when students use inference what are they able to do

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS Reading Practice Test

1. When students use inference, what are they able to do?

A. Make logical assumptions based on contextual clues
B. Independently navigate various types of text
C. Summarize a text's main idea
D. Paraphrase a text's main idea

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When students use inference, they are able to make logical assumptions based on contextual clues found in the text. This involves reading between the lines and drawing conclusions that are not explicitly stated. Choice B is incorrect because it refers to the skill of navigating through different types of text independently, which is not specifically related to inference. Choices C and D are also incorrect as they refer to summarizing and paraphrasing a text's main idea, which are different skills from making inferences.

2. What is the author’s primary purpose in writing this essay?

A. To explain how the markings on a snake are related to its venomous nature.
B. To teach readers the difference between coral snakes and kingsnakes.
C. To illustrate why snakes are dangerous.
D. To demonstrate how animals adapt to difficult environments.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The author's primary purpose in writing this essay is to teach readers the difference between coral snakes and kingsnakes. The essay discusses how skin coloration and markings help snakes hide from predators and indicate whether a snake is venomous. By comparing the physical characteristics and behaviors of coral snakes and kingsnakes, the author helps readers understand how to distinguish between the two species to avoid potential dangers. Choice A is incorrect because the essay focuses more on distinguishing between snake species rather than solely on the relationship between markings and venom. Choice C is incorrect as the essay does not aim to illustrate why snakes are dangerous but rather to educate about the differences between specific snake types. Choice D is incorrect as the essay does not discuss how animals survive in difficult environments, but instead focuses on snake markings and behaviors.

3. What can the reader conclude from the passage above?

A. The kingsnake is dangerous to humans.
B. The coral snake and the kingsnake are both hunted by the same predators.
C. It's safe to handle snakes in the woods because you can easily tell whether they're poisonous.
D. The kingsnake changes its markings when hawks or eagles are close by.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The passage explains that the kingsnake mimics the venomous coral snake's markings to deter predators, particularly hawks and eagles, which cannot differentiate between the two species. This implies that both the coral snake and the kingsnake face similar threats from predators in their shared habitat. Choice A is incorrect because the passage clearly states that the kingsnake is nonvenomous, so it is not dangerous to humans. Choice C is incorrect as the passage highlights that not all snakes with flashy markings are venomous, emphasizing the need for caution. Choice D is incorrect as there is no mention of the kingsnake changing its markings in response to the presence of hawks or eagles in the passage.

4. What is the best summary of this passage?

A. Humans can use coloration and markings on snakes to determine whether they’re venomous.
B. Animals use coloration to hide from predators.
C. The scarlet kingsnake and the coral snake have nearly identical markings.
D. Venomous snakes often have bright markings, although nonvenomous snakes can also mimic those colors.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The best summary of the passage is that humans can use coloration and markings on snakes to determine whether they're venomous. The passage discusses how snake markings serve the purpose of warning predators and helping humans identify venomous snakes by their bright coloration. Choice B is incorrect because the passage focuses on how coloration helps snakes evade predators rather than hide from them. Choice C is incorrect as it only mentions two specific snakes with similar markings, which is a minor detail compared to the main point of identifying venomous snakes. Choice D is incorrect because it only partially reflects the passage, focusing solely on the relationship between markings and venom in snakes, missing the crucial aspect of human ability to discern venomous snakes based on their coloration.

5. Based on the information in the announcement, what might the reader assume about how the university determined the lunch schedule?

A. The university arranged the schedule alphabetically, according to the name of each department.
B. The university checked with the departments in advance to make sure faculty members would be amenable to the change.
C. The university checked to see when the most faculty members from each department would be entering the canteen.
D. The university was more concerned about crowding in the canteen and simply decided to establish different times for each department.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The announcement states that the university polled the various departments about schedules to determine a recommended roster for each department to visit the canteen for lunch. This indicates that the university checked to see when the most faculty members from each department would be entering the canteen to offset the crowding issue. Therefore, the correct choice is C. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because there is no mention of arranging the schedule alphabetically, checking with departments in advance for agreement, or simply establishing different times without considering faculty members' schedules in the announcement. The university's approach was to tailor the lunch schedule based on each department's peak entry times to manage the crowding problem effectively.