ATI TEAS 7 – English and Language Usage

Item 1

Office buildings that install bike racks and shower facilities see a noticeable rise in employees who commute by bicycle. Employees cite reduced commuting costs and better morning energy as key reasons for the switch. Requiring these amenities in new office construction would likely reduce citywide car commuting.

What is the author's main claim in the argument?

·         New office buildings should be required to include bike commuting amenities.

·         Employees cite lower costs and more energy as reasons to bike commute.

·         Bike commuting has become more common in buildings with showers.

·         Car commuting varies significantly across different office buildings.

Selected Option: New office buildings should be required to include bike commuting amenities.

Explanation: The passage moves from evidence about commuting behavior toward a specific policy recommendation in the final sentence, which is the author's main claim. The earlier details about cost and energy serve as supporting evidence for that recommendation.

Item 2

Retail stores that train staff in basic sign language see improved service ratings from deaf and hard-of-hearing customers. Staff report feeling more confident assisting a wider range of shoppers. Expanding this training to all locations would likely improve accessibility across the chain.

What is the author's main claim in the argument?

·         The retail chain should expand sign language training to all locations.

·         Staff feel more confident assisting a wider range of customers.

·         Service ratings have improved among deaf and hard-of-hearing shoppers.

·         Accessibility varies depending on which store a customer visits.

Selected Option: The retail chain should expand sign language training to all locations.

Explanation: The final sentence states the recommendation the author is arguing for, supported by evidence about improved ratings and staff confidence. This makes the call to expand training the central claim rather than a supporting detail.

Item 3

Community centers that offer free printer and computer access see higher rates of successful job applications among unemployed visitors. Staff note that many applicants previously had no way to complete online forms. Expanding free computer access to more centers would likely help more residents find employment.

What is the author's main claim in the argument?

·         Community centers should expand free computer access to help residents find jobs.

·         Many applicants previously lacked a way to complete online forms.

·         Job application success rates are higher among center visitors.

·         Unemployment rates differ across neighborhoods served by centers.

Selected Option: Community centers should expand free computer access to help residents find jobs.

Explanation: The passage builds toward a recommendation stated in the final sentence: expanding access would help more residents find work. The earlier details about application success and prior barriers function as supporting evidence for that claim.

Item 4

A theater manager claims that adding assistive listening devices will improve the experience for hard-of-hearing patrons without disrupting other audience members.

Which evidence is sufficient to support the claim?

·         A catalog listing available assistive listening device models.

·         Patron surveys showing improved satisfaction among hard-of-hearing attendees and no reported disruptions after installation.

·         An article about a different theater's renovation project.

·         An estimate of how many patrons request accessibility services annually.

Selected Option: Patron surveys showing improved satisfaction among hard-of-hearing attendees and no reported disruptions after installation.

Explanation: The claim promises two specific outcomes—improved experience for hard-of-hearing patrons and no disruption to others—so sufficient evidence must confirm both. The combined survey data directly measures each outcome from the actual installation.

Item 5

A daycare director argues that adding a structured outdoor play period will improve children's focus during afternoon lessons without shortening total instructional time.

Which evidence sufficiently supports the claim?

·         Teacher observation logs showing improved focus and unchanged total lesson minutes after the trial period began.

·         A parenting magazine article about the benefits of outdoor play.

·         A summary of playground equipment purchased last year.

·         Weather data showing how many days were suitable for outdoor play.

Selected Option: Teacher observation logs showing improved focus and unchanged total lesson minutes after the trial period began.

Explanation: Because the claim addresses both improved focus and unchanged instructional time, sufficient evidence must verify both parts using actual outcomes. The teacher observation logs directly measure each element of the claim from the real trial.

Item 6

 Community repair cafes help residents fix broken household items instead of discarding them.

(1) Volunteers with repair skills guide participants through fixing their items.
(2) The repair cafe recently added a new coffee vendor to its event.
(3) Items repaired on-site are kept out of the local landfill.
(4) Participants learn basic repair skills they can use again at home.
Which sentence should be removed to improve logical connections?

(2)

(1)

(3)

(4)

Selected Option: (2)

Explanation: The paragraph focuses on how repair cafes reduce waste and build skills through guided repair. Sentence 2 describes an unrelated event detail about a coffee vendor, which does not connect to the paragraph's central purpose.

Item 7

A writer argues that adding shaded bus shelters improves rider comfort during summer months.

(1) Riders report shorter perceived wait times when shelters provide shade.
(2) The transit agency updated its route map design last year.
(3) Complaints about heat exposure declined after shelters were installed.
(4) Shaded shelters make waiting for the bus noticeably more comfortable.
Which sentence disrupts the logical sequence of the argument?

(2)

(1)

(3)

(4)

Selected Option: (2)

Explanation: Sentences 1, 3, and 4 all support the claim about improved comfort from shaded shelters. Sentence 2 instead describes an unrelated update to route maps, which does not contribute to the argument about heat and comfort.

Item 8

A clinic's missed-appointment rate dropped after it began sending automated text reminders.

(1) Patients received a reminder text the day before their appointment.
(2) Therefore, other clinics in the network should adopt text reminders.
(3) Missed appointments fell by nearly a quarter during the trial.
(4) Missed appointments had previously strained the clinic's scheduling system.
Which order creates the clearest logical progression?

(4) -> (1) -> (3) -> (2)

(1) -> (4) -> (3) -> (2)

(4) -> (3) -> (1) -> (2)

(3) -> (1) -> (4) -> (2)

Selected Option: (4) -> (1) -> (3) -> (2)

Explanation: This order follows a problem-solution-proof-conclusion pattern: it names the original problem (missed appointments straining scheduling), introduces the fix (text reminders), shows proof of success (fewer missed appointments), and ends with a recommendation to expand it.

Item 9

A writer argues that public restrooms should include baby-changing stations in all facilities to support parents. A revision is suggested: "Changing stations let parents care for infants without leaving the restroom, making outings far more manageable."

Which technique does this revision use to maintain focus?

·         Clarifying how the proposal supports the argument's purpose.

·         Introducing background information unrelated to parents.

·         Referring to restroom cleaning schedules not relevant to stations.

·         Adding commentary that does not relate to family outings.

Selected Option: Clarifying how the proposal supports the argument's purpose.

Explanation: The revision explains precisely how changing stations achieve the stated goal of supporting parents, tying the proposal directly to the argument's purpose rather than drifting into unrelated details.

Item 10

A writer reports that a shelter plans to extend intake hours to help more families find housing support. The writer removes this sentence: "The shelter's waiting room chairs were recently replaced."

Which technique is the writer using to maintain focus?

·         Removing detail unrelated to the argument's purpose.

·         Introducing a counterargument that challenges the new hours.

·         Adding supporting evidence that reinforces the plan's aims.

·         Introducing a comparison that does not relate to intake hours.

Selected Option: Removing detail unrelated to the argument's purpose.

Explanation: The detail about waiting room chairs has no bearing on intake hours or housing support. Removing it keeps the passage focused on the relevant policy change and its purpose.

Item 11

A writer argues that offering free resume workshops would help job seekers find employment faster. A supporting sentence reads: "Job seekers who receive resume feedback report more callbacks within the following month."

Which technique is being used to maintain focus on the argument?

·         Supporting directly relevant support that reinforces the claim.

·         Providing information that shifts focus away from the claim.

·         Bringing in details about workshop room availability unrelated to resumes.

·         Adding a story that does not connect to the program's goals.

Selected Option: Supporting directly relevant support that reinforces the claim.

Explanation: The sentence directly explains the mechanism connecting resume feedback to more callbacks, reinforcing the central claim with support that stays closely tied to the argument's purpose.

Item 12

Which sentence contains an error?

·         The batch of donated blankets were sorted by size.

·         The batch of donated blankets was sorted by size.

·         The shipment of new textbooks was delivered on time.

·         The pile of used uniforms was collected for donation.

Selected Option: The batch of donated blankets were sorted by size.

Explanation: The subject of the sentence is "batch," which is singular, so the verb must agree in number. "Blankets" is part of a prepositional phrase and does not affect verb choice, making "were" incorrect where "was" is required.

Item 13

Which sentence contains an error?

·         The curriculum is composed of six units.

·         The curriculum comprises six units.

·         The curriculum comprises of six units.

·         The curriculum includes six units.

Selected Option: The curriculum comprises of six units.

Explanation: "Comprises" already means "consists of," so adding "of" after it is redundant and grammatically incorrect. The accepted phrasing is either "comprises six units" or "is composed of six units."

Item 14

Which sentence contains an error?

·         The teachers' break room was reorganized this week.

·         The volunteers' badges were reissued yesterday.

·         The childrens' art was displayed in the hallway.

·         The parents' feedback was reviewed by the committee.

Selected Option: The childrens' art was displayed in the hallway.

Explanation: "Children" is an irregular plural that does not end in "s," so its possessive form only needs an apostrophe plus "s": "children's." Placing the apostrophe after an "s" that isn't part of the correct plural, as in "childrens'," is incorrect.

Item 15

Which sentence contains an error?

·         The auditor remained disinterested while reviewing the accounts.

·         The audience was uninterested in the closing speech.

·         The board had no interest in reopening the debate.

·         The reviewers were disinterested in whether the proposal passed.

Selected Option: The reviewers were disinterested in whether the proposal passed.

Explanation: "Disinterested" means impartial or unbiased, fitting a neutral role like an auditor but not reviewers who simply lack interest in the outcome. Reviewers who do not care about a result should be described as "uninterested," not "disinterested."

Item 16

Which sentence is correct?

·         The Manager spoke with Judge Whitmore after the hearing.

·         The manager spoke with judge Whitmore after the hearing.

·         The manager spoke with Judge Whitmore after the hearing.

·         The Manager spoke with judge Whitmore after the hearing.

Selected Option: The manager spoke with Judge Whitmore after the hearing.

Explanation: Generic titles like "manager" stay lowercase, but a title such as "Judge" becomes part of a proper name when it directly precedes the surname, so it must be capitalized along with the name.

Item 17

Which sentence is correct?

·         I emailed Ms. Okafor before Fall Semester began.

·         I emailed ms. Okafor before fall semester began.

·         I emailed Ms. okafor before Fall semester began.

·         I emailed ms. okafor before Fall Semester began.

Selected Option: I emailed Ms. Okafor before Fall Semester began.

Explanation: "Ms. Okafor" correctly capitalizes a formal title paired with a surname, and "Fall Semester" is capitalized because it refers to a specific, named academic term rather than the general season.

Item 18

The presentation was engaging however it ran well past the scheduled time.

Which option corrects the error?

 

·         The presentation was engaging; however, it ran well past the scheduled time.

·         The presentation was engaging, however it ran well past the scheduled time.

·         The presentation was engaging however, it ran well past the scheduled time.

·         The presentation was engaging, however, it ran well past the scheduled time.

Selected Option: The presentation was engaging; however, it ran well past the scheduled time.

Explanation: When "however" connects two independent clauses, it must be preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma. A comma alone before "however" creates a comma splice, incorrectly joining two complete sentences.

Item 19

The data reveals that peer tutoring boosts confidence among struggling readers.

 Which option corrects the error?

 

·         The data reveals that peer tutoring boosts confidence among struggling readers.

·         The data reveal that peer tutoring boosts confidence among struggling readers.

·         The data revealing that peer tutoring boosts confidence among struggling readers.

·         The data reveals that peer tutoring boosts confidence among struggling readers.

Selected Option: The data reveal that peer tutoring boosts confidence among struggling readers.

Explanation: In formal and academic writing, "data" functions as the plural of "datum" and requires a plural verb. While "data reveals" is common informally, academic conventions call for "data reveal" to maintain correct agreement.

Item 20

I enrolled in a class called classroom management: practical strategies.

Which option corrects the error?

 

·         I enrolled in a class called classroom management: practical strategies.

·         I enrolled in a class called Classroom Management: practical strategies.

·         I enrolled in a class called Classroom management: Practical strategies.

·         I enrolled in a class called Classroom Management: Practical Strategies.

Selected Option: I enrolled in a class called Classroom Management: Practical Strategies.

Explanation: Course titles are proper nouns, so each major word should be capitalized, and the word immediately following a colon in a title is also capitalized regardless of its part of speech.

Item 21

Which sentence is correct?

·         The staff welcomed principal Osei to the new campus.

·         The staff welcomed Principal osei to the new campus.

·         The staff welcomed principal osei to the new campus.

·         The staff welcomed Principal Osei to the new campus.

Selected Option: The staff welcomed Principal Osei to the new campus.

Explanation: When "Principal" directly precedes a person's surname, it becomes part of that name and must be capitalized, along with the surname itself, following standard conventions for titles used with proper names.

Item 22

Which sentence is correct?

·         The panel included a wildlife veterinarian who studies migratory patterns.

·         The panel included a Wildlife Veterinarian who studies migratory patterns.

·         The panel included a wildlife veterinarian who studies migratory patterns recieved.

·         The panel included a wildlife Veterinarian who studies migratory patterns.

Selected Option: The panel included a wildlife veterinarian who studies migratory patterns.

Explanation: "Wildlife veterinarian" is a general job description rather than a formal title, so it should remain lowercase, and this option uses correct spelling throughout, unlike the alternative containing the misspelled word "recieved."

Item 23

Which option corrects the error in the following sentence: "Because the venue changed the invitations were reprinted and are ready for mailing."?

 

·         Because the venue changed, the invitations were reprinted and are ready for mailing.

·         Because the venue changed the invitations were reprinted, and are ready for mailing.

·         Because the venue changed, the invitations were reprinted, and are ready for mailing.

·         Because the venue changed the invitations were reprinted and are ready for mailing.

Selected Option: Because the venue changed, the invitations were reprinted and are ready for mailing.

Explanation: An introductory dependent clause beginning with "because" must be followed by a comma. No comma is needed before "and are ready for mailing" since that phrase shares the same subject as the earlier clause and is not independent.

Item 24

Original Text

The panel will interview candidates on Thursday it will announce the finalists by Friday evening.

How could the original text be revised to improve sentence structure while preserving meaning?

 

·         By combining the ideas so they form one clear and complete sentence.

·         By adding commas between the actions without joining the clauses.

·         By separating the ideas with semicolons to form unrelated statements.

·         By adding a causal phrase even though the ideas are not cause-and-effect.

Selected Option: By combining the ideas so they form one clear and complete sentence.

Explanation: The original sentence is a run-on because two independent clauses are joined without punctuation or a conjunction. The clearest fix is to combine the ideas properly, for example with "and," forming one grammatically complete sentence.

Item 25

Original Text

To submit a maintenance request, first log into the resident portal. Then — try not to fall out of your chair, because this step is shockingly simple — click "New Request." Finally, describe the issue and submit.

How could the original text be best revised to maintain an appropriate tone?

 

·         By removing the joke so the directions remain direct and professional.

·         By moving the joke to introduce the steps instead.

·         By keeping the joke but shortening it slightly.

·         By adding a second joke to balance the tone.

Selected Option: By removing the joke so the directions remain direct and professional.

Explanation: Instructional writing should remain clear and professional. The remark about falling out of a chair is an informal distraction that can confuse readers, so removing it keeps the tone appropriate for a maintenance-request guide.

Item 26

Original Text

The pharmacy added a drive-through window in April. Prescription pickup times shortened noticeably over the following weeks.

How could the original text be revised to provide smoother flow?

 

·         By combining the ideas into one sentence for a smoother connection.

·         By inserting unnecessary repetition that interrupts the meaning.

·         By adding an unrelated clause that does not connect the ideas.

·         By reordering the parts in a way that obscures the sequence.

Selected Option: By combining the ideas into one sentence for a smoother connection.

Explanation: The two short sentences describe closely related events that flow better when combined, for example by showing that pickup times shortened after the pharmacy added its drive-through window in April.

Item 27

Original Text

In order to be eligible for the grant, organizations must complete and submit all of the required grant application materials that are needed in order for the grant application to be considered complete and ready for review by the funding committee.

How could the original text be revised to make it more concise?

 

·         By removing the unnecessary wording so the instructions are stated more directly.

·         By adding a sentence explaining why each material is required.

·         By rearranging the redundant wording without removing any of it.

·         By adding transition words between each repeated phrase.

Selected Option: By removing the unnecessary wording so the instructions are stated more directly.

Explanation: The passage repeats words such as "grant," "application," and "complete" far more than necessary, which obscures the actual instruction. Removing the redundant wording makes the requirement clear and direct.

Item 28

The new volunteer sign-up app was built to simplify scheduling for the food pantry. The pantry's storage shelves were recently relabeled with new tags. Volunteers now sign up for shifts more consistently since the app launched.

How could the original text be revised to improve cohesion and focus?

·         By removing the distracting detail so the text stays focused on the main topic.

·         By expanding on the distracting detail so it seems more relevant.

·         By adding context to justify including the distracting detail.

·         By rephrasing the distracting detail rather than removing it.

Selected Option: By removing the distracting detail so the text stays focused on the main topic.

Explanation: The sentence about relabeled storage shelves has no connection to the discussion of the sign-up app and volunteer scheduling. Removing it keeps the paragraph focused on the app's purpose and effect.