Excerpt: The social and political discourse of America continues to be permeated with idealism. An idealistic viewpoint asserts that the ideals of freedom, equality, justice, and human dignity are the truths that Americans must continue to aspire to. Idealists argue that truth is what should be, not necessarily what is. In general, they work to improve things and to make them as close to ideal as possible.
1. Which of the following best captures the author’s purpose?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The author's main purpose in the passage is to explain the influence of idealism on American social and political discourse. The passage discusses how idealistic viewpoints shape the discourse in America, advocating for specific ideals and beliefs (A) rather than explaining the beliefs of an idealist (B) or examining the impact of snake behavior on the ecosystem (D).
Excerpt: 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.
2. What is the author’s primary purpose in writing this essay?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The author's primary purpose in writing this essay is to teach readers the difference between coral snakes and kingsnakes. The essay discusses how skin coloration and markings help snakes hide from predators and indicate whether a snake is venomous. By comparing the physical characteristics and behaviors of coral snakes and kingsnakes, the author helps readers understand how to distinguish between the two species to avoid potential dangers. Choice A is incorrect because the essay focuses more on distinguishing between snake species rather than solely on the relationship between markings and venom. Choice C is incorrect as the essay does not aim to illustrate why snakes are dangerous but rather to educate about the differences between specific snake types. Choice D is incorrect as the essay does not discuss how animals survive in difficult environments, but instead focuses on snake markings and behaviors.
3. What can the reader conclude from the passage above?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The passage explains that the kingsnake mimics the venomous coral snake's markings to deter predators, particularly hawks and eagles, which cannot differentiate between the two species. This implies that both the coral snake and the kingsnake face similar threats from predators in their shared habitat. Choice A is incorrect because the passage clearly states that the kingsnake is nonvenomous, so it is not dangerous to humans. Choice C is incorrect as the passage highlights that not all snakes with flashy markings are venomous, emphasizing the need for caution. Choice D is incorrect as there is no mention of the kingsnake changing its markings in response to the presence of hawks or eagles in the passage.
4. What is the best summary of this passage?
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.
5. What is the purpose of the passage?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The main purpose of this passage is to inform readers about the role of skin coloration and markings in snakes. It explains how these markings help snakes hide from predators and how they can also indicate venomousness. The passage also provides examples such as the scarlet kingsnake to illustrate how some nonvenomous snakes mimic the appearance of venomous snakes for protection. This informative content aims to educate readers about the survival strategies of snakes, rather than entertain, describe, or persuade them.
3000+ Practice Questions: to help you prepare adequately for the ATI TEAS 7.