which of the following transitional phrases would improve this sentence

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS 7 English Practice Test

1. The RV was a great purchase for our family and brought us all closer together. Which of the following transitional phrases would improve this sentence?

A. NO CHANGE
B. Not surprisingly, the RV
C. Furthermore, the RV
D. As it turns out, the RV

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The transitional phrase 'As it turns out' adds a reflective tone that matches the surprise at how well the RV worked for the family. Choice A ('NO CHANGE') does not introduce any new information or transition. Choice B ('Not surprisingly, the RV') contradicts the surprise factor mentioned in the sentence. Choice C ('Furthermore, the RV') does not provide a suitable transition given the context of the sentence.

2. Which of the following sentences correctly uses a semicolon?

A. I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.
B. I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.
C. I have a big test tomorrow; and I can't go out tonight.
D. I have a big test tomorrow; but I can't go out tonight.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct use of a semicolon is to join two closely related independent clauses. Choice A is the only option that correctly uses a semicolon to connect two independent clauses: 'I have a big test tomorrow' and 'I can't go out tonight.' Choice B incorrectly uses a comma instead of a semicolon. Choice C adds an unnecessary 'and' after the semicolon, which disrupts the correct punctuation usage. Choice D introduces a contradictory conjunction 'but' after the semicolon, which is not necessary for the given context. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

3. Identify the pronoun in the following sentence:

A. quickly
B. finished
C. her
D. before

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'C: her.' Pronouns replace nouns. In this sentence, 'her' is a pronoun that replaces a specific female person's name, indicating ownership of the homework. Pronouns like 'her,' 'he,' 'it,' and 'they' are commonly used to avoid repetition of nouns and make sentences less repetitive and more concise. Choices A, B, and D are not pronouns. 'Quickly' and 'before' are adverbs, while 'finished' is a verb. Therefore, they do not replace nouns and cannot function as pronouns in this context.

4. Which of the following is NOT an example of a phrase that might be found within the transition sentence of a paragraph?

A. In the same way
B. Research proves that
C. Another reason for this is
D. As a result

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In academic writing, transition sentences are used to connect ideas within a paragraph. Phrases like 'In the same way,' 'Another reason for this is,' and 'As a result' are commonly used to transition between different points. However, 'Research proves that' is more indicative of a factual statement rather than a transitional phrase. It presents information rather than smoothly transitioning between ideas, making it the correct choice as it does not fit the typical structure and function of a transition sentence.

5. Though the term nomad is often associated with early populations, nomadic cultures exist today, especially in the mountains of Europe and Asia. Which of the following punctuation marks is used incorrectly?

A. the comma after populations
B. the comma after today
C. the apostrophe in mountain’s
D. the period after Asia

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The apostrophe in 'mountain’s' is used incorrectly. The word should be 'mountains' without the apostrophe because it is a plural noun, not possessive. The other choices (A, B, D) have the correct usage of punctuation marks and do not contain errors related to punctuation.