what is the purpose of the subtitle a trivial comedy for serious people in the context of the play

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 is one point on which the scientist and politician agree?

A. Burning fossil fuels causes global temperatures to rise.
B. Global temperatures are increasing.
C. Countries must revisit their energy policies before it's too late.
D. Earth's climate naturally goes through warming and cooling periods.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Global temperatures are increasing.' The scientist and politician both agree on this point based on the context provided. Choice A is incorrect because while it might be a common belief among scientists, the politician's agreement is not explicitly mentioned. Choice C is incorrect as it suggests a course of action rather than a point of agreement. Choice D is incorrect as it contradicts the consensus that global temperatures are currently increasing due to human activities, not just natural climate cycles.

3. With which of the following statements would the author most likely agree?

A. There is no real mystery about the Bermuda Triangle because most events have reasonable explanations.
B. Researchers are wrong to expand the focus of the Triangle to the Azores, as this increases the likelihood of accidents.
C. The official statement of 'causes or reasons unknown' in the loss of the Navy planes was a deliberate concealment from the Navy.
D. Reducing the legends about the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle will help to reduce the number of reported accidents or shipping losses in the region.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The author would most likely agree with the statement that reducing the legends about the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle will help to reduce the number of reported accidents or shipping losses in the region. This aligns with the perspective that many events in the Bermuda Triangle can be explained logically and that dispelling myths and legends can lead to a more accurate understanding of the phenomena occurring in the area. Choice A is incorrect because the author acknowledges that the Bermuda Triangle has sparked interest due to unexplained events. Choice B is incorrect as expanding the focus of the Triangle to the Azores is not associated with an increase in accidents, according to the author. Choice C is incorrect as the author does not suggest a deliberate concealment but rather points towards logical explanations for the events in the Bermuda Triangle.

4. Follow these instructions in chronological order to transform the word into something new. What new word has been spelled?

A. TON
B. THIN
C. TIN
D. TAN

Correct answer: C

Rationale: To transform the word LOATHING into something new, we need to follow the instructions in chronological order, which is to remove letters. Starting with L-O-A-T-H-I-N-G, if we remove the letters in the order given, we are left with T-I-N, which spells the word 'TIN.' This makes choice C the correct answer. Choices A, B, and D do not follow the specific sequence of removing letters from the original word LOATHING, so they are incorrect.

5. Why do cicadas make a buzzing sound?

A. To orient via echolocation
B. To attract a mate
C. To locate a food source
D. To ward off predators

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Cicadas make a buzzing sound primarily to attract a mate. This sound is a mating call produced by the males to attract females for reproduction. While echolocation is used by some animals like bats for navigation, cicadas do not use buzzing for orientation. Buzzing is not related to locating a food source or warding off predators in the case of cicadas.