ATI TEAS 7 – Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) –
2026/2027 Academic Year
READING SECTION
Questions 1–35
Question 1
Read the following passage and answer the question.
The discovery of penicillin in 1928 by Alexander Fleming marked a turning point in
modern medicine. Prior to this breakthrough, bacterial infections that are now
easily treatable were often fatal. Fleming's accidental observation that a mold
inhibited bacterial growth led to decades of research and development. However,
it wasn't until World War II that penicillin was mass-produced and made widely
available to civilian populations. The impact on global health has been
immeasurable, though antibiotic resistance now threatens to undo much of this
progress.
What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 through accidental
observation.
B. Bacterial infections were frequently fatal before the discovery of antibiotics.
C. Penicillin's discovery revolutionized medicine, but antibiotic resistance poses a
current threat.
D. World War II was responsible for the mass production of penicillin.
Rationale: The passage traces the arc from discovery to impact to current
concern. Option A focuses only on the discovery itself. Option B addresses only
the pre-antibiotic era. Option D addresses only wartime production. Option C
encapsulates the entire passage—the revolutionary impact of penicillin and the
contemporary challenge of resistance. This is the most comprehensive main idea
statement.
,Question 2
Which of the following would be the best title for the passage in Question 1?
A. Penicillin: A Medical Revolution and Its Ongoing Challenges
B. The Life and Work of Alexander Fleming
C. How World War II Advanced Medical Science
D. The Growing Threat of Antibiotic Resistance
Rationale: A strong title should reflect the passage's overall scope. Option A
captures both the historical significance of penicillin and the contemporary
problem of resistance. Option B is too narrow (focusing only on Fleming). Option
C is also too narrow (focusing only on WWII). Option D addresses only the current
threat without acknowledging the historical context.
Question 3
What is the author's primary purpose in writing the passage?
A. To inform readers about the history and current relevance of penicillin
B. To persuade readers to stop using antibiotics
C. To entertain readers with a story about scientific discovery
D. To criticize pharmaceutical companies for overproducing antibiotics
Rationale: The passage presents factual information about penicillin's
discovery, development, and current challenges in a neutral, informative tone.
There is no persuasive language, entertainment value, or criticism present. The
author's purpose is to inform.
Question 4
Based on the passage, which of the following inferences is most supported?
, A. The full potential of penicillin was not realized until it could be produced
on a large scale.
B. Fleming immediately recognized the importance of his discovery.
C. Antibiotic resistance is a problem that can be easily solved.
D. Penicillin was the first antibiotic ever discovered.
Rationale: The passage states that penicillin "wasn't until World War II that
penicillin was mass-produced and made widely available," implying that the
discovery alone was insufficient—large-scale production was necessary to realize
its full impact. Option B is not supported (Fleming's initial reaction is not
described). Option C contradicts the passage's tone of concern. Option D is not
stated and may be incorrect (other antimicrobials existed).
Question 5
Which of the following words from the passage has a negative connotation?
A. Threatens
B. Discovered
C. Impact
D. Progress
Rationale: "Threatens" carries a negative connotation, implying danger or
harm. "Discovered" is neutral/positive. "Impact" is neutral. "Progress" is generally
positive.
Question 6
Read the following passage and answer the question.
The human circulatory system is a complex network of blood vessels that
transports oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body. The heart,
a muscular organ about the size of a fist, serves as the system's pump. It beats
, approximately 100,000 times per day, propelling blood through approximately
60,000 miles of blood vessels. This remarkable system ensures that every cell in
the body receives the oxygen and nutrients it needs while removing carbon dioxide
and other metabolic wastes.
Which of the following sentences from the passage contains a factual error?
A. The human circulatory system transports oxygen, nutrients, and waste
products.
B. The heart beats approximately 100,000 times per day.
C. Blood vessels in the human body total approximately 60,000 miles.
D. The passage contains no factual errors.
Rationale: All of the statements presented are factually accurate. The
circulatory system does transport oxygen, nutrients, and wastes. The heart beats
about 100,000 times daily (approximately 72 beats/min × 60 min × 24 hours =
103,680). The vascular system does span approximately 60,000 miles. Therefore,
the passage contains no factual errors.
Question 7
What is the tone of the passage in Question 6?
A. Informative and objective
B. Persuasive and urgent
C. Entertaining and humorous
D. Critical and skeptical
Rationale: The passage presents anatomical and physiological facts in a
neutral, educational manner. It does not attempt to persuade, entertain, or
criticize. The tone is informative and objective.
Question 8
2026/2027 Academic Year
READING SECTION
Questions 1–35
Question 1
Read the following passage and answer the question.
The discovery of penicillin in 1928 by Alexander Fleming marked a turning point in
modern medicine. Prior to this breakthrough, bacterial infections that are now
easily treatable were often fatal. Fleming's accidental observation that a mold
inhibited bacterial growth led to decades of research and development. However,
it wasn't until World War II that penicillin was mass-produced and made widely
available to civilian populations. The impact on global health has been
immeasurable, though antibiotic resistance now threatens to undo much of this
progress.
What is the main idea of this passage?
A. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928 through accidental
observation.
B. Bacterial infections were frequently fatal before the discovery of antibiotics.
C. Penicillin's discovery revolutionized medicine, but antibiotic resistance poses a
current threat.
D. World War II was responsible for the mass production of penicillin.
Rationale: The passage traces the arc from discovery to impact to current
concern. Option A focuses only on the discovery itself. Option B addresses only
the pre-antibiotic era. Option D addresses only wartime production. Option C
encapsulates the entire passage—the revolutionary impact of penicillin and the
contemporary challenge of resistance. This is the most comprehensive main idea
statement.
,Question 2
Which of the following would be the best title for the passage in Question 1?
A. Penicillin: A Medical Revolution and Its Ongoing Challenges
B. The Life and Work of Alexander Fleming
C. How World War II Advanced Medical Science
D. The Growing Threat of Antibiotic Resistance
Rationale: A strong title should reflect the passage's overall scope. Option A
captures both the historical significance of penicillin and the contemporary
problem of resistance. Option B is too narrow (focusing only on Fleming). Option
C is also too narrow (focusing only on WWII). Option D addresses only the current
threat without acknowledging the historical context.
Question 3
What is the author's primary purpose in writing the passage?
A. To inform readers about the history and current relevance of penicillin
B. To persuade readers to stop using antibiotics
C. To entertain readers with a story about scientific discovery
D. To criticize pharmaceutical companies for overproducing antibiotics
Rationale: The passage presents factual information about penicillin's
discovery, development, and current challenges in a neutral, informative tone.
There is no persuasive language, entertainment value, or criticism present. The
author's purpose is to inform.
Question 4
Based on the passage, which of the following inferences is most supported?
, A. The full potential of penicillin was not realized until it could be produced
on a large scale.
B. Fleming immediately recognized the importance of his discovery.
C. Antibiotic resistance is a problem that can be easily solved.
D. Penicillin was the first antibiotic ever discovered.
Rationale: The passage states that penicillin "wasn't until World War II that
penicillin was mass-produced and made widely available," implying that the
discovery alone was insufficient—large-scale production was necessary to realize
its full impact. Option B is not supported (Fleming's initial reaction is not
described). Option C contradicts the passage's tone of concern. Option D is not
stated and may be incorrect (other antimicrobials existed).
Question 5
Which of the following words from the passage has a negative connotation?
A. Threatens
B. Discovered
C. Impact
D. Progress
Rationale: "Threatens" carries a negative connotation, implying danger or
harm. "Discovered" is neutral/positive. "Impact" is neutral. "Progress" is generally
positive.
Question 6
Read the following passage and answer the question.
The human circulatory system is a complex network of blood vessels that
transports oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body. The heart,
a muscular organ about the size of a fist, serves as the system's pump. It beats
, approximately 100,000 times per day, propelling blood through approximately
60,000 miles of blood vessels. This remarkable system ensures that every cell in
the body receives the oxygen and nutrients it needs while removing carbon dioxide
and other metabolic wastes.
Which of the following sentences from the passage contains a factual error?
A. The human circulatory system transports oxygen, nutrients, and waste
products.
B. The heart beats approximately 100,000 times per day.
C. Blood vessels in the human body total approximately 60,000 miles.
D. The passage contains no factual errors.
Rationale: All of the statements presented are factually accurate. The
circulatory system does transport oxygen, nutrients, and wastes. The heart beats
about 100,000 times daily (approximately 72 beats/min × 60 min × 24 hours =
103,680). The vascular system does span approximately 60,000 miles. Therefore,
the passage contains no factual errors.
Question 7
What is the tone of the passage in Question 6?
A. Informative and objective
B. Persuasive and urgent
C. Entertaining and humorous
D. Critical and skeptical
Rationale: The passage presents anatomical and physiological facts in a
neutral, educational manner. It does not attempt to persuade, entertain, or
criticize. The tone is informative and objective.
Question 8
