ATI TEAS - English and Language Usage Practice Questions
Prepare for teas-section-2-sentence-correction with more than an answer.
- Level
- Academic Assessment
- Valid for
- Valid for 2 years at most institutions (varies by school policy)
Domains covered on the exam 3
- Conventions of Standard English36.4%
- Knowledge of Language33.3%
- Using Language and Vocabulary to Express Ideas in Writing30.3%
- 1
An instructor is creating a list of objectives for a phlebotomy course. To ensure clarity, the list must use parallel structure. Which of the following lists is written with correct parallel structure?
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Correct answer: C
Parallel structure requires that items in a list are in the same grammatical form. In this option, all three items are verbs in their base form: 'locate,' 'prepare,' and 'perform.' This creates a balanced and grammatically correct sentence. The other options mix different grammatical forms (e.g., gerunds, infinitives, and clauses) within their lists, violating the principle of parallel structure.
graph TD subgraph Correct Parallel Structure A(locate) --> B(prepare) --> C(perform); style A fill:#d4edda style B fill:#d4edda style C fill:#d4edda end subgraph Incorrect Structure D(to identify) --> E(how to use) --> F(drawing); style D fill:#d4edda style E fill:#f8d7da style F fill:#fff3cd end - 2
A hospital's public relations team is writing a press release about a new surgical robot. Which sentence is written to avoid any misplaced or dangling modifiers?
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Correct answer: B
This sentence is grammatically correct and clear. The participial phrase 'reducing recovery time for patients significantly' logically modifies the action of the main clause ('allows for more precise incisions'). In contrast, the other options contain dangling or misplaced modifiers, creating illogical or confusing sentences. For example, option A implies the surgeon was sterilized, not the equipment.
- 3
A nursing student is learning to write concise chart notes. Which of the following sentences is the most concise and effective way to convey the information?
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Correct answer: B
In professional and medical writing, conciseness is key to clear communication. This option conveys the essential information directly and without any redundant words or phrases. The other options are unnecessarily wordy and obscure the main point.
- 4
A manager is writing a memo to assign responsibility for a new safety protocol. To ensure the message is direct and clear, which sentence uses the most effective voice?
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Correct answer: C
This sentence uses the active voice, where the subject ('The charge nurse') performs the action ('must complete'). Active voice is typically more direct, concise, and easier to understand than passive voice. It clearly assigns responsibility, which is the goal of the memo. The other options use the passive voice or less direct phrasing, which can weaken the message.
- 5
A medical assistant is drafting an email to a patient to confirm an upcoming appointment. Which of the following options demonstrates the most appropriate level of formality for professional communication?
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Correct answer: C
This option maintains a professional yet approachable tone suitable for patient communication. It is clear, polite, and provides all necessary information. Option A and D are too informal and use slang or abbreviations. Option B is overly formal and stiff, which can sound impersonal and bureaucratic.
- 6
A student is writing a paragraph about the importance of hand hygiene in preventing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Which of the following would be the most effective topic sentence for the paragraph?
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Correct answer: B
An effective topic sentence introduces the main idea and controlling argument of a paragraph. This option clearly states both the topic (hand hygiene) and the controlling idea (its critical role in preventing HAIs). All subsequent sentences in the paragraph should support this specific claim. The other options are either too broad, too narrow, or state the writer's intent instead of the topic.
- 7
The following sentences are part of a paragraph about the cardiovascular system. To create the most logical and coherent paragraph, in what order should they be arranged?
- This constant circulation delivers oxygen and nutrients to cells throughout the body.
- The heart acts as a powerful pump, propelling blood through a vast network of arteries and veins.
- Concurrently, it removes waste products like carbon dioxide.
- The cardiovascular system is essential for sustaining life by ensuring the transport of vital substances.
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Correct answer: A
The most logical flow for a paragraph is from a general statement to more specific details. Sentence 4 is the best topic sentence as it introduces the overall function. Sentence 2 follows by explaining the mechanism (the heart). Sentences 1 and 3 describe the results of this mechanism, with the primary function (delivery) coming before the secondary function (removal). This 4-2-1-3 order creates a coherent and easy-to-follow explanation.
flowchart TD subgraph Logical Paragraph Flow Start[4. General Topic: CV System is Essential] --> B[2. Mechanism: Heart is a Pump]; B --> C[1. Primary Result: Delivers O2/Nutrients]; C --> D[3. Secondary Result: Removes Waste]; end - 8
A nursing student is writing a report on patient care and needs to list three key observations: improved mobility, stable vital signs, and reduced pain. Which sentence correctly uses commas to separate the items in the series?
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Correct answer: B
This sentence correctly uses the serial (or Oxford) comma before the conjunction 'and' in a list of three or more items. In academic, technical, and medical writing, using the serial comma is standard practice because it prevents ambiguity and improves clarity. The other options either omit this crucial comma or place commas incorrectly.
- 9
A group of researchers is analyzing data from a clinical trial. The lead researcher writes a summary sentence. Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?
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Correct answer: D
The subject of the sentence is 'committee,' which is a singular noun. The phrase 'along with the hospital administrators' is a parenthetical phrase that does not affect the number of the subject. Therefore, the singular verb 'has approved' is correct. In the other options: A's subject is 'collection' (singular), requiring 'is'. B's verb should agree with the closer subject 'assistants' (plural), requiring 'are'. C's subject is 'Each' (singular), requiring 'receives'.
- 10
A medical writer is editing a draft for a new healthcare brochure. The goal is to eliminate all sentence structure errors. Which TWO of the following sentences contain structural errors such as fragments, comma splices, or misplaced modifiers? (Select TWO)
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Correct answer: B, C
This sentence is a comma splice, where two independent clauses are incorrectly joined by only a comma. It should be corrected with a semicolon, a period, or a coordinating conjunction.
This sentence contains a misplaced modifier. The introductory phrase 'Covered in sterile dressing' incorrectly modifies 'the nurse' when it should modify 'the patient's wound.' The sentence implies the nurse is covered in the dressing.
