A.L.L.
coyura Academy
THE
TEAS
READING
STUDY GUIDE
+ Practice Questions
A Complete Reading Comprehension Guide for the ATI TEAS 7
Master key ideas, author's purpose, text structure, inference, and integration of knowledge
with 6 full reading passages, 48 questions, complete rationales, and a full answer key.
— What's Inside: — — You Will Master: —
+ Key ideas & main idea questions + Find the main idea in any passage
+ Supporting details & evidence + Distinguish fact from opinion
+ Author's purpose & tone + Identify why an author wrote a text
+ Text structure & organisation + Recognise compare/contrast, cause/effect
+ Inference & logical conclusions + Draw valid conclusions from evidence
+ Comparing & integrating texts + Use two passages together to answer questions
Reading is not about speed — it is about understanding what matters and why it is there.
Key Ideas & Details Craft & Structure Integration
~47% ~33% ~20%
Created by ALLcoyura Academy
,A.L.L.
coyura Academy
KEY IDEAS, DETAILS & READING STRATEGIES
Nearly half of TEAS Reading tests your ability to identify main ideas and supporting details.
MAIN IDEA — Finding It, Stating It, and Distinguishing It
What Is the Main Idea? Main Idea vs. Supporting Detail:
Concept Explanation Type How to Identify It
Definition The central point or argument the entire Main Idea A statement is the MAIN IDEA if: removing it
passage is built around. Everything else in the would make the whole passage collapse. It
passage supports it. controls everything else.
Where to find it Usually in the first or last sentence of a Supporting Detail A statement is a DETAIL if: it gives evidence,
paragraph. Sometimes implied — you must infer examples, facts, or elaboration FOR the main
it. idea.
Topic sentence The sentence that states the paragraph's main Too broad A statement that is vaguer than the actual
idea. Not all paragraphs have an explicit one. passage — it could describe many different
passages.
Thesis statement In longer texts: the sentence in the introduction
that states the overall argument of the whole Too narrow A statement that only describes one paragraph
passage. or one detail — not the whole passage.
Title clues Titles often signal the main idea — but never Implied main idea No single sentence states it. You must
rely on the title alone. synthesise across the whole passage.
TEAS trap The most common wrong answer is a detail that Step-by-step 1. Read the full passage. 2. Ask: what is the
IS true but is too specific — it supports, not author's ONE main point? 3. Check every
controls. paragraph — does it support your answer?
SUPPORTING DETAILS — Evidence, Facts & Examples
Types of Supporting Details: TEAS Question Strategies:
Detail Type What It Does Question Type Strategy
Facts & Statistics Objective, verifiable information used to 'According to the Go back and LOCATE the answer. Do not
prove or support the main claim. passage' rely on memory or prior knowledge.
Examples Specific instances or cases that illustrate the 'Which is NOT stated' Eliminate the three that ARE in the passage.
main idea. The one left is the answer.
Explanations Sentences that explain HOW or WHY Line/paragraph Re-read that section plus the sentences
something is true. references before and after it.
Quotations Expert or witness statements used as 'Best supports the Look for the detail most directly connected to
evidence. idea' the claim — not just loosely related.
Anecdotes Brief stories used to illustrate a point. 'The author mentions Ask: what point is X serving? What argument
X in order to' does it advance?
Descriptions Sensory or visual details that paint a picture.
Fact vs. opinion FACT: verifiable, objective. OPINION:
Definitions Explaining what a term means, usually to judgment, belief, or prediction — often
clarify the argument. contains 'should,' 'best,' 'believe.'
Created by ALLcoyura Academy Page 2
,A.L.L.
coyura Academy
CRAFT & STRUCTURE: PURPOSE, TONE & TEXT STRUCTURE
Author's purpose, tone, point of view, and text structure — the 'how' and 'why' of writing.
AUTHOR'S PURPOSE — Why the Author Wrote the Passage
The Three Main Purposes (PIE): Purpose Clue Words & Signal Phrases:
Purpose How to Recognise It Signal Type Clue Words & Phrases
Persuade (P) Convince the reader to agree with a position or Persuade clues 'should,' 'must,' 'clearly,' 'it is essential,' 'we must
take action. Contains opinions, arguments, act,' emotional appeals, one-sided evidence
emotional language, and one-sided evidence.
Inform clues 'research shows,' 'according to,' 'studies
Inform (I) Provide objective facts, explanations, or data indicate,' 'is defined as,' neutral and balanced
about a topic. Neutral tone, factual language, no language
stated opinion.
Entertain clues vivid descriptions, dialogue, narrative structure,
Entertain (E) Engage, amuse, or move the reader first person, humour, figurative language
emotionally. Uses narrative, humour, imagery,
and descriptive language. Mixed purpose Many texts do more than one — always choose
the PRIMARY purpose as the main answer.
Describe A sub-category of inform — paints a picture of a
person, place, or event using sensory detail. Question wording 'The primary purpose of this passage is to...' →
Look at the WHOLE passage, not one
Instruct Provides step-by-step directions. Numbered paragraph.
lists, imperative verbs, second person ('you
should').
TONE, POINT OF VIEW & TEXT STRUCTURE
Author's Tone: Text Structure Types:
Tone How to Recognise It Structure Signal Words & Recognition
Objective/Neutral Balanced, factual, unemotional — typical of Chronological Events or steps in time order. Signal
scientific or journalistic writing words: first, then, next, finally, before,
after.
Persuasive/Argumentative
One-sided, passionate, uses rhetorical
devices and emotional appeals Compare & Contrast Shows similarities and differences.
Signals: similarly, however, on the other
Critical Finds fault or evaluates negatively — 'the hand, unlike, both.
flawed approach,' 'misguided policy'
Cause & Effect Explains why something happened and
Optimistic/Positive Hopeful, encouraging language — 'promising what resulted. Signals: because, therefore,
results,' 'significant progress' as a result, consequently, led to.
Concerned/Cautionary Warns or expresses worry — 'alarming,' Problem & Solution Identifies a problem then presents one or
'urgent,' 'must address' more solutions. Signals: the issue is, one
solution, to address this.
Formal Academic, professional language — no
contractions, complex vocabulary Description Paints a picture using details; no clear
argument structure. Sensory details,
Informal/ConversationalCasual, approachable — may use
adjectives.
contractions, second person
Definition Explains what something IS, often with
Satirical Uses irony or exaggeration to criticise or
examples. Signals: is defined as, refers to,
mock a subject
means, for example.
Order of Importance Most to least (or least to most) significant
information. Signals: most importantly,
Created by ALLcoyura Academy primarily, above all. Page 3
Sequence Step-by-step instructions or processes.
Signals: step 1, first, second, following,
, A.L.L.
coyura Academy
INFERENCE, CONCLUSIONS & INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE
Inference and integration questions reward close, careful reading — never guessing.
INFERENCE — Drawing Valid Conclusions from the Text
What Is an Inference? Inference Question Strategies:
Concept Explanation Strategy How to Apply It
Definition A conclusion that is NOT directly stated but is Step 1: Read the Identify what you are being asked to infer — a
strongly implied by the text. It is the logical next question character's feeling? A future outcome? An
step from what is written. unstated reason?
Valid inference Supported by specific evidence in the passage. Step 2: Find the Re-read the relevant section. What does the text
You can point to the text that makes it true. evidence say? What does it imply?
Invalid inference Goes beyond what the text says. Requires Step 3: Eliminate Reject answers that say 'always,' 'never,' 'all,'
assumptions the author did not support. extremes 'none' — too absolute to be supported.
Logical The only reasonable conclusion given ALL the Step 4: Reject The correct answer must come from the
conclusion information provided — not just possible, but outside passage, not from what you know about the
probable. knowledge topic.
Implied meaning What a statement suggests without saying Step 5: Choose The correct inference MUST follow from the text
directly. Context and word choice reveal this. 'must be true' — not 'could be true' or 'might be true.'
Author's An unstated belief the author relies on to make Common trap A statement that is true in real life but is NOT
assumption their argument work. supported by the specific passage — always
wrong.
INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE — Using Two Sources Together
What Is Integration? Common Integration Question Types:
Concept Explanation Question Type Strategy
Definition Questions that require you to use BOTH 'Both passages suggest...' Find a claim that BOTH texts explicitly
passages (or a passage plus a visual/chart) to or implicitly support. Reject if only one
answer. supports it.
Compare sources How do Passage A and Passage B differ in their 'Unlike Passage 1, Find the contrast. Passage 1 does X;
approach to the same topic? Passage 2...' Passage 2 does the opposite.
Identify agreement On which point do both authors agree? Look for 'The author of Passage 2 Determine each author's stance, then
overlapping claims. would most likely respond predict how one would react to the
to Passage 1 by...' other's claim.
Identify Where do the two passages conflict? Find
disagreement contradictory statements. 'Which statement is Go through each choice and check it
supported by BOTH against BOTH passages — it must be
Evaluate evidence Which passage provides stronger or more passages?' in both.
convincing evidence for its claim?
'How does the graph Find what the graph shows, then find
Synthesise What conclusion can be drawn using BOTH support Passage 1?' where Passage 1 makes the same
information passages together that neither alone supports? point.
Strategy Read both passages separately first,
noting each author's main point. Then
answer integration questions.
Created by ALLcoyura Academy Page 4
Active Reading Strategy: STOP — Skim for structure → Track the main idea per paragraph → Observe signal words → Predict the answer before reading choices
coyura Academy
THE
TEAS
READING
STUDY GUIDE
+ Practice Questions
A Complete Reading Comprehension Guide for the ATI TEAS 7
Master key ideas, author's purpose, text structure, inference, and integration of knowledge
with 6 full reading passages, 48 questions, complete rationales, and a full answer key.
— What's Inside: — — You Will Master: —
+ Key ideas & main idea questions + Find the main idea in any passage
+ Supporting details & evidence + Distinguish fact from opinion
+ Author's purpose & tone + Identify why an author wrote a text
+ Text structure & organisation + Recognise compare/contrast, cause/effect
+ Inference & logical conclusions + Draw valid conclusions from evidence
+ Comparing & integrating texts + Use two passages together to answer questions
Reading is not about speed — it is about understanding what matters and why it is there.
Key Ideas & Details Craft & Structure Integration
~47% ~33% ~20%
Created by ALLcoyura Academy
,A.L.L.
coyura Academy
KEY IDEAS, DETAILS & READING STRATEGIES
Nearly half of TEAS Reading tests your ability to identify main ideas and supporting details.
MAIN IDEA — Finding It, Stating It, and Distinguishing It
What Is the Main Idea? Main Idea vs. Supporting Detail:
Concept Explanation Type How to Identify It
Definition The central point or argument the entire Main Idea A statement is the MAIN IDEA if: removing it
passage is built around. Everything else in the would make the whole passage collapse. It
passage supports it. controls everything else.
Where to find it Usually in the first or last sentence of a Supporting Detail A statement is a DETAIL if: it gives evidence,
paragraph. Sometimes implied — you must infer examples, facts, or elaboration FOR the main
it. idea.
Topic sentence The sentence that states the paragraph's main Too broad A statement that is vaguer than the actual
idea. Not all paragraphs have an explicit one. passage — it could describe many different
passages.
Thesis statement In longer texts: the sentence in the introduction
that states the overall argument of the whole Too narrow A statement that only describes one paragraph
passage. or one detail — not the whole passage.
Title clues Titles often signal the main idea — but never Implied main idea No single sentence states it. You must
rely on the title alone. synthesise across the whole passage.
TEAS trap The most common wrong answer is a detail that Step-by-step 1. Read the full passage. 2. Ask: what is the
IS true but is too specific — it supports, not author's ONE main point? 3. Check every
controls. paragraph — does it support your answer?
SUPPORTING DETAILS — Evidence, Facts & Examples
Types of Supporting Details: TEAS Question Strategies:
Detail Type What It Does Question Type Strategy
Facts & Statistics Objective, verifiable information used to 'According to the Go back and LOCATE the answer. Do not
prove or support the main claim. passage' rely on memory or prior knowledge.
Examples Specific instances or cases that illustrate the 'Which is NOT stated' Eliminate the three that ARE in the passage.
main idea. The one left is the answer.
Explanations Sentences that explain HOW or WHY Line/paragraph Re-read that section plus the sentences
something is true. references before and after it.
Quotations Expert or witness statements used as 'Best supports the Look for the detail most directly connected to
evidence. idea' the claim — not just loosely related.
Anecdotes Brief stories used to illustrate a point. 'The author mentions Ask: what point is X serving? What argument
X in order to' does it advance?
Descriptions Sensory or visual details that paint a picture.
Fact vs. opinion FACT: verifiable, objective. OPINION:
Definitions Explaining what a term means, usually to judgment, belief, or prediction — often
clarify the argument. contains 'should,' 'best,' 'believe.'
Created by ALLcoyura Academy Page 2
,A.L.L.
coyura Academy
CRAFT & STRUCTURE: PURPOSE, TONE & TEXT STRUCTURE
Author's purpose, tone, point of view, and text structure — the 'how' and 'why' of writing.
AUTHOR'S PURPOSE — Why the Author Wrote the Passage
The Three Main Purposes (PIE): Purpose Clue Words & Signal Phrases:
Purpose How to Recognise It Signal Type Clue Words & Phrases
Persuade (P) Convince the reader to agree with a position or Persuade clues 'should,' 'must,' 'clearly,' 'it is essential,' 'we must
take action. Contains opinions, arguments, act,' emotional appeals, one-sided evidence
emotional language, and one-sided evidence.
Inform clues 'research shows,' 'according to,' 'studies
Inform (I) Provide objective facts, explanations, or data indicate,' 'is defined as,' neutral and balanced
about a topic. Neutral tone, factual language, no language
stated opinion.
Entertain clues vivid descriptions, dialogue, narrative structure,
Entertain (E) Engage, amuse, or move the reader first person, humour, figurative language
emotionally. Uses narrative, humour, imagery,
and descriptive language. Mixed purpose Many texts do more than one — always choose
the PRIMARY purpose as the main answer.
Describe A sub-category of inform — paints a picture of a
person, place, or event using sensory detail. Question wording 'The primary purpose of this passage is to...' →
Look at the WHOLE passage, not one
Instruct Provides step-by-step directions. Numbered paragraph.
lists, imperative verbs, second person ('you
should').
TONE, POINT OF VIEW & TEXT STRUCTURE
Author's Tone: Text Structure Types:
Tone How to Recognise It Structure Signal Words & Recognition
Objective/Neutral Balanced, factual, unemotional — typical of Chronological Events or steps in time order. Signal
scientific or journalistic writing words: first, then, next, finally, before,
after.
Persuasive/Argumentative
One-sided, passionate, uses rhetorical
devices and emotional appeals Compare & Contrast Shows similarities and differences.
Signals: similarly, however, on the other
Critical Finds fault or evaluates negatively — 'the hand, unlike, both.
flawed approach,' 'misguided policy'
Cause & Effect Explains why something happened and
Optimistic/Positive Hopeful, encouraging language — 'promising what resulted. Signals: because, therefore,
results,' 'significant progress' as a result, consequently, led to.
Concerned/Cautionary Warns or expresses worry — 'alarming,' Problem & Solution Identifies a problem then presents one or
'urgent,' 'must address' more solutions. Signals: the issue is, one
solution, to address this.
Formal Academic, professional language — no
contractions, complex vocabulary Description Paints a picture using details; no clear
argument structure. Sensory details,
Informal/ConversationalCasual, approachable — may use
adjectives.
contractions, second person
Definition Explains what something IS, often with
Satirical Uses irony or exaggeration to criticise or
examples. Signals: is defined as, refers to,
mock a subject
means, for example.
Order of Importance Most to least (or least to most) significant
information. Signals: most importantly,
Created by ALLcoyura Academy primarily, above all. Page 3
Sequence Step-by-step instructions or processes.
Signals: step 1, first, second, following,
, A.L.L.
coyura Academy
INFERENCE, CONCLUSIONS & INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE
Inference and integration questions reward close, careful reading — never guessing.
INFERENCE — Drawing Valid Conclusions from the Text
What Is an Inference? Inference Question Strategies:
Concept Explanation Strategy How to Apply It
Definition A conclusion that is NOT directly stated but is Step 1: Read the Identify what you are being asked to infer — a
strongly implied by the text. It is the logical next question character's feeling? A future outcome? An
step from what is written. unstated reason?
Valid inference Supported by specific evidence in the passage. Step 2: Find the Re-read the relevant section. What does the text
You can point to the text that makes it true. evidence say? What does it imply?
Invalid inference Goes beyond what the text says. Requires Step 3: Eliminate Reject answers that say 'always,' 'never,' 'all,'
assumptions the author did not support. extremes 'none' — too absolute to be supported.
Logical The only reasonable conclusion given ALL the Step 4: Reject The correct answer must come from the
conclusion information provided — not just possible, but outside passage, not from what you know about the
probable. knowledge topic.
Implied meaning What a statement suggests without saying Step 5: Choose The correct inference MUST follow from the text
directly. Context and word choice reveal this. 'must be true' — not 'could be true' or 'might be true.'
Author's An unstated belief the author relies on to make Common trap A statement that is true in real life but is NOT
assumption their argument work. supported by the specific passage — always
wrong.
INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE — Using Two Sources Together
What Is Integration? Common Integration Question Types:
Concept Explanation Question Type Strategy
Definition Questions that require you to use BOTH 'Both passages suggest...' Find a claim that BOTH texts explicitly
passages (or a passage plus a visual/chart) to or implicitly support. Reject if only one
answer. supports it.
Compare sources How do Passage A and Passage B differ in their 'Unlike Passage 1, Find the contrast. Passage 1 does X;
approach to the same topic? Passage 2...' Passage 2 does the opposite.
Identify agreement On which point do both authors agree? Look for 'The author of Passage 2 Determine each author's stance, then
overlapping claims. would most likely respond predict how one would react to the
to Passage 1 by...' other's claim.
Identify Where do the two passages conflict? Find
disagreement contradictory statements. 'Which statement is Go through each choice and check it
supported by BOTH against BOTH passages — it must be
Evaluate evidence Which passage provides stronger or more passages?' in both.
convincing evidence for its claim?
'How does the graph Find what the graph shows, then find
Synthesise What conclusion can be drawn using BOTH support Passage 1?' where Passage 1 makes the same
information passages together that neither alone supports? point.
Strategy Read both passages separately first,
noting each author's main point. Then
answer integration questions.
Created by ALLcoyura Academy Page 4
Active Reading Strategy: STOP — Skim for structure → Track the main idea per paragraph → Observe signal words → Predict the answer before reading choices
