ATI TEAS 7
TEAS Reading Practice Test
1. What is the purpose of the subtitle 'A Trivial Comedy for Serious People' in the context of the play?
- A. To emphasize the seriousness of the social critique in the play.
- B. To downplay the seriousness of the play and present it as light-hearted.
- C. To reflect the trivial nature of the characters' concerns and lives.
- D. To highlight the absurdity of taking serious matters lightly.
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The subtitle 'A Trivial Comedy for Serious People' in Oscar Wilde's play 'The Importance of Being Earnest' serves to reflect the trivial concerns of the characters and the superficiality of their lives. Wilde uses this subtitle to highlight the irony in portraying seemingly serious people who are preoccupied with trivial matters and appearances. Choice A is incorrect because the subtitle does not aim to emphasize the seriousness of the social critique but rather the triviality of the characters' lives. Choice B is incorrect as the subtitle doesn't downplay the seriousness of the play; instead, it juxtaposes the trivial with the serious. Choice D is incorrect because the subtitle does not aim to highlight the absurdity of taking serious matters lightly, but rather to underscore the triviality of the characters' concerns and behaviors.
2. What does the word 'principal' refer to in the following text?
- A. Primary or chief
- B. An acolyte
- C. An individual who provides nurturing
- D. One in a subordinate position
Correct answer: A
Rationale: In this context, the word 'principal' refers to the primary or chief role that Reldresal holds as the principal secretary for private affairs. This term signifies his significant position and authority within the hierarchy. The other choices are incorrect because 'principal' does not mean 'an acolyte' (a follower or assistant), 'an individual who provides nurturing,' or 'one in a subordinate position.'
3. Which literary device is most prominent in Wilde's play?
- A. Irony
- B. Symbolism
- C. Metaphor
- D. Allusion
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Irony.' Irony is the most prominent literary device in Wilde's play, 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' as it pervades his critique of the upper class. Throughout the play, Wilde uses irony to highlight the absurdities and trivialities of the British aristocracy. The characters engage in witty and humorous dialogue filled with situational irony, verbal irony, and dramatic irony, exposing the superficiality and hypocrisy of the upper classes. Symbolism, metaphor, and allusion are present in the play but to a lesser extent compared to irony. While symbolism and metaphor are used to enhance the themes and characterizations, allusion is sparingly employed. However, it is the pervasive use of irony that sets the tone and drives Wilde's satire of the societal norms and values of the time.
4. What is the purpose of the first paragraph in relation to the second paragraph?
- A. The first paragraph serves as a cause and the second paragraph serves as an effect.
- B. The first paragraph serves as a contrast to the second.
- C. The first paragraph is a description for the argument in the second paragraph.
- D. The first and second paragraphs are merely presented in a sequence.
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The first paragraph introduces the general characteristics of insects and their ability to live both on land and in the air, setting the stage for discussing specific examples in the second paragraph. The second paragraph then delves into examples of insects that transition from living underwater to the aerial phase, establishing a cause-and-effect relationship between the general concept introduced in the first paragraph and the specific examples in the second paragraph. Choice A is correct because the first paragraph gives the cause (insects being creatures of land and air) and the second paragraph provides the effect (specific examples of insects transitioning between water and air). Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the relationship between the two paragraphs as cause and effect.
5. Which word is most closely synonymous with the word 'patronage' as it appears in the following statement? '...that I am sure he will need no charitable aid or condescending patronage.'
- A. Auspices
- B. Aberration
- C. Acerbic
- D. Adulation
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is 'Auspices.' 'Auspices' is closely related to 'patronage' in the sense of support or sponsorship. In the context of the excerpt, it conveys the idea that the working man will not require condescending support or sponsorship but will actively participate and contribute to the Institute. The other choices are incorrect: 'Aberration' means a deviation from the norm, 'Acerbic' means sharp or bitter in tone, and 'Adulation' means excessive admiration or praise, none of which align with the meaning of 'patronage' in this context.
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