Evidence and Conclusions

Evidence and Conclusions are part of the GED Language test.

This lesson is a part of Onsego GED Prep.

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• Point of view, and Purpose

This lesson focuses on another important topic that frequently appears in language arts questions: drawing a conclusion. This skill involves taking the evidence and main ideas from the text and forming a final judgment.

To correctly answer these types of GED test question, you need to start by understanding a claim and then, through a logical progression of thought and evidence, identify the conclusion. Conclusion questions are based on evidence, not educated guesses, which makes them easier to answer because the evidence includes facts that can be proven.

Here is an example of a conclusion:

I was working in the garden and wondered if I needed to water my plants. I looked at the sky, and while it was still clear, I noticed a few dark clouds on the horizon. The forecast on my phone said it would rain in a few hours.
I concluded that I didn’t need to water my plants.
This conclusion is based on evidence of dark clouds and a forecast, so it is not just an educated guess.
Here is a sample test question, let’s see how to solve it.

A recent report by the environmental advocacy group GreenFuture highlights the rapid increase in electronic waste, or e-waste, and its severe environmental and health impacts.

The report states that discarded electronics contain hazardous materials such as lead and mercury, which can leach into soil and water, harming ecosystems and human health.

The report also notes that developed countries export much of their e-waste to less developed nations.

These nations welcome the additional income, but the report points out that only a small percentage of e-waste is properly recycled.

The usual practice is that workers, including children, are exposed to toxic substances, and methods like burning plastics release harmful fumes.

GreenFuture calls for stronger international collaboration and improved regulations to enhance e-waste recycling practices.

Which conclusion is supported by the passage?

A. E-waste is a major environmental issue.
B. Recycling facilities need help with e-waste management.
C. Global efforts and better policies are essential for effective e-waste management.
D. Developing countries benefit from importing e-waste.
To answer this question correctly, start by identifying the claim and then use logical reasoning and evidence to find the conclusion.

Step 1: Understand the Claim:

The claim in the passage is that e-waste is a growing problem with significant environmental and health impacts.

Step 2: Identify the Evidence:

The report presented by GreenFuture, a well-known advocacy group, serves as evidence.

It presents a dire picture of the e-waste problem, emphasizing the dangers of hazardous materials and the unsafe practices in handling e-waste.

Step 3: Draw the Conclusion:

Considering the evidence, it becomes clear that the mishandling of e-waste and the lack of proper recycling facilities pose serious risks. The report suggests that without international cooperation and stricter regulations, these issues will persist.

Out of the four provided answer choices, only option C aligns with this conclusion:

Global efforts and better policies are essential for effective e-waste management. This answer logically follows the credible evidence presented in the GreenFuture report.

Let’s take a look at why other choices are not correct:

A. E-waste is a major environmental issue:
This statement is true, but it simply restates part of the problem without addressing the necessary solution highlighted in the passage. It doesn’t provide the actionable step needed to manage the issue effectively.

B. Recycling facilities need help with e-waste management:
While this statement might seem relevant, it is too vague and does not capture the essence of the solution proposed in the passage, which emphasizes the need for global efforts and better policies rather than just help for recycling facilities.

D. Developing countries benefit from importing e-waste:

This statement contradicts the evidence provided in the passage. Although developing countries might receive additional income from importing e-waste, the passage highlights the severe health and environmental risks associated with improper handling of e-waste, indicating that the drawbacks far outweigh the benefits.

By following this process—understanding the claim, identifying the evidence, and then drawing a logical conclusion—we easily identify the correct answer.
As you see, drawing conclusions involves careful reading, but it’s not difficult.

Last Updated on October 19, 2025.