ATI TEAS Version 7 - English and Language Usage

Correct Answer A: Adverb

Explanation:

The word "incredibly" modifies the adjective "small" by describing the extent to which the pumpkin crop was small. Words that describe or modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs are classified as adverbs. In this case, "incredibly" intensifies the meaning of "small," making it an adverb.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

B. Adjective

An adjective modifies a noun or pronoun by providing more detail about it. In the sentence, "small" is an adjective because it describes the noun "crop." However, "incredibly" is not describing a noun; it is modifying an adjective, which makes it an adverb, not an adjective.

C. Preposition

A preposition shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence, indicating direction, location, time, or introducing an object. Examples include "in," "on," "under," and "with." "Incredibly" does not perform this function in the sentence.

D. Pronoun

A pronoun replaces a noun in a sentence, such as "he," "she," "it," or "they." "Incredibly" does not replace a noun or stand in for one in this sentence.

Correct Answer B: Since time was running short, I hurriedly brushed my teeth while breakfast was warming up.

Explanation:

Option B is a complex sentence because it contains an independent clause ("I hurriedly brushed my teeth while breakfast was warming up") and a dependent (subordinate) clause ("Since time was running short") connected by a subordinating conjunction "Since." A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong:

A. I brushed my teeth while the coffee brewed because time was running short.

This sentence is a compound-complex sentence because it has two dependent clauses ("while the coffee brewed" and "because time was running short") and one independent clause ("I brushed my teeth"). It’s more than just a complex sentence.

C. Time was running short, so I hurriedly brushed my teeth while breakfast was warming up.

This is a compound sentence because it joins two independent clauses ("Time was running short" and "I hurriedly brushed my teeth while breakfast was warming up") with a coordinating conjunction "so."

D. I used the time while the coffee was brewing to brush my teeth.

This is a simple sentence with a complex verb phrase, but it contains only one independent clause. The phrase "while the coffee was brewing" is a dependent clause, but since there’s no additional independent clause to pair with it, it’s still a simple sentence with one main idea.

Correct Answer A. The green paint is a horrible color. I don't want it on my walls.

Explanation:

Option A is correct because it uses two complete independent clauses, properly separated by a period. This maintains grammatical accuracy by clearly dividing two related but distinct statements.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

B. The green paint is a horrible color, I don't want it on my walls.

This is a comma splice, where two independent clauses are incorrectly joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction.

C. The green paint is a horrible color: I don't want it on my walls.

While a colon can connect related clauses, it should follow an independent clause that introduces or explains what comes next. Although this sentence might be acceptable stylistically in some cases, it is less standard and slightly awkward compared to the clean separation of two statements with a period.

D. The green paint is a horrible color? I don't want it on my walls.

This is incorrect because the question mark suggests a question is being asked, but the sentence is a statement, not a question.

• Dependent clause: “Because his grandfather wanted him to go”
• Independent clauses: “Clay agreed to go” and “he never liked fishing”

Correct Answer B: He liked to cook at home, but she preferred to eat at restaurants.

Explanation:

A compound sentence consists of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as and, but, or, so, for, nor, yet). In this case, "He liked to cook at home" and "she preferred to eat at restaurants" are both independent clauses that could stand alone as sentences, and they are properly connected with the conjunction but.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong:

A. The professor enjoyed reading, cycling, and listening to jazz music.

This is a simple sentence with a compound predicate (three activities the professor enjoys) but it has only one subject and no independent clauses joined by a conjunction.

C. Although he would have gone to the movie that his friends recommended, it started too late.

This is a complex sentence. It contains one dependent clause ("Although he would have gone to the movie that his friends recommended") and one independent clause ("it started too late"). A complex sentence uses subordinating conjunctions like although, because, if, when.

D. After they played basketball all day, the girls were very tired.

This is also a complex sentence. It has a dependent clause ("After they played basketball all day") and an independent clause ("the girls were very tired"). The subordinating conjunction After makes the first clause dependent.

Correct Answer B. The student wrote too slowly to finish the exam, but he has always been a slow writer.

Explanation of Correct Answer:

This sentence uses correct grammar and word forms. “Slowly” is an adverb that describes how the student wrote, and “slow” is an adjective that describes what kind of writer he is. Both are used appropriately in context.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. The student wrote too slowly to finish the exam, but he has always been a slowly writer.

“Slowly” is an adverb, not an adjective. You need the adjective “slow” to describe “writer.”

C. The student wrote too slow to finish the exam, but he has always been a slow writer.

“Too slow” is incorrect because “slow” is an adjective, and here it should be an adverb (“slowly”) to describe the verb “wrote.”

D. The student wrote too slow to finish the exam, but he has always been a slowly writer.

This sentence contains two errors: using the adjective “slow” instead of the adverb “slowly” with “wrote,” and misusing “slowly” as an adjective before “writer.”

Correct Answer: D) A journal article including data on the number of grocery stores in the surrounding communities.

Explanation

A citation is required when you use data, research, or information that is not your original work. In this case, the journal article includes data about the number of grocery stores, which likely comes from a specific source (e.g., a census report, market study, or survey). Properly citing the source of the data is necessary to give credit to the original research and avoid plagiarism.

Why Other Options Are Wrong

A) A manual providing instructions on how to maintain a small appliance.

This manual likely contains general instructions that are considered common knowledge and do not require a citation, unless the information is copied from another source.

B) An email to your high school football coach detailing your college classes.

This email is a personal communication and does not require a citation, as it contains personal information that you are sharing directly with someone.

C) A short story that points out that the United States celebrated its bicentennial in the year 1976.

The bicentennial of the United States in 1976 is common knowledge, meaning it is widely known and does not require a citation. It’s a well-established fact that does not need referencing.

Correct Answer C: Adverb

Explanation:

"Incredibly" is an adverb in this sentence because it modifies the adjective "small," describing the extent or degree to which the pumpkin crop was small. Adverbs often modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, and they frequently answer the questions how, when, where, or to what extent. In this case, "incredibly" tells us to what extent the crop was small.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong:

A. Adjective

An adjective modifies a noun or pronoun by describing, identifying, or quantifying it. In this sentence, "incredibly" does not describe a noun; it modifies an adjective ("small"), so it is not an adjective.

B. Preposition

A preposition shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and another word in the sentence, typically indicating direction, location, time, or introducing an object. "Incredibly" does not perform any of these functions.

D. Pronoun

A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun, such as he, she, it, they. "Incredibly" does not replace any noun or function as a pronoun in this sentence.

Correct Answer:

Understanding the prompt or writing assignment

Explanation:

Before beginning any stage of the writing process, it is essential to understand the prompt or assignment. This step ensures that the writer knows what is expected in terms of content, structure, and purpose. Without clarity about the writing task, research and planning could go in the wrong direction, leading to irrelevant or off-topic writing. This foundational step guides every other part of the process.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Researching for credible and relevant sources

This step should only begin once the writer understands the topic and purpose. Research without direction can waste time and lead to irrelevant material. It is not the first logical step in the writing process.

Planning and brainstorming for the writing’s structure and topics

While important, planning and brainstorming require a clear understanding of the writing prompt. Without that, brainstorming might not align with the assignment’s goals, making it an ineffective first step.

Revising and editing focusing on the clarity of the writing

Revising and editing come much later in the writing process, after the draft has been written. These steps improve the quality of content but are not appropriate as a first step.