TEAS Reading Practice Test #3 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an example of deductive reasoning in a reading passage?
- All observed swans have been white; therefore, all swans must be white.
- Since all humans are mortal and Socrates is human, Socrates is mortal. (Correct answer)
- I have seen rain follow dark clouds three times; it will rain again after dark clouds.
- Based on the trend in the data, the population will decline next year.
Correct answer: Since all humans are mortal and Socrates is human, Socrates is mortal.
Deductive reasoning moves from a general principle to a specific conclusion. "All humans are mortal" (general) + "Socrates is human" (specific case) = "Socrates is mortal" (specific conclusion). The other options demonstrate inductive reasoning.
Question 2: What is the purpose of an "abstract" in a scientific article?
- To provide detailed methodology for replicating the study
- To list all references cited in the article
- To give a brief overview of the study's purpose, methods, and findings (Correct answer)
- To present the raw data collected during the study
Correct answer: To give a brief overview of the study's purpose, methods, and findings
An abstract is a concise summary (usually 150–300 words) that gives readers a quick overview of the research: what was studied, how, and what was found. It helps readers decide whether to read the full article.
Question 3: When an author uses statistics to support a claim, a critical reader should ask:
- Whether the statistics are written in a large, bold font
- Whether the source, sample size, and methodology are credible (Correct answer)
- Whether the statistics use round numbers that are easy to remember
- Whether the statistics appear in the introduction or conclusion
Correct answer: Whether the source, sample size, and methodology are credible
Statistics can be manipulated or misleading if the source is biased, the sample size is too small, or the methodology is flawed. Critical readers always evaluate where the data came from and how it was collected.
Question 4: A passage describes two different approaches to pain management. What text structure is the author using?
- Cause and effect
- Compare and contrast (Correct answer)
- Problem and solution
- Description
Correct answer: Compare and contrast
When a passage examines two or more subjects by showing their similarities and differences, it uses a compare and contrast structure. Signal words include "similarly," "however," "on the other hand," and "in contrast."
Question 5: What does the phrase "the author's tone" refer to?
- The loudness or quietness of the author's writing style
- The author's attitude toward the subject, conveyed through word choice (Correct answer)
- The length and complexity of the author's sentences
- The number of examples the author uses
Correct answer: The author's attitude toward the subject, conveyed through word choice
Tone refers to the author's attitude toward the subject or audience, expressed through their choice of words, sentence structure, and details. Tone can be formal, informal, optimistic, critical, humorous, and so on.
Question 6: If a passage is written in the first person ("I," "we"), what does this most likely indicate?
- The text is an objective scientific report
- The author is sharing a personal perspective or experience (Correct answer)
- The text is describing another person's actions
- The author is addressing the reader directly in second person
Correct answer: The author is sharing a personal perspective or experience
First-person point of view uses pronouns like "I" and "we," indicating the author is sharing their own thoughts, experiences, or perspective. This is common in memoirs, personal essays, and narrative nonfiction.
TEAS Reading Practice Test #3 2
Which of the following is an example of deductive reasoning in a reading passage?