TEAS 7 Reading: Key Ideas and Details

Footnote

Extra information (usually text) from the main body of the page, usually marked by a superscript

Glossary

Alphabetized list of words that are specific to a book or text, usually located in the back of the book

Index

Alphabetized list of topics with specific numbers--located in the back of a book (more specific than a table of contents)

Table of contents

General list of topics and chapter pages--found at the beginning of a book

Heading

Another word for a title, particularly used for shorter articles or passages

Line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about

Always check headings on the TEAS

Subheading

Smaller heading given to a subsection of a piece of writing, article, or list

On the TEAS, look for patterns in subheadings

Superscript

Text that is reduced in size and raised to the top of the current line

Usually used to indicate a footnote

Underlined Text

Text with an underscore below each character

Often used for book titles, emphasis, or headings/subheadings

Bold text

Printed darker so that words and phrases stand out on a page

Often used for titles, headings, or emphasized words

Italics

A text style that makes text slanted

Often used for book titles, foreign words, or thought quotes (in narratives)

Key

Section of a map that explains the map's symbols and shading

On the TEAS, everything on the map should be labelled in the key

Legend

A list that identifies patterns, symbols, or colors used in a chart

Always check the legend and make sure each aspect is labelled

Sidebar

Text or an image set off from the main body, often in a text box

Provides additional information for the reader

Often used in textbooks and newspapers

Style Guide

Manual with the standards for the design, text feature usage, and writing (preferred word choice, etc.) of documents

Style guides exist for various professions and publications

Guide words

Words at the top of a dictionary page the tell you the first and last words on that page

Might be in bold texted

Scale

The ratio between two sets of measurements, often used in a map's legend to show the relationship of the distance on a map to the real distance.

On the TEAS, the scale might use one unit and the question might ask about another!

Caption

Short description of a photograph or illustration, usually underneath the graphic

Might be in italics

Does bold text always represent emphasis on the TEAS?

No. Bold text could indicate a title, a word being defined, or a line of dialogue.

Whenever text is changed on the TEAS, you must look at the overall context.

What can italics indicate?

Book titles, emphasis, a foreign word or phrase, dialogue, a character's thoughts, a definition to add clarity,

On the TEAS, look at the context of the question.

Indented Text

Text that has a space between the text and the margins

Often used to show a new paragraph, thought, or break in organization

Makes text easier to read

Why are text features used?

1. To add meaning to the text

2. To organize the text

3. To change meaning in the text

4. To clarify meaning in the text

Endnote

Notes at the end of the document or section to cite references or to give more information

Endnotes are for larger sections; footnotes are for a single page

Title

Name of a book, composition, or other artistic work.

Often relates to the main idea or author's purpose

For the TEAS, what should a title always include?

Titles on the TEAS should provide reference the main idea of the passage.

If you are asked to pick a title, go for the one closest to the topic and main idea of the passage.

Where might indented text be used?

1. In an index for a long list of page numbers

2. To indicate subheadings or subtopics

3. To add white space so that the text is easier to read

What two text features should you always look for first on the TEAS?

1. Heading and subheadings.

2. Legends and/or keys.

Always always always check for headings, subheadings, and the graphic legends for extra information. If you are asked to identify what's missing in a graphic, these are a great place to start.

Which text features are often outside the main text?

1. Footnotes or endnotes

2. Sidebars

3. Legends and graphics

Graphics on the TEAS

To properly set up graphs, use headings and subheadings, use an accurate title and include units for both the x-axis and y-axis.

Color and font choices aren't as important for the TEAS.

Bullet points

Used to make lists easier to read and understand

Usually small dots next to text

Usually indented

Search Engine

Program that searches for and identifies information by keywords specified by the user, often used for finding online sites. Not as reliable as an online database.

Search Term

Words used to find information via a search engine

Query Function

Tools in digital texts that allow you to search directly for desired information or examples of where search term is used in text.

Types of Printed Communications on the TEAS

1. Memos

2. Announcements

3. Ads, classifieds

4. Blogs, forums

How are printed communication questions different than passage questions?

Printed communications are often persuasive and not organized like an academic essay. Usually, they have a headline, subheading, and call to action.

On the TEAS, you'll need to find information and make inferences.

Formal Printed Communications

1. Memos

2. Announcements

3. Business ads, classifieds

Informal Communications

1. Blogs

2. Online forums

3. Classifieds

Where do printed communications often have supporting information?

In the images or in short, direct sentences. Check the middle of the passage if longer.

Headline

Large, bold heading at the top of an article or page to get the reader's attention

Call to action

Author's demand of the reader (buy the product, click here for more information) often used in ads or classifieds

What are the sections of a memo?

1. Title

2. Recipient list

3. Author

4. Date

5. Subject line (Re:)

6. Intro - provides concise information

7. Conclusion - key takeaways and call to action

What are the sections of an ad or classified?

1. Headline

2. Explanation of benefits

3. Call to action

TEAS Strategy: Emails, Memos, or Letters

The answer will often be in the middle​ of the passage, not at the beginning or the end (like academic essay)

Check the subject line and look for direct requests or questions in the middle of the passage

TEAS Strategy: Timelines or Maps

1. Absolutely read the question first and determine what is being asked—you will see more info than you need.

2. Be sure to locate the scale and, if a map, north.

3. Check for abbreviations, the title, and subheadings. Information will be hidden here.

Might be included in a question about following directions

TEAS Strategy: Graphs or Charts

1. The axes might be labeled in a misleading manner (i.e. meters but the question asks about kilometers).

2. Always compare the labels on the image to the question.

Might be included in a question about following directions.

TEAS Strategy: Timelines, Maps, and Legends

1. Read every answer option and use the process of elimination. Yes, it's time consuming, but it's the best way to get these questions right.

2. If there's a compass, check where north is; it might not be on the top.

3. If the question asks about a unit of measurement, make sure the legend uses the same unit.

Which source would give you the best information for steps on product recall?

Manufacturer's website

Yes, this might be on the TEAS. It has the most credible and up-to-date information

Step-by-Step Directions: TEAS Question Strategy

Can sometimes be answered without actually following the directions, which saves you lots of time

Find the first or last step and rule out answer options

When you are asked to follow directions on the TEAS, where should you look?

1. Check images or diagrams first! Often, important or clarifying information is hidden here.

2. Look for headings and subheadings. Some questions will ask you to focus only on one section.

3. Check for numbered steps AND for written out numbers. (Example: Steps #1, #2, #3 and then the word "Last" for the final step.)

The TEAS might mix numbers and sequence words to confuse you.

What are some key words that can indicate the first step in a set of directions?

Before, Prior, First, Pre-, Start

What are key words that can indicate the last step in a set of directions?

Finally, Lastly, After, When completed

Chronological Order

Ordering by time

Sequential Order

Ordering by steps

Chronological Order Keywords: Period

Since, All day, This week

Chronological Order Keywords: Frequency

Rarely, Always, Never

Chronological Order Keywords: Times

Today, Tomorrow, Later, Now

Sequential Order Keywords

First/Second/Third, Then, Finally, Next, Lastly, Before, Begin

Types of Sequence Questions on the TEAS

1. You might be asked to summarize the steps in a passage

2. You might be asked to follow the steps

3. You might have to pick the order of logical steps

TEAS Strategy: Summarize the Sequence of a Passage

1. These questions can be time consuming, so don't panic if you have a hard time.

2. Look for sequence keywords in the passage. When you see them, you might jot down one word to represent the step.

3. Check every answer option. See if the first step is correct first, and use the process of elimination.

4. You might not have to check every step. Start with the first step, then the last step. That might save you time.

Procedural Text

Step-by-step instructions to follow for completing a task

Might also include context for each step.

Types of Procedural Texts on the TEAS

1. Recipes

2. Agendas

3. Short stories or narratives

4. Manuals/instructions

5. Rules/instructions

Procedural Texts: Subheadings

Can clarify the main, most important action in each step

Procedural Texts: Features

1. Often have a clear goal or outcome, particularly for agendas or manuals

2. Supplies needed, particularly for recipes

3. Steps, particularly if organized by sequence

Verb Tense

How verbs are conjugated in passage to show the order of time and sequence

Flash Forward

Jumping forward in time in a text. Often indicated by transition words indicating time and change to future verb tense

Clue word: will

More common in narrative texts.

Flashback

Jumping back in time in a text. Often indicated by transition words indicating time and change to past tense

Clue words: verbs ending in -ed or irregular past tense verbs

More common in narrative texts.