GED Math Practice Test

Which statement best describes a parallelogram?

1. A shape with four equal sides

2. A shape where each pair of opposite sides are parallel and equal

3. A shape with all sides parallel

4. A shape with four right angles

The correct answer is: A shape where each pair of opposite sides are parallel and equal

The correct choice defines a parallelogram accurately by noting that it has pairs of opposite sides that are both parallel and of equal length. This is a defining characteristic of parallelograms, which include shapes like rectangles, rhombuses, and squares. In a parallelogram, opposite sides being parallel ensures that they never meet, creating a stable geometric figure. Additionally, having these sides equal in length means that the overall structure retains a consistent shape and size in relation to those sides. This dual requirement of parallelism and equal length distinguishes parallelograms from other quadrilaterals. The other statements do not appropriately describe a parallelogram. For example, a shape with four equal sides indicates a rhombus or square but does not imply the parallelism of opposite sides necessary for a parallelogram. A shape with all sides parallel would not exist as a closed figure in Euclidean geometry since it would require more than four sides to close into a shape. Lastly, a shape with four right angles describes a rectangle or square but does not encompass the wider category of parallelograms, as not all parallelograms have right angles.