what is the purpose of this passage

ATI TEAS 7

Reading TEAS Practice Test

1. What is the purpose of this passage?

A. To describe the sun-fish's reproductive habits.
B. To explain the ecosystem of the sun-fish.
C. To persuade readers to protect aquatic ecosystems.
D. To discuss the mating habits of sun-fish.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. The passage describes the reproductive habits of the sun-fish, focusing on how the mother sun-fish provides and guards her spawn until they are ready to take care of themselves. Choice B is incorrect as the passage does not delve into the broader ecosystem of the sun-fish. Choice C is incorrect as there is no persuasive element in the passage about protecting aquatic ecosystems. Choice D is incorrect as the passage does not discuss the mating habits of sun-fish but rather the care provided by the mother sun-fish.

2. What is the central idea conveyed in the passage?

A. David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest is the holy grail of modern literature.
B. Infinite Jest is a page-turner.
C. David Foster Wallace wrote Infinite Jest.
D. Infinite Jest is a modern classic for good reason and everybody should read it.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The passage describes Infinite Jest as a modern classic that holds significant value, indicating that it is highly recommended for everyone to read it. Choice A focuses solely on the praise of the book without emphasizing the recommendation to read it. Choice B, mentioning it as a page-turner, does not capture the essence of it being a modern classic that everyone should read. Choice C is a factual statement about the authorship but does not encompass the main point that the book is a modern classic that deserves to be read by all.

3. Why did Julia not return to work after the alarm?

A. She was embarrassed that she could not finish the work her boss asked for.
B. She was tired and wanted to go home.
C. She got stuck in traffic and could not get back to her office.
D. Her boss gave her the afternoon off.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The most likely reason Julia did not return to work after the alarm is that she got stuck in traffic and could not get back to her office. The extract provides details about Julia's challenging morning, starting from being woken up early by lawn mowers, having a caffeine-free cup of coffee, facing traffic delays, arriving late at work, and receiving additional work from her boss. These events culminated in Julia deciding to leave after the fire alarm, indicating that being stuck in traffic was the primary reason for her absence. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because there is no direct evidence in the provided extract to support them. Julia's actions suggest that her decision to leave was more related to external factors like traffic issues rather than internal feelings of embarrassment, tiredness, or being given time off by her boss.

4. Which of the following words are synonyms for 'erroneously' as used in the passage?

A. Correctly
B. Inconsequentially
C. Mistakenly
D. Extraneously

Correct answer: C

Rationale: 'Erroneously' means incorrectly or mistakenly, which aligns with the context provided in the passage. Therefore, 'Incorrectly' and 'Mistakenly' are synonyms for 'erroneously.' 'Inconsequentially' means not resulting in any significant consequence, which is not synonymous with 'erroneously.' 'Extraneously' means irrelevant or unnecessary, which is also not a synonym for 'erroneously.'

5. What is a secondary argument the author makes?

A. Devices such as the iPad or Kindle are better than books because they have multiple uses.
B. Books are still important to have while waiting for an appointment or taking a flight.
C. Printed encyclopedias are still used and more convenient than using the Internet.
D. With technology, there will soon be no need for stories.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The secondary argument made by the author is that devices such as the iPad and Kindle are superior to printed books because they offer multiple functions beyond just reading. The author mentions that these devices have qualities similar to a computer and can be used for much more than just reading, making them a more versatile option compared to traditional books. Choice B is incorrect because the author does not emphasize the importance of books for specific situations like waiting for appointments or flights. Choice C is incorrect as the author does not compare printed encyclopedias to the Internet. Choice D is incorrect as the author does not suggest that technology will eliminate the need for stories; instead, they focus on the transition from printed books to electronic devices for reading.