Where to read it
The two articles for this task are not on this page. They belong to GED Testing Service, who wrote them, so we link to their document rather than copy it out.
Open Extended Response — GED Ready Source Texts and find the set titled Are professional athletes overpaid?. You are looking for:
- “NO,” by Jennifer Fontaine, a sports promoter
- “YES,” by Roberto Hinojosa, a high school math teacher
It is a free PDF. You do not need a GED.com account and there is nothing to pay. (The GED Ready practice test itself is a separate, paid product — this document is only the reading and the writing task from it.)
If that link ever fails, search GED.com for the document by name: Extended Response — GED Ready Source Texts.
The task, in the test’s own words
Are professional athletes overpaid?
In your response, develop an argument in which you explain how one position is better supported than the other. Incorporate relevant and specific evidence from both sources to support your argument. Remember, the better-argued position is not necessarily the position with which you agree. This task should take approximately 45 minutes to complete.
You are not being asked which side you agree with, and you will not be scored on which one you choose. You are being asked to judge the arguing. Allow about 45 minutes.
Before you start the clock
Open the document, find your two articles, and read them once through without stopping. Then start the clock here and write. Read the articles in their window; write in the box below, which saves under your code as you type, so you can move between the two without losing anything.
When you are finished, read your draft against the three traits on How the essay is scored.