in which of the following situations would you use formal language

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS English Practice Test

1. In which of the following situations would you use formal language?

A. Texting a friend
B. A family reunion
C. Skyping your grandparents
D. At a Parent-Teacher meeting

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: At a Parent-Teacher meeting. A Parent-Teacher meeting is a formal setting where professional communication is expected. Using formal language in this context shows respect and professionalism. Choices A, B, and C involve informal or casual situations where using formal language may not be necessary or appropriate. Texting a friend, attending a family reunion, or Skyping with grandparents are typically more informal interactions where a more relaxed communication style is acceptable.

2. Which of the following options is correctly punctuated?

A. The runaway truck, which had been parked on a steep hill, swerved and teetered before jumping a curb and slamming into a tree.
B. The runaway truck which had been parked on a steep hill swerved and teetered before jumping a curb and slamming into a tree.
C. The runaway truck, which had been parked on a steep hill, swerved and teetered before jumping a curb and slamming into a tree.
D. The runaway truck which had been parked on a steep hill, swerved and teetered before jumping a curb and slamming into a tree.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. The sentence correctly uses commas to set off the non-essential clause 'which had been parked on a steep hill.' The use of commas before and after the clause helps to distinguish it as additional information that could be omitted without changing the essential meaning of the sentence. Choices B, C, and D lack appropriate punctuation to set off the non-essential clause, making them incorrect. In these options, the absence of commas or the placement of commas incorrectly within the sentence affects the clarity and structure of the sentence, violating punctuation rules for non-essential clauses.

3. If you go to the market, please pick up some beef, carrots, and celery, and I will make some of that delicious stew we had last week. Which comma should be removed in the sentence above?

A. The comma after the word 'market'
B. The comma after the word 'beef'
C. The comma after the word 'celery'
D. The comma after the word 'delicious'

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The comma after 'delicious' is unnecessary as it separates the adjective 'delicious' from the noun 'stew'. In this case, 'delicious' is describing the type of stew, so the comma should be removed to maintain correct sentence structure. The other commas in the sentence are correctly used to separate items in a list and after introductory phrases, making them necessary for clarity and grammatical correctness.

4. Which of the following substitutions best captures the meaning of the word 'egregious' in the sentence: 'The errors were becoming so frequent and egregious that the company had no choice but to force the humbled administrator into early retirement'?

A. thoughtless
B. bizarre
C. minor
D. flagrant

Correct answer: A

Rationale: 'Egregious' means outstandingly bad or shocking. Among the given choices, 'thoughtless' is the best substitution that captures a similar meaning. This is because 'thoughtless' implies actions or errors committed without careful consideration, which aligns with the negative connotation of the word 'egregious' in the sentence. 'Bizarre' (choice B) means strange or unusual, not necessarily bad. 'Minor' (choice C) means of lesser importance or seriousness, which contrasts with the strong negativity of 'egregious.' 'Flagrant' (choice D) means obviously offensive or bad, but it does not fully capture the sense of shock and outstandingly bad conveyed by 'egregious.'

5. Surely, he thought, I can’t trust this enticing yet dubious offer, although I could use the opportunity more than I’d like to admit. 'Although' is which part of speech?

A. Adverb
B. Preposition
C. Conjunction
D. Adjective

Correct answer: C

Rationale: 'Although' is a conjunction because it connects two clauses in the sentence. In the given sentence, 'although' introduces a dependent clause ('although I could use the opportunity more than I’d like to admit') and connects it to the independent clause ('Surely, he thought, I can’t trust this enticing yet dubious offer'). This conjunction shows the contrast between the two ideas. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because 'although' does not function as an adverb, preposition, or adjective in this context.