what is the main idea of the passage

ATI TEAS 7

Practice TEAS Test Reading

1. What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Manufacturers of dietary supplements must adhere to good manufacturing practices.
B. The FDA has a specialized program for regulating dietary supplements.
C. The federal government prosecutes individuals who deceive the public.
D. The FDA operates under the federal government.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The main idea of the passage is that the FDA has a specialized program for regulating dietary supplements. The passage explains how the FDA regulates dietary supplements differently from drugs, focusing on the requirements for marketing, good manufacturing practices, monitoring safety, and taking action against unsafe products. Choice A is incorrect because while it mentions good manufacturing practices, it's not the central idea of the passage. Choice C is incorrect as there is no emphasis on prosecuting individuals in the passage. Choice D is incorrect because stating that the FDA is part of the federal government is not the main idea discussed in the passage.

2. Using the guide words degressive and delectation at the top of a dictionary page, which of the following words is most likely to appear on the following page of the dictionary?

A. deleterious
B. dehydrate
C. delay
D. deity

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The guide words degressive and delectation are given, suggesting that the word on the next page would start with 'dei.' In alphabetical order, 'deity' comes after 'delectation' and 'degressive,' making it the most likely word to appear on the following page of the dictionary. Choices A, B, and C do not follow the alphabetical progression based on the guide words provided.

3. What is the best summary of this article?

A. The assassin who tried to kill President Lincoln and Secretary Seward escaped into the night. After having fired his pistol at the president, he barely eluded authorities and hurried to Seward's residence. There, he stabbed both the secretary and his son, Frederick Seward.
B. A single assassin went on a rampage tonight, starting at Ford's Theater and absconding into the night. He currently remains at large.
C. President Lincoln was shot by an assassin at Ford's Theater; the president is not expected to survive. Secretary Seward and his son were also attacked by an assassin at their home this evening. They remain unconscious, and their chances of survival are questionable. General Grant was scheduled to be at the theater, but changed his plans and was not harmed by the evening's events.
D. General Grant is poised to take over the role of the presidency should President Lincoln die from wounds inflicted upon him at Ford's Theater. Grant was present at a recent Cabinet meeting, where Lincoln expressed hope for the future and spoke kind words about General Lee and the Confederacy.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Choice C is the best summary of the article. It encapsulates the key events that occurred, including President Lincoln being shot at Ford's Theater, the attack on Secretary Seward and his son at their home, and General Grant avoiding harm. It accurately reflects the major developments and outcomes of the tragic events described in the article. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they either focus on specific aspects of the events and omit critical details or introduce irrelevant information not present in the article extract.

4. Which organizational style is used in the following passage? 'There are several reasons why the new student café has not been as successful as expected. One factor is that prices are higher than originally advertised, so many students cannot afford to buy food and beverages there.'

A. Cause and effect order
B. Compare and contrast order
C. Spatial order
D. Time order

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct organizational style used in the passage is cause and effect order. It explains the reasons (causes) why the new student café has not been successful, specifically mentioning that the higher prices lead to students being unable to afford food and beverages (effect). The passage clearly establishes a relationship between a situation (high prices) and its consequences (students not able to buy), making it a classic example of cause and effect. Choice B (Compare and contrast order) is incorrect as the passage does not present a comparison or a contrast between two or more items or situations. Choice C (Spatial order) is incorrect as it refers to organizing information based on physical location or direction, which is not applicable in this context. Choice D (Time order) is also incorrect as it involves organizing information based on a sequence of events over time, which is not the primary focus of the passage.

5. Which of the following statements represents the best summary of the claims made in this passage?

A. Studying a foreign language is important if you want to graduate from high school and get a job.
B. Studying a foreign language is important for the global economy because of the technological advances that have made international communication easier.
C. Studying a foreign language is important for the global economy, college acceptance rates, and becoming a sought-after candidate in the job market.
D. Studying a foreign language is important for college acceptance rates and obtaining a job after college.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Option C best summarizes the claims made in the passage. Studying a foreign language is highlighted as important for the global economy, college acceptance rates, and becoming a sought-after candidate in the job market. The passage emphasizes that as technology advances, communication across borders becomes crucial, making foreign language skills valuable. High school graduates with foreign language credits tend to have higher college acceptance rates. Additionally, mastering more than one language increases desirability in the job market. Option A is too narrow, focusing only on high school graduation and job prospects. Option B, while mentioning the global economy, misses the emphasis on college acceptance rates and job market desirability. Option D is also limited, as it only considers college acceptance rates and job prospects but does not cover the importance of foreign languages for the global economy.