which of the following sentences distracts the reader from the main focus of the passage

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS Reading Questions

1. 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.

2. What is the first step to take after planting potatoes?

A. Mound soil around the base of the plant.
B. Water immediately.
C. Mix fertilizer or compost into loosened soil.
D. Place potatoes 1 foot apart.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Water immediately. After planting potatoes, the first step should always be to water them immediately. This is crucial to settle the soil around the newly planted potatoes, ensuring good contact between the roots and the soil. Watering helps kickstart the growth process and provides the necessary moisture for the newly planted potatoes to establish themselves successfully. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because mounding soil, mixing fertilizer/compost, and spacing potatoes should be done before or during planting, not immediately after.

3. Which of the following words from the sentence above has a negative connotation?

A. Contained
B. Shocked
C. Complimentary
D. Reportedly

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The word 'shocked' has a negative connotation as it implies a strong feeling of surprise or dismay. In the context of the provided extract, the word 'shocked' would be fitting to describe the reaction of individuals witnessing the sudden outbreak of violence during the skirmish at Lexington and Concord. The other choices do not carry a negative connotation in this context: 'Contained' is neutral, 'Complimentary' is positive, and 'Reportedly' is neutral.

4. Autobiographies and memoirs are examples of what form of writing?

A. Fiction
B. Narrative
C. Informational text
D. Research papers

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Autobiographies and memoirs are examples of narrative writing. Narrative writing is a form of writing that tells a story or recounts events. Autobiographies are personal accounts of one's life written by the person themselves, while memoirs are also personal accounts but focus on specific memories or events. Fiction (Choice A) refers to imaginary stories, not real-life accounts like autobiographies and memoirs. Informational text (Choice C) presents factual information without a narrative structure. Research papers (Choice D) are academic documents that present research findings and analysis, not personal accounts like autobiographies and memoirs.

5. Who is the author of this article?

A. The New York Times
B. Edwin M. Stanton
C. Frederick Seward
D. Major Rathburn

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, 'The New York Times.' The article is an excerpt from The New York Times, which is a renowned newspaper known for publishing articles on various topics. The other options, Edwin M. Stanton, Frederick Seward, and Major Rathburn, are specific individuals mentioned within the article but are not the authors of the article. Edwin M. Stanton is identified as the Secretary of War, Frederick Seward is mentioned as one of the individuals harmed during the assassination, and Major Rathburn is present in the scene described in the article. Therefore, the most likely author of this article is The New York Times, a reputable source for news coverage.