Free English & Language Usage practice for TEAS Test English Questions (ATI TEAS 7). Answer 40 nursing exam-style questions with rationales, exam mode, and prog
What literary device is used in the phrase 'a heart of gold'?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The correct answer is A, Metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things by stating that one thing is another. In the phrase 'a heart of gold,' the good nature of a person is being directly compared to gold, indicating that the person is kind, valuable, and precious, much like gold. This comparison is not using 'like' or 'as,' which would make it a simile, but rather it is a direct assertion, making it a metaphor. Simile involves comparing two things using 'like' or 'as,' which is not present in this phrase. Hyperbole is an exaggeration, which is not the case here. Personification gives human qualities to non-human entities, which is also not occurring in 'a heart of gold.'
Identify the reflexive pronoun in the sentence: 'She prepared herself for the presentation.'
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The correct answer is 'A: herself.' A reflexive pronoun refers back to the subject of the sentence and emphasizes that the subject performed the action on itself. In the sentence 'She prepared herself for the presentation,' 'herself' refers back to the subject 'she,' making it a reflexive pronoun. Choice B, 'she,' is a subjective pronoun used as the subject of the sentence. Choice C, 'presentation,' is a noun and not a pronoun. Choice D, 'for,' is a preposition and not a pronoun.
When writing a blog post, what should you consider including?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
When writing a blog post, it is crucial to consider including engaging headlines, subheadings, and bullet points for scannability. This formatting is essential as it enhances readability for readers who prefer scanning content rather than reading it thoroughly. Long, detailed paragraphs (Choice A) may overwhelm readers and deter them from engaging with the content. Using emojis and informal slang (Choice B) may not suit all types of blog posts and could potentially diminish the professionalism of the content. While using academic vocabulary (Choice D) can be beneficial in certain contexts, it may not always be necessary or suitable for a broader audience reading a blog post.
The important decision will be made tomorrow. Which word is the comparative form of the adjective 'important'?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
In this sentence, 'important' is the positive form of the adjective. When comparing two things, the comparative form is used, which is 'more important' in this case. 'More important' indicates a higher degree of importance when comparing two things. Therefore, 'more important' is the correct comparative form of the adjective 'important' in this context. Choice A ('important') is the positive form, not the comparative form. Choice B ('importantly') is an adverb, not a comparative form of the adjective. Choice D ('most important') is the superlative form, used to show the highest degree of importance among three or more things, not for comparing two things.
Which sentence avoids a dangling modifier?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
Option C correctly places the participle phrase 'Reading the book' directly in front of the subject 'I,' ensuring that there is no dangling modifier. This structure establishes a clear connection between the action described in the introductory phrase and the subject performing the action, resulting in a grammatically correct sentence. Choice A, B, and D have dangling modifiers. In choice A, the phrase 'Walking down the street' should be followed by the noun it is describing to avoid the dangling modifier. Choice B has a dangling modifier as 'Having finished the report' does not have a clear subject to relate to. Choice D also has a dangling modifier as 'Exhausted from the hike' is not properly connected to the subject in the sentence.
What is the meaning of the idiom 'to cross that bridge when we come to it'?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The correct answer is C. The idiom 'to cross that bridge when we come to it' means to deal with challenges as they arise, not worrying about them prematurely. It suggests addressing problems when they actually occur rather than stressing over potential issues in advance. Choice A, 'To deal with a problem immediately,' is incorrect because the idiom is about not addressing problems prematurely. Choice B, 'To plan for the future in detail,' is incorrect as it goes against the essence of the idiom, which is about dealing with issues when they happen, not planning extensively in advance. Choice D, 'To avoid difficult situations,' is incorrect as the idiom implies facing challenges when they present themselves rather than avoiding them.
Choose the correct pronoun to complete the sentence: 'Neither Michael nor Sarah ____ their homework finished yet.'
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
In this sentence, 'neither' is followed by two subjects, 'Michael' and 'Sarah.' When 'neither' is followed by two singular subjects joined by 'nor,' the verb should agree with the subject closer to the verb, which is 'Sarah' in this case. Therefore, the correct pronoun to complete the sentence is 'have.' Choice A, 'has,' is incorrect because it is singular and does not agree with the plural subject 'Sarah.' Choice C, 'are having,' is incorrect as it changes the sentence structure and does not fit grammatically. Choice D, 'does have,' is incorrect as 'does' is unnecessary and 'have' does not agree with the singular verb 'does.'
Identify the adjective in the following sentence: The colorful sunset painted the sky with vibrant hues.
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The correct answer is 'C - colorful.' Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns or pronouns. In this sentence, 'colorful' describes the noun 'sunset,' making it the adjective in the sentence. Choice A, 'sunset,' is a noun, not an adjective. Choice B, 'with,' is a preposition. Choice D, 'painted,' is a verb, not an adjective. Therefore, the correct answer is 'C - colorful.'
In the sentence 'The house was dilapidated,' what effect does the word 'dilapidated' have on the reader's understanding?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The word 'dilapidated' specifically describes the deteriorating state of the house, indicating that it is in poor condition. This choice best reflects the impact the word has on the reader's understanding. Choice A, 'Creates a sense of mystery,' is incorrect as 'dilapidated' does not inherently imply mystery but rather a state of disrepair. Choice B, 'Emphasizes the large size of the house,' is incorrect as 'dilapidated' does not relate to the size but rather the condition. Choice D, 'Implies the house is haunted,' is incorrect as 'dilapidated' does not directly suggest haunting, but only poor maintenance or disuse.
Which of the following types of language is acceptable in a research paper?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
Relative pronouns are acceptable in a research paper for connecting clauses. Colloquialisms (choice A) are informal expressions that are not suitable for academic writing. Contractions (choice B) are considered too casual for a research paper. The second-person point of view (choice D) should be avoided in research papers as it can make the writing less objective and scholarly.
Which of the following makes a correction to an error in this sentence: The family sprinted through the airport, worryed they would miss their flight?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The error in the sentence lies in the misspelling of 'worryed,' which should be corrected to 'worried.' This choice addresses the grammatical mistake in the sentence. Choice A ('families') is incorrect as the sentence refers to a singular 'family.' Choice C ('airport' should be 'airport') is grammatically incorrect. Choice D ('their' should be 'there') is also incorrect; 'there' is used to indicate a place, while 'their' shows possession, neither of which is the error in the original sentence.
Julia is writing an essay about the influence of technology on interpersonal relationships. Which of the following sentences would NOT be a relevant supporting detail?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
In an essay focusing on the impact of technology on interpersonal relationships, details about college students' study habits and homework workload are not directly related to the influence of technology on relationships. Choices A, C, and D are more relevant as they directly address the impact of technology, such as social media engagement, smartphone usage affecting conversations, and the comparison between TV-watching and brain activity during conversations.
Which word in the following sentence is a homophone of 'I'll'?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
Aisle' is the correct answer. A homophone is a word that is pronounced the same as another word but has a different meaning or spelling. In this sentence, 'I'll' is a homophone of 'aisle' as they sound the same but have distinct definitions and spellings. Choices A, C, and D do not fit the criteria of being homophones of 'I'll'.
When a researcher submits a paper for publication in a scientific journal, the editors give it to other scientists to review. Which of the following options best uses grammar to combine the sentences above for clarity?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The correct answer is A: "When a researcher submits a paper for publication in a scientific journal, the editors give it to other scientists to review." This option provides a clear and concise way to combine the two sentences. It maintains the logical sequence of events: first, the researcher submits the paper, and then the editors pass it to other scientists for review. Option B introduces unnecessary complexity by separating the actions in a less fluid manner. Option C confuses the sequence of events by implying that the scientists review the paper because the editors already gave it to them, which is not the intended order of actions. Option D also disrupts the chronological order of events by placing the scientists' review before the editors give them the paper, making it less clear and accurate compared to the correct answer, option A.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The correct answer is B: 'It's a beautiful day outside.' 'It's' is the contraction for 'it is.' Choice A is incorrect as it should be 'It's' instead of 'Its.' Choice C is incorrect as the apostrophe should come before the 's' in the contraction. Choice D is incorrect as the use of 'is'' is grammatically incorrect.
Identify the preposition in the following sentence: It's really hot in that room.
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The correct answer is "C: in." A preposition is a word that shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word in the sentence. In this sentence, 'in' is the preposition, indicating the location of the heat relative to the room. Choices A, B, and D are not prepositions. 'It' is a pronoun, 'hot' is an adjective, and 'that' is a demonstrative pronoun in this context, not a preposition.
Which of the following punctuation marks correctly completes the sentence below? "She bought several items for the trip____ a tent, a sleeping bag, and a flashlight."
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The correct punctuation mark to use in this sentence is the colon (:) because it is used to introduce a list. In this case, the list of items she bought for the trip includes a tent, a sleeping bag, and a flashlight. A semicolon (;) is not appropriate here because it is typically used to connect independent clauses. A comma (,) is not suitable as it would create a comma splice error. A period (.) is incorrect as it signifies the end of a sentence, which is not the intended purpose in this context.
Which sentence does not need quotation marks because it is an indirect quotation?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
An indirect quotation does not require quotation marks as it paraphrases what was said without directly quoting it. Sentence B, 'John F. Kennedy announced plans to go to the moon,' is an example of an indirect quotation as it conveys the information without using the exact words spoken by Kennedy. Choices A, C, and D directly quote the individuals and thus require quotation marks, making them incorrect answers.
In the sentence 'The very lively lady was riding a beautiful parade float,' what part of speech is 'lively'?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
Lively' is an adjective in this sentence as it describes the noun 'lady.' It is used to provide more information about the characteristics of the lady, indicating how she is lively. This makes 'adjective' the correct answer. The other options are incorrect: 'Verb' is a word that expresses an action or state of being, 'Adverb' modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, and 'Noun' is a person, place, thing, or idea.
What kind of error does the following sentence contain? Forgetting that he was supposed to meet his girlfriend for dinner, Anita was mad when Fred showed up late.
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The correct answer is C, misplaced modifier. In this sentence, the modifier 'Forgetting that he was supposed to meet his girlfriend for dinner' is placed incorrectly, suggesting that Anita forgot, when it was actually Fred who forgot. The modifier should be positioned closer to 'Fred' to clarify the intended meaning. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Parallelism is not an issue in this sentence, it is not a run-on sentence as it is grammatically correct, and there is no subject-verb agreement error present.
Which of these examples is a compound sentence?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
Option C is a compound sentence because it consists of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction ('and then'). The first independent clause is 'Alex and Shane spent the morning coloring,' and the second independent clause is 'they took a walk down to the park.' Choices A, B, and D are not compound sentences. In choice A, although there are two actions mentioned, they are not independent clauses; they are part of a single sentence. Choice B is a complex sentence with a dependent clause ('After coloring all morning') and an independent clause. Choice D is a complex sentence with a compound predicate ('After coloring all morning and spending part of the day at the park') followed by an independent clause.
As the tour group approached the bottom of Chichen Itza, the prodigious Mayan pyramid, they became nervous about climbing its distant peak. Based on the context of the sentence, which of the following words shows the correct meaning of the word prodigious?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
In this context, the word 'prodigious' is used to describe the Mayan pyramid at Chichen Itza. The tour group's nervousness about climbing its distant peak indicates that the pyramid is impressive in size and scale, invoking a sense of awe or grandeur. Therefore, the correct meaning of 'prodigious' in this context would be 'very large.' Choice B, 'Famous,' is incorrect as the sentence focuses on the size rather than the fame of the pyramid. Choice C, 'Very old,' and choice D, 'Fancy,' do not accurately capture the intended meaning of 'prodigious' as used in this context.
She is a gifted pianist, although she's struggling with the piece for her upcoming concert.
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The correct answer is C because there is a tense disagreement in the sentence. The use of 'was' (past tense) and 'she's' (contraction of 'she is' present tense) creates an inconsistency in the verb tense. The sentence should maintain consistency either in past tense ('She was a gifted pianist, although she struggled with the piece for her upcoming concert') or present tense ('She is a gifted pianist, although she's struggling with the piece for her upcoming concert'). Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as the issue in the sentence is related to verb tense disagreement, not transition words, diction, or sentence completeness.
Which punctuation mark is used to indicate a strong feeling or emotion?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The correct answer is D, 'Exclamation mark.' Exclamation marks are used to express strong emotions such as excitement, surprise, or urgency. They indicate a heightened level of emotion in a sentence. Periods (A) are used to indicate the end of a statement, commas (B) are used to separate elements in a sentence, and question marks (C) are used to indicate questions or uncertainty. In this context, the use of an exclamation mark is the most appropriate choice to convey a strong feeling or emotion.
Which sentence correctly answers the question: What were you doing when the thunderstorm started?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The correct answer is 'C: I was mowing the lawn.' This sentence correctly uses the past continuous tense to indicate an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past when the thunderstorm started. Choice A 'I mowed the lawn' is in simple past tense, not past continuous, and does not convey the ongoing nature of the action. Choice B 'I am mowing the lawn' is in present continuous tense, not past continuous, and does not match the past timeframe. Choice D 'I have mowed the lawn' is in present perfect tense, not past continuous, and does not convey the ongoing action at a specific past time.
Typically, water that has evaporated remains in the sky in cloud form for less than ten days before falling to Earth again as precipitation. Which of the following parts of speech is 'remains' as used in the sentence?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
In the sentence, 'water that has evaporated remains in the sky,' the word 'remains' is functioning as a verb. It is describing the action of water staying in the sky in cloud form for a certain duration. Verbs are words that express actions, occurrences, or states of being, and in this case, 'remains' is indicating the state of the water being in the sky in cloud form. The other choices are incorrect: 'noun' refers to a person, place, thing, or idea; 'adjective' describes or modifies a noun; and 'adverb' typically modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, but in this sentence, 'remains' is not being modified by an adverb.
Who is probably the oldest person in my family?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The correct answer is 'C: The oldest person in my family.' The complete subject of the sentence is 'The oldest person in my family,' which includes all the words that describe who or what the sentence is about. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not form a complete subject that accurately represents who the sentence is referring to in the context of the family relationship.
In the sentence 'The flustered man watched the train as it pulled out of the station,' which of the following is the simple subject?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The simple subject is the noun or pronoun that the sentence is about. In this sentence, the subject is 'man' because it is the entity performing the action of watching. 'The flustered man' is a noun phrase but not the simple subject as it includes an article and an adjective. 'Watched' is a verb and 'train' is the object of the action, not the subject. Therefore, 'man' is the correct simple subject in this sentence.
Which of the following is an example of a prepositional phrase?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The correct answer is A: 'After the game.' A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition and its object, describing a relationship in time, location, or direction. In this case, 'After' is the preposition, and 'the game' is its object, making it a prepositional phrase. Choices B, C, and D do not contain prepositional phrases. Choice B, 'Running fast,' is a gerund phrase with an adverb modifying a verb. Choice C, 'She sings,' is a subject-verb sentence construction. Choice D, 'Can you help me?' is an interrogative sentence asking for assistance.
What does the prefix circum- mean in the word circumference?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The prefix 'circum-' means 'around,' which is the definition most related to 'circumference.' Circumference refers to the boundary that surrounds a circular shape. Choice A, 'Beyond,' is incorrect as it implies going further or exceeding a boundary. Choice B, 'After,' is not related to the concept of surrounding or encircling. Choice D, 'Before,' is also unrelated and denotes something occurring prior to a specific time or event.
The RV was a great purchase for our family and brought us all closer together. Which of the following transitional phrases would improve this sentence?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The transitional phrase 'As it turns out' adds a reflective tone that matches the surprise at how well the RV worked for the family. Choice A ('NO CHANGE') does not introduce any new information or transition. Choice B ('Not surprisingly, the RV') contradicts the surprise factor mentioned in the sentence. Choice C ('Furthermore, the RV') does not provide a suitable transition given the context of the sentence.
Which transitional word would be the best option to represent the logical link between these two sentences? I often have heard arguments claiming that complete freedom of speech could lead to dangerous situations. Without complete freedom of speech, can it truly be said that we live in a free society?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The correct answer is 'However.' In this context, the transitional word 'However' is used to introduce a contrast between the two sentences. The first sentence presents an argument about the potential dangers of complete freedom of speech, while the second questions the notion of living in a free society without such freedom. 'However' establishes a logical link by indicating a shift or contradiction in ideas. Choice B, 'Therefore,' would imply a cause-and-effect relationship, which is not supported by the content of the sentences. Choice C, 'So,' would indicate a conclusion or result, which does not fit the context. Choice D, 'Supposedly,' is not a suitable transitional word in this context as it does not connect the contrasting ideas presented in the sentences.
Select the subject with which the underlined verb must agree: 'Everyone I know has the day off, but my boss wants me to work.'
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The correct answer is 'A: Everyone.' In the sentence, the verb 'has' must agree with the singular subject 'Everyone.' 'I,' 'day,' and 'boss' are not the subjects that the verb 'has' must agree with. 'I' is the object pronoun, 'day' is the object of the preposition 'off,' and 'boss' is part of the second clause and not the subject that governs the verb agreement in the first clause.
What is the best definition of the word veritable?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The best definition of the word 'veritable' is 'Genuine.' Veritable means real or authentic, not exaggerated or forceful. 'Noble' refers to having high moral qualities or excellent character, which is unrelated to the meaning of 'veritable.' 'Forceful' describes something having a strong impact or effect, which is not synonymous with 'veritable.' 'Exaggerated' means to represent something as being larger, greater, better, or worse than it really is, which is opposite in meaning to 'veritable.' Therefore, 'Genuine' is the correct choice as it aligns best with the definition of 'veritable.'
Which of the following substitutions best captures the meaning of the underlined words in the sentence below? "She was perturbed by the loud noise coming from the construction site."
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The word 'perturbed' in the sentence conveys a sense of being troubled, disturbed, or bothered by something. Therefore, the most suitable substitution is 'bothered by.' Option A correctly captures the feeling of being unsettled due to the loud noise. Choice B, 'excited about,' does not align with the negative connotation of 'perturbed.' Choice C, 'occupied exclusively with,' introduces a different concept unrelated to feeling troubled by the noise. Choice D, 'confused by,' does not accurately reflect the feeling of being troubled or bothered by the situation described in the sentence. Thus, 'bothered by' is the most appropriate substitution in this context.
What is the point of view indicated by the underlined words in the sentence below?"You should know that I am planning to attend the meeting tomorrow."
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The point of view indicated by the underlined words in the sentence demonstrates a transition from second-person ("you") to first-person ("I"). The correct answer is B because the speaker shifts from addressing someone else (second-person) to talking about themselves (first-person). Choice A is incorrect because third-person is not present in the sentence. Choice C is incorrect because the order of point of view shift is reversed. Choice D is incorrect as it incorrectly identifies the sequence of point of view change.
Which of the following statements most effectively revises this introduction about Mary Shelley: Mary Shelley conceived of Dr. Frankenstein and the hideous monster he created, which helped the English novelist to make an immeasurable impact on literature and popular culture?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
Option A most effectively revises the introduction by clearly stating that English novelist Mary Shelley had an immeasurable impact on literature and popular culture through her conception of Dr. Frankenstein and the hideous monster he created. It maintains the original idea while improving clarity and coherence. Option B introduces confusion by implying that Dr. Frankenstein created the hideous monster when it was actually Mary Shelley who conceived both characters. Option C lacks the necessary conjunctions to make the sentence flow smoothly. Option D unnecessarily specifies the country of origin for Mary Shelley and does not maintain the focus on her impact on literature and popular culture.
Which of the following sentences best serves as the topic sentence in a paragraph about the history of yoga?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The correct answer is D because it introduces the historical origin of yoga, which is the main focus of the paragraph. This sentence sets the context by providing a foundational understanding of where and when yoga originated. Choice A talks about the mention of yoga in the Vedas but does not provide information about the historical development of yoga itself. Choice B discusses the travel of yoga masters to the West, which is a later development in the history of yoga and not the starting point. Choice C refers to a shift in yoga philosophy without directly addressing its origins, making it less suitable as a topic sentence compared to choice D.
Which of the following examples is a sentence fragment?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The correct answer is B, 'On the 5:30 train.' This is a sentence fragment because it does not contain a subject and a verb. In this case, 'On the 5:30 train' is a prepositional phrase, not a complete sentence. Choices A, C, and D are complete sentences as they have both a subject and a verb, making them grammatically correct and not sentence fragments.
Where can you typically find the thesis statement of an essay?
Select the best answer.
Explanation:
The thesis statement of an essay is usually located in the introduction. This is where the author establishes the main idea or argument that will be developed throughout the essay. The conclusion (Choice A) summarizes the main points and restates the thesis but does not introduce it. Body paragraphs (Choice C) provide supporting details and arguments, while the bibliography (Choice D) lists the sources used in the essay, not the thesis statement.
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