T E A S practice test (english, reading, math, science)
Vocabulary & Comprehension
1. Understanding Word Meaning: Assuage
Original Sentence: "Adelaide attempted to ASSUAGE her guilt over the piece of
cheesecake by limiting herself to salads the following day."
Question: Which of the following is the definition for the bolded word in the
sentence above?
A. increase B. support C. appease D. conceal
Correct Answer: C. appease
Elaboration: The word "assuage" means to lessen the intensity of something
negative, such as guilt or pain. In this context, Adelaide tried to appease her
feelings of guilt by her subsequent actions.
2. Identifying Supporting Evidence: Global Climate
Change
Question: Which of the following would best support the argument that people
cause global climate change?
A. the average global temperature has increased 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880.
B. common greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide and water vapor C. most of
the greenhouse gases today come from burning things like coal and other
fossil fuels for energy D. the average person breathes out about 1.0 kg of carbon
dioxide every day, while the average cow produces about 80 kg of methane
Correct Answer: C. most of the greenhouse gases today come from burning
things like coal and other fossil fuels for energy
Elaboration: This option directly links human activities (burning fossil fuels) to
the increase in greenhouse gases, which are a primary driver of global climate
change. Options A and B provide context but don't explicitly connect human
,actions to the phenomenon. Option D discusses greenhouse gas emissions but
doesn't focus on the majority of the source.
3. Evaluating Sample Appropriateness: Research Bias
Original Scenario: "Mara is conducting a study that will examine the ideas of
middle school teachers, concerning the usage of iPhones in the classroom. She
interviews all the teachers who teach a computer software course."
Question: Which of the following best describes the appropriateness of her
sample?
A. the sample is biased because it only includes teachers who are immersed in
the technology field B. the sample is biased because the sample size is too small
C. the sample is biased because the sample size is too large D. the sample is not
biased and is appropriate for the study
Correct Answer: A. the sample is biased because it only includes teachers who
are immersed in the technology field
Elaboration: Mara's sample is biased because it only includes teachers who
specialize in computer software. These teachers are likely to have different
perspectives on technology use in the classroom compared to teachers in other
subjects. A more representative sample would include teachers from various
disciplines.
4. Defining Vocabulary in Context: Impecunious
Original Sentence: "Although his friends believed him to be enjoying a lavish
lifestyle in the large family estate he had inherited, Enzo was in reality
IMPECUNIOUS."
Question: Which of the following is the definition for impecunious in the sentence
above?
a. Penniless b. Unfortunate c. Emotional d. Commanding
Correct Answer: a. Penniless
, Elaboration: The contrast between the perceived "lavish lifestyle" and Enzo's
actual situation suggests that "impecunious" means having little or no money;
therefore, penniless.
5. Word Transformation Puzzle
Instructions: FOLLOW THE NUMBERED INSTRUCTIONS TO TRANSFORM
THE STARTING WORD INTO A DIFFERENT WORD.
1. start with the word ESOTERIC
2. remove both instances of the letter E from the word
3. remove the letter I from the word
4. move the letter T from the middle of the word to the end of the word
5. remove the letter C from the word
Question: What is the new word?
a. SECT b. SORT c. SORE d. TORE
Step-by-Step Transformation:
1. ESOTERIC
2. SOTRC
3. SOTRC
4. SORCT
5. SORT
Correct Answer: b. SORT
6. Drawing Conclusions: Literacy Rates and Teaching
Methods
Original Statements: "Literacy rates are lower today than they were fifteen years
ago. Then, most people learned to read through the use of phonics. Today, whole
language programs are favored by many educators."
Question: If these statements are true, it can be concluded that?
a. whole language is more effective at teaching people to read than phonics b.
phonics is more effective at teaching people to read than whole language c.
Vocabulary & Comprehension
1. Understanding Word Meaning: Assuage
Original Sentence: "Adelaide attempted to ASSUAGE her guilt over the piece of
cheesecake by limiting herself to salads the following day."
Question: Which of the following is the definition for the bolded word in the
sentence above?
A. increase B. support C. appease D. conceal
Correct Answer: C. appease
Elaboration: The word "assuage" means to lessen the intensity of something
negative, such as guilt or pain. In this context, Adelaide tried to appease her
feelings of guilt by her subsequent actions.
2. Identifying Supporting Evidence: Global Climate
Change
Question: Which of the following would best support the argument that people
cause global climate change?
A. the average global temperature has increased 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1880.
B. common greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide and water vapor C. most of
the greenhouse gases today come from burning things like coal and other
fossil fuels for energy D. the average person breathes out about 1.0 kg of carbon
dioxide every day, while the average cow produces about 80 kg of methane
Correct Answer: C. most of the greenhouse gases today come from burning
things like coal and other fossil fuels for energy
Elaboration: This option directly links human activities (burning fossil fuels) to
the increase in greenhouse gases, which are a primary driver of global climate
change. Options A and B provide context but don't explicitly connect human
,actions to the phenomenon. Option D discusses greenhouse gas emissions but
doesn't focus on the majority of the source.
3. Evaluating Sample Appropriateness: Research Bias
Original Scenario: "Mara is conducting a study that will examine the ideas of
middle school teachers, concerning the usage of iPhones in the classroom. She
interviews all the teachers who teach a computer software course."
Question: Which of the following best describes the appropriateness of her
sample?
A. the sample is biased because it only includes teachers who are immersed in
the technology field B. the sample is biased because the sample size is too small
C. the sample is biased because the sample size is too large D. the sample is not
biased and is appropriate for the study
Correct Answer: A. the sample is biased because it only includes teachers who
are immersed in the technology field
Elaboration: Mara's sample is biased because it only includes teachers who
specialize in computer software. These teachers are likely to have different
perspectives on technology use in the classroom compared to teachers in other
subjects. A more representative sample would include teachers from various
disciplines.
4. Defining Vocabulary in Context: Impecunious
Original Sentence: "Although his friends believed him to be enjoying a lavish
lifestyle in the large family estate he had inherited, Enzo was in reality
IMPECUNIOUS."
Question: Which of the following is the definition for impecunious in the sentence
above?
a. Penniless b. Unfortunate c. Emotional d. Commanding
Correct Answer: a. Penniless
, Elaboration: The contrast between the perceived "lavish lifestyle" and Enzo's
actual situation suggests that "impecunious" means having little or no money;
therefore, penniless.
5. Word Transformation Puzzle
Instructions: FOLLOW THE NUMBERED INSTRUCTIONS TO TRANSFORM
THE STARTING WORD INTO A DIFFERENT WORD.
1. start with the word ESOTERIC
2. remove both instances of the letter E from the word
3. remove the letter I from the word
4. move the letter T from the middle of the word to the end of the word
5. remove the letter C from the word
Question: What is the new word?
a. SECT b. SORT c. SORE d. TORE
Step-by-Step Transformation:
1. ESOTERIC
2. SOTRC
3. SOTRC
4. SORCT
5. SORT
Correct Answer: b. SORT
6. Drawing Conclusions: Literacy Rates and Teaching
Methods
Original Statements: "Literacy rates are lower today than they were fifteen years
ago. Then, most people learned to read through the use of phonics. Today, whole
language programs are favored by many educators."
Question: If these statements are true, it can be concluded that?
a. whole language is more effective at teaching people to read than phonics b.
phonics is more effective at teaching people to read than whole language c.
