what literary device is used in the phrase a heart of gold
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ATI TEAS 7

ATI TEAS 7 English practice test

1. What literary device is used in the phrase 'a heart of gold'?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two unlike things by stating that one thing is another. In the phrase 'a heart of gold,' the good nature of a person is being directly compared to gold, indicating that the person is kind, valuable, and precious, much like gold. This comparison is not using 'like' or 'as,' which would make it a simile, but rather it is a direct assertion, making it a metaphor. Simile involves comparing two things using 'like' or 'as,' which is not present in this phrase. Hyperbole is an exaggeration, which is not the case here. Personification gives human qualities to non-human entities, which is also not occurring in 'a heart of gold.'

2. What verb tense is used in the underlined words in the following sentence? 'The doctor prescribed medicine after my son had been sick for four days.'

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'A: Past perfect.' In the sentence, 'had been sick' is in the past perfect tense. The past perfect tense is formed with 'had' + the past participle of the main verb. In this sentence, it indicates an action that was completed before another past action. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the sentence does not contain the present perfect, past progressive, or present progressive tenses as indicated by the underlined words. The present perfect tense would require 'has' or 'have' + past participle, the past progressive would involve 'was' or 'were' + present participle, and the present progressive would include 'am', 'is', or 'are' + present participle, none of which are present in the sentence.

3. Based on the preceding words, what is the correct meaning of the suffix -fy in glorify, fortify, gentrify, acidify?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The suffix '-fy' means to make or cause to have. Each word listed—glorify, fortify, gentrify, acidify—indicates a process of transforming or altering something, making the common meaning related to causing or making. Choice A ('Marked by, given to') is incorrect as it does not reflect the action of making or causing. Choice B ('Doer, believer') is unrelated to the suffix -fy and does not capture its meaning. Choice D ('Process, state, rank') is also incorrect as it does not align with the consistent theme of causing or making evident in the words provided.

4. Which of the following substitutions best captures the meaning of the word 'egregious' in the sentence: 'The errors were becoming so frequent and egregious that the company had no choice but to force the humbled administrator into early retirement'?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: 'Egregious' means outstandingly bad or shocking. Among the given choices, 'thoughtless' is the best substitution that captures a similar meaning. This is because 'thoughtless' implies actions or errors committed without careful consideration, which aligns with the negative connotation of the word 'egregious' in the sentence. 'Bizarre' (choice B) means strange or unusual, not necessarily bad. 'Minor' (choice C) means of lesser importance or seriousness, which contrasts with the strong negativity of 'egregious.' 'Flagrant' (choice D) means obviously offensive or bad, but it does not fully capture the sense of shock and outstandingly bad conveyed by 'egregious.'

5. Identify the conjunction in the following sentence:

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'C: but.' Conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses. In the sentence 'He went to the store, but they were already closed,' 'but' is a conjunction that joins two contrasting ideas - him going to the store and finding it closed. Choice 'A: went' is a verb, not a conjunction. Choice 'B: to' is a preposition, not a conjunction. Choice 'D: they' is a pronoun, not a conjunction.

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