Day 9
50 ATI TEAS Version 7 practice questions on Knowledge of Language
—specifically style, tone,
clarity, and audience.
Each question includes 4 options, the correct answer, and a detailed reason
illustrating the concept.
Section 1: Style
(Questions 1–10)
Question 1
Which sentence
uses a formal style appropriate for a medical research journal?
A) "The drug
seems to work pretty well in most patients."
B) "The
medication demonstrated statistically significant efficacy in the majority of
subjects."
C) "We tried
the new drug, and hey, it did a good job."
D) "The drug
kinda helped people feel better."
Answer:
B
Reason: B uses precise vocabulary
("statistically significant efficacy," "majority of
subjects") and avoids contractions or casual language. A, C, and D use
informal words ("pretty well," "hey," "kinda").
Question 2
Which sentence
employs a literary style with figurative language?
A) "The IV
drip counted seconds like a metronome of suffering."
B) "The IV
drip was set to 60 drops per minute."
C) "Please
monitor the IV drip hourly."
D) "The IV
fluid is normal saline."
Answer:
A
Reason: A uses a simile ("like a
metronome of suffering") and personification, creating a literary,
artistic style. B, C, and D are factual and technical.
Question 3
Which sentence
reflects a technical style suitable for an equipment manual?
A) "The
machine goes beep when something's wrong."
B) "When the
alarm sounds, check the display and follow the prompts."
C) "Upon
activation of the audible alert, the operator shall interrogate the LCD panel
and execute the prescribed troubleshooting sequence."
D) "Hey, if
the thing beeps, look at the screen."
Answer:
C
Reason: C uses precise, formal technical
language ("activation," "interrogate," "prescribed
troubleshooting sequence"). A and D are informal; B is clear but less
technical.
Question 4
Which sentence
has an informal style appropriate for a text message between colleagues?
A) "The
patient's condition has deteriorated; please advise."
B) "Heads up
– patient is getting worse. Let me know what to do."
C) "The
aforementioned individual's status is declining. Your input is requested."
D) "It would
be prudent to note the patient's worsening state and seek consultation."
Answer:
B
Reason: B uses casual language ("Heads
up," "getting worse") and a contraction ("let me"). A,
C, and D are formal or overly elaborate.
Question 5
Which sentence
demonstrates a concise, journalistic style?
A) "The fire
department arrived at the scene at approximately 10:47 PM and immediately began
to extinguish the blaze."
B) "Fire
crews arrived at 10:47 PM and put out the fire."
C) "It was
at 10:47 PM when the fire department, having been summoned earlier, finally
arrived and then commenced firefighting operations."
D) "The fire
– yes, the one downtown – was put out by firefighters who got there around 11
PM."
Answer:
B
Reason: B is direct, uses active voice, and
avoids unnecessary words. A and C are wordy; D is fragmented and vague.
Question 6
Which sentence
uses passive voice appropriately for a scientific report?
A) "We
accidentally spilled the solution."
B) "The
solution was spilled during the experiment."
C) "Someone spilled
the solution – oops."
D) "I
spilled it."
Answer:
B
Reason: B uses passive voice to focus on the
solution and omit the actor, which is common in scientific writing. A, C, and D
are personal or informal.
Question 7
Which sentence
has an academic style with complex sentence structure?
A) "The
study looked at pain levels."
B) "Although
previous research focused on acute pain, this study examines chronic pain
management in elderly patients."
C) "Pain is
bad. Old people have it a lot."
D) "Let's
talk about pain in older adults."
Answer:
B
Reason: B uses a subordinate clause
("Although previous research..."), precise terms ("chronic pain
management," "elderly patients"), and academic vocabulary.
Question 8
Which sentence is
most appropriate for a hospital policy document?
A) "Visiting
hours are 8 AM to 8 PM. No exceptions."
B) "We'd
love to have visitors, but please come between 8 and 8, okay?"
C) "Visitors
may be permitted during certain hours as determined by facility
protocols."
D) "Hey,
visiting hours are 8 AM to 8 PM – thanks!"
Answer:
A
Reason: A is clear, direct, and
authoritative. B and D are too casual; C is vague and overly formal.
Question 9
Which sentence
uses parallel structure correctly as part of a consistent style?
A) "She
likes to read, writing, and to jog."
B) "She
likes reading, writing, and jogging."
C) "She
likes to read, write, and jogging."
D) "She
likes reading, to write, and jog."
Answer:
B
Reason: B uses all gerunds (-ing forms) in
parallel. A, C, and D mix infinitives and gerunds inconsistently.
Question 10
Which sentence
demonstrates an overly ornate style that should be simplified?
A) "The
patient died."
B) "The
patient expired due to cardiopulmonary arrest."
C) "The
patient, alas, has ceased to be, having departed this mortal coil."
D) "The
patient passed away."
Answer:
C
Reason: C is excessively flowery and
euphemistic ("ceased to be," "departed this mortal coil"),
which is inappropriate for medical documentation.
Section 2: Tone
(Questions 11–20)
Question 11
Read the sentence
below. What is the tone?
"Congratulations
– you've managed to break the only machine that can save your shift."
A) Sincere
B) Sarcastic
C) Neutral
D) Encouraging
Answer:
B
Reason: The word "Congratulations"
is used ironically to mock or criticize, not to praise.
Question 12
Which sentence
has a compassionate tone appropriate for delivering bad news to a family?
A) "Your
father is dead. Sign here."
B) "I am
deeply sorry to tell you that your father has passed away. We did everything
possible."
C) "Well, he
didn't make it."
D)
"Unfortunately, the patient expired at 14:32."
Answer:
B
Reason: B expresses empathy ("deeply
sorry," "did everything possible") and uses gentle language
("passed away").
Question 13
Which sentence
has a neutral, objective tone?
A) "The lab
results are absolutely terrible!"
B) "The lab
results show a white blood cell count of 15,000."
C) "Thank
goodness the lab results came back normal."
D) "Can you
believe these lab results?"
Answer:
B
Reason: B states a fact without emotion or
judgment. A, C, and D include emotional language or exclamations.
Question 14
Which sentence
has an urgent tone?
A) "When you
have time, please page the attending."
B) "If it's
not too much trouble, could you possibly page the attending?"
C) "Page the
attending immediately. This is a code blue."
D) "The
attending should probably be paged sometime."
Answer:
C
Reason: C uses direct commands and the word
"immediately" with an emergency reason ("code blue"). A, B,
and D are hesitant or vague.
Question 15
Which sentence
reflects an encouraging tone for a struggling nursing student?
A) "You're
never going to pass at this rate."
B) "You
failed again. Maybe nursing isn't for you."
C) "I
believe in you. Let's review the material together and try again."
D) "Well,
that was disappointing."
Answer:
C
Reason: C offers support ("I believe in
you") and a constructive plan ("let's review together").
Question 16
Which sentence
has a respectful tone when addressing a physician?
A) "Hey doc,
you forgot to sign the order."
B) "Dr.
Smith, please sign the order when you have a moment. Thank you."
C) "Sign
this order now – it's late."
D) "You need
to sign this, okay?"
Answer:
B
Reason: B uses proper title ("Dr.
Smith"), politeness ("please," "when you have a
moment"), and gratitude ("Thank you").
Question 17
Which sentence
has a humorous tone appropriate for a workplace newsletter?
A) "The
coffee machine is broken. This is a disaster of epic proportions."
B) "The
coffee machine has ceased to function. Please send condolences."
C) "The
coffee machine is broken. Maintenance has been notified."
D) "Coffee
machine: out of order. We mourn your loss."
Answer:
D
Reason: D uses playful exaggeration ("We
mourn your loss") in a lighthearted way. A and B are dramatic but less
clever; C is neutral.
Question 18
Which sentence
has a dismissive tone?
A) "I'll
consider your suggestion, but I doubt it will work."
B) "That's
an interesting perspective – let's explore it further."
C)
"Whatever. It doesn't matter anyway."
D) "Thank
you for your input. I will take it into account."
Answer:
C
Reason: C uses "Whatever" and
"doesn't matter anyway" to show indifference or dismissal. A is
skeptical but not dismissive; B and D are respectful.
Question 19
Which sentence
has an authoritative tone appropriate for a safety sign?
A) "Please
maybe wear your gloves if you feel like it."
B) "Gloves
required in this area at all times. No exceptions."
C) "It would
be nice if you wore gloves here."
D) "Have you
considered wearing gloves?"
Answer:
B
Reason: B is direct, commanding, and absolute
("required," "No exceptions"). A, C, and D are weak or
optional.
Question 20
Which sentence
has a sympathetic tone toward a patient in pain?
A) "You
shouldn't be in pain. The medication was given."
B) "I
understand you're uncomfortable. Let me see what I can do."
C) "Well,
that's too bad."
D) "Pain is
normal. Get over it."
Answer:
B
Reason: B validates the patient's experience
("I understand you're uncomfortable") and offers help. A, C, and D
are unsympathetic.
Section 3: Clarity
(Questions 21–30)
Question 21
Which sentence is
clearest?
A) "The
patient was transferred to the unit that is located on the third floor which is
near the elevator bank where the crash cart is stored."
B) "The
patient was transferred to the third-floor unit near the crash cart
elevator."
C) "The
patient was transferred."
D) "The
patient, after evaluation, was then subsequently transferred to the
aforementioned unit."
Answer:
B
Reason: B is concise and specific without
extra clauses. A is too wordy; C lacks detail; D is vague and uses
"aforementioned."
Question 22
Which revision
best improves the clarity of this ambiguous sentence?
"The nurse
told the doctor that her patient was febrile."
A) "The
nurse told the doctor, 'My patient is febrile.'"
B) "The
nurse told the doctor that the nurse's patient was febrile."
C) "Her
patient was febrile, the nurse told the doctor."
D) "The
doctor was told by the nurse that her patient was febrile."
Answer:
A
Reason: A removes ambiguity by using direct
speech ("My patient"). The original doesn't specify whose patient.
Question 23
Which sentence
uses active voice for better clarity?
A) "The
medication was administered by the nurse at 8 PM."
B) "At 8 PM,
the medication was administered."
C) "The
nurse administered the medication at 8 PM."
D) "It was
at 8 PM that the medication was given by the nurse."
Answer:
C
Reason: C uses active voice (nurse →
administered). A, B, and D are passive or awkward.
Question 24
Which sentence is
least clear due to vague wording?
A) "The
patient had some kind of reaction to something."
B) "The
patient developed hives after receiving ceftriaxone."
C) "The
patient's symptoms include itching and redness."
D) "The
patient experienced an adverse reaction at 3 PM."
Answer:
A
Reason: A uses vague words ("some
kind," "something," "reaction") without specifics. B,
C, and D provide details.
Question 25
Which revision
improves clarity by breaking a long sentence?
Original:
"The patient who was admitted last night with shortness of breath and
chest pain that radiated to the left arm and was given nitroglycerin which
improved symptoms is now stable."
A) No change
B) "The
patient admitted last night with shortness of breath and radiating chest pain
received nitroglycerin, which improved symptoms. He is now stable."
C) "The
patient is now stable who was admitted last night with symptoms improved by
nitroglycerin."
D) "Admitted
last night, the patient had shortness of breath, chest pain radiating to the
left arm, and nitroglycerin which improved symptoms and now stable."
Answer:
B
Reason: B breaks the long sentence into two
clear sentences and removes unnecessary words.
Question 26
Which sentence is
clearest for giving instructions?
A) "It is
recommended that the site be cleansed prior to the obtaining of the
specimen."
B) "Clean
the site before obtaining the specimen."
C) "The
site, before specimen obtainment, should be cleaned."
D) "Cleaning
of the site is to be done preceding specimen collection."
Answer:
B
Reason: B uses direct imperative mood
("Clean...") and active voice. A, C, and D are passive or awkward.
Question 27
Which sentence
avoids ambiguous pronoun reference?
A) "The
patient and the nurse talked, and then he left."
B) "He left
after talking to the patient and the nurse."
C) "After
the nurse talked to the patient, the patient left."
D) "Talking
to the patient, he left."
Answer:
C
Reason: C specifies who left ("the
patient"). A, B, and D have unclear "he" references.
Question 28
Which sentence is
most clear for a discharge summary?
A) "Follow
up with your PCP sometime next week maybe."
B) "Please
schedule a follow-up appointment with your primary care provider within 3 to 5
days."
C) "Your
doctor wants to see you again soon."
D) "You
should probably see your regular doctor when you can."
Answer:
B
Reason: B gives specific timing ("3 to 5
days") and clear wording ("primary care provider"). A, C, and D
are vague.
Question 29
Which sentence
uses concrete language instead of abstract?
A) "The
patient experienced a negative outcome."
B) "The
patient had a bad result."
C) "The
patient developed a fever of 102°F and hypotension with BP 80/50."
D) "The
patient did poorly."
Answer:
C
Reason: C provides measurable, concrete data
(102°F, BP 80/50). A, B, and D are abstract and vague.
Question 30
Which revision
improves clarity by eliminating jargon for a general audience?
Original:
"The patient presented with acute abdominal pain secondary to possible
cholecystitis."
A) "The
patient had sudden belly pain from possible gallbladder inflammation."
B) "Acute
abdomen possibly due to cholecystitis."
C) "The
patient presented with abdominal pain."
D) "Possible
cholecystitis causing acute abdominal pain."
Answer:
A
Reason: A replaces "presented with"
with "had," "abdominal" with "belly," and
explains "cholecystitis" as "gallbladder inflammation."
No comments:
Post a Comment