TEAS 7 Reading: Integration of Knowledge & Ideas Subtopics
Each question includes an answer key with explanations.
Primary Sources vs. Secondary Sources
Questions 1–3
Source A (Diary Excerpt)
June 14, 1944: The soldiers landed on the beach today. I watched from my window as they ran through the surf. The noise was like thunder that wouldn’t stop. My hands are still shaking as I write this.
Source B (History Textbook Excerpt)
The Normandy landings on June 6, 1944, involved over 156,000 Allied troops. The operation was a turning point in World War II, leading to the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control.
1. Source A is best classified as:
A) A secondary source
B) A primary source
C) A tertiary source
D) A fictional account
2. Source B is best classified as:
A) A primary source
B) A firsthand account
C) A secondary source
D) An original document
3. Which statement is true about these two sources?
A) Both sources are equally reliable for exact troop numbers.
B) Source A provides emotional, personal perspective; Source B provides factual overview.
C) Source B is more biased than Source A.
D) Source A was written long after the event.
Arguments & Evidence: Claim, Evidence, Counterargument
Passage 1 (Persuasive)
Schools should replace traditional homework with optional practice assignments. Research from Stanford University shows that excessive homework increases student stress without improving test scores. Countries like Finland, which assign less homework, consistently outperform the U.S. in math and science. Opponents argue that homework teaches responsibility. However, responsibility can be taught through in-class tasks and family contributions, not repetitive worksheets.
4. What is the author’s claim (thesis)?
A) Homework is completely useless.
B) Schools should replace mandatory homework with optional practice.
C) Finland has the best education system.
D) Stress is harmful to students.
5. Which of the following is evidence used to support the claim?
A) “Opponents argue that homework teaches responsibility.”
B) “Responsibility can be taught through in-class tasks.”
C) “Research from Stanford University shows excessive homework increases stress without improving test scores.”
D) “Schools should replace traditional homework.”
6. What counterargument does the author address?
A) Homework is too easy.
B) Homework teaches responsibility.
C) Students want more homework.
D) Teachers enjoy grading homework.
7. What is the author’s rebuttal to that counterargument?
A) Homework is proven to lower test scores.
B) Responsibility can be taught in other ways (in-class tasks, family contributions).
C) Finnish students are naturally smarter.
D) Opponents are uninformed.
Passage 2 (Logos, Pathos, Ethos)
8. “As a pediatrician with 20 years of experience, I recommend the HPV vaccine for all adolescents.” This statement is an appeal to:
A) Logos (logic)
B) Pathos (emotion)
C) Ethos (credibility/authority)
D) Bias
9. “If we don’t reduce plastic waste, our grandchildren will inherit oceans filled with more plastic than fish. Imagine a child’s first trip to the beach – only to find trash instead of shells.” This statement is an appeal to:
A) Logos
B) Pathos
C) Ethos
D) Counterargument
10. “Statistics show that seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45%. Therefore, all passengers should wear seat belts on every trip.” This statement is an appeal to:
A) Logos
B) Pathos
C) Ethos
D) Figurative language
Compare & Contrast Multiple Texts
Passages 2A and 2B (Remote Work)
Passage 2A
Remote work increases productivity. A study of 800 employees found that home-based workers completed 13% more tasks than office-based colleagues. Without commutes, employees also report better work-life balance.
Passage 2B
Remote work damages collaboration. Internal company data from a tech firm showed that projects took 20% longer when teams worked from home. Spontaneous problem-solving dropped significantly without in-person interaction.
11. What is the main difference in perspective between the two passages?
A) Passage 2A focuses on employee health; Passage 2B focuses on salaries.
B) Passage 2A argues remote work improves productivity; Passage 2B argues it harms collaboration.
C) Passage 2A uses emotional appeals; Passage 2B uses no evidence.
D) Passage 2A supports office work; Passage 2B supports remote work.
12. What type of evidence does Passage 2A use?
A) Anecdotal
B) Statistical (study of 800 employees, 13% more tasks)
C) Expert opinion only
D) No evidence
13. Which statement would both authors likely agree on?
A) Remote work is always better.
B) Office work is always better.
C) Remote work has measurable effects on work outcomes.
D) Collaboration is unimportant.
Integrating Text & Graph/Chart
Question 14 (Telemedicine Data)
· 2010: 15%
· 2015: 22%
· 2020: 45%
· 2023: 38%
Telemedicine usage rose steadily throughout the 2010s. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a dramatic spike in 2020. However, recent data suggest a leveling off as in-person care rebounds.
14. Which statement is supported by BOTH the graph and the passage?
A) Telemedicine usage peaked in 2015.
B) Telemedicine usage declined every year after 2020.
C) Usage increased during the 2010s, spiked in 2020, then declined somewhat.
D) Telemedicine will disappear by 2025.
Evaluating Sources & Validity
Questions 15–17
Source C
According to the American Heart Association (a nonprofit medical organization), a diet high in saturated fat increases LDL cholesterol and heart disease risk. Their 2022 review analyzed 30 peer-reviewed studies.
Source D
According to a blog called “Butter is Healthy,” written by an anonymous author, saturated fat is harmless. The blog states, “Doctors are lying to you because they want to sell cholesterol drugs.”
15. Which source is more credible and why?
A) Source C – uses a reputable organization, cites peer-reviewed research
B) Source D – anonymous authors are more honest
C) Both are equally credible
D) Neither is credible
16. Source D contains which of the following problems?
A) Loaded language (“Doctors are lying”)
B) Anonymous authorship
C) Emotional manipulation (conspiracy language)
D) All of the above
17. Which statement best evaluates Source C?
A) It is unreliable because it’s from a nonprofit.
B) It is moderately reliable; uses expert organization and multiple studies, but still consider funding sources.
C) It is completely biased.
D) It cannot be trusted because cholesterol is controversial.
Questions 18–20
Source E (Social Media Post)
I drank detox tea for one week and lost 10 pounds! This tea cleanses your colon and melts fat. My friend lost 15 pounds. Buy it now – 50% off today only! #weightloss #detox
18. This source is likely:
A) Highly credible medical advice
B) Biased and lacks scientific evidence (anecdotal, product promotion)
C) Peer-reviewed research
D) A government health recommendation
19. Which type of bias is most evident?
A) Confirmation bias
B) Financial bias (selling a product)
C) Historical bias
D) No bias present
20. Which of the following would make Source E more credible?
A) Adding more exclamation points
B) Including a randomized controlled trial and disclosing conflicts of interest
C) Removing the friend’s story
D) Using a different hashtag
Answer Key with Explanations
1. B
A diary is a firsthand, personal account → primary source.
2. C
A textbook summarizes and interprets events → secondary source.
3. B
Source A is emotional and personal; Source B is factual and informational.
4. B
The author argues for replacing mandatory homework with optional practice.
5. C
This is direct research evidence supporting the claim.
6. B
The passage explicitly mentions homework teaches responsibility as a counterargument.
7. B
The author argues responsibility can be developed in other ways.
8. C
The doctor’s experience and authority = ethos.
9. B
The emotional imagery targets feelings = pathos.
10. A
Uses statistics and logic = logos.
11. B
One supports productivity; the other highlights collaboration problems.
12. B
It uses numerical study data (13% increase).
13. C
Both acknowledge measurable effects, even if conclusions differ.
14. C
All data and passage together show rise, spike, then partial decline.
15. A
Reputable organization + peer-reviewed studies = high credibility.
16. D
All listed issues weaken reliability.
17. B
It is credible but still requires critical evaluation of sources.
18. B
It is anecdotal, promotional, and not scientific.
19. B
The post is designed to sell a product.
20. B
Scientific trials and transparency increase credibility.
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