which of the following best describes the authors purpose

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS Test Reading Questions

1. Which of the following best describes the author’s purpose?

A. The author wants to tell customers about the cars available at Carl’s Car Depot.
B. The author wants to encourage other car dealerships to lower their prices.
C. The author wants to provide new and used cars at affordable prices.
D. The author wants to attract customers to Carl’s Car Depot.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The author's purpose is to attract customers to Carl's Car Depot. The text from the extract clearly emphasizes the one-day-only summer sale event at Carl’s Car Depot, highlighting the wide range of cars available at discounted prices with special financing options. The author aims to draw in potential customers by presenting compelling offers and creating a sense of urgency. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the primary focus is on attracting customers to Carl’s Car Depot by showcasing the available cars and the limited-time sale, not solely informing customers about the cars, urging other dealerships to lower prices, or generally providing affordable cars.

2. Which of the following best describes the author's intent in the passage?

A. to persuade
B. to entertain
C. to express feelings
D. to inform

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The author's intent in the passage is to inform the reader about the historical events surrounding King James II, his family, and the succession of the English throne. The passage provides a detailed account of the lineage, religious affiliations, and the political implications of James II and his descendants. It does not aim to persuade, entertain, or express feelings, but rather presents a factual narrative of historical events. Therefore, choice D, 'to inform,' is the correct answer. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the passage is focused on presenting historical information rather than persuading, entertaining, or expressing emotions.

3. A synonym for disconfirmed would be:

A. proven
B. dissipated
C. distilled
D. disproven

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The word 'disconfirmed' can be understood by breaking down 'disconfirm,' where 'dis' indicates 'not' and 'confirm' means 'to prove.' Therefore, 'disconfirmed' means 'not proven,' which aligns with the meaning of 'disproven.' In the given passage, it is mentioned that evidence can disprove a hypothesis, not necessarily prove it. This supports the synonymity between 'disconfirmed' and 'disproven.' Choice A ('proven') is incorrect because 'proven' is the opposite of 'disconfirmed.' Choice B ('dissipated') is incorrect as it means to disappear or scatter, not related to disproving a hypothesis. Choice C ('distilled') is incorrect as it means to purify a liquid through heating and cooling, not related to proving or disproving hypotheses.

4. Which of the following would be a useful source of information to determine the validity of the argument presented in the passage?

A. A survey of high school students' preferences regarding foreign language requirements.
B. A comparison of the correlation between a second language introduced at home and subsequent college acceptance rates.
C. A survey asking parents to select the foreign language they would like their children to study in high school.
D. A comparison of the correlation between high school students' study of a foreign language and subsequent college acceptance rates.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The passage emphasizes the importance of studying a foreign language in high school for future success, including college acceptance rates and job market demand. To evaluate the argument's validity, it is crucial to examine the direct impact of studying a foreign language on college acceptance rates. Choice D is the correct answer because it directly addresses this aspect by comparing the correlation between high school students' study of a foreign language and subsequent college acceptance rates. This comparison would provide concrete evidence supporting or refuting the argument presented in the passage. Choices A, B, and C, though related to language education, do not directly assess the specific relationship between studying a foreign language in high school and college acceptance rates, making them less relevant for evaluating the argument's validity.

5. Which of the following supports evaluating a logical argument?

A. Unbiased information
B. Generalizations
C. Emotional statements
D. Anecdotes

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Unbiased information is crucial for assessing the validity and soundness of an argument. It helps in making informed judgments based on facts rather than personal opinions or biases. Choice B, generalizations, can oversimplify complex issues and lack specific evidence, making them unreliable for evaluating logical arguments. Emotional statements (Choice C) can cloud judgment and introduce subjective elements that may not be logically relevant. Anecdotes (Choice D) are specific instances that may not represent the overall truth or validity of an argument, making them less reliable for logical evaluation.