Reading TEAS Practice Test

Reading TEAS Practice Test Related

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How are Hypotheses Confirmed? Most scientists agree that while the scientific method is an invaluable methodological tool, it is not a failsafe method for arriving at object ruth. It is a debatable, for example, whether a hypothesis can actually be confirmed by experience. When a hypothesis is of the form "All x and y," it is commonly believed that a piece of evidence that is both x and y confirms the hypothesis. For example, for the hypothesis "All monkeys are hairy," a particular monkey that is hairy is thought to be a confirming piece of evidence for the hypothesis. A problem arises when one encounters evidence that disproves a hypothesis: while no scientist would argue that one piece of evidence proves a hypothesis, it is possible for one piece of evidence to disprove a hypothesis. To return to the monkey example, one hairless monkey out of one billion hairy monkeys disproves the hypothesis "All monkeys are hairy." Single pieces of evidence then, seem to affect to given hypothesis in radically different ways. For this reason, the confirmation of hypotheses is better described as probabilistic. Hypotheses that can only be proven or disproven based on evidence need to be based on probability because sample sets for such hypotheses are too large. Int eh monkey example, every single monkey in the history of monkeys would need to be examined before the hypothesis could be proven or disproven. By making confirmation a function of probability, one may make provisional or working conclusions the tallow for the possibility of given hypothesis being disconfirmed in the future. Int he monkey case, then, encountering a hairy monkey would slighting rise the probability that "all monkeys are hairy," while encountering a hairless monkey would slightly decrease the probability that "all monkeys are hairy." This method of confirming hypotheses is both counterintuitive and controversial, but it allows for evidence to equitably affect hypotheses and it does not require infinite sample sets for confirmation or disconfirmation.

What is the main idea of the second paragraph?

  • A. One hairy monkey proves the hypothesis 'All monkeys are hairy.'
  • B. The same piece of evidence can both confirm and disconfirm a hypothesis.
  • C. Confirming and disconfirming evidence affect hypotheses differently.
  • D. The scientific method is not a failsafe method for arriving at objective truth.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The main idea of the second paragraph is that confirming and disconfirming evidence can affect hypotheses differently, as stated in the passage - 'Single pieces of evidence then, seem to affect a given hypothesis in radically different ways.' Choice A is incorrect because the paragraph discusses how single pieces of evidence affect hypotheses, not that one hairy monkey proves a hypothesis. Choice B is incorrect as the paragraph focuses on the different effects of evidence on hypotheses, rather than its ability to confirm and disconfirm simultaneously. Choice D is incorrect as the paragraph does not primarily discuss the scientific method's failings but rather the impact of evidence on hypotheses.

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Announcement for all faculty members: It has come to the university's attention that there is crowding in the faculty canteen between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., an issue that is due to the increase in staff numbers in several faculty departments. A number of faculty members have complained that hey stood in line so long that they were unable to get lunch, or did not have time to eat lunch. to offset the crowding, the university has polled the various departments about schedules, and has settled on a recommended rooster for when the members of each department should visit the faculty canteen for lunch: - Business Dept: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Art Dept: 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. - Math and Science Dept: 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. - Social Sciences Dept: 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Humanities Dept: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. We ask that all faculty members respect this schedule. Faculty will be expected to display a department badge before entering the canteen for lunch.

Based on the information in the announcement, what might the reader assume about how the university determined the lunch schedule?

  • A. The university arranged the schedule alphabetically, according to the name of each department.
  • B. The university checked with the departments in advance to make sure faculty members would be amenable to the change.
  • C. The university checked to see when the most faculty members from each department would be entering the canteen.
  • D. The university was more concerned about crowding in the canteen and simply decided to establish different times for each department.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The announcement states that the university polled the various departments about schedules to determine a recommended roster for each department to visit the canteen for lunch. This indicates that the university checked to see when the most faculty members from each department would be entering the canteen to offset the crowding issue. Therefore, the correct choice is C. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because there is no mention of arranging the schedule alphabetically, checking with departments in advance for agreement, or simply establishing different times without considering faculty members' schedules in the announcement. The university's approach was to tailor the lunch schedule based on each department's peak entry times to manage the crowding problem effectively.

What outdoorsy, family adventure can you have on a hot, summer day? How about spelunking? If you live in an area that is anywhere near is guided, lit cave, find out the hours of operation and hit the road towards it as soon as you can. Hitch up the double jogging stroller and make your way out into the wilderness, preferably with a guide, and discover the wonders of the cool, dark earth even while it is weltering hot in the outside world. It will be 58 degrees in that cave, and you can explore inside for as long as you please. Best part? The absolutely awesome naps that the kids will take after such an exciting adventure! Be sure to bring the following items: - Bottled water - Light-up tennis shoes if you have them (they look fabulous in the dark) - Flashlights or glow sticks just for fun - Jackets - Changes of clothes in case of getting muddy and/or dirty

Based on the information given, what is spelunking?

  • A. exploring inside a cave
  • B. an outdoor adventure
  • C. walking with a double stroller
  • D. a hot, summer day
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The passage describes spelunking as 'hit the road towards it as soon as you can' and 'discover the wonders of the cool, dark earth even while it is weltering hot in the outside world.' This indicates that spelunking involves exploring inside a cave, making option A, 'exploring inside a cave,' the correct answer. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the description of spelunking provided in the passage.

The mother sun-fish, having now built or provided her "hatchery,"
deposits her spawn within the circular inclosure, and mounts guard at the
entrance until the fry are hatched out and are sufficiently large to take
charge of themselves.

What is the definition of the word 'fry' as it appears in the passage?

  • A. Fry eggs that have been fertilized.
  • B. Young fish capable of feeding themselves.
  • C. A place where larvae are kept safe from predators.
  • D. Fish prepared to be fried in oil.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Young fish capable of feeding themselves.' In the provided extract, 'fry' refers to the young fish that are hatched out and are old enough to take charge of themselves. Choice A is incorrect as it refers to a different context of 'fry.' Choice C is incorrect as it describes a location rather than the meaning of 'fry.' Choice D is also incorrect as it provides a definition of 'fry' related to cooking, which is not the intended meaning in the passage.

In the United States, the foreign language requirement for high school graduation is decided at the state level. This means the requirement varies, with some states deciding to forego a foreign language requirement altogether (www.ncssfl.org). It is necessary that these states reconsider their position and amend their requirements to reflect compulsory completion of a course of one or more foreign languages. Studying a foreign language has become increasingly important for the global economy. As technology continues to make international business relations increasing easy, people need to keep up by increasing their communication capabilities. High school graduates with foreign language credits have been shown to have an increased college acceptance rate. In addition, students who have mastered more than one language typically find themselves in greater demand when they reach the job market. Students who did not study a foreign language often find themselves unable to obtain a job at all.

Which of the following statements represents the best summary of the claims made in this passage?

  • A. Studying a foreign language is important if you want to graduate from high school and get a job.
  • B. Studying a foreign language is important for the global economy because of the technological advances that have made international communication easier.
  • C. Studying a foreign language is important for the global economy, college acceptance rates, and becoming a sought-after candidate in the job market.
  • D. Studying a foreign language is important for college acceptance rates and obtaining a job after college.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Option C best summarizes the claims made in the passage. Studying a foreign language is highlighted as important for the global economy, college acceptance rates, and becoming a sought-after candidate in the job market. The passage emphasizes that as technology advances, communication across borders becomes crucial, making foreign language skills valuable. High school graduates with foreign language credits tend to have higher college acceptance rates. Additionally, mastering more than one language increases desirability in the job market. Option A is too narrow, focusing only on high school graduation and job prospects. Option B, while mentioning the global economy, misses the emphasis on college acceptance rates and job market desirability. Option D is also limited, as it only considers college acceptance rates and job prospects but does not cover the importance of foreign languages for the global economy.

Which option best defines a fable?

  • A. A melancholic poem lamenting the subject's death
  • B. An oral tradition influenced by culture
  • C. A story with events that occur in threes and sevens
  • D. A short story with animals, fantastic creatures, or other forces within nature
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: A fable is a short story that typically features animals, fantastic creatures, or other forces within nature as characters. These characters often possess human-like qualities and behavior, and the story is intended to convey a moral lesson or message to the reader. The use of animals or other natural elements is a common characteristic of fables, distinguishing them from other types of stories or literary works. Options A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the defining characteristics of a fable.

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