ATI TEAS 7 reading practice questions set 9

Question 6

Christopher Columbus is often credited for discovering America. This is incorrect. First, it is impossible to "discover" something where people already live; however, Christopher Columbus did explore places in the New World that were previously untouched by Europe, so the term “explorer†would be more accurate. Another correction must be made, as well: Christopher Columbus was not the first European explorer to reach the present day Americas! Rather, it was Leif Erikson who first came to the New World and contacted the natives, nearly five hundred years before Christopher Columbus. Leif Erikson, the son of Erik the Red (a famous Viking outlaw and explorer in his own right), was born in either 970 or 980, depending on which historian you seek. His own family, though, did not raise Leif, which was a Viking tradition. Instead, one of Erik's prisoners taught Leif reading and writing, languages, sailing, and weaponry. At age 12, Leif was considered a man and returned to his family. He killed a man during a dispute shortly after his return, and the council banished the Erikson clan to Greenland. In 999, Leif left Greenland and traveled to Norway where he would serve as a guard to King Olaf Tryggvason. It was there that he became a convert to Christianity. Leif later tried to return home with the intention of taking supplies and spreading Christianity to Greenland, however his ship was blown off course and he arrived in a strange new land: present day Newfoundland, Canada. When he finally returned to his adopted homeland Greenland, Leif consulted with a merchant who had also seen the shores of this previously unknown land we now know as Canada. The son of the legendary Viking explorer then gathered a crew of 35 men and set sail. Leif became the first European to touch foot in the New World as he explored present-day Baffin Island and Labrador, Canada. His crew called the land Vinland since it was plentiful with grapes. During their time in present-day Newfoundland, Leif's expedition made contact with the natives whom they referred to as Skraelings (which translates to "wretched ones" in Norse). There are several secondhand accounts of their meetings. Some contemporaries described trade between the peoples. Other accounts describe clashes where the Skraelings defeated the Viking explorers with long spears, while still others claim the Vikings dominated the natives. Regardless of the circumstances, it seems that the Vikings made contact of some kind. This happened around 1000, nearly five hundred years before Columbus famously sailed the ocean blue. Eventually, in 1003, Leif set sail for home and arrived at Greenland with a ship full of timber. In 1020, seventeen years later, the legendary Viking died. Many believe that Leif Erikson should receive more credit for his contributions in exploring the New World.

Which of the following can be logically inferred from the passage?

1. A. The Vikings disliked exploring the New World.
2. B. Leif Erikson's banishment led to his exploration of Canada.
3. C. Leif Erikson never shared his stories with the King of Norway.
4. D. Historians have difficulty pinpointing events in Viking history.

Question 7

During the summer, Angela read the following classics: The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald; Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley; A Passage to India, by E.M. Forster; and “The Cask of Amontillado,†by Edgar Allen Poe.

What is the purpose of the italics used for several of the works identified in the sentence above?

1. A. to indicate a full-length published book
2. B. to indicate a work of classic literature
3. C. to indicate recommended summer reading
4. D. to indicate books that Angela completed

Question 8

Hedy Lamar was a woman of many talents. She was first known as a European film actress in the 1930s and early 1940s. Some of her popular films included Boom Town (1940) and White Cargo (1942); however, her roles generally did not include very many spoken lines and she became bored. To relieve this boredom, Lamar took up inventing. Hedy Lamar did not have any formal training, but she did not allow that to stop her from teaching herself in her spare time. Although she had a number of failed inventions, such as an improved traffic light and a carbonated drink, Lamar did not stop coming up with ideas. She even spent time working with the science engineering team employed by Howard Hughes, the aviation tycoon. During World War II, Lamarr learned that one of the military's new technologies, radio-controlled torpedoes, were too easily jammed and redirected. She came up with a type of radio signal that changed, or "hopped," frequencies and was unable to be tracked or disrupted. With the assistance of her friend George Antheil, she was able to design the system and patent it in August 1942. Unfortunately, the United States Navy was not interested. The technology of the era wasn't quite good enough to easily implement Lamarr's system, and the Navy was not particularly interested in civilian inventions at the time. It wasn't until 20 years later, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, that a version of Lamarr's system began appearing on Navy ships. The work Lamarr and Antheil did creating this frequency-hopping system led to many technologies that are often taken for granted today. Their work led to the development of cell phones, Bluetooth, and WiFi. Just think, we might not have any of those things if Hedy Lamarr had been given more interesting roles.

Which of the following lines from the passage supports the inference that Hedy Lamarr worked earnestly to achieve her goals?

1. A. She began starring in American films with MGM studios in the late 1930s and early 1940s
2. B. She even spent time working with the science engineering team employed by Howard Hughes, the aviation tycoon
3. C. Her roles generally did not include very many spoken lines and she became bored
4. D. ... but she did not allow that to stop her from teaching herself in her spare time.

Question 9

In 2015, 28 countries, including Estonia, Portugal, Slovenia, and Latvia, scored significantly higher than the United States on standardized high school math tests. In the 1960s, the United States consistently ranked first in the world. Today, the United States spends more than $800 billion dollars on education, which exceeds the next highest country by more than $600 billion dollars. The United States also leads the world in spending per school-aged child by an enormous margin.

If these statements above are factual, which of the following statements must be correct?

1. A. Outspending other countries on education has benefits beyond standardized tests.
2. B. The US education system is corrupt and ineffective.
3. C. The standardized math tests do not accurately reflect American proficiency.
4. D. Spending more money does not guarantee success on standardized tests.

Question 10

For lunch, she likes ham and cheese (town not bites),yogurt, raisins, applesauce, peanut butter sandwiches in the fridge drawer, or any combo of these. She's not a huge eater. help yourself too. Bread is on counter if you want to make a sandwich. It's fine if you want to go somewhere, leave us a note of where you are. Make sure she's buckled and rive carefully! Certain fast food places are fun if they have playgrounds and are indoors. It's probably too hot for playground, but whatever you want to do is fine. Take a sip cup of water and a diaper wherever you go. There's some money here for you in case you decide to go out for lunch with her. As for nap, try after lunch. She may not sleep, but try anyway. Read her a couple of books first, put area, on her mosquito bites (it's in the den on the buffet), then maybe rock in her chair. Give her a bottle of milk, and refill as needed, but don't let her drink more than 2 1/2 bottles of milk or she'll throw up. Turn on music in her room,, leave her in crib with a dry diaper and bottle to try to sleep. She likes a stuffed animal too. Try for 30-34 minutes. You may have to start the tape again. If she won't sleep, that's fine. We just call it "rest time" on those days that naps won't happen.

To whom is this passage probably being written?

1. A. a mother
2. B. a father
3. C. a babysitter
4. D. a nurse

Question 11

Mr. Tim Morgan — This letter is to inform Mr. Morgan that his application for the position of Lead Technician has been received by our Human Resources team. We have been pleased to receive a higher-than-expected number of applications for this position, and we are glad that Mr. Morgan is among the many who find our company an attractive place to build a career. Due to the influx of applications, our Human Resources team will be taking longer than previously stated to review candidates and schedule interviews. Please look for further communication from our Human Resources team in the next two to three weeks. Regards, Allison Wakefield Head of Human Resources

Which of the following best describes the purpose of the passage?

1. A. to inform Mr. Morgan that he will likely not receive an offer for the job of Lead Technician due to the high number of applicants
2. B. to express gratitude to Mr. Morgan for applying for the position of Lead Technician
3. C. to offer Mr. Morgan the position of Lead Technician
4. D. to notify Mr. Morgan that the review of candidates will take longer than expected

Question 12

In a lesson on mass media, a teacher is showing commercials and analyzing their hidden messages. Which of the following is an example of a commercial that claims professional authority not supported by evidence?

1. A. A commercial selling pain relief featuring a professional basketball player who says he uses the product
2. B. A commercial for cold medicine narrated by a man in a doctor's coat
3. C. A commercial for a new toy showing footage of children playing happily with it
4. D. A commercial for a prepared food with testimonials by real consumers

Question 13

Carl's Car Depot is hosting its one-day-only summer sale event! All sedans, trucks, SUVs, and more are marked to move quickly. We're offering no money down and low (like, really low) monthly payments. You won't find prices like these anywhere else in the city (or the state, or anywhere else you look). No matter what you're looking for, we have the new and used cars you need. We only drop our prices this low once a year, so don't miss out on this great deal!

Which of the following best describes the author's purpose?

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

Question 14

This excerpt is from a speech by Charles Dickens delivered in Birmingham, England, on December 30, 1853, on behalf of the Birmingham and Midland Institute. My Good Friends, when I first imparted to the committee of the projected Institute my particular wish that on one of the evenings of my readings here the main body of my audience should be composed of working men and their families, I was animated by two desires; first, by the wish to have the great pleasure of meeting you face to face at this Christmas time, and accompany you myself through one of my little Christmas books; and second, by the wish to have an opportunity of stating publicly in your presence, and in the presence of the committee, my earnest hope that the Institute will, from the beginning, recognize one great principle "strong in reason and justice" which I believe to be essential to the very life of such an Institution. It is, that the working man shall, from the first unto the last, have a share in the management of an Institution which is designed for his benefit, and which calls itself by his name. I have no fear here of being misunderstood, of being supposed to mean too much in this. If there ever was a time when any one class could of itself do much for its own good, and for the welfare of society -which I greatly doubt- that time is unquestionably past. It is in the fusion of different classes, without confusion; in the bringing together of employers and employed; in the creating of a better common understanding among those whose interests are identical, who depend upon each other, who are vitally essential to each other, and who never can be in unnatural antagonism without deplorable results, that one of the chief principles of a Mechanic's Institution should consist. In this world a great deal of the bitterness among us arises from an imperfect understanding of one another. Erect in Birmingham a great Educational Institution, properly educational; educational of the feelings as well as of the reason; to which all orders of Birmingham men contribute; in which all orders of Birmingham men meet; wherein all orders of Birmingham men are faithfully represented and you will erect a Temple of Concord here which will be a model edifice to the whole of England. Contemplating as I do the existence of the Artisan's Committee, which not long ago considered the establishment of the Institute so sensibly, and supported it so heartily, I earnestly entreat the gentlemen - earnest I know in the good work, and who are now among us- by all means to avoid the great shortcoming of similar institutions; and in asking the working man for his confidence, to set him the great example and give him theirs in return. You will judge for yourselves if I promise too much for the working man, when I say that he will stand by such an enterprise with the utmost of his patience, his perseverance, sense, and support; that I am sure he will need no charitable aid or condescending patronage; but will readily and cheerfully pay for the advantages which it confers; that he will prepare himself in individual cases where he feels that the adverse circumstances around him have rendered it necessary; in a word, that he will feel his responsibility like an honest man, and will most honestly and manfully discharge it. I now proceed to the pleasant task to which I assure you I have looked forward for a long time.

Which term is most closely aligned with the definition of the term 'working man' as it is defined in the following passage? 'You will judge for yourselves if I promise too much for the working man, when I say that he will stand by such an enterprise with the utmost of his patience, his perseverance, sense, and support.'

1. A. Plebeian
2. B. Viscount
3. C. Entrepreneur
4. D. Bourgeois

Question 15

In the United States, where we have more land than people, it is not at all difficult for persons in good health to make money. In this comparatively new field there are so many avenues of success open, so many vocations which are not crowded, that any person of either sex who is willing, at least for the time being, to engage in any respectable occupation that offers, may find lucrative employment. Those who really desire to attain an independence, have only to set their minds upon it, and adopt the proper means, as they do in regard to any other object which they wish to accomplish, and the thing is easily done. But however easy it may be found to make money, I have no doubt many of my hearers will agree it is the most difficult thing in the world to keep it. The road to wealth is, as Dr. Franklin truly says, 'as plain as the road to the mill.' It consists simply in expending less than we earn; that seems to be a very simple problem. Mr. Micawber, one of those happy creations of the genial Dickens, puts the case in a strong light when he says that to have annual income of twenty pounds, per annum, and spend twenty pounds and sixpence, is to be the most miserable of men; whereas, to have an income of only twenty pounds, and spend but nineteen pounds and sixpence, is to be the happiest of mortals. Many of my hearers may say, 'we understand this; this is economy, and we know economy is wealth; we know we can't eat our cake and keep it also.' Yet I beg to say that perhaps more cases of failure arise from mistakes on this point than almost any other. The fact is, many people think they understand economy when they really do not.

Which of the following statements best expresses the main idea of the passage?

1. A. Getting a job is easier now than it ever has been before.
2. B. Earning money is much less difficult than managing it properly.
3. C. Dr. Franklin advocated getting a job in a mill.
4. D. Spending money is the greatest temptation in the world.