which best describes the meaning of the word decay as used in this passage

ATI TEAS 7

ATI TEAS Reading

1. Which best describes the meaning of the word decay as used in this passage?

A. To decompose
B. To shrink
C. To wither
D. To deteriorate

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In the context provided, 'decay' implies a gradual deterioration or breaking down over time. It does not specifically refer to decomposing, shrinking, or withering. Therefore, the correct answer is 'To deteriorate.' 'To decompose' is incorrect as it refers to the breakdown of organic matter, 'To shrink' is incorrect as it means to become smaller, and 'To wither' is incorrect as it means to dry up or wilt, none of which fully capture the meaning of decay in this context.

2. This passage is mainly about

A. slaves in the Civil War.
B. how slaves escaped along the Underground Railroad.
C. Harriet Tubman's role as an abolitionist leader.
D. Harriet Tubman's life as a slave.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The passage is mainly about Harriet Tubman's role as an abolitionist leader. It discusses her efforts to help slaves escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad and highlights her significant impact on the abolitionist movement. The focus is on Tubman's leadership and involvement in the fight against slavery, rather than just her life as a slave or the general experience of slaves during the Civil War. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because while the passage mentions slavery, the Civil War, and Tubman's life as a slave, the primary emphasis is on her leadership and activism in the abolitionist movement.

3. Which of the following is not an example of something the author of Passage 1 claims travels from place to place through human movement?

A. Fairy tales
B. Language
C. Ideas
D. Foods

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The author of Passage 1 explicitly mentions language, ideas, and foods as examples of things that travel from place to place through human movement. However, fairy tales are not mentioned in the text as one of the elements that travel through human movement. While fairy tales do spread geographically through human retelling, they are not directly supported as an example in this context, making choice A the correct answer. Choices B, C, and D are mentioned in the passage as elements that do travel through human movement, further emphasizing that fairy tales are the exception in this specific context.

4. Which of the following stories' messages is significantly distorted through the use of an irrelevant detail?

A. A soft profile about a local politician's part-time rock band that mentions his political differences with his bandmates
B. A feature story of a local business owner running for political office in which she admits to having employed illegal laborers
C. A profile of several local Jewish and Arab business leaders that mentions ongoing hostilities in the Middle East
D. A news report about a local citizen protesting property tax rates that includes details about an immigration violation he committed twenty years previously

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. In the news report about a local citizen protesting property tax rates that includes details about an immigration violation he committed twenty years previously, the irrelevant detail about the immigration violation distracts from the main message of the protest against property tax rates. The inclusion of this detail shifts the focus away from the citizen's current concerns and the reasons for his protest, thus distorting the story's message. Choices A, B, and C do not include irrelevant details that significantly distort the main messages of the stories. Choice A mentions political differences with bandmates but still focuses on the politician's part-time rock band. Choice B discusses the employment of illegal laborers but remains centered on the business owner's political aspirations. Choice C talks about ongoing hostilities in the Middle East but does not veer away from the main focus on the local Jewish and Arab business leaders.

5. During the Great Emu War, which of the following events happened immediately after the conflict resumed in mid-November?

A. Military efforts became ineffective
B. The Australian government launched the initial assault
C. The military withdrew
D. Emus resorted to guerrilla tactics

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. According to the extract, emus resorted to guerrilla tactics during the Great Emu War. This choice aligns with the information provided, indicating that the emus changed their tactics in response to the conflict. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as there is no mention in the extract or historical context of military efforts becoming ineffective, the Australian government launching an initial assault, or the military withdrawing immediately after the conflict resumed in mid-November.