ILTS Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Alliteration is a literary device that involves the repetition of the same vowel sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words.

TRUE
FALSE (Correct answer)

Correct answer: FALSE

Alliteration involves the repetition of the same consonant sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words, not vowel sounds. When vowel sounds are repeated in a similar manner, it is known as assonance. Alliteration is often used in poetry and prose to create a musical effect or to emphasize certain words or phrases.

Question 2: On the TAP, a passage that presents 'two sides of an argument' is best described as:

Expository
Descriptive
Narrative
Argumentative or persuasive (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Argumentative or persuasive

Argumentative or persuasive passages present competing viewpoints and typically advocate for one position.

Question 3: Which of the following is a correctly punctuated compound sentence as tested on the TAP?

I wanted to go, however, she said no.
I wanted to go however she said no.
I wanted to go but, she said no.
I wanted to go, but she said no. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: I wanted to go, but she said no.

A compound sentence joins two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction preceded by a comma.

Question 4: On the TAP, which word is a synonym for 'arduous'?

Relaxing
Brief
Laborious (Correct answer)
Simple

Correct answer: Laborious

'Arduous' means requiring a lot of hard work and effort; 'laborious' has the same meaning.

Question 5: On the TAP Vocabulary section, the word 'concise' means:

Giving information clearly in few words (Correct answer)
Confusing and ambiguous
Lengthy and detailed
Highly technical

Correct answer: Giving information clearly in few words

'Concise' means expressing information clearly and briefly without unnecessary words.

Question 6: Which reading skill is tested when a TAP question asks: 'Which statement is best supported by the passage?'

Spelling ability
Punctuation usage
Phonics knowledge
Text-based evidence evaluation (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Text-based evidence evaluation

This question type tests your ability to identify claims that are directly supported by evidence in the text.

Question 7: On the TAP, the volume of a rectangular box with length 4, width 3, and height 2 is:

14
18
24 (Correct answer)
20

Correct answer: 24

Volume = length × width × height = 4 × 3 × 2 = 24.

Question 8: You and your parents are sitting with your teacher in an attempt to get you to do better in school and believe that your education is the most important factor in your future success. Your teacher shows you your grade progress reports, the attendance numbers, and the number of referrals you have received. In an effort to get you to change your ways, the strategy employed here is:

An appeal to authority
An appeal to fear
An appeal to emotions
An appeal to reason (Correct answer)

Correct answer: An appeal to reason

The strategy employed in this scenario is an appeal to reason. The teacher is presenting logical evidence such as grade progress reports, attendance numbers, and the number of referrals to convince the student to change their ways. This approach is based on using rational arguments and facts to appeal to the student's logical thinking and decision-making process.

Question 9: On the TAP Critical Reading section, which strategy best helps evaluate an author's credibility?

Evaluating the font and layout
Counting the number of paragraphs
Checking the author's qualifications and sources cited (Correct answer)
Assessing the length of the passage

Correct answer: Checking the author's qualifications and sources cited

Credibility is established through the author's expertise, the quality of sources cited, and the accuracy of information.

Question 10: What does it mean when a TAP passage has an 'objective' tone?

The writing presents information without personal bias or emotion (Correct answer)
The passage is written in first person
The author uses vivid sensory language
The author expresses strong personal bias

Correct answer: The writing presents information without personal bias or emotion

An objective tone presents facts and information without expressing personal feelings or opinions.

Question 11: On the TAP Critical Reading section, 'deductive reasoning' moves from:

A general principle to a specific conclusion (Correct answer)
Specific examples to a general conclusion
Evidence to a hypothesis
A question to a restatement

Correct answer: A general principle to a specific conclusion

Deductive reasoning starts with a general premise and applies it to reach a specific conclusion.

Question 12: Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

My name is Peggy. (Correct answer)
My name is peggy
My name is peggy.
My name is Peggy?

Correct answer: My name is Peggy.

The correct answer is My name is Peggy. In English, the first word of a sentence and proper nouns (like names) should always be capitalized. Therefore, “My name is Peggy” is the correct option as it follows these rules. This question tests understanding of basic grammar rules, which is a key component of language arts.

Question 13: A TAP problem: a class has 18 girls and 12 boys. What percent of the class are girls?

40%
60% (Correct answer)
65%
55%

Correct answer: 60%

Total = 30; percent girls = 18/30 × 100 = 60%.

Question 14: On the TAP Critical Reading section, an 'argument' in a passage consists of:

A claim supported by evidence and reasoning (Correct answer)
Only the author's emotional appeals
A list of facts without a position
An opinion stated without any support

Correct answer: A claim supported by evidence and reasoning

An argument combines a central claim with supporting evidence and reasoning to persuade the reader.

Question 15: On the TAP Reading section, what does 'main idea' of a passage refer to?

The most interesting detail in the passage
The first sentence of the passage
The conclusion paragraph only
The central point the author is making throughout the passage (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The central point the author is making throughout the passage

The main idea is the central point or argument the author conveys throughout the entire passage.

Question 16: The word 'eloquent' in a TAP passage most likely means:

Quiet and reserved
Highly technical
Clumsy and unclear
Fluent and persuasive in speech or writing (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Fluent and persuasive in speech or writing

'Eloquent' describes writing or speech that is fluent, persuasive, and expressive.

Question 17: On the TAP Mathematics section, what is the value of 3² + 4²?

12
49
14
25 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 25

3² = 9 and 4² = 16, so 9 + 16 = 25.

Question 18: On the TAP, 'inductive reasoning' works by:

Starting with a general rule and applying it specifically
Using only deductive logic
Drawing a general conclusion from specific observations (Correct answer)
Accepting all premises without question

Correct answer: Drawing a general conclusion from specific observations

Inductive reasoning gathers specific instances and draws a broad conclusion from them.

Question 19: On the TAP, the word 'tenacious' most closely means:

Secretive
Easily discouraged
Gentle and kind
Persistent and determined (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Persistent and determined

'Tenacious' describes someone who holds firmly to a goal and does not give up easily.

Question 20: Which of the following is an example of a rational number tested on the TAP?

π
√5
3/4 (Correct answer)
√2

Correct answer: 3/4

3/4 is rational because it can be expressed as a fraction of two integers.

Question 21: When a TAP passage is organized in 'cause and effect' structure, the reader should look for:

Events listed by geographic location
Why something happened and what resulted from it (Correct answer)
Character descriptions and settings
Alphabetical ordering of topics

Correct answer: Why something happened and what resulted from it

Cause and effect structure explains why events occur (causes) and what happens as a result (effects).

Question 22: On the TAP, if a train travels 420 miles in 6 hours, what is its average speed?

60 mph
75 mph
65 mph
70 mph (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 70 mph

Speed = Distance ÷ Time = 420 ÷ 6 = 70 mph.

Question 23: On the TAP, a triangle has angles of 45° and 65°. What is the measure of the third angle?

90°
60°
70° (Correct answer)
80°

Correct answer: 70°

The sum of triangle angles is 180°: 180 − 45 − 65 = 70°.

Question 24: On the TAP, the term 'rhetorical appeal to authority' describes:

Emotional storytelling
Citing irrelevant celebrity opinions as expert evidence (Correct answer)
Logical syllogisms
Statistical comparison

Correct answer: Citing irrelevant celebrity opinions as expert evidence

Appeal to authority can be a fallacy when irrelevant or unqualified figures are cited as experts on a topic.

Question 25: In literary analysis, what is 'dramatic irony'?

When the audience knows something that the characters do not (Correct answer)
When two contradictory ideas are placed together
When the outcome is the opposite of what was expected
When a character says the opposite of what they mean

Correct answer: When the audience knows something that the characters do not

Dramatic irony occurs when the reader or audience possesses information that one or more characters lack, creating tension or humor.

Question 26: On the TAP Reading section, a 'summary' of a passage should include:

Every detail from every paragraph
Personal opinions about the topic
Only the conclusion
The main idea and key supporting points in brief form (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The main idea and key supporting points in brief form

A summary captures the essential main idea and major supporting points without unnecessary detail.

Question 27: On the TAP Grammar section, which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

She studied hard; and passed the test.
She studied; hard and passed the test.
She; studied hard and passed.
She studied hard; she passed the test. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: She studied hard; she passed the test.

A semicolon correctly joins two closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.

Question 28: On the TAP, which pronoun correctly completes this sentence: 'Between you and ___, the answer is obvious'?

me (Correct answer)
myself
we
I

Correct answer: me

After a preposition like 'between,' use an object pronoun — 'me,' not 'I.'

Question 29: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier, a common TAP Grammar error type?

She ran quickly to catch the bus.
Running quickly, she caught the bus.
She quickly caught the bus.
Running quickly, the bus was caught. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Running quickly, the bus was caught.

In 'Running quickly, the bus was caught,' the modifier 'running quickly' incorrectly modifies 'the bus.'

Question 30: On the TAP, what is the value of √144?

11
14
12 (Correct answer)
13

Correct answer: 12

√144 = 12 because 12 × 12 = 144.

Question 31: When the ad reports that 3 out of 4 doctors recommend their product, this is...

An appeal to authority (Correct answer)
An appeal to reason
An appeal to emotions
An appeal to good health

Correct answer: An appeal to authority

The ad's claim that 3 out of 4 doctors recommend their product is an appeal to authority. It is using the credibility and expertise of doctors to persuade consumers that the product is reliable and trustworthy. By presenting this statistic, the ad is suggesting that the product has been endorsed by professionals in the field, making it more likely to be effective and beneficial for consumers.

Question 32: On the TAP, what is the area of a triangle with base 10 and height 6?

20
60
30 (Correct answer)
16

Correct answer: 30

Area of triangle = ½ × base × height = ½ × 10 × 6 = 30.

Question 33: A TAP question asks you to convert 3/4 to a decimal. The answer is:

0.34
0.75 (Correct answer)
0.43
0.70

Correct answer: 0.75

3 ÷ 4 = 0.75.

ILTS Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP)

The TAP is an Illinois teacher certification exam that assesses fundamental academic skills in reading comprehension, language arts, and mathematics required for educator licensure in Illinois.

Questions

45 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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Exam Rules

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