what source would be most useful in determining the reliability of punxsutawney phils predictions over a number of years

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS Reading Practice Questions

1. What source would be most useful in determining the reliability of Punxsutawney Phil's predictions over a number of years?

A. A memoir from a former president of the Groundhog Club
B. A record of weather patterns over the past decade
C. An article on groundhog behavior in the northeast U.S
D. A historical account of Groundhog Day traditions

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A record of weather patterns over the past decade would be the most useful source in determining the reliability of Punxsutawney Phil's predictions. By comparing Phil's forecasts with the actual weather outcomes, one can analyze the accuracy of his predictions. Choices A, C, and D do not directly provide the necessary data on weather patterns to evaluate Phil's reliability.

2. When evaluating the credibility of a source during research, which statement is true?

A. The author's reputation is more important than whether they cite sources.
B. The source should always be as recent as possible, considering the subject.
C. The author's point of view and/or purpose is crucial for credibility.
D. The kinds of sources various audiences value influence credibility for them.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The kind of sources different audiences value can indeed influence the credibility of a source for them. Different audiences may place varying levels of trust in different types of sources, such as peer-reviewed journals, government reports, or mainstream media outlets. Understanding the preferences of the target audience is essential for establishing credibility when presenting information. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. The author's reputation is important but not more critical than citing sources, as proper citations contribute to transparency and reliability. The recency of a source is essential but not always the most crucial factor; relevance to the subject matter is also significant. The author's point of view and purpose are indeed relevant to assessing credibility; understanding their biases and intentions is vital in evaluating the reliability of a source.

3. Jensen has been assigned a project on ancient Greece, but the project terms are general. This means that he can select any topic of interest to him from Ancient Greece and focus his project around this. Jensen is overwhelmed and does not even know where to begin. What section of the library should he check first for general information about ancient Greece?

A. 100
B. 200
C. 400
D. 900

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Jensen should check the 900 section of the library for general information about ancient Greece. In the Dewey Decimal Classification system, the 900 section covers history and geography. Ancient Greece falls under the category of history, so Jensen can find a wide range of resources related to ancient Greece in this section, which will provide him with a good starting point for his project. Choice A (100) refers to Philosophy and psychology, Choice B (200) to Religion, and Choice C (400) to Languages, which are not directly related to ancient Greece, making them incorrect options.

4. Which statement best details the central idea in this passage?

A. It discusses insects that transition from water to air during their life cycle.
B. It explores the field of entomology, particularly focusing on gills.
C. It explains the mechanism of insects' respiration.
D. It encourages readers to contribute to insect conservation efforts.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because the passage primarily discusses certain insects that spend time in water during their early stages and then transition to an aerial life when they reach adulthood. It highlights how these insects, such as Stoneflies, May-flies, and Dragon-flies, live in water initially and then in the air during their adult stage. This central idea is best captured by choice A. <br> Choice B is incorrect because while the passage mentions gills as a part of the respiratory system of aquatic insects, it does not delve into entomology as a field. Choice C is incorrect as it does not solely focus on defining insect respiration but rather on the transition of certain insects between aquatic and aerial environments. Choice D is incorrect as the passage does not explicitly invite readers to participate in insect preservation efforts; it mainly focuses on describing the life cycle of specific insects.

5. Which of the following would be an effective primary source to support Vivian Harris' argument?

A. A study showing that fewer students are bullied at schools that require uniforms
B. An article describing the negative effects of uniforms in American schools
C. An interview with a local principal who regrets implementing uniform requirements
D. A persuasive essay written by Vivian that includes statistics and quotes from psychological studies and other students that support her position

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. A persuasive essay written by Vivian directly supports her argument with relevant statistics and quotes, aligning with her stance against uniforms. Choices A, B, and C do not provide direct support for Vivian's argument. Choice A discusses the positive aspect of uniforms in reducing bullying, which contradicts Vivian's viewpoint. Choice B describes negative effects of uniforms, but it does not directly support Vivian's argument against uniforms. Choice C, an interview with a principal regretting uniform requirements, does not offer direct backing for Vivian's stance either.