TEAS Reading Practice Test #2 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is the maximum weight this scale will measure?

115 lbs.
28 lbs.
280 lbs.
300 lbs. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 300 lbs.

To determine the maximum weight a scale will measure, one must look at the highest number marked on its dial or digital display. Assuming the visual representation of the scale (which would be provided in the actual test) indicates 300 lbs as the highest measurable value, then that is its maximum capacity.

Question 2: “You want to be very careful about lying; otherwise you are nearly sure to get caught. Once caught, you can never again be in the eyes to the good and the pure, what you were before. Many a young person has injured himself permanently through a single clumsy and ill finished lie, the result of carelessness born of incomplete training. Some authorities hold that the young ought not to lie at all. I do maintain, and I believe I am right, that the young ought to be temperate in the use of this great art until practice and experience shall give them that confidence, elegance, and precision which alone can make the accomplishment graceful and profitable. Patience, diligence, painstaking attention to detail—these are requirements; these in time, will make the student perfect; upon these only, may he rely as the sure foundation for future eminence.” – Mark Twain What is Mark Twain’s main point about lying in this passage?

Truth is mighty and will always prevail.
Not until a person has mastered the requisite skills should he or she attempt to lie in a serious manner. (Correct answer)
It's important to learn to lie in a convincing manner.
It takes a lot of practice to become a good liar.

Correct answer: Not until a person has mastered the requisite skills should he or she attempt to lie in a serious manner.

Mark Twain's passage is satirical, advising readers to be 'temperate in the use of this great art until practice and experience shall give them that confidence, elegance, and precision.' He emphasizes 'patience, diligence, painstaking attention to detail' as requirements for becoming a 'perfect' liar. This clearly implies that one should only lie seriously once they have developed the necessary skills, rather than advocating for lying itself or simply stating it takes practice.

Question 3: "Friends and Fellow Citizens: Called upon to undertake the duties of the first executive office of our country, I avail myself of the presence of that portion of my fellow-citizens which is here assembled to express my grateful thanks for the favor with which they have been pleased to look toward me, to declare a sincere consciousness that the task is above my talents, and that I approach it with those anxious and awful presentiments which the greatness of the charge and the weakness of my powers so justly inspire." – Thomas Jefferson What is Jefferson's point in this excerpt?

Jefferson is envious of George Washington's popularity.
Jefferson has no concern for public opinion. He wants only to do what is best for the nation.
Jefferson wants to retire with a good reputation.
Without the support of the governed, a leader cannot lead. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Without the support of the governed, a leader cannot lead.

Jefferson expresses 'grateful thanks for the favor with which they have been pleased to look toward me' and acknowledges that the 'task is above my talents' and he approaches it with 'anxious and awful presentiments.' This humility and reliance on the 'favor' and presence of his 'fellow-citizens' strongly suggest his understanding that leadership is contingent upon the support and trust of the people he governs. He is not expressing personal ambition or envy, but rather the weight of public expectation.

Question 4: 1. Scandinavian Governments A. Danish B. Swedish C. Norwegian D. _________ Examine the headings above. Which of the following is a reasonable heading to insert in the blank spot?

Finnish (Correct answer)
Germanic
Celtic
Croatian

Correct answer: Finnish

The list provided (Danish, Swedish, Norwegian) are all countries typically considered part of Scandinavia. Finland, while distinct linguistically, is culturally and geographically part of the broader Nordic region, which often includes Scandinavia. In many contexts, especially when discussing regional groupings of governments, Finland is included alongside these nations as a logical fit.

Question 5: Since rejoining UNESCO, one of our top priorities has been promoting literacy, with a particular focus on girls and women. To that end, quality providers of informal education have played and will continue to play a key role in decreasing the global adult illiteracy rate. We know that informal education can be more flexible and help reach adults who have long ago dropped out of the formal school system or who were systematically denied access to school. As the largest government donor to UNICEF, the United States is supporting efforts to support safe schools, and quality education for each and every girl and boy. Which of the following is not something with which the author of the above statements would likely agree?

It makes sense to educate women and girls.
Women become empowered through education.
Formal education is better than informal education. (Correct answer)
Women and girls should be educated.

Correct answer: Formal education is better than informal education.

The passage explicitly states, 'quality providers of informal education have played and will continue to play a key role in decreasing the global adult illiteracy rate.' It further notes that 'informal education can be more flexible and help reach adults who have long ago dropped out of the formal school system.' This demonstrates a positive view of informal education, suggesting the author would *not* agree that formal education is inherently better, but rather that both have their place and informal education is crucial for specific populations.

Question 6: On the thermometer above, what is the current temperature in degrees Fahrenheit?

20 degrees
-4 degrees (Correct answer)
-20 degrees
-26 degrees

Correct answer: -4 degrees

To determine the temperature, one must read the level of the liquid column against the marked scale on the thermometer. Assuming the visual representation of the thermometer (which would be provided in the actual test) shows the liquid level at the mark corresponding to -4 degrees Fahrenheit, then that is the correct temperature.

Question 7: The student couldn’t help but smile when the teacher singled out her newspaper article as a signal accomplishment among the class’s final issue of the school newspaper. Based on the context of the sentence above, which of the following is the definition of the underlined word?

exceptional (Correct answer)
vague
tocsin
admonition

Correct answer: exceptional

The sentence states the teacher 'singled out her newspaper article as a signal accomplishment.' When something is 'singled out' in a positive context, it means it stands out as particularly noteworthy or excellent. Therefore, 'signal' in this context means exceptional or outstanding, indicating a significant achievement that serves as a mark of distinction.

Question 8: Read and follow the directions below. Walk one block west. Walk three blocks north. Walk two blocks east. Where is your destination compared to your original location?

Two blocks north, two blocks west
Two blocks south, two blocks east
One block west, two blocks south
One block east, three blocks north (Correct answer)

Correct answer: One block east, three blocks north

To solve this, track the movements from the starting point. Walking one block west puts you at (-1, 0). Then, three blocks north puts you at (-1, 3). Finally, two blocks east moves you to (1, 3). Compared to the original location (0,0), the final destination is one block east and three blocks north.

Question 9: If a student planned to take the LSAT in the year the test date fell closest to the end of June, how many days after the actual score release date could he expect the official score to be released?

2
3
4 (Correct answer)
5

Correct answer: 4

To answer this question, one would need to refer to a specific LSAT test date and score release schedule, which is not provided in the prompt. Assuming there is a table or calendar associated with this question (as is typical for TEAS reading comprehension questions involving data interpretation), the correct answer of '4' would be derived by identifying the test date closest to the end of June and then counting the days between its actual score release date and the official score release date listed in the provided data.

Question 10: The vain queen worried that her magical mirror was lying to her when it told her she was “the fairest in the land.” She wanted to ensure her beauty never faded. She called several of her wisest advisors to her council chamber. Based on this passage, which of the following is a logical prediction of what the queen will do?

Ask them for advice about her problem. (Correct answer)
Command her advisors to go to beauty school.
Discuss the issue patiently with her wisest advisor.
Scheme against the lying mirror.

Correct answer: Ask them for advice about her problem.

The queen is worried about her beauty fading and calls her 'wisest advisors' to her 'council chamber.' Advisors are typically consulted for counsel and guidance on problems. Therefore, the most logical prediction is that she will ask them for advice on how to maintain her beauty or address her concerns about the mirror's statement, as that is the primary role of advisors.

Question 11: The vain queen worried that her magical mirror was lying to her when it told her she was “the fairest in the land.” She wanted to ensure her beauty never faded. She called several of her wisest advisors to her council chamber. Based on a prior knowledge of literature, the reader can infer that this passage was taken from which of the following?

A limerick
A folk tale (Correct answer)
A persuasive essay
A historical document

Correct answer: A folk tale

The passage describes a 'vain queen,' a 'magical mirror,' and the queen's concern about being 'the fairest in the land.' These elements are classic tropes found in folk tales and fairy tales, such as 'Snow White.' Folk tales often feature royalty, magical objects, and moral dilemmas, making this passage highly consistent with that genre.

Question 12: An individual reading a book about the first emperor of China wants to find the first reference in the book to the Terracotta Army. Where should he or she look?

The glossary
The table of contents
The afterword
The index (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The index

The index is an alphabetical list of topics, names, and key terms discussed in a book, along with the page numbers where they appear. To find the first reference to a specific topic like the Terracotta Army, an individual should consult the index, as it directly points to all relevant page numbers, allowing for easy identification of the earliest mention.

Question 13: Which three income groups pay a combined payroll tax rate of more than 29%?

0-20, 40-60, and 60-80
20-40, 40-60, and 80-90 (Correct answer)
20-40, 80-90, and 95-99
40-60, 60-80, and Top 1%

Correct answer: 20-40, 40-60, and 80-90

This question requires referring to a provided table of payroll tax rates for different income groups. To find the correct combination, one would sum the individual tax rates for each group from the table. The groups 20-40, 40-60, and 80-90 are the ones whose combined payroll tax rates exceed 29% according to the specific data presented in the original context.

Question 14: Read and follow the directions below. Imagine a deck of cards. Remove all four jacks and four kings. Add back in the red jacks. Remove the eights. Remove half the remaining cards at random. Which of the following tells the number of cards now in the deck?

19
20
21 (Correct answer)
22

Correct answer: 21

This is a step-by-step arithmetic problem. Starting with a standard 52-card deck, first remove 4 jacks and 4 kings, leaving 44 cards. Then, add back the 2 red jacks, bringing the total to 46. Next, remove the 4 eights, resulting in 42 cards. Finally, remove half of the remaining cards (42 / 2), which leaves 21 cards in the deck.

Question 15: Trevor has very fair skin and is planning to take a trip from his home in London to Miami. At minimum, by how much should be increase the SPF in his sunscreen?

20 (Correct answer)
30
40
50

Correct answer: 20

This answer relies on a provided table that recommends SPF levels based on skin type and geographical location. To find the increase, one would locate the recommended SPF for fair skin in London and then for Miami. The difference between these two values, as indicated by the table, is 20, signifying the necessary increase in SPF.

Question 16: What is the most effective method to sum up the two passages' objectives?

Passage 1 traces the consequences of an incident; Passage 2 narrates a process.
Passage 1 interprets a series of examples; Passage 2 gives a typical case.
Both passages present well-known examples to challenge a misconception.
Passage 1 analyzes a phenomenon; Passage 2 suggests a solution to a problem. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Passage 1 analyzes a phenomenon; Passage 2 suggests a solution to a problem.

This answer accurately describes the distinct purposes of each passage. Passage 1 would likely delve into the nature and characteristics of a particular phenomenon, analyzing its aspects. Passage 2 would then pivot to offering practical advice or strategies to address a related issue or problem, suggesting a solution.

Question 17: The phrase "Maintaining the actuality of the character" (line 4) most specifically alludes to in the context of Passage 1

presenting to the audience only behavior relevant to the character (Correct answer)
showing the audience how the character sees a situation
playing the character in a way that resembles real life
believing oneself to be the character

Correct answer: presenting to the audience only behavior relevant to the character

In the context of acting, 'maintaining the actuality of the character' means ensuring that all actions, dialogue, and expressions presented to the audience are consistent with and relevant to the character's established traits and motivations. This involves avoiding extraneous behaviors that might break the illusion or distract from the character's reality within the performance.

Question 18: How are stage fear and human behavior in general viewed in the passages?

Passage 1 sees stage fright as normal and healthy, while Passage 2 sees stage fright as an extreme reaction.
Passage 1 emphasizes that situations unique to the theater cause stage fright, whereas Passage 2 views stage fright as similar in one way to most other fears. (Correct answer)
Passage 1 attributes stage fright to an individual's personal problems, whereas Passage 2 believes stage fright is caused by social problems.
Both passages view stage fright as a phenomenon that people experience in everyday life.

Correct answer: Passage 1 emphasizes that situations unique to the theater cause stage fright, whereas Passage 2 views stage fright as similar in one way to most other fears.

This answer highlights a key contrast in the passages' perspectives on stage fright. Passage 1 likely focuses on specific theatrical elements that contribute to performance anxiety, suggesting unique causes. Passage 2, however, broadens the scope, suggesting that stage fright shares common psychological mechanisms with other everyday fears, making it a more universal human experience.

Question 19: Which of the following best defines an actor who manages stage fright by taking the author of Passage 2's advice?

A performer who blocks out thoughts of the audience
A performer who follows the same rituals before every performance
A performer who tries to impress the audience
A performer who thinks of the audience as friends (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A performer who thinks of the audience as friends

If Passage 2 offers advice on managing stage fright, suggesting to 'think of the audience as friends' is a common psychological technique to reduce performance anxiety. This approach helps to reframe the audience from a source of judgment into a supportive group, thereby alleviating fear and promoting a more relaxed and confident performance.

Question 20: Cities all around the world are essentially amalgamations of more discrete cultural settings, which causes people to have incredibly diverse experiences. Every city often has a wide variety of food options as well as different art organizations like museums and theaters. What, therefore, might make a city stand out among all these variations in eating, art, and nightlife? History. The undeniably unique history of each city provides rich traditions and a bond between the local people that overshadows any other city’s mélange of dining and art institutions. <br> Which of the following does the author consider to be the most significant city feature or attraction?

Ruins from the Berlin Wall and the local community (Correct answer)
The Museum of Natural History
Wrigley Field
The exquisite French restaurant in the European district

Correct answer: Ruins from the Berlin Wall and the local community

The passage explicitly states that 'History' is what makes a city stand out, providing 'rich traditions and a bond between the local people.' Ruins from the Berlin Wall directly represent a city's unique history, and the 'local community' aligns with the 'bond between the local people' that the author emphasizes as the most significant feature.

Question 21: Cities all around the world are essentially amalgamations of more discrete cultural settings, which causes people to have incredibly diverse experiences. Every city often has a wide variety of food options as well as different art organizations like museums and theaters. What, therefore, might make a city stand out among all these variations in eating, art, and nightlife? History. The undeniably unique history of each city provides rich traditions and a bond between the local people that overshadows any other city’s mélange of dining and art institutions. <br> Which term best captures mélange in context?

opportunity
assortment (Correct answer)
tradition
frivolous

Correct answer: assortment

The word 'mélange' refers to a mixture or a varied collection of things. In the context of the passage, it describes the 'wide variety of food options as well as different art organizations,' which are presented as a diverse collection of features. Therefore, 'assortment' accurately captures this meaning of a varied collection or mix.

TEAS Reading Practice Test #2

What is the maximum weight this scale will measure?