TEAS English: Vocabulary Acquisition — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the sentence: 'The physician's prognosis was optimistic, predicting a full recovery within several weeks.' Based on context, what does 'prognosis' most likely mean?
- A type of surgical procedure performed before discharge
- A detailed invoice for medical services rendered
- A prediction of the likely course and outcome of a disease (Correct answer)
- A written list of medications prescribed to the patient
Correct answer: A prediction of the likely course and outcome of a disease
The phrase 'predicting a full recovery' is a direct context clue revealing that prognosis means a forecast of a medical outcome. No other answer choice is consistent with 'predicting.'
Question 2: The medical prefix 'brady-' as used in 'bradycardia' (abnormally slow heart rate) means which of the following?
- Fast or accelerated
- Slow (Correct answer)
- Heart or cardiac
- Abnormal or irregular
Correct answer: Slow
The prefix 'brady-' means slow. Bradycardia = slow + heart (kardia). Its opposite, tachycardia, uses 'tachy-' meaning fast.
Question 3: In a clinical context, which of the following BEST defines the term 'acute'?
- Chronic and persisting over a long period of time
- Severe, with sudden or rapid onset (Correct answer)
- Gradual, mild, and easily manageable
- Relating to or affecting the sense of hearing
Correct answer: Severe, with sudden or rapid onset
In medicine, 'acute' describes a condition characterized by sudden onset and often high severity, as opposed to 'chronic,' which describes a long-lasting condition. Option D describes 'aural' or 'acoustic,' a common confusion.
Question 4: A student 'used context clues to deduce the meaning of an unfamiliar term.' What does the word 'deduce' mean?
- To search for a definition in a reference dictionary
- To memorize information through repeated practice
- To reach a conclusion through logical reasoning from available evidence (Correct answer)
- To restate an idea using simpler, more familiar language
Correct answer: To reach a conclusion through logical reasoning from available evidence
Deduce means to draw a logical conclusion from evidence or reasoning. The Latin root 'ducere' means 'to lead' — deducing leads you from evidence to a conclusion.
Question 5: The prefix 'hyper-' appears in words like 'hypertension' and 'hyperglycemia.' What does 'hyper-' mean?
- Under or below normal levels
- Above normal or excessive (Correct answer)
- Between or among different structures
- Against or in opposition to something
Correct answer: Above normal or excessive
The prefix 'hyper-' means above, beyond, or excessive. Hypertension = high blood pressure; hyperglycemia = high blood sugar. Its opposite is 'hypo-,' meaning below normal.
Question 6: Read the sentence: 'Her stoic expression betrayed no emotion even as she received the devastating diagnosis.' What does 'stoic' most nearly mean?
- Tearful and visibly distressed
- Confused and uncertain about the situation
- Calm and showing no outward emotion (Correct answer)
- Angry and openly resentful toward others
Correct answer: Calm and showing no outward emotion
The context clue 'betrayed no emotion' directly tells the reader that stoic describes someone who does not express their feelings outwardly, even under hardship.
TEAS English: Vocabulary Acquisition
Read the sentence: 'The physician's prognosis was optimistic, predicting a full recovery within several weeks.' Based on context, what does 'prognosis' most likely mean?