which of the following best summarizes the central theme of wildes play

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS Reading Practice Test

1. Which of the following best summarizes the central theme of Wilde's play?

A. The absurdity of the British aristocracy and its social conventions.
B. The importance of being sincere and honest in personal relationships.
C. The dual nature of social standing and the conflicts it creates.
D. The challenges of maintaining personal integrity in a hypocritical society.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'The absurdity of the British aristocracy and its social conventions.' The central theme of Wilde's play, as revealed through satire, is the critique of the absurdities and trivialities of the British aristocracy. Wilde uses clever dialogue, puns, and irony to expose the superficiality and hypocrisy of the upper classes. While sincerity and honesty in personal relationships are explored in the play, they are not the central theme. Choice C, the dual nature of social standing and resulting conflicts, is a partial theme but not the central one. Choice D, the challenges of maintaining personal integrity in a hypocritical society, touches on a theme present in the play, but it is not as central as the critique of the British aristocracy's absurdities and social conventions.

2. What is the main point of the passage?

A. The narrator is gaining favor with the emperor and his court and experiencing cultural entertainment.
B. The emperor is hosting a dance competition to determine high-ranking officials.
C. The candidates for high offices are trained in rope-dancing to display their skills.
D. The emperor's court engages in various entertainments to showcase their talents.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The main point of the passage is that the narrator, through his gentleness and good behavior, is gaining favor with the emperor and his court. He describes how he interacts with the natives and experiences the country's shows, such as the rope-dancers. The passage focuses on the narrator's progress in understanding the language and his experiences with the cultural entertainment of the emperor's court. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they focus on specific details mentioned in the passage rather than the overall main point.

3. Which of these descriptions provides the most detailed and objective support for the claim that drinking and driving is unsafe?

A. A dramatized television commercial reenacting a fatal accident.
B. The Department of Transportation's press release noting the deployment of additional patrol units.
C. Congressional written testimony on drinking incidents.
D. A highway bulletin warning of penalties for drinking and driving.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Congressional written testimony on drinking incidents provides the most detailed and factual data on the subject, making it the most objective support for the claim that drinking and driving is unsafe. Choice A, the dramatized television commercial, may be emotionally impactful but lacks detailed data. Choice B, the Department of Transportation's press release, focuses on enforcement actions rather than detailed information on the dangers. Choice D, the highway bulletin warning of penalties, emphasizes consequences rather than providing detailed support for the claim.

4. Which of the following shows the correct chronological order of events from the passage?

A. Princess Charlotte Augusta died, Princess Alexandrina Victoria was born, King George IV married Maria Fitzherbert, King George IV married Caroline of Brunswick
B. Princess Alexandrina Victoria was born, King George IV married Maria Fitzherbert, King George IV married Caroline of Brunswick, Princess Charlotte Augusta died
C. King George IV married Maria Fitzherbert, King George IV married Caroline of Brunswick, Princess Charlotte Augusta died, Princess Alexandrina Victoria was born
D. King George IV married Caroline of Brunswick, Princess Charlotte Augusta died, King George IV married Maria Fitzherbert, Princess Alexandrina Victoria was born

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The passage provides a timeline of events related to King George IV, Princess Charlotte Augusta, and Princess Alexandrina Victoria. King George IV secretly married Maria Fitzherbert in 1783 and later married Caroline of Brunswick in 1795. Princess Charlotte Augusta, the daughter of King George IV and Caroline, died in 1817. Princess Alexandrina Victoria, who later became Queen Victoria, was born in 1819. Therefore, the correct chronological order of events is: King George IV married Maria Fitzherbert, King George IV married Caroline of Brunswick, Princess Charlotte Augusta died, and Princess Alexandrina Victoria was born (Choice C). Choices A, B, and D do not follow the correct chronological order as depicted in the passage.

5. Which of the following words does the author use to express a derogatory tone?

A. Predictable
B. Noisy
C. Delicate
D. Roar

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Predictable' because the author uses it in a negative context to imply something as uninspired or lacking creativity. In the passage, the author mentions that following rules can make writing difficult, contrasting writers who adhere to rules with those who break them to succeed. 'Predictable' reflects a derogatory tone as it suggests monotony or lack of originality. Choices B, C, and D do not convey a derogatory tone in the context of the passage. 'Noisy,' 'Delicate,' and 'Roar' are neutral or descriptive words that do not carry a negative connotation.