ATI TEAS Version 7 - English and Language Usage

Correct Answer A. You go to the window because someone is knocking insistently on the front door.

Explanation of Correct Answer:

Second-person narrative voice directly addresses the reader using the pronoun "you." It places the reader into the action, making them the subject. Sentence A is written in second person, as it uses "you" and describes what "you" do.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong:

B. We are planning a trip to Florida for our vacation in January.

This is written in the first-person plural point of view, using "we" to refer to the speaker and others.

C. She won first place at the county fair with my homemade blueberry pie recipe.

This mixes third person ("she") and first person ("my"), but does not use second person.

D. I wanted to visit the art museum to see the new sculpture exhibit.

This is in the first-person point of view, using "I" to describe the narrator's experience.

Correct Answer:

Where are we meeting?

Explanation:

“Where are we meeting?” uses complete words and standard grammar without contractions or vague nouns, making it more formal than the other options. It avoids casual or conversational phrasing like “stuff” or “thing” and is structured in a clear, professional way that would be appropriate in both spoken and written formal contexts.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

What's this stuff for?

This sentence uses informal language, especially the word “stuff,” which is a vague and casual term. The contraction “What’s” also contributes to its informal tone, making it unsuitable for formal writing or professional communication.

What's it all about?

The phrase “What’s it all about?” is conversational and general, often used in informal or even philosophical contexts. It lacks specificity and includes a contraction, both of which make it informal.

Where'd this thing come from?

This sentence is informal due to the contraction “Where’d” and the vague noun “thing.” The phrasing is very casual and would not be appropriate in formal settings.

Correct Answer:

But

Explanation:

The word “but” is a coordinating conjunction used to connect two contrasting ideas. In this case, the first sentence tells us that Jaquita enjoys reading and visiting the library, while the second introduces a contrasting activity her sister prefers — playing basketball. Using “but” to connect the two sentences highlights the contrast between their interests. The combined sentence would read: Jaquita, an avid reader, frequently visits the library, but her sister prefers playing basketball.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

After

“After” is a subordinating conjunction that indicates a sequence in time. There’s no indication in the original sentences that one action follows the other chronologically. Using “after” would change the meaning and confuse the relationship between the two ideas.

Because

“Because” is used to show cause and effect. However, there is no causal relationship between Jaquita visiting the library and her sister playing basketball. They are simply contrasting preferences, not one action causing the other.

Until

“Until” implies that one action continues up to a certain point when another action begins. This relationship doesn't exist between Jaquita and her sister's activities. It would not make sense or accurately convey the intended contrast.

Correct Answer:

Legitimacy

Explanation:

“Legitimacy” is the correct spelling. It refers to the quality or state of being legitimate, meaning lawful, valid, or acceptable. This is the standard spelling found in dictionaries and used in formal writing.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Legitamacy

This misspells the middle syllable—“tim” is incorrectly written as “tam,” which does not conform to standard spelling.

Lagitamacy

Both the initial “e” in “legit-” and the middle “tim” are misspelled, making this option doubly incorrect.

Lagitimacy

This misspells the beginning “legit-” as “lagit-,” which alters the word's root and makes it incorrect.

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.

Correct Answer:

A dramatic rise in autism awareness since 1990 has led to increased recognition and understanding of the neurodevelopment disorder within society.

Explanation:

This sentence provides background context and sets the stage for a discussion on autism spectrum disorder. As an introductory sentence, it introduces the topic broadly and historically, which is typical for opening a paragraph. It offers a time reference, a general trend (increased awareness), and a clear focus on the disorder itself, making it ideal for leading into more specific details or examples in subsequent sentences.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Now, more individuals across a wide range of disciplines recognize and incorporate simple, yet effective, accommodations for people with ASD.

This sentence is better suited as a supporting detail, as it assumes prior understanding of ASD and directly discusses accommodations. It lacks the broad contextual setup usually needed for an introductory sentence and focuses more on current practices.

Over time, early diagnosis and intervention has ensured individuals on the autism spectrum can access appropriate support.

This sentence presents a specific aspect of ASD management rather than introducing the overall topic. It would serve better as a supporting point following a general introduction about autism awareness or history.

Increased understanding has fostered more inclusive environments in schools, workplaces, and communities.

While this is a strong statement, it focuses on the outcome of awareness and understanding rather than introducing autism spectrum disorder itself. It assumes the reader already knows what the topic is and would fit better in a body paragraph rather than the introduction.

Correct Answer:

Quantum physics is Juan's best subject.

Explanation:

A simple sentence contains one independent clause with a subject and a predicate, expressing a complete thought. “Quantum physics is Juan's best subject” fits this definition. It has one subject (“Quantum physics”) and one predicate (“is Juan's best subject”) and stands alone as a complete sentence.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Marissa refuses to apologize; however, she knows she was unfair to her sister.

This is a compound sentence, made up of two independent clauses joined by a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb (“however”). It contains more than one idea and therefore is not a simple sentence.

Not only does Antonio know American Sign Language, he can also read lips.

This is a compound sentence, joined by coordination and containing two independent clauses: “Not only does Antonio know American Sign Language” and “he can also read lips.”

The entire senior class went to the football game; therefore, the stadium was packed.

This is also a compound sentence, combining two independent clauses with a semicolon and the conjunctive adverb “therefore.” It contains multiple thoughts and is not a simple sentence.

Correct Answer D. Post-

Explanation of Correct Answer:

The prefix “post-” means “after” in time or order. When attached to a root word (e.g., “postwar,” “postgame”), it clearly places that event after another, making it useful when indicating a sequence of events.

Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Anti-

Means “against” and shows opposition, not sequence.

B. Co-

Means “with” or “together,” indicating partnership, not timing or order.

C. Sub-

Means “under” or “below,” usually referring to position or hierarchy, not event sequence.

Correct Answer D. Located just outside the state capital, Maxwell College occupies an area with rolling hills.

Explanation of Correct Answer:

Option D provides general geographic and observable information that is widely known and not contested. Because it is considered common knowledge and easily verifiable by the average reader, no citation is needed.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong:

A. After protests from feminists, Maxwell changed from a men's college to a coed college in 1982.

This statement makes a historical claim involving a specific event and date. A citation is needed to support the accuracy of the details.

B. Maxwell College was founded in 1846 and established on land that was part of the estate of Reginald Ashworth, a local plantation owner who coveted a degree, but never earned one.

This contains specific historical facts and a personal detail about a named individual. A source is needed to verify the accuracy of the claim.

C. When asked about its role in the community, the current president said that Maxwell College "filled an important niche in the state's educational options."

This is a direct quote and must be cited to indicate the source of the quotation and give credit to the speaker.