which of the following best describes the authors intent in the passage

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS Reading Questions

1. Which of the following best describes the author's intent in the passage?

A. to persuade
B. to entertain
C. to express feelings
D. to inform

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The author's intent in the passage is to inform the reader about the historical events surrounding King James II, his family, and the succession of the English throne. The passage provides a detailed account of the lineage, religious affiliations, and the political implications of James II and his descendants. It does not aim to persuade, entertain, or express feelings, but rather presents a factual narrative of historical events. Therefore, choice D, 'to inform,' is the correct answer. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the passage is focused on presenting historical information rather than persuading, entertaining, or expressing emotions.

2. In the context of the article, the word mortal means

A. deadly.
B. recoverable.
C. fatal.
D. dangerous.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In the context of the article describing the assassination of President Lincoln, the word 'mortal' is used to describe a wound that will cause death. The sentence 'The wound is mortal' indicates that the wound is fatal and will result in the President's death. Therefore, the correct synonym for 'mortal' in this context is 'fatal,' meaning causing death. Choice A, 'deadly,' is the best synonym as it directly relates to causing death. Choices B and D, 'recoverable' and 'dangerous,' do not accurately reflect the meaning of 'mortal' in this context.

3. Which of the following stories' messages is significantly distorted through the use of an irrelevant detail?

A. A soft profile about a local politician's part-time rock band that mentions his political differences with his bandmates
B. A feature story of a local business owner running for political office in which she admits to having employed illegal laborers
C. A profile of several local Jewish and Arab business leaders that mentions ongoing hostilities in the Middle East
D. A news report about a local citizen protesting property tax rates that includes details about an immigration violation he committed twenty years previously

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. In the news report about a local citizen protesting property tax rates that includes details about an immigration violation he committed twenty years previously, the irrelevant detail about the immigration violation distracts from the main message of the protest against property tax rates. The inclusion of this detail shifts the focus away from the citizen's current concerns and the reasons for his protest, thus distorting the story's message. Choices A, B, and C do not include irrelevant details that significantly distort the main messages of the stories. Choice A mentions political differences with bandmates but still focuses on the politician's part-time rock band. Choice B discusses the employment of illegal laborers but remains centered on the business owner's political aspirations. Choice C talks about ongoing hostilities in the Middle East but does not veer away from the main focus on the local Jewish and Arab business leaders.

4. Which option best exemplifies an author's use of alliteration and personification?

A. Her mood hung about her like a weary cape, very dull from wear.
B. It shuddered, swayed, shook, and screamed its way into dust under hot flames.
C. The house was a starch sentry, warning visitors away.
D. At its shoreline, visitors swore they heard the siren call of the cliffs above.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Choice B best exemplifies an author's use of alliteration and personification. The sentence 'It shuddered, swayed, shook, and screamed its way into dust under hot flames' personifies an inanimate object (it) by attributing human actions to it, combining alliteration with the repeated 's' sounds. Choices A, C, and D do not contain both alliteration and personification. Choice A mainly focuses on simile and lacks alliteration. Choice C features personification but lacks alliteration. Choice D includes personification but lacks alliteration as well.

5. What is the setting of the story in this passage?

A. In the city
B. In the countryside
C. In a jail
D. In a mental health facility

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct setting of the story in the passage is in the city. The passage describes urban elements such as street shops, a nocturnal city with lamps, and scenes of a man walking swiftly and a child being trodden down in the city streets. These details clearly point to an urban setting, making choice A 'In the city' the correct answer. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because there is no mention or indication of a countryside, jail, or mental health facility setting in the passage.