TEAS Cheat Sheet on Reading Strategies

The TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) exam covers vital reading skills that encompass text summarization, inferring logical conclusions, and understanding craft and structure in written communication. Below are essential notes on reading strategies derived from the content provided.

Text Summarization

Topic: To identify the subject of a text, ask, "What or who am I reading about?" This forms the basis of comprehension.
Main Idea: To determine the thesis or main point conveyed by the writer, pose the question, "What does the writer think is important regarding this topic?"
Topic Sentence: The main idea usually appears at the beginning of a paragraph, where the author outlines their primary argument or point.
Key Points: Supporting details enhance the main idea and can be identified by answering the six questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How?
Summary: A succinct reiteration of the main idea along with crucial supporting details.

Inferring Logical Conclusions

Inference: This involves critical thinking to draw conclusions based on evidence and context clues present in the text.
Explicit vs. Implicit: Explicit information is clearly stated, whereas implicit information is suggested and requires interpretation.
Conclusion: Formulated predictions, based on evidence and a comprehensive understanding of the details and results presented.

Following Directions and Sequences

Understanding the structure of directions is important. Signal words to look for include:

  • Sequential: subsequently, prior to, after, before, while, finally, next, first.
  • Chronological: during, while, since, now, later, today.
  • Specific Directions: e.g., left to right, all except, from top to bottom, and choose all that apply.

Data Interpretation

Identifying specific information within printed communication includes:

  • Recognition of indexes, captions, boldface text, footnotes, and headings.
  • Use of visuals (charts, graphs) for concise information, although they can sometimes be misleading.

Authorial Intent and Craft

Understanding the author's purpose is integral, with the main types being:

  • Describe
  • Entertain
  • Persuade
  • Inform
  • Explain

Writing Styles:

  1. Descriptive: Creating vivid imagery for the reader through sensory details.
  2. Expository: Clarifying information or instructing the reader on a topic.
  3. Narrative: Telling a story to entertain or convey information.
  4. Persuasive: Aiming to influence the reader's thoughts or actions.

Understanding Key Terms

  • Argument: The author’s point supported by evidence.
  • Compare and Contrast: Determine similarities and differences between concepts.
  • Inference: A logical conclusion based on textual details and prior knowledge.
  • Prediction: A forecast based on textual information.
  • Primary Source: Original, unaltered documents (e.g., letters, research).
  • Secondary Source: Documents analyzing primary sources (e.g., textbooks).
  • Tertiary Source: Consolidated information from primary and secondary sources, such as encyclopedias.

Mathematics Sequence

Order of Operations: Remember the acronym PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (left to right), Addition and Subtraction (left to right)).
Example:
13 - (3 - 4 imes 6) + 24 = 13 - (3 - 24) + 24 = 13 - (-21) = 24
» Solve as:
13 + 21 + 16 = 50

Fractions:

  • LCD: Least Common Denominator example for rac{1}{5} and rac{3}{4} is 20. To add or subtract fractions with differing denominators, find the LCD first.

Geometry and Formulas

Key Shapes & Their Formulas:

  • Circle: Area = ext{π} imes r^2 , Circumference = 2 imes ext{π} imes r
  • Triangle: Area = rac{1}{2} imes b imes h
  • Rectangle: Area = b imes h
  • Volume (Sphere): rac{4}{3} imes ext{π} imes r^3
  • Pythagorean theorem: a^2 + b^2 = c^2

Analysis

Break down problems and understand them in depth to achieve clarity and comprehension, particularly when dealing with complex materials and integrating diverse ideas.