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The GED Language Arts,
Reading Test
Fiction
Jean Dean
ABE/GED Teacher
Mentor Teacher
California Distance Learning Project
www.cdlponline.org
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GED
Video Partner
Passing the GED Reading Test
A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells us
the truth about its author.
G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)
#13
Video 13 Focus: how to read, analyze, and enjoy fiction stories
You will Learn From Video 13:
How to identify the three main elements of fiction: characters,
setting, and plot.
How to tell who the narrator is and what is his/her point of
view.
To recognize a writer’s theme and style.
Words You Need to Know:
As you watch the video, fill in the chart with the following words:
first person narrative, third person narrative, conflict,
characters, or setting. Answers are on page 17.
1. the people in the story
2. where and when the story takes place
3. tension or struggle, either external or
internal
4. when a story is told from the
perspective of a character in the story;
a powerful way to tell a story.
5. when a story is told by someone not in
the story
Points to Remember:
• Read a variety of
fiction. Perhaps,
start with short
stories about a
subject you are
interested in.
• Practice identifying
the characters, plot,
and setting.
• Enjoy the pleasure
of “dropping in” to
an author’s world.
Look for new
authors you like to
read.
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Fiction consists of novels and short stories that deal with imaginary figures and events. The
author invents a world with characters developed from the writer’s mind. A novel is a long story
with chapters and fully developed characters, settings, conflicts, and themes. It can be a classic
novel, written long ago and widely read for a long time, or popular fiction, written by writers
living today. The short story usually has a limited number of characters and is not as complex as
far as conflict and theme. Like the novel, the short story can be classic or popular.
On the GED Reading Test, you will read and analyze three fiction passages. There will be
approximately 18 questions to answer.
THE PURPOSE QUESTION: WHAT IT IS, WHERE IT IS FOUND, AND WHY YOU SHOULD
ALWAYS READ IT
At the beginning of every reading is a question. The purpose of the question is to give a reason
for reading the material. Use this question to focus your reading. You are not required to
answer this question. It is given only to help you concentrate on the ideas presented in the
excerpt. Here is a typical purpose question:
HOW DID DEATH VALLEY GET ITS NAME?
Now as you read the following paragraph, focus on the above question.
In Death Valley in the United States is the lowest and hottest spot in the country. This
valley, located in California near the Nevada border, is 282 feet below sea level. It is
not uncommon for temperatures to reach 125 degrees. A record of 134 degrees for the
nation was recorded in 1931. Its grim name was given by a group of gold seekers in 1849.
The three main elements of fiction writing are:
• characters
• setting
• plot
Learning about characters: You will learn about the fictional characters of a story in a way
similar to how you learn about real people in your life. Your impressions will be made by the
character’s actions, conversations, relationships, and environment. Let’s look at what you can
learn from a character’s conversation. The author shows dialogue, or conversation between
characters, in a certain way. Quotation marks (“ ”) are used to show the exact words a character
says. When another person is speaking, the writer starts a new paragraph.
Look at the following excerpt from the novel, The Star of Gettysburg, by Joseph A. Altsheler.
Four young men from the Army of Northern Virginia (The Confederate Army of the Civil War)
are talking as one soldier is sewing a seam in his uniform. Read the purpose question to focus
your reading, then answer the questions that follow about the characters as learned from their
conversation.
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