy and matter

Earth and Space Science 20% Energy Geochemical cycles Origin and evolution of Earth Origin and evolution of the universe

Vocabulary: Roots, Prefixes and Suffixes Most words used in the English language today were not originally English. These words were borrowed (taken) from other languages. The majority of English words have Latin or Greek origins. It may be possible to guess the meaning of an unknown word when one knows the meaning of its root, prefix, or suffix.

Especially handy in science: Bio – life Chrono – time Geo - Earth Aero - air Astro – stars Logy- study of Graphy – description of Eco – habitat/environment

An English word can consist of up to three parts: the root, a prefix and a suffix. The root is the part of the word that contains the basic meaning (definition) of the word. The root is the base element of the word. A prefix is a word element that is placed in front of a root. A prefix changes the word's meaning or makes a new word. A suffix is a word element that is placed after the root. The suffix changes the word's meaning as well as its function (use).

Adding parts to a root word: act (root): "do" definition: verb; to perform, behave noun; a performance, a thing done sentence: You act silly when you drink coffee.

Prefixes: Re - "back" or "again” React, Reaction, Reactor, Reactive Pro – forProactive Inter – betweenInteract Detr – take awayDetract, Detraction, Detractor Suffixes: ion – makes a nounAction or – one whoActor, Reactor, Detractor ive – makes an adjective Active, Reactive, Proactive ed – makes past tense Acted, Reacted, Detracted