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 text feature does the author use to organize the passage?

A. headings and subheadings
B. superscripts
C. diagrams
D. labels and footnotes

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Headings and subheadings are commonly used text features that help organize a passage by signaling different sections or topics. In this case, the passage is organized with clear headings such as 'Dairy: Beverage,' 'Dairy: Meals,' 'Dairy: Snack,' and 'Dairy: Dessert.' These headings provide a structured layout, making it easier for readers to identify specific information within each category. Superscripts, diagrams, and labels and footnotes are not used in this passage for organizing content, making them incorrect choices.

3. What can the reader conclude from the passage above?

A. The kingsnake is dangerous to humans.
B. The coral snake and the kingsnake are both hunted by the same predators.
C. It's safe to handle snakes in the woods because you can easily tell whether they're poisonous.
D. The kingsnake changes its markings when hawks or eagles are close by.

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. Which of the following sentences distracts the reader from the main focus of the passage?

A. Malory's work, which is believed to be largely a translation of older French stories, was written in prose style.
B. Instead of embracing the romance angle, however, Malory focused more on the moral elements within these stories.
C. In Tennyson's work, Arthur chooses to forgive Guinevere, and she chooses to spend the rest of her days doing good works in a convent.
D. Charles Dickens is remembered for doing the same thing in his novels about the abuses of lower-class children in Victorian England.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The focus of the passage is on Malory and Tennyson and their interpretations of the Arthurian legends. The mention of Charles Dickens in choice D is irrelevant and distracts the reader from the main discussion. While the other choices discuss Malory's prose style, his focus on moral elements, and Tennyson's approach to the Arthurian stories, choice D brings in a comparison to Charles Dickens and his novels about lower-class children in Victorian England. This mention of Dickens does not directly relate to the main theme of the passage, making it the correct answer as the distracting sentence.

5. Which definition best fits the word zymosis?

A. Discontent
B. An infectious disease
C. Poverty
D. Bad luck

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this passage, the word 'zymosis' is described as a malady that the narrator has been suffering from since boyhood. This aligns with the definition of zymosis as an infectious disease, making option B the correct choice. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the passage clearly indicates that zymosis is a medical condition, not related to feelings of discontent, poverty, or bad luck.