Beautiful Nursing: Reading
Overview of TEAS Exam
The TEAS exam consists of 170 questions to be completed in 209 minutes.
Subject areas include:
Reading
Mathematics
Science
English and Language Usage
Exam Structure
Reading Section:
45 questions to be answered in 55 minutes.
Common task: Analyze text passages and answer related questions.
Example text: A narrative about a future nurse named Elle Woods who aspires to nursing school for her caring nature and experiences.
Types of Questions:
Summarization: Analyze the main points.
Example: Elle Woods dreams of becoming a nurse due to her care for others.
Main Idea vs. Topic:
Main Idea: A comprehensive statement about the passage (e.g., Elle feels nursing is a good fit).
Topic: A few words indicating the subject of the passage (e.g., Elle's dream of nursing).
Supporting Details: Facts supporting the main idea (e.g., she cares for others, enjoys volunteering).
Key Terms:
Paraphrasing: Rephrasing an idea (e.g., "You look like the Fourth of July" becomes "You're so festive").
Inferences: Logical deductions from texts (e.g., Elle's popularity inferred from her achievements).
Theme: The underlying topic or message (e.g., determination in pursuing nursing).
Types of Texts:
Directions: Step-by-step instructions (e.g., recipes).
Announcements: Notices regarding events or requests (e.g., a community notice).
Memos: Workplace communications (e.g., plans or requests).
Legend/Map: Explains map symbols.
Advertisements: Promotions for products.
Author's Tone:
Fact vs. Opinion: Facts are verifiable; opinions are personal beliefs.
Bias vs. Stereotype: Bias is individual prejudice; stereotype applies to groups (e.g., assumptions based on appearance).
Text Structures:
Problem-Solution: Outlines a problem followed by proposed solutions.
Comparative: Highlights similarities (comparison) and differences (contrast).
Example: Elle vs. Janice's dogs.
Cause and Effect: Describes events and their consequences (e.g., hiring more nurses increases satisfaction).
Descriptive: Descriptive language to characterize events, people, and situations (e.g., Elle pacing).
Narrative: Fiction or non-fiction storytelling using literary devices like metaphors and personification.
Expository: Intended to inform or explain.
Technical: Explanation of complex processes, often related to medical or technological fields.
Informative: Offers factual reports or analyses (e.g., research papers).
Persuasive: Aims to convince readers (e.g., editorials).
Decoding Text:
Denotative: Literal definition (e.g., "knockout" in boxing).
Connotative: Emotional association of words (e.g., "knockout" implying attractiveness).
Prediction: Making educated guesses on future events based on context (e.g., thunder means rain).
Foreshadowing: Suggestions hinting at future events (e.g., dark figure implies danger).
Drawing Conclusions: Combining evidence to make inferences (e.g., Nancy likely called a cab).
Counterarguments: Recognizing opposing viewpoints.
Parts of a Text:
Heading: Main topic indicated.
Subheadings: Smaller sections/sections of content.
Endnotes: Information at text's end.
Footnotes: Additional information at the bottom of pages.
Identifying Important Text:
Bold Text: Indicates critical information (e.g., important actions).
Italics: Emphasizes key phrases (e.g., text reference).
Underlining: Distinguishes titles or emphasized information.
Types of Sources:
Primary Source: Direct accounts from the subject (e.g., diaries, memoirs).
Secondary Source: Analyses by others (e.g., articles, biographies).
Internet Sources: Credible online materials (e.g., university publications).
Organizing Information:
Spatial Organization: Information based on physical arrangement.
Example: Describing locations within a room.
Chronological Organization: Sequential arrangement of events (e.g., recipe steps).
Logical Organization: Based on reasoning or category (e.g., definitions, comparisons).