which of the following is the writers main argument

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS Reading Practice Questions

1. What is the main argument presented in the passage?

A. The custom of tipping should be abolished in favor of paying servers a living wage
B. Tipping enhances service quality in restaurants
C. Servers' pay should be determined by their performance
D. Customers derive pleasure from the custom of tipping

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'The custom of tipping should be abolished in favor of paying servers a living wage.' The rationale is that the passage argues for eliminating tipping and ensuring servers receive a fair wage. This is supported by the idea that servers should be paid adequately rather than relying on tips. Choice B is incorrect because the passage does not support the idea that tipping enhances service quality; it argues for a living wage instead. Choice C is incorrect as there is no mention of paying servers based on performance in the passage. Choice D is incorrect as the passage does not focus on customers' enjoyment of tipping but rather on the need to abolish the practice for fairer wages.

2. What does the following sentence most nearly mean? 'The preparatory instars of such insects are aquatic; the adult instar is aerial.'

A. The volume of water is necessary for preparing the insect for transition rather than the volume of the air.
B. The insect's body is shaped like a star in both water and air.
C. The stage of preparation between molting occurs in water, while the final stage happens in the air.
D. These insects first breathe in water through gills and then continue to use the same organs to breathe in the air.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The sentence indicates that the insects undergo different stages of development, with the preparatory instars being aquatic and the adult instar being aerial. This highlights the adaptability of these insects to different environments. Choice A is incorrect as it focuses on the volume of water and air rather than the stages of development in different environments. Choice B is unrelated to the content of the sentence and does not capture the meaning accurately. Choice D is incorrect as it specifically mentions breathing through gills, which is not explicitly stated in the sentence. Therefore, choice C is the best interpretation of the sentence.

3. Which of the following is a primary source?

A. A critic's summary of a book on Abraham Lincoln.
B. A peer-reviewed scientific journal's table of contents.
C. A gene splicing study report with data.
D. A news article quoting research into curing cancer.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. A gene splicing study report with data is a primary source because it provides original research findings. In contrast, choice A is a secondary source as it involves a critic's interpretation of a book. Choice B, the table of contents of a peer-reviewed scientific journal, is not a primary source but a tertiary source, providing a summary of articles. Choice D, a news article quoting research, is a secondary source that presents information based on primary sources rather than the original research itself.

4. Which of the following represents an opinion statement on the part of the author?

A. According to the CDC, tobacco products cause nearly six million deaths per year.
B. Nicotine addicts sometimes pay more for a pack of cigarettes than gas.
C. They risk staining their teeth and fingers with tar.
D. Smokers tend to stink and create pervasive nastiness.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The statement 'Smokers tend to stink and create pervasive nastiness' is an opinion since it reflects the author's subjective view on the hygiene and social impact of smoking. The other choices, A, B, and C, are all factual statements based on research or observations without expressing a personal viewpoint. Choice A presents a statistic from the CDC, choice B discusses a comparison related to the cost of cigarettes, and choice C describes a potential consequence of smoking without inserting personal judgment.

5. Which of the following best describes the instructor's purpose in writing this email to his students?

A. to berate students for the poor scores they received on the recent essay exam
B. to encourage students to continue working hard despite failure
C. to give students the opportunity to make up the bad score and avoid failing the course
D. to admit that the essay exam was likely too difficult for most students

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. The instructor's primary purpose in writing the email is to offer students the chance to make up the bad score they received on the recent essay exam, which was worth 70% of their final course score. The email does not berate students for their poor performance, nor does it admit that the exam was too difficult. While the instructor does offer encouragement to students who choose to complete an extra credit project, the main focus is on providing an opportunity to improve their scores and avoid failing the course.