TEAS Test Reading Questions

Extract:

The study showed that private tutoring is providing a significant advantage to those students who are able to afford it. Researchers looked at the grades of students who had received free tutoring through the school versus those whose parents had paid for private tutors. The study included 2,500 students in three high schools across four grade levels. The study found that private tutoring corresponded with a rise in grade point average (GPA) of 0.5 compared to students who used the school's free tutor service and 0.7 compared to students who used no tutoring. After reviewing the study, the board is recommending that the school restructure its free tutor service to provide a more equitable education for all students.

Question 1 of 5

Which of the following would weaken the author's argument?

A. a report revealing that the cited study was funded by a company that provides discounted tutoring through schools B. a study demonstrating differences in standardized test scores among students at schools in various neighborhoods C. a statement signed by local teachers affirming that they do not give preferential treatment in the classroom or during grading D. a study indicating that GPA has a weak correlation with success in college

Correct Answer: A

Rationale:
Choice A weakens the author's argument by highlighting a potential conflict of interest. If the cited study was funded by a company offering discounted tutoring, it could introduce bias and question the credibility of the study's findings. This revelation could cast doubt on the objectivity and reliability of the research, ultimately undermining the argument based on the cited study.

Choices B, C, and D do not directly impact the credibility or objectivity of the cited study, so they would not significantly weaken the author's argument.

Extract:

Skin coloration and markings have an important role to play in the world of snakes. Those intricate diamonds, stripes, and swirls help the animals hide from predators, but perhaps most importantly (for us humans, anyway), the markings can also indicate whether the snake is venomous. While it might seem counterintuitive for a venomous snake to stand out in bright red or blue, that fancy costume tells any nearby predator that approaching him would be a bad idea.
If you see a flashy-looking snake in the woods, though, those markings don't necessarily mean it's venomous: some snakes have found a way to ward off predators without the actual venom. The scarlet kingsnake, for example, has very similar markings to the venomous coral snake with whom it frequently shares a habitat. However, the kingsnake is actually nonvenomous; it's merely pretending to be dangerous to eat. A predatory hawk or eagle, usually hunting from high in the sky, can't tell the difference between the two species, and so the kingsnake gets passed over and lives another day.

Question 2 of 5

What is the best summary of this passage?

A. Humans can use coloration and markings on snakes to determine whether they're venomous. B. Animals use coloration to hide from predators. C. The scarlet kingsnake and the coral snake have nearly identical markings. D. Venomous snakes often have bright markings, although nonvenomous snakes can also mimic those colors.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The best summary of the passage is that humans can use coloration and markings on snakes to determine whether they're venomous. The passage discusses how snake markings serve the purpose of warning predators and helping humans identify venomous snakes by their bright coloration.
Choice B is incorrect because the passage focuses on how coloration helps snakes evade predators rather than hide from them.
Choice C is incorrect as it only mentions two specific snakes with similar markings, which is a minor detail compared to the main point of identifying venomous snakes.
Choice D is incorrect because it only partially reflects the passage, focusing solely on the relationship between markings and venom in snakes, missing the crucial aspect of human ability to discern venomous snakes based on their coloration.

Extract:

It had been a long morning for Julia. She'd been woken up early by the sound of lawn mowers outside her window, and despite her best efforts, had been unable to get back to sleep. So, she'd reluctantly got out of bed, showered, and prepared her morning cup of coffee. At least, she tried to anyway. In the kitchen she'd discovered she was out of regular coffee and had to settle for a decaffeinated cup instead.
Once on the road, her caffeine-free mug of coffee didn't help make traffic less annoying. In fact, it seemed to Julia like the other drivers were sluggish and surly as wellâ€”it took her an extra fifteen minutes to get to work. And when she arrived, all the parking spots were full.
By the time she'd finally found a spot in the overflow lot, she was thirty minutes late for work. She'd hoped her boss would be too busy to notice, but he'd already put a pile of paperwork on her desk with a note that simply said â€œRewrite.â€ She wondered if she should point out to her boss that she hadn't been the one to write the reports in the first place, but decided against it.
When the fire alarm went off an hour later, Julia decided she'd had enough. She grabbed her purse and headed outside with her coworkers. While everyone else stood around waiting for the alarm to quiet, Julia determinedly walked to her car, fired up the engine, and set a course for home.

Question 3 of 5

Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the passage?

A. Julia will find a job closer to her home. B. Julia will lose her job. C. Julia will feel guilty and return to work. D. Julia will drive home and go to sleep.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Based on the passage provided, there is no indication that Julia will find a job closer to her home, lose her job, or feel guilty and return to work. The passage simply states that Julia is tired and ready to go home, indicating that she will likely drive home and go to sleep. Throughout the passage, Julia faces a series of frustrating events that culminate in her decision to leave work and head home. There is no mention of job hunting, job loss, or feelings of guilt, making these options unsupported by the text.

Extract:

Carl's Car Depot is hosting its one-day-only summer sale event! All sedans, trucks, SUVs, and more are marked to move quickly. We're offering no money down and low (like, really low) monthly payments. You won't find prices like these anywhere else in the city (or the state, or anywhere else you look). No matter what you're looking for, we have the new and used cars you need. We only drop our prices this low once a year, so don't miss out on this great deal!

Question 4 of 5

Why are italics used in the sentence, 'Although Ben said he supported his coworkers, his actions suggested he did not condone their behavior'?

A. to show a word is intentionally misspelled B. to indicate a word in a foreign language C. to emphasize a contrast D. to reference a footnote

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Italics are often used in writing to draw attention to specific words or phrases, especially in cases where there is a contrast or emphasis intended. In this sentence, the use of italics on 'supported' and 'condone' helps highlight the contradiction between Ben's words and actions, emphasizing the contrast between what he said and what he actually did.
Choice A is incorrect because italics are not used to indicate intentional misspellings in this context.
Choice B is incorrect as italics are not used to indicate foreign words in this sentence.
Choice D is incorrect as there is no mention of footnotes in the sentence.

Extract:

It had been a long morning for Julia. She'd been woken up early by the sound of lawn mowers outside her window, and despite her best efforts, had been unable to get back to sleep. So, she'd reluctantly got out of bed, showered, and prepared her morning cup of coffee. At least, she tried to anyway. In the kitchen she'd discovered she was out of regular coffee and had to settle for a decaffeinated cup instead.
Once on the road, her caffeine-free mug of coffee didn't help make traffic less annoying. In fact, it seemed to Julia like the other drivers were sluggish and surly as wellâ€”it took her an extra fifteen minutes to get to work. And when she arrived, all the parking spots were full.
By the time she'd finally found a spot in the overflow lot, she was thirty minutes late for work. She'd hoped her boss would be too busy to notice, but he'd already put a pile of paperwork on her desk with a note that simply said â€œRewrite.â€ She wondered if she should point out to her boss that she hadn't been the one to write the reports in the first place, but decided against it.
When the fire alarm went off an hour later, Julia decided she'd had enough. She grabbed her purse and headed outside with her coworkers. While everyone else stood around waiting for the alarm to quiet, Julia determinedly walked to her car, fired up the engine, and set a course for home.

Question 5 of 5

Which of the following statements based on the passage should be considered an opinion?

A. Julia's boss asked her to help one of her coworkers with work. B. Julia was late to work due to traffic. C. It was irresponsible for Julia to leave work early. D. Julia was tired because she'd been woken up early.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The statement 'It was irresponsible for Julia to leave work early' is an opinion because it reflects a judgment or evaluation of Julia's actions, rather than stating a fact. The other statements (A, B,
D) provide factual information about events that occurred in the passage. Option A states a fact about Julia being asked by her boss; option B explains the reason for Julia being late; option D provides a reason for Julia feeling tired. These are not opinions but rather statements of events or circumstances.

Nurselytic

ATI TEAS 7

ATI TEAS 7