GED Test 2022 / 2023 For Dummies with Online Practice
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From the latest diets and workouts to new developments in disease prevention, people today are bombarded with information about how to stay healthy. To reflect this, the GED Science test contains questions related to the human body and health.

Topics may include your body's systems (the endocrine and nervous system are two examples); how your health can be affected by diseases and pathogens; and—as in the following practice questions—why nutrition and exercise are so important to your health.

Practice questions

Both questions refer to the following passage from The Surgeon General's Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation (www.surgeongeneral.gov).

As a society, we have to begin to change our habits one healthy choice at a time. Change starts with the individual choices we as Americans make each day for ourselves and those around us. Balancing good nutrition and physical activity while managing daily stressors is always a challenge, but one that can be achieved. Finding time to shop for and prepare healthy meals after work and between family activities requires planning. Stress and a lack of healthy and available foods are some of the reasons why many people turn to fast food as a regular source for meals. Eating excess calories contributes to obesity, but so does watching too much television and sitting for hours in front of a computer.

This fact is especially true for children and teenagers. Technological advancements have made our lives more convenient—but also more sedentary. Research shows that leading an inactive life not only increases the risk of becoming overweight or obese, but also contributes to an increased risk for disease and disability.

The good news is that we can overcome these challenges—and the reward is the creation of a healthy and fit nation. Healthy choices include the following:

  • Reducing consumption of sodas and juices with added sugars
  • Reducing consumption of energy dense foods that primarily contain added sugars or solid fats
  • Eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
  • Controlling your portions
  • Drinking more water
  • Choosing low-fat or non-fat dairy products
  • Limiting television viewing time and keeping televisions out of children's rooms
  • Becoming more physically active throughout the day
  1. According to the passage, people turn to fast food because

    A. they prefer the taste of fast food to home-cooked food B. eating at fast food restaurants is cheaper than eating at home C. fast food is just as healthy as home-cooked food D. they don't have access to healthy and affordable foods

  2. All of the following contribute to childhood obesity EXCEPT

    A. children eat more calories than they burn B. children spend too much time watching TV C. children's lives have become more sedentary because of technology D. children eat portion-controlled meals

Answers and explanations

  1. The correct answer is Choice (D).

    The passage states that many Americans turn to fast food because of the "lack of available healthy and affordable foods." There isn't any evidence in the passage that they prefer the taste (although some fast food is a guilty pleasure). Most people would agree that eating at home is less expensive than eating out and that home-cooked food is usually healthier than fast food, so Choice (D) is the best answer.

  2. The correct answer is Choice (D).

    The passage lists Choices (A), (B), and (C) as contributors to childhood obesity. Controlling portion size is helpful to anyone who is concerned about weight gain or who simply wants to eat healthy.

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book author:

Tim Collins, PhD, has worked in the field of education for over 40 years, and has taught learners of all ages and backgrounds. For over 25 years, he has specialized in materials development for the GED® test, and he has helped countless learners prepare for and pass this life-changing test.

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