Preparing for theTest of Essential Academic Skills

(TEAS)

A Presentation by theLearning and Tutoring Centers at

Perimeter College atGeorgia State University

TEAS Overview

Test Consists of 170 questions 150 questions scored 20 questions experimental (unscored) Takes 4 hours Register at www.atitesting.com Take username & password to test site

Reading Section: 48 questions 58-minute time limit

TEAS Reading Sub-SkillsI. Paragraph & Passage Comprehension Primary Sources Facts, Opinions, Biases & Stereotypes Characteristics of Different Passage Types Topic, Main Idea, Supporting Details, & Themes Topic & Summary Sentences Logical Conclusions of a Reading Section Predictions, Inferences, & Conclusions Position and Purpose Persuasive, Informative, Entertaining, & Expressive Passages Historical Context Ways That Literature From Different Cultures Presents Similar Themes Text Structure

Primary Sources

What is a Primary Source?First-hand accounts of events,

theories, opinions, and actionsExamples:

Journalist/reporter coverage in the media

Government documents

Autobiographies

Music recordings, visual materials, artifacts

Real-world examples of Primary Sources:The Declaration of Independence A courtroom hearing The novel To Kill a Mockingbird The song “Somewhere Over the

Rainbow”

Facts, Opinions, Biases, and Stereotypes

Facts: Information based on real, provable events, or situations (drug label)

Opinions: Beliefs based on personal judgments (newspaper editorial)

Biases: Opinions or beliefs that affect the ability to make fair judgments (blogs, T.V. news)

Stereotypes: Oversimplified opinions that unfairly equate individual differences with entire groups (gender, race, etc.)

Opinion Practice

Which of the following excerpts contains an opinion?

A) Shortly after dusk, a large army hangar opened up.

B) He seemed to be describing a midair battle, indicating that he had fired a missile at an enemy.

C) Mr. Mendez is still reported as missing.

D) UFO Watcher Today contacted the local army base by phone for comment on this story, but the army spokesman refused to talk.

Characteristics of Different Passage Types

Author’s Purpose for Writing:Narrative: Tells a story, relates a chain of events

• Examples: fiction novel, fairy talesExpository: “Exposes,” informs, or explains a topic

• Examples: essays, magazine articles, academic analysesTechnical: Explains specific info to teach readers procedures

• Examples: lab report, computer manualPersuasive: Intends to get the reader to agree with the author

• Examples: advertisement, political speech

Topic, Main Idea, Supporting Details, and ThemesTopic: General subject matter of the work

Example: Technology and industry

Main Idea: The work’s specific message, purpose for writing

Example: Microchips are increasingly manufactured in a few giant Asian factories.

Supporting Details: Specific examples and explanations to support the

main idea

Example: For instance, most computer chips are made in Taiwan.

Themes: Subjects in a work that can be frequently repeated

Example: A few large factories versus many small factories

Logical Conclusions, Predictions, and Inferences

Reading often requires the ability to draw logical conclusions based upon the facts or ideas in the text.

(The logical conclusion does not have to be factual, but it should follow the ideas from the text.)

Predictions are “guesses” of what will happen next or in the future.

Inferences are conclusions based upon reasoning, textual evidence, and “reading between the lines.”

(Personal judgment and prior experience affect drawing conclusions.)

Position and Purpose

Readers need to determine an author’s intentions in writing. Authors may be upfront about their beliefs, intentionally deceptive, or simply attempting to be humorous.

Four Main Purposes of Writing:

1. Persuasive: Convince reader to accept a particular viewpoint (political campaign speeches, advertisements)

2. Informative: Inform the reader about facts or events (economic or business story)

3. Entertain: Provide enjoyment or humor for the reader (fiction novels, plays)

4. Expressive: Evoke emotions or feelings in the reader (poetry, literature)

Text Structure

The way a passage is organized helps a reader more easily understand the writing.

Five Main Types of Text Structure:

1. Sequence (familiar layout, use of bulleted or numbered lists)

2. Problem-Solution (state the problem then present the solution)

3. Comparison-Contrast (present differences/similarities of two cases)

4. Cause-Effect (present an action then describe the result)

5. Description (using sensory details to describe person, thing, or idea)

Formatting to Enhance Text Structure:

Bold, Italics, New Paragraphs, or Lists

Text Structure Practice

Identify the text structure in each passage below (Sequence, Problem-

Solution, Comparison-Contrast, Cause-Effect, Description):

1. That old park bench is an eyesore. It used to be yellow, but rust turned it a

mottled red. The bench slats are worn and splintered, and termite holes dot

their surface. When the wind blows, showers of rust and old paint fly off into

the grass.

2. From a Website’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Q. Website text is hard to read. Can I change the background color?

A. Yes. Go to the Preferences tab in the upper right corner. Under

Background, select a new color from the list.

TEAS Reading Sub-Skills (cont.)II. Informational Source Comprehension Sets of Directions Labels’ Ingredients and Directions Definitions in Context Printed Communications Indexes and Tables of Contents Product Information: One Product is the More Economical Buy Information From a Telephone Book Sources for Locating Information Sample Listings of Items and Costs Graphic Representations of Information Scale Readings Legends and Keys of Maps Headings and Subheadings

Sets of Directions

Begin with the word start. Follow the directions to change the word.

1. Remove the beginning letter and place it at the end.

2. Change each t to m.

3. Replace the first m with the letter h.

Which of the following is the new word?

A) arms

B) harm

C) tarts

D) harms

Sets of Directions (cont.)

Read and follow the directions below.

1. Walk one block east and turn right.

2. Walk two blocks south and turn left.

3. Walk two blocks east to your destination.

Where is your destination compared to your original location?

A) 2 blocks east, 2 blocks south

B) 3 blocks east, 3 blocks south

C) 2 blocks east, 3 blocks south

D) 3 blocks east, 2 blocks south

Labels’ Ingredients

1. A person eating this snack should probably limit which type of intake for the rest of the day?

A) Sodium

B) Calcium

C) Saturated Fat

D) Fiber

2. If a person ate the entire container of this food, what is the total amount of calories consumed?

A) 130

B) 250

C) 750

D) 1,000

Definitions in Context

1. Bill tends to eschew anyone who doesn’t conform to his ideals.

Which of the following is the definition of the word eschew?

A) Steer clear of

B) Play the part of

C) Donate to

D) Be a factor in

2. The old Victorian mansion was tenebrous until the caretaker opened the drapes, letting in light.

What is the definition of the word tenebrous?

A) Structurally weak

B) Extremely bright

C) Shadowy

D) Antiquated

Questions?

Source materials: Wolkowitz, Amanda, Ed. Study Manual for the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Version V. Assessment Technologies Institute, 2012. Print. Zahler, Kathy A. McGraw-Hill’s 5 TEAS Practice Tests. New York: McGraw Hill 2012. Print.