1. Calculate the dense areas around the central atom in the bond. This includes lone pairs. Count each grp as 1. For example, h2c2 has 4 total bonds around each c atom. But there's a triple bond, so there is NOT 4 dense areas, there is 2. One on each side. Thus, it would be linear, 180 degrees, there should be a table of all this in your book.
Lets do another example. Let's say you had 4 dense areas around an Xe atom. 2 are lone pairs and 2 are bonds. 4 dense areas = tetrahedral, but with 2 lone pairs it is tetrahedral/bent. Tetrahedral shapes have 109.5 degree angles and if there is lone pairs the angle will be reduced because lone pairs need room. So the angle would be slightly less. For gen chem classes just remember your standard angles for each shape and if it has lone pairs say slightly less than ...
2. Hybridization is confusing to understand, this is a trick I use do get the answer. Count the dense areas. Let's say you get 4, the hybridization would then = sp3
count s as 1 and p as 3, which = 4, the number of dense areas
if you have 2 dense areas it would be sp. count s as 1 and p as 1.
if you have 5 dense areas sp3d
Notice anything? p can only have 3 orbitals, and s only 1. Thus, when you have 5 dense areas it goes to the next subshell d.
If you have not read your text and try to understand what I have said, you will not understand. I'm assuming you know what subshells are, what molecular shapes are, etc.