how does wilde portray the institution of marriage in the importance of being earnest

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS Reading Practice Test

1. How does Wilde portray the institution of marriage in The Importance of Being Earnest?

A. As a romantic union between two individuals.
B. As a social contract designed for economic and social gain.
C. As a trivial and superficial agreement.
D. As a necessary evil in a structured society.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In The Importance of Being Earnest, Wilde portrays marriage as a social contract rather than a romantic union. The play satirizes the transactional nature of marriage in the society Wilde critiques. Characters like Lady Bracknell's interrogation of Jack highlight how marriage is viewed as a means for economic and social gain rather than genuine affection, emphasizing the societal norms of the time. Choice A is incorrect because Wilde's portrayal goes beyond a simple romantic view of marriage. Choice C is incorrect as it oversimplifies Wilde's critique of marriage and societal norms. Choice D is incorrect as it doesn't capture the nuanced satire Wilde employs in dissecting the institution of marriage.

2. When evaluating the credibility of a source during research, which statement is true?

A. The author's reputation is more important than whether they cite sources.
B. The source should always be as recent as possible, considering the subject.
C. The author's point of view and/or purpose is crucial for credibility.
D. The kinds of sources various audiences value influence credibility for them.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The kind of sources different audiences value can indeed influence the credibility of a source for them. Different audiences may place varying levels of trust in different types of sources, such as peer-reviewed journals, government reports, or mainstream media outlets. Understanding the preferences of the target audience is essential for establishing credibility when presenting information. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. The author's reputation is important but not more critical than citing sources, as proper citations contribute to transparency and reliability. The recency of a source is essential but not always the most crucial factor; relevance to the subject matter is also significant. The author's point of view and purpose are indeed relevant to assessing credibility; understanding their biases and intentions is vital in evaluating the reliability of a source.

3. What is the definition of the word 'fry' as it appears in the passage?

A. Fry eggs that have been fertilized.
B. Young fish capable of feeding themselves.
C. A place where larvae are kept safe from predators.
D. Fish prepared to be fried in oil.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Young fish capable of feeding themselves.' In the provided extract, 'fry' refers to the young fish that are hatched out and are old enough to take charge of themselves. Choice A is incorrect as it refers to a different context of 'fry.' Choice C is incorrect as it describes a location rather than the meaning of 'fry.' Choice D is also incorrect as it provides a definition of 'fry' related to cooking, which is not the intended meaning in the passage.

4. What is the tone of the passage?

A. Witty
B. Incredulous
C. Aggressive
D. Tense

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Witty.' The tone of the passage is light-hearted and humorous, characterized by amusing details like the eccentric birthday party with zebras, monster trucks, and a limited buffet of boiled asparagus and pickled carrots. The mention of Dr. Creekstone planning an even bigger party with more zebras adds to the whimsical and humorous tone. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as there is no indication of disbelief, hostility, or anxiety in the passage; instead, it conveys a sense of fun and amusement.

5. Jensen has been assigned a project on ancient Greece, but the project terms are general. This means that he can select any topic of interest to him from Ancient Greece and focus his project around this. Jensen is overwhelmed and does not even know where to begin. What section of the library should he check first for general information about ancient Greece?

A. 100
B. 200
C. 400
D. 900

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Jensen should check the 900 section of the library for general information about ancient Greece. In the Dewey Decimal Classification system, the 900 section covers history and geography. Ancient Greece falls under the category of history, so Jensen can find a wide range of resources related to ancient Greece in this section, which will provide him with a good starting point for his project. Choice A (100) refers to Philosophy and psychology, Choice B (200) to Religion, and Choice C (400) to Languages, which are not directly related to ancient Greece, making them incorrect options.