which of the following is a thesis statement

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS Test English Questions

1. Which of the following is a thesis statement?

A. While Abel Tasman is the first European credited with seeing New Zealand, James Cook is recognized for mapping the country.
B. James Cook is recognized for mapping New Zealand.
C. Abel Tasman was the first European to see New Zealand.
D. New Zealand was first mapped by James Cook.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Choice A is the correct answer as it presents a clear thesis statement by comparing the achievements of Abel Tasman and James Cook. It establishes the main argument of the text, which is a key characteristic of a thesis statement. Choice B is too specific and only focuses on James Cook without presenting an argument. Choice C simply states a historical fact without presenting an argument or comparison. Choice D, while related to the topic, does not establish a clear argument or comparison between individuals, making it an incorrect thesis statement.

2. The student feared she would fail, so she thought she should study harder. Which of the following is a correct revision of the ambiguous sentence above?

A. Unless the student feared that she would fail out of school, she wouldn’t study harder.
B. The student said, 'she will fail out of the university unless she studies during her exams.'
C. The student was afraid that she should study harder before failing out during her exams.
D. 'If I don’t study harder before the exams,' the student fretted, 'I will surely fail out of school.'

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Option D is the clearest revision as it expresses the student's concern directly through dialogue. The use of quotation marks provides clarity, and the student's worry about failing is stated clearly. The other options either lack clarity or contain grammatical issues. Option A introduces an unnecessary condition with 'unless' which changes the original meaning. Option B introduces a third-person perspective that is not present in the original sentence. Option C is awkwardly constructed and does not convey the student's concern effectively.

3. Select the correct verb to complete the following sentence: I _________ about it for a long time before I decided to major in criminal justice.

A. think
B. thank
C. thinked
D. thought

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'thought.' 'Thought' is the correct past tense form of 'think.' In this sentence, 'thought' is used to indicate that the thinking process happened in the past before deciding to major in criminal justice. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. 'Think' is the present tense form, 'thank' is a different verb with a different meaning, and 'thinked' is not a valid past tense form of 'think.'

4. Why is it not recommended to edit while writing your first draft?

A. It is considered prewriting.
B. It wastes effort.
C. It clouds judgment.
D. It changes the organization.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'It wastes effort.' Editing while writing the first draft can be counterproductive as it interrupts the flow of ideas and slows down the writing process. Instead of focusing on perfecting each sentence or paragraph, it is more beneficial to get all ideas down first during the initial drafting phase. Choice A is incorrect as editing is not part of the prewriting stage. Choice C is incorrect because editing may affect the quality of judgment but is not the primary reason to avoid it during the first draft. Choice D is incorrect because changes in organization can be made during the revision stage, not necessarily while writing the initial draft.

5. Which sentence demonstrates correct use of the apostrophe?

A. The dog wagged its tail.
B. It's a wonderful day.
C. The dog's tail wagged.
D. It's a big house.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Choice C, 'The dog's tail wagged,' is the correct use of the apostrophe to show possession. In this sentence, the apostrophe is used correctly to indicate that the tail belongs to the dog. Choice A is incorrect as 'it's' is a contraction of 'it is' or 'it has,' not possessive. Choice B is also incorrect as 'Its' should be 'It's' to mean 'It is' or 'It has.' Choice D is incorrect as 'Its'' is grammatically incorrect; the correct form would be 'It's' if it were a contraction or 'Its' if it indicated possession without an apostrophe.