ATI TEAS Nursing Entrance Exam
2026/2027 | 60 Questions with Correct Answers and Rationales
Already Graded A+ | 100% Verified
Domain 1: Reading Comprehension (Questions 1–10)
1. A passage describes the process of photosynthesis in plants. The author states that "chlorophyll pigments
in the chloroplasts absorb light energy, primarily in the blue and red wavelengths." Based on this statement,
what can be inferred about green light?
A) Green light is absorbed most efficiently by chlorophyll
B) Green light is reflected rather than absorbed, giving plants their green color
C) Green light has no role in the photosynthetic process
D) Green light is stored as chemical energy in glucose molecules
Answer: B) Green light is reflected rather than absorbed, giving plants their green color
Rationale: Since chlorophyll primarily absorbs blue and red wavelengths, green light is largely reflected, which is why
plants appear green. This is a common inference tested on the TEAS. Option A contradicts the passage. Option C is too
absolute. Option D misinterprets energy conversion.
2. Read the following passage: "The human immune system comprises two main branches: the innate
immune system, which provides rapid, nonspecific defense, and the adaptive immune system, which
develops targeted responses to specific pathogens over time." What is the main idea of this passage?
A) The immune system only responds to bacterial infections
B) The immune system has two complementary branches with different functions
C) The adaptive immune system is more important than the innate immune system
D) Pathogens cannot survive in the human body
Answer: B) The immune system has two complementary branches with different functions
Rationale: The main idea summarizes the central point of the passage: the immune system consists of two branches
with distinct roles. The passage does not compare importance, limit the system to bacteria, or make claims about
pathogen survival.
3. A passage about climate change states: "While carbon dioxide receives the most attention, methane is
approximately 25 times more potent as a greenhouse gas over a 100-year period." The word "potent" in this
context most nearly means:
A) Dangerous
1
,B) Powerful in producing an effect
C) Toxic to living organisms
D) Visible in the atmosphere
Answer: B) Powerful in producing an effect
Rationale: In the context of greenhouse gases, "potent" refers to effectiveness or power in trapping heat. While
methane can be dangerous, the passage specifically discusses its effectiveness relative to CO2 as a greenhouse gas.
4. Which of the following is a logical conclusion based on the passage: "Regular physical activity has been
shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function in adults
over age 40"?
A) All adults over 40 who exercise will never develop heart disease
B) Physical activity provides multiple health benefits for adults over 40
C) Exercise is only beneficial for individuals under age 40
D) Cognitive function cannot be improved without medication
Answer: B) Physical activity provides multiple health benefits for adults over 40
Rationale: The passage lists three distinct benefits of exercise for adults over 40. Option A is an overgeneralization.
Option C contradicts the passage. Option D is unsupported by the text.
5. A passage discusses the water cycle: "Evaporation from oceans and other water bodies transfers water
vapor into the atmosphere. Condensation occurs when this vapor cools, forming clouds. Precipitation returns
water to Earth's surface, completing the cycle." What text structure does this passage primarily use?
A) Cause and effect
B) Compare and contrast
C) Sequence or chronological order
D) Problem and solution
Answer: C) Sequence or chronological order
Rationale: The passage describes steps in a process in their natural order: evaporation, condensation, and
precipitation. Signal words and the progressive nature of the description indicate a sequential text structure.
6. "The new hospital policy requires all staff to complete hand hygiene training annually; consequently,
infection rates have decreased by 15%." The word "consequently" indicates:
A) A contrast between ideas
B) A cause-and-effect relationship
C) A comparison of two events
D) A chronological sequence
Answer: B) A cause-and-effect relationship
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, Rationale: "Consequently" is a transition word signaling that the second clause is a result of the first. The decreased
infection rates are presented as a consequence of the hand hygiene training.
7. A passage about the American Revolution states: "The Stamp Act of 1765 imposed taxes on printed
materials in the colonies without colonial representation in Parliament." The phrase "without colonial
representation" most likely refers to:
A) Colonists chose not to attend Parliament sessions
B) Colonists had no elected representatives voting in Parliament
C) Parliament met in the colonies rather than in London
D) The Stamp Act did not apply to printed materials
Answer: B) Colonists had no elected representatives voting in Parliament
Rationale: The phrase reflects the colonial grievance of "taxation without representation," meaning Parliament levied
taxes on colonists who had no elected voice in that legislative body.
8. Which of the following summaries best captures the essential information of a passage describing how
vaccines work?
A) Vaccines contain weakened or inactivated pathogens that stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies,
providing future protection against disease
B) Vaccines are dangerous and should be avoided by all patients
C) Vaccines only work on children and have no effect on adults
D) Vaccines eliminate all pathogens from the body immediately upon injection
Answer: A) Vaccines contain weakened or inactivated pathogens that stimulate the immune system to
produce antibodies, providing future protection against disease
Rationale: This summary accurately captures the mechanism of vaccines: introducing antigens to trigger an adaptive
immune response. The other options contain inaccuracies or unsupported claims.
9. An author writes: "The evidence suggests that sleep deprivation may impair judgment, slow reaction
times, and weaken the immune system." The phrase "the evidence suggests" indicates that the author is:
A) Stating a confirmed, universal fact
B) Presenting findings based on research while allowing for scientific uncertainty
C) Expressing a personal opinion without support
D) Describing an experiment that was conducted
Answer: B) Presenting findings based on research while allowing for scientific uncertainty
Rationale: The phrase "the evidence suggests" is characteristic of academic and scientific writing, indicating that
conclusions are drawn from data but acknowledge potential limitations. This hedging language is appropriate in
evidence-based contexts.
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2026/2027 | 60 Questions with Correct Answers and Rationales
Already Graded A+ | 100% Verified
Domain 1: Reading Comprehension (Questions 1–10)
1. A passage describes the process of photosynthesis in plants. The author states that "chlorophyll pigments
in the chloroplasts absorb light energy, primarily in the blue and red wavelengths." Based on this statement,
what can be inferred about green light?
A) Green light is absorbed most efficiently by chlorophyll
B) Green light is reflected rather than absorbed, giving plants their green color
C) Green light has no role in the photosynthetic process
D) Green light is stored as chemical energy in glucose molecules
Answer: B) Green light is reflected rather than absorbed, giving plants their green color
Rationale: Since chlorophyll primarily absorbs blue and red wavelengths, green light is largely reflected, which is why
plants appear green. This is a common inference tested on the TEAS. Option A contradicts the passage. Option C is too
absolute. Option D misinterprets energy conversion.
2. Read the following passage: "The human immune system comprises two main branches: the innate
immune system, which provides rapid, nonspecific defense, and the adaptive immune system, which
develops targeted responses to specific pathogens over time." What is the main idea of this passage?
A) The immune system only responds to bacterial infections
B) The immune system has two complementary branches with different functions
C) The adaptive immune system is more important than the innate immune system
D) Pathogens cannot survive in the human body
Answer: B) The immune system has two complementary branches with different functions
Rationale: The main idea summarizes the central point of the passage: the immune system consists of two branches
with distinct roles. The passage does not compare importance, limit the system to bacteria, or make claims about
pathogen survival.
3. A passage about climate change states: "While carbon dioxide receives the most attention, methane is
approximately 25 times more potent as a greenhouse gas over a 100-year period." The word "potent" in this
context most nearly means:
A) Dangerous
1
,B) Powerful in producing an effect
C) Toxic to living organisms
D) Visible in the atmosphere
Answer: B) Powerful in producing an effect
Rationale: In the context of greenhouse gases, "potent" refers to effectiveness or power in trapping heat. While
methane can be dangerous, the passage specifically discusses its effectiveness relative to CO2 as a greenhouse gas.
4. Which of the following is a logical conclusion based on the passage: "Regular physical activity has been
shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function in adults
over age 40"?
A) All adults over 40 who exercise will never develop heart disease
B) Physical activity provides multiple health benefits for adults over 40
C) Exercise is only beneficial for individuals under age 40
D) Cognitive function cannot be improved without medication
Answer: B) Physical activity provides multiple health benefits for adults over 40
Rationale: The passage lists three distinct benefits of exercise for adults over 40. Option A is an overgeneralization.
Option C contradicts the passage. Option D is unsupported by the text.
5. A passage discusses the water cycle: "Evaporation from oceans and other water bodies transfers water
vapor into the atmosphere. Condensation occurs when this vapor cools, forming clouds. Precipitation returns
water to Earth's surface, completing the cycle." What text structure does this passage primarily use?
A) Cause and effect
B) Compare and contrast
C) Sequence or chronological order
D) Problem and solution
Answer: C) Sequence or chronological order
Rationale: The passage describes steps in a process in their natural order: evaporation, condensation, and
precipitation. Signal words and the progressive nature of the description indicate a sequential text structure.
6. "The new hospital policy requires all staff to complete hand hygiene training annually; consequently,
infection rates have decreased by 15%." The word "consequently" indicates:
A) A contrast between ideas
B) A cause-and-effect relationship
C) A comparison of two events
D) A chronological sequence
Answer: B) A cause-and-effect relationship
2
, Rationale: "Consequently" is a transition word signaling that the second clause is a result of the first. The decreased
infection rates are presented as a consequence of the hand hygiene training.
7. A passage about the American Revolution states: "The Stamp Act of 1765 imposed taxes on printed
materials in the colonies without colonial representation in Parliament." The phrase "without colonial
representation" most likely refers to:
A) Colonists chose not to attend Parliament sessions
B) Colonists had no elected representatives voting in Parliament
C) Parliament met in the colonies rather than in London
D) The Stamp Act did not apply to printed materials
Answer: B) Colonists had no elected representatives voting in Parliament
Rationale: The phrase reflects the colonial grievance of "taxation without representation," meaning Parliament levied
taxes on colonists who had no elected voice in that legislative body.
8. Which of the following summaries best captures the essential information of a passage describing how
vaccines work?
A) Vaccines contain weakened or inactivated pathogens that stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies,
providing future protection against disease
B) Vaccines are dangerous and should be avoided by all patients
C) Vaccines only work on children and have no effect on adults
D) Vaccines eliminate all pathogens from the body immediately upon injection
Answer: A) Vaccines contain weakened or inactivated pathogens that stimulate the immune system to
produce antibodies, providing future protection against disease
Rationale: This summary accurately captures the mechanism of vaccines: introducing antigens to trigger an adaptive
immune response. The other options contain inaccuracies or unsupported claims.
9. An author writes: "The evidence suggests that sleep deprivation may impair judgment, slow reaction
times, and weaken the immune system." The phrase "the evidence suggests" indicates that the author is:
A) Stating a confirmed, universal fact
B) Presenting findings based on research while allowing for scientific uncertainty
C) Expressing a personal opinion without support
D) Describing an experiment that was conducted
Answer: B) Presenting findings based on research while allowing for scientific uncertainty
Rationale: The phrase "the evidence suggests" is characteristic of academic and scientific writing, indicating that
conclusions are drawn from data but acknowledge potential limitations. This hedging language is appropriate in
evidence-based contexts.
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