The ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) is a common test for nursing schools nationwide. The test is comprised of several sections, including Math, Reading, and Science. This page will focus on the fourth subject – English and Language Usage.
Below are questions and tips to succeed in your TEAS English and Language Usage section. If you are looking for an overall practice test – go to our Comprehensive Teas Free Practice Test now.
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The ATI Nursing English and Language Usage Section is one of the four sections of the TEAS exam – and includes questions that will assess your knowledge of proper English.
The section includes a total of 37 questions to be answered in 37 minutes. The section includes three types of questions:
Let's look below at each individual question type.
These questions test your understanding of grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and spelling.
As the journalist was proofreading her article, she realized that some words were incorrecty spelled and needed correction before submission.
Which of the following corrects a misspelling in the sentence above?
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The correct answer is B.
The word "incorrectly" is misspelled as "incorrecty" in the original sentence. The proper spelling includes an 'l' before the 'y'. The other options are either correctly spelled in the original sentence (A and D), or represent a variant spelling that is correct in other forms of English (C, which is the British spelling).
The questions in the section mostly require you to identify either errors in sentences or proper ways of writing. Since it may be challenging sometimes to notice small mistakes – use the minute you have for each question to speak (either out loud or quietly using your lips) the text – to have an idea not only of how the sentence is written but also of how it is heard.
Many times, by speaking the text carefully – small errors may come easily, and allow you to notice the fine details
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Which of the following are dependent clauses? (Select all that apply.)
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A2: The correct answers are A and C.
Dependent clauses are groups of words with a subject and a verb that do not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence. They typically begin with subordinating conjunctions like "because," "since," "while," "although," etc.
A. "Since the book was overdue." - This is a dependent clause because it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence without additional information. It starts with the subordinating conjunction "since," which signals that it's dependent.
C. "Because she practiced daily." - This is a dependent clause. It has a subject ("she") and a verb ("practiced"), but the sentence doesn't express a complete thought and relies on something else to make it complete. It begins with "because," a subordinating conjunction.
E. "While the cake was baking in the oven, the children were playing in the yard." - This sentence is a complex sentence, which contains a dependent clause ("While the cake was baking in the oven") and an independent clause ("the children were playing in the yard"). The dependent clause starts with "while," a subordinating conjunction, and cannot stand alone as a complete thought.
Options B and D remain independent clauses because they can stand alone as complete sentences.
The ATI TEAS English and Language Usage section section is comprised of 37 questions to be answered in 37 minutes – that’s 1 minute per question! Here are the following subjects:
· Convention of Standard English (40% of the section)
· Knowledge of language, (37% of the section)
· Using Language and Vocabulary to Express Ideas in Writing (33% of the section)
Included in our practice course are different questions resembling all question types of the section, including detailed explanations and tips to succeed in your upcoming test.
The first question type is variable and will ensure you can effectively communicate by adhering to the rules of standard English.
Let's look at another question type, which will focus more on the logical part of the English language, and your ability not only to know proper English but also how to use it to emphasize statements, arguments, etc.
These questions assess your ability to choose effective and precise language and to alter sentence structure for clarity and effect
Despite extensive preparations, Jane's presentation did not go as planned, ______ she forgot some of her main points.
Which of the following transition words or phrases best completes the sentence?
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The correct answer is C.
In the given sentence, the transition is needed to show causation or reason between Jane's extensive preparations and her presentation not going as planned due to forgetting some of her main points.
The word "because" effectively indicates that her forgetting the points is the reason the presentation did not go well, despite her preparations.
Option A, "furthermore," is used to add more information, not to show a cause. Option B, "for example," is used when providing a specific instance or illustration, which is not the context here.
Option D, "however," indicates a contrast and would not be appropriate as there is no contrast between the two parts of the sentence — they are causally connected.
Which of the following sentences would indicate that the setting is in medieval Europe?
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The correct answer is A.
Option A suggests a setting in medieval Europe, as it mentions "knights," "jousting," and "the king's favor," which are indicative of the feudal societies and chivalric culture prevalent in Europe during the Middle Ages.
Option B hints at a contemporary or futuristic setting, likely the 20th century or later, because it involves a rocket launch and a space center, which did not exist in medieval times.
Option C suggests a setting in ancient or imperial China, as it references scholars debating using Confucian texts, which are associated with Chinese philosophy and imperial scholarship.
Option D evokes the 1930s, specifically in the United States during the Prohibition era, indicated by the mention of "jazz rhythms" and "flappers," which were cultural icons of that time, along with "speakeasy," an establishment that illegally sold alcoholic drinks during Prohibition.
The previous question requires the ability to identify the intentions of a narrator using details. While general knowledge is key to identifying settings or scenarios – you can narrow down options and make calculated guesses. I.e., if you do not know the origin of Confucius, and may mistake him for living in medieval Europe, you can start by narrowing down obvious options like rockets, and apply common logic for the tone of option D, being set somewhere around the 20th century.
Then, even if you are not sure about Confucius, take a calculated guess regarding knights and kings, as sometimes the "obvious" options – are just correct, since your intuition in these questions is key.
The emphasis in these questions is on your ability to use language creatively and efficiently to convey information or an argument.
Let's move on to the final question type in this section - Using Language and Vocabulary to Express Ideas in Writing
These questions examine your ability to understand and use various words and phrases appropriately.
In which of the following scenarios must the author provide a citation?
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The correct answer is D.
A citation is required when an author is directly quoting or paraphrasing someone else's work, ideas, or data. This gives credit to the original source and allows readers to locate the original information.
In option D, the author is using a direct quote from a research study, which is a clear case where a citation is necessary to attribute the original source of the words.
Options A, B, and C do not necessarily require citations as they describe situations where the author is presenting their own argument, stating their belief about data (assuming the data is common knowledge or the author's own findings), or summarizing a plot (common knowledge, provided that the summary is in the author's own words and not a unique interpretation or analysis taken from another source).
Which of the following means "a person who advocates for something"?
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The correct answer is D.
An "advocator" is a person who supports or argues for a cause or policy. The word part "advocate" means to support or argue for, and the suffix "-or" typically turns a verb into a noun, indicating a person who performs the action of the verb. In this case, "advocator" means a person who advocates.
Option A, "advocate," while it can be used to describe a person who advocates for something, is primarily used as a verb. Option B, "advocation," refers to the act or process of advocating. Option C, "advocatee," is not a commonly used term and does not fit the definition provided.
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Preparing for the TEAS English & Language Usage section requires a focused approach, as this part of the exam evaluates your proficiency in English language conventions, grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure. Here are specific tips to help you prepare effectively:
Review Grammar and Syntax
Study basic grammar rules, including parts of speech, verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and sentence construction. Understanding these fundamentals is crucial for answering many questions in this section.
Expand Your Vocabulary
Enhance your vocabulary by reading widely and learning new words daily. Use flashcards, apps, or word lists to memorize definitions and practice using new words in context. Pay special attention to commonly confused words (e.g., there/their/they're, affect/effect).
Practice Reading Comprehension
The exam may include passages followed by questions about the text. Improve your reading comprehension skills by practicing with diverse materials, such as fiction, non-fiction, and scholarly articles. Focus on identifying main ideas, supporting details, and authors' purposes.
Master Punctuation and Capitalization Rules
Review the rules for using commas, semicolons, colons, apostrophes, and quotation marks. Proper punctuation is essential for clear communication and is frequently tested in the exam.
Refine Sentence Structure
Practice identifying and correcting errors in sentence structure, such as run-on sentences, sentence fragments, and awkward constructions. Understanding how to construct clear and coherent sentences is key to success.
Utilize Practice Tests and Prep Materials
Take advantage of practice tests and preparation materials specifically designed for the TEAS English & Language Usage section. These resources can help you identify areas of strength and weakness while familiarizing you with the test format and question types.
Develop Proofreading Skills
Hone your proofreading skills by carefully reviewing your own writing and that of others. Look for common errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation to improve your ability to spot mistakes quickly during the exam.
Study Context Clues
Learn to use context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words or phrases. This skill is valuable for both the vocabulary and reading comprehension portions of the test.
By following these strategies and dedicating consistent time to practice, you can significantly improve your performance on the TEAS English & Language Usage section.
Click here to get access to our detailed TEAS 7 Preparation!
A good score on the TEAS English & Language Usage section varies by program, but generally, programs look for scores in the range of 60% to 80% (Overall TEAS 7 score which constitutes all the sections together). Competitive programs may require scores at the higher end or above. Aiming for a score in the 70th percentile and above is considered a high score.
However, it's crucial to check the specific score requirements of the programs you're applying to, as these will provide the most accurate target. Essentially, a "good" score is one that meets or exceeds the minimum requirement of your targeted nursing or allied health program.
The TEAS English and Language Usage section consists of 37 questions (with 9 pre-test questions).
Participants are given 37 minutes to complete this section of the TEAS exam.
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