GED (General Educational Development) Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) Syllabus

Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) in GED (General Educational Development), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Reading Comprehension and Close Reading

   4 topics

   • Determining Explicit and Implicit Meaning
     • Citing textual evidence for explicit statements
     • Drawing inferences from implied information
     • Distinguishing supported conclusions from unsupported claims
   • Central Ideas and Theme
     • Identifying the main idea of a passage
     • Tracing development of a theme across a text
     • Summarizing without inserting opinion
   • Order of Events and Cause-Effect Relationships
     • Sequencing events and steps
     • Identifying cause and effect connections
   • Working With Informational and Literary Texts
     • Reading nonfiction: science, social studies, workplace documents
     • Reading fiction: characters, setting, plot
2. 2

   Analyzing Structure, Craft, and Purpose

   4 topics

   • Author's Purpose and Point of View
     • Identifying purpose: inform, persuade, entertain
     • Recognizing tone and word choice effects
   • Text Structure and Organization
     • Compare-contrast, problem-solution, chronological structures
     • Function of paragraphs and transitions
   • Word Meaning in Context
     • Using context clues
     • Connotation versus denotation
     • Figurative language: metaphor, simile, idiom
   • Comparing Multiple Texts on a Topic
3. 3

   Argument and Evidence Analysis

   4 topics

   • Identifying Claims and Counterclaims
   • Evaluating Relevance and Sufficiency of Evidence
   • Recognizing Logical Fallacies and Faulty Reasoning
     • Common fallacies: hasty generalization, false cause
     • Distinguishing fact from opinion
   • Assessing Validity of Reasoning in Persuasive Texts
4. 4

   Standard English Conventions (Grammar and Usage)

   4 topics

   • Sentence Structure
     • Complete sentences, fragments, and run-ons
     • Subordination and coordination of clauses
     • Parallel structure
   • Agreement and Pronouns
     • Subject-verb agreement
     • Pronoun-antecedent agreement and clear reference
   • Usage and Word Choice
     • Frequently confused words: their/there, its/it's
     • Verb tense consistency
     • Modifier placement
   • Capitalization, Punctuation, and Mechanics
     • Commas, semicolons, and colons
     • Apostrophes and possessives
5. 5

   The Extended Response Essay

   5 topics

   • Analyzing the Two Source Passages
   • Developing a Clear Thesis and Argument
   • Supporting Claims With Text-Based Evidence
   • Organization, Coherence, and Transitions
   • Time Management and Revision Within 45 Minutes

Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) flashcards for GED (General Educational Development)

19 of 50 cards from the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the difference between explicit and implicit meaning in a text?

   Explicit meaning is stated directly in the text (you can point to the words). Implicit meaning is suggested or implied, requiring the reader to infer it from clues and reasoning.

2. What is an inference, and what two things must it be based on?

   An inference is a logical conclusion not stated directly in the text. It must be based on (1) evidence from the text and (2) the reader's prior knowledge/reasoning.

3. How do you distinguish a text's central idea from a supporting detail?

   The central idea is the main point the whole passage develops; supporting details are facts, examples, or reasons that explain, prove, or illustrate that central idea.

4. What is the difference between a theme and a topic in a literary text?

   A topic is what the text is about (one or two words, e.g., 'courage'). A theme is the message or insight about that topic (a full statement, e.g., 'true courage means acting despite fear').

5. What is a summary, and what should it exclude?

   A summary is a brief, objective restatement of a text's main idea and key supporting points. It excludes minor details, examples, and the reader's personal opinions.

6. What signal words indicate chronological (time) order in a passage?

   Words such as first, next, then, after, before, later, finally, meanwhile, and specific dates or times.

7. What is a cause-and-effect relationship, and what words signal it?

   A cause produces an effect (the cause makes the effect happen). Signal words include because, since, therefore, as a result, consequently, so, thus, and leads to.

8. What is the difference between informational text and literary text?

   Informational text presents facts to inform or explain (articles, essays, manuals). Literary text tells a story or expresses ideas through imaginative writing (fiction, drama, poetry).

9. In informational text, what is the difference between a fact and an opinion?

   A fact can be proven true or verified; an opinion expresses a belief, judgment, or feeling that cannot be objectively proven.

10. What is an author's purpose, and what are the three main purposes?

    The author's purpose is the reason for writing. The three main purposes are to inform, to persuade, and to entertain.

11. What is point of view in a text, and how does it differ from author's purpose?

    Point of view is the author's attitude, perspective, or stance toward the subject. Author's purpose is the reason for writing; point of view is the angle from which the subject is presented.

12. How can you identify an author's point of view in a persuasive text?

    Look at word choice (positive/negative connotations), tone, the claims made, which evidence is emphasized or omitted, and any biased or loaded language.

13. Name five common text structures used to organize information.

    Chronological/sequence, cause and effect, compare and contrast, problem and solution, and description/list (or order of importance).

14. What signal words indicate a compare-and-contrast text structure?

    Similarly, likewise, both, in the same way (comparison); however, but, on the other hand, in contrast, unlike, whereas (contrast).

15. What signal words indicate a problem-and-solution text structure?

    Problem, issue, dilemma, challenge; and solution, resolve, answer, propose, fix.

16. What does it mean to determine word meaning 'in context'?

    Using the surrounding words, sentences, and overall passage to figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word, rather than relying only on a dictionary definition.

17. What are four types of context clues that reveal a word's meaning?

    Definition/restatement clues, synonym clues, antonym/contrast clues, and example/inference clues.

18. What is the difference between a word's denotation and its connotation?

    Denotation is the literal dictionary meaning of a word. Connotation is the emotional or cultural association the word carries (positive, negative, or neutral).

19. When comparing two texts on the same topic, what key elements should you compare?

    Their central ideas/claims, the evidence each uses, the author's purpose and point of view, tone, and how each presents or interprets the shared topic.

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