which of the following sentences is most representative of a summary sentence for this passage

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS Reading Questions

1. Which of the following sentences is most representative of a summary sentence for this passage?

A. The problem with having a larger Bermuda Triangle is that it increases the odds of accidents.
B. The area that is called the Bermuda Triangle happens to fall within one of the busiest navigational regions in the world, and the reality of greater activity creates the possibility for more to go wrong.
C. One of the biggest challenges in considering the phenomenon is deciding how much area actually represents the Bermuda Triangle.
D. Researchers have never been able to find anything truly mysterious about what happens in the Bermuda Triangle, if there even is a Bermuda Triangle.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. This sentence is the best summary statement for the entire passage because it succinctly captures the main idea of the author's discussion about the Bermuda Triangle. It highlights the lack of concrete evidence found by researchers regarding the mysterious occurrences in the Bermuda Triangle, effectively summarizing the overall tone and content of the passage. Choice A talks about the increased odds of accidents but does not capture the essence of the passage. Choice B discusses the navigational regions and the possibility of accidents, which is not the central theme of the passage. Choice C mentions the challenge of defining the Bermuda Triangle's area, which is a detail rather than a summary of the passage.

2. Which of the answer choices gives the best definition of the underlined word in the following sentence? 'Finlay flatly refused to take part in the piano recital, so his parents had to cajole him with the promise of a trip to his favorite toy store.'

A. Prevent
B. Threaten
C. Insist
D. Coax

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this context, 'cajole' means to persuade someone by using flattery or promises, which is best represented by 'coax.' 'Prevent' (choice A) means to stop something from happening, 'threaten' (choice B) means to communicate an intention to harm, and 'insist' (choice C) means to demand something forcefully, so these choices do not fit the context of persuading with flattery or promises.

3. Why did Julia not return to work after the alarm?

A. She was embarrassed that she could not finish the work her boss asked for.
B. She was tired and wanted to go home.
C. She got stuck in traffic and could not get back to her office.
D. Her boss gave her the afternoon off.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The most likely reason Julia did not return to work after the alarm is that she got stuck in traffic and could not get back to her office. The extract provides details about Julia's challenging morning, starting from being woken up early by lawn mowers, having a caffeine-free cup of coffee, facing traffic delays, arriving late at work, and receiving additional work from her boss. These events culminated in Julia deciding to leave after the fire alarm, indicating that being stuck in traffic was the primary reason for her absence. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because there is no direct evidence in the provided extract to support them. Julia's actions suggest that her decision to leave was more related to external factors like traffic issues rather than internal feelings of embarrassment, tiredness, or being given time off by her boss.

4. What key idea is conveyed in Frost's poem?

A. Exploration of love and loss.
B. Illustration of challenging life decisions.
C. Reflection on life's journey and choices.
D. Emphasis on the significance of choosing uncommon paths.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Frost's poem emphasizes that opting for less conventional paths in life adds depth and meaning. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the poem specifically focuses on the importance of selecting uncommon routes rather than love, loss, general life decisions, or life's journey.

5. Which of the following would be a useful source of information to determine the validity of the argument presented in the passage?

A. A survey of high school students' preferences regarding foreign language requirements.
B. A comparison of the correlation between a second language introduced at home and subsequent college acceptance rates.
C. A survey asking parents to select the foreign language they would like their children to study in high school.
D. A comparison of the correlation between high school students' study of a foreign language and subsequent college acceptance rates.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The passage emphasizes the importance of studying a foreign language in high school for future success, including college acceptance rates and job market demand. To evaluate the argument's validity, it is crucial to examine the direct impact of studying a foreign language on college acceptance rates. Choice D is the correct answer because it directly addresses this aspect by comparing the correlation between high school students' study of a foreign language and subsequent college acceptance rates. This comparison would provide concrete evidence supporting or refuting the argument presented in the passage. Choices A, B, and C, though related to language education, do not directly assess the specific relationship between studying a foreign language in high school and college acceptance rates, making them less relevant for evaluating the argument's validity.