61 English & Language Practice Questions & Answers

1. 1. Which revision correctly fixes the comma splice in this sentence? "The patient's fever broke overnight, she was discharged the next morning."

   • A.The patient's fever broke overnight, then, she was discharged the next morning.
   • B.The patient's fever broke overnight; she was discharged the next morning.✓ Answer
   • C.The patient's fever broke overnight, however she was discharged the next morning.
   • D.The patient's fever broke overnight she was discharged the next morning.

   A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by a comma alone. A semicolon can join two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction, so it is a valid fix. "However" and "then" are conjunctive adverbs, not coordinating conjunctions, so they cannot repair the splice with a comma; removing the punctuation entirely creates a fused run-on sentence.

   Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.2 (punctuation) / E.1.3 (correct sentence structures) — comma splice and its four standard correctionsReport a problem with this question

2. 2. Which sentence uses "its" and "it's" correctly?

   • A.Its' important that the monitor stay in its charging dock.
   • B.It's important that the monitor stay in its charging dock.✓ Answer
   • C.It's important that the monitor stay in it's charging dock.
   • D.Its important that the monitor stay in it's charging dock.

   "It's" is a contraction of "it is" or "it has," while "its" is the possessive form. Possessive pronouns never take an apostrophe, so the dock belonging to the monitor is "its charging dock," and the opening "It is important" contracts to "It's." The form "its'" does not exist in standard English.

   Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.1 (spelling/commonly confused words) and E.1.2 (apostrophes: contractions vs. possessive pronouns)Report a problem with this question

3. 3. How is this sentence classified? "The nurse charted the vital signs and called the physician."

   • A.Compound-complex
   • B.Complex
   • C.Simple✓ Answer
   • D.Compound

   The sentence has one subject, "the nurse," and a compound predicate, "charted... and called...." A compound predicate does not create a second independent clause because the second verb has no separate subject, so the sentence remains simple. A compound sentence would require two full independent clauses, as in "The nurse charted the vital signs, and she called the physician."

   Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.3 — Use correct sentence structures (simple vs. compound; compound-predicate distinction)Report a problem with this question

4. 4. Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

   • A.The supplies we need are gloves, gauze, and tape.✓ Answer
   • B.We need the following supplies gloves, gauze, and tape.
   • C.The supplies we need are: gloves, gauze, and tape.
   • D.The supplies we need are; gloves, gauze, and tape.

   A colon may introduce a list only when the words before it form a complete independent clause, so a colon must never separate a linking verb from its complement, as in "are: gloves." Option A simply omits the colon and is correct. A semicolon cannot introduce a list at all, and option C needs a colon after the complete clause "We need the following supplies."

   Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.2 — colon must follow a complete independent clauseReport a problem with this question

5. 5. Choose the sentence in which the underlying meaning is "the charts belonging to several patients."

   • A.The patients's charts were updated before the shift change.
   • B.The patients charts were updated before the shift change.
   • C.The patient's charts were updated before the shift change.
   • D.The patients' charts were updated before the shift change.✓ Answer

   A regular plural noun already ending in -s forms the possessive by adding only an apostrophe, so "patients'" means more than one patient. "Patient's" is singular possessive (one patient), "patients" with no apostrophe is a plain plural and shows no possession, and "patients's" is not a standard form.

   Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.2 — apostrophes for possession (singular vs. plural possessive)Report a problem with this question

6. 6. Which sentence correctly completes the thought? "The instructor said the results ______ that the treatment ______ recovery time."

   • A.effect; affects
   • B.show; effects
   • C.affect; effects
   • D.show; affects✓ Answer

   "Affect" is normally the verb meaning to influence, and "effect" is normally the noun meaning a result. The second blank needs a verb meaning "influences," so "affects" is correct; "effects" as a verb would mean "brings about," which does not fit "recovery time" here. The first blank simply needs the verb "show."

   Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.1 — commonly confused words (affect vs. effect)Report a problem with this question

7. 7. Which sentence corrects the dangling modifier in "Walking down the corridor, the clipboard slipped from her hands"?

   • A.Walking down the corridor, she let the clipboard slip from her hands.✓ Answer
   • B.Walking down the corridor the clipboard slipped from her hands.
   • C.The clipboard, walking down the corridor, slipped from her hands.
   • D.Walking down the corridor; the clipboard slipped from her hands.

   An introductory participial phrase must modify the subject that follows it, and a clipboard cannot walk. Naming the actual doer, "she," as the subject attaches the phrase to a logical performer and removes the dangling modifier. Deleting or changing punctuation does not fix a dangling modifier, and moving the phrase next to "clipboard" makes the illogical link even clearer.

   Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.3 — dangling modifiers must have the sentence subject as their implied doerReport a problem with this question

8. 8. Which sentence uses the semicolon and conjunctive adverb correctly?

   • A.The wound was healing well, however, the swelling persisted.
   • B.The wound was healing well; however, the swelling persisted.✓ Answer
   • C.The wound was healing well however; the swelling persisted.
   • D.The wound was healing well; however the swelling persisted,

   When a conjunctive adverb such as "however" joins two independent clauses, a semicolon goes before it and a comma after it. A comma alone before "however" produces a comma splice, because "however" is an adverb and cannot join clauses the way a coordinating conjunction can. The other options misplace the required comma or the semicolon.

   Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.2 — semicolon before a conjunctive adverb joining two independent clauses, comma after itReport a problem with this question

9. 9. Which sentence contains a fragment rather than a complete sentence?

   • A.Because the clinic closed early on Friday.✓ Answer
   • B.Close the clinic early on Friday.
   • C.The clinic closed early on Friday.
   • D.The clinic, which closed early on Friday, reopened Monday.

   A dependent clause introduced by a subordinating conjunction such as "because" cannot stand alone, so option A is a fragment even though it has a subject and a verb. Option C is a complete imperative sentence with the understood subject "you," and option D is a complete sentence with a nonessential relative clause set off by commas.

   Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.3 — fragments: a subordinate clause cannot stand aloneReport a problem with this question

10. 10. Which sentence shows correct subject-verb agreement?

    • A.The box of sterile syringes is stored on the lower shelf.✓ Answer
    • B.The box of sterile syringes were stored on the lower shelf.
    • C.The box of sterile syringes are stored on the lower shelf.
    • D.The box of sterile syringes have been stored on the lower shelf.

    The verb agrees with the simple subject, "box," not with a noun inside the intervening prepositional phrase "of sterile syringes." Because "box" is singular, the singular verb "is" is required. The plural forms are, were, and have are pulled in by the nearby plural "syringes," which is not the subject.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.2.1 (grammar) — subject-verb agreement across an intervening prepositional phraseReport a problem with this question

11. 11. Which sentence uses the correct verb form?

    • A.The nurse should have saw the lab report before the rounds begun.
    • B.The nurse should have saw the lab report before the rounds began.
    • C.The nurse should have seen the lab report before the rounds began.✓ Answer
    • D.The nurse should of seen the lab report before the rounds began.

    After the helping verb "have," English requires the past participle, not the simple past, so "seen" is correct and "saw" is not. "Should of" is a misspelling of the spoken contraction "should've" and is never standard writing. In the time clause, the simple past "began" is correct because "begun" is a participle needing a helping verb.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.2.1 (grammar) — irregular verbs: past participle after have/has/hadReport a problem with this question

12. 12. Which sentence is capitalized correctly?

    • A.We met dr. Alvarez in the lobby, but the Doctor left before noon.
    • B.We met doctor Alvarez in the lobby, but the doctor left before noon.
    • C.We met Dr. Alvarez in the lobby, but the Doctor left before Noon.
    • D.We met Dr. Alvarez in the lobby, but the doctor left before noon.✓ Answer

    A title is capitalized when it appears directly before a person's name, as in "Dr. Alvarez," but it is lowercase when it stands alone as a common noun, as in "the doctor." Times of day such as "noon" are ordinary nouns and are not capitalized. Option D also fails because the title immediately precedes the name and must be capitalized.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.1 — capitalization of titles before vs. after a nameReport a problem with this question

13. 13. Which sentence maintains parallel structure?

    • A.Her duties include charting vitals, drawing blood, and teaching patients.✓ Answer
    • B.Her duties include charting vitals, blood is drawn, and teaching patients.
    • C.Her duties include charting vitals, drawing blood, and to teach patients.
    • D.Her duties include to chart vitals, drawing blood, and teaching patients.

    Items joined in a series must share the same grammatical form. Option A uses three -ing gerund phrases, so the list is parallel; the other options mix a gerund with an infinitive or with a full clause, which breaks parallelism.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.3 — parallel structure in seriesReport a problem with this question

14. 14. How is this sentence classified? "Although the ward was full, the charge nurse found a bed, and the patient was admitted."

    • A.Compound
    • B.Simple
    • C.Complex
    • D.Compound-complex✓ Answer

    The sentence contains one dependent clause, "Although the ward was full," plus two independent clauses joined by a comma and the coordinating conjunction "and." Two or more independent clauses together with at least one dependent clause make the sentence compound-complex.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.3 — the four sentence structuresReport a problem with this question

15. 15. Which sentence uses commas correctly?

    • A.My supervisor who trained in Chicago, reviewed the discharge plan.
    • B.My supervisor, who trained in Chicago, reviewed the discharge plan.✓ Answer
    • C.My supervisor, who trained in Chicago reviewed the discharge plan.
    • D.My supervisor, reviewed the discharge plan, that was written on Monday.

    A nonessential clause that merely adds extra information about an already identified noun must be set off with a pair of commas, one before and one after. Using only one comma leaves the interrupting element half enclosed. Option D also wrongly places a comma between the subject and its verb, which standard punctuation forbids.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.2 — commas with nonessential (nonrestrictive) elements; no comma between subject and verbReport a problem with this question

16. 16. Which sentence uses the correct pronoun case?

    • A.The instructor gave the schedule to Maria and I.
    • B.The instructor gave the schedule to Maria and me.✓ Answer
    • C.The instructor gave the schedule to Maria and myself.
    • D.Maria and me received the schedule from the instructor.

    The pronoun is the object of the preposition "to," so it must be in the objective case: "me." Dropping the other noun makes the rule audible, since "gave the schedule to I" is clearly wrong. "Myself" is a reflexive pronoun and needs an earlier matching subject, and option D wrongly uses the objective "me" as part of the sentence subject.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.2.1 (grammar) — pronoun case: objects of prepositions take the objective caseReport a problem with this question

17. 17. Which sentence spells the commonly confused words correctly?

    • A.Their bringing there notes over they're before the review session.
    • B.They're bringing their notes over there before the review session.✓ Answer
    • C.There bringing they're notes over their before the review session.
    • D.They're bringing there notes over their before the review session.

    "They're" is the contraction of "they are," "their" is the possessive adjective showing ownership of the notes, and "there" indicates place. Substituting "they are" into the sentence confirms only the first slot takes the contraction, while the notes belong to them and the location word must be "there."

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.1 — homophones: their / there / they'reReport a problem with this question

18. 18. Which sentence corrects the misplaced modifier in "The nurse handed the chart to the resident that was covered in coffee"?

    • A.The nurse handed the chart to the resident, that was covered in coffee.
    • B.The nurse handed the chart to the resident; that was covered in coffee.
    • C.Covered in coffee, the nurse handed the chart to the resident.
    • D.The nurse handed the chart that was covered in coffee to the resident.✓ Answer

    A modifying clause should sit immediately next to the word it describes; as written, "that was covered in coffee" appears to describe the resident. Moving the clause beside "chart" makes the intended meaning clear. Adding a comma or semicolon does not relocate the modifier, and option D makes the nurse the one covered in coffee.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.3 — misplaced modifiers must sit next to what they modifyReport a problem with this question

19. 19. Which sentence shows correct subject-verb agreement with an indefinite pronoun?

    • A.Everyone on the two night teams were required to attend.
    • B.Neither of the results were conclusive.
    • C.Everyone on the two night teams was required to attend.✓ Answer
    • D.Each of the students have completed the clinical hours.

    Indefinite pronouns such as everyone, each, either, and neither are grammatically singular and take singular verbs, regardless of any plural noun in a following prepositional phrase. "Everyone... was" is therefore correct, while "each... have" and "neither... were" incorrectly agree with the nearby plural nouns.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.2.1 (grammar) — singular indefinite pronouns take singular verbsReport a problem with this question

20. 20. Which sentence uses quotation marks and end punctuation correctly in U.S. style?

    • A.The physician said "The wound is healing well".
    • B.The physician said, "The wound is healing well."✓ Answer
    • C.The physician said, "The wound is healing well".
    • D.The physician said that, "the wound is healing well."

    In U.S. style a comma separates the signal phrase from the direct quotation, the first word of the quotation is capitalized, and the closing period goes inside the quotation mark. Options B and C place the period outside or drop the comma, and option D mixes an indirect "that" construction with quotation marks.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.2 — quotation marks with direct quotations; periods and commas inside closing quotation marks (U.S. style)Report a problem with this question

21. 21. Which sentence uses hyphens correctly?

    • A.A well known cardiologist examined the 62 year old patient.
    • B.A well-known cardiologist examined the 62-year-old patient.✓ Answer
    • C.A highly-rated cardiologist examined the 62-year old patient.
    • D.A well-known cardiologist examined the patient, who is 62-years-old.

    Compound adjectives are hyphenated when they come before the noun they modify, so "well-known cardiologist" and "62-year-old patient" both take hyphens. The same phrases are left open after the noun, which is why "62-years-old" in option C is wrong, and an -ly adverb such as "highly" is never hyphenated to the adjective that follows it.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.2 — hyphenation of compound adjectives before a noun; no hyphen after -ly adverbsReport a problem with this question

22. 22. Which sentence corrects the fused run-on "The alarm sounded the technician silenced it immediately"?

    • A.The alarm sounded: the technician, silenced it immediately.
    • B.When the alarm sounded, the technician silenced it immediately.✓ Answer
    • C.The alarm sounded, the technician silenced it immediately.
    • D.The alarm sounded the technician, silenced it immediately.

    A fused sentence runs two independent clauses together with no punctuation, and one standard fix is subordination. Adding "When" turns the first clause into a dependent clause set off by a comma, leaving exactly one independent clause. Option B only converts the run-on into a comma splice, and the other options separate the subject from its verb.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.3 — run-on (fused) sentences and the four standard correctionsReport a problem with this question

23. 23. In the sentence "The exhausted resident quickly reviewed the chart," which word is an adverb?

    • A.chart
    • B.exhausted
    • C.quickly✓ Answer
    • D.reviewed

    An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, and "quickly" tells how the reviewing was done, so it modifies the verb. "Exhausted" is a participle functioning as an adjective describing the resident, "reviewed" is the main verb, and "chart" is a noun serving as the direct object.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.2.1 (grammar) — the eight parts of speech and their functionsReport a problem with this question

24. 24. Which sentence corrects the unclear pronoun reference in "When Dana met Kayla, she had just finished her clinical rotation"?

    • A.When Dana met Kayla, Kayla had just finished her clinical rotation.✓ Answer
    • B.When Dana met Kayla, they had just finished her clinical rotation.
    • C.When Dana met Kayla, she had just finished their clinical rotation.
    • D.When Dana met Kayla, she had just finished her own clinical rotation.

    A pronoun must refer unmistakably to a single antecedent, and "she" could point to either Dana or Kayla. Replacing the ambiguous pronoun with the noun "Kayla" makes the reference definite. The other revisions add new pronouns without identifying who finished the rotation.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.2.1 (grammar) — pronoun reference must be clear and unambiguousReport a problem with this question

25. 25. Which sentence uses a comma correctly with a coordinating conjunction?

    • A.The lab sent the results early, so the team adjusted the treatment plan.✓ Answer
    • B.The lab sent the results early, the team adjusted the treatment plan.
    • C.The lab sent the results, and adjusted the treatment plan.
    • D.The lab sent the results early so, the team adjusted the treatment plan.

    A comma goes before a coordinating conjunction only when it joins two independent clauses, and each half of option A has its own subject and verb. Option B puts the comma after the conjunction, option C wrongly commas a compound predicate with a single subject, and option D is a comma splice with no conjunction at all.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.2 — comma before a coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses; no comma with a compound predicateReport a problem with this question

26. 26. Which sentence uses "than" and "then" correctly?

    • A.The second dose was smaller then the first, and then the symptoms eased.
    • B.The second dose was smaller than the first, and then the symptoms eased.✓ Answer
    • C.The second dose was smaller than the first, and than the symptoms eased.
    • D.The second dose was smaller then the first, and than the symptoms eased.

    "Than" is a conjunction used in comparisons, and it is required after the comparative adjective "smaller." "Then" is an adverb of time meaning "next," so it correctly introduces what happened afterward. Swapping the two produces a comparison with no comparative word and a time expression that compares nothing.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.1 — commonly confused words (than vs. then)Report a problem with this question

27. 27. Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

    • A.The conference drew attendees from; Austin, Texas, Reno, Nevada, and Erie, Pennsylvania.
    • B.The conference drew attendees from Austin, Texas; Reno, Nevada; and Erie, Pennsylvania.✓ Answer
    • C.Because the conference ran late; the closing session was canceled.
    • D.The conference drew attendees from Austin, Texas, Reno, Nevada, and Erie, Pennsylvania.

    When items in a series already contain internal commas, semicolons act as "super commas" to separate the items clearly. Option B leaves the reader unable to tell where each city-state pair ends. A semicolon can never introduce a list, as in option C, and it can never attach a dependent clause to an independent clause, as in option D.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.2 — semicolon as separator for series items containing internal commasReport a problem with this question

28. 28. Which sentence is spelled correctly?

    • A.The committee misspelled two unecessary items on the refered chart.
    • B.The committee mispelled two unecessary items on the refered chart.
    • C.The committee misspelled two unnecessary items on the referred chart.✓ Answer
    • D.The committee mispelled two unnecessary items on the referred chart.

    Adding a prefix never changes the spelling of the root, so mis + spell gives "misspell" and un + necessary gives "unnecessary," each with a doubled letter at the seam. "Refer" ends in a stressed consonant-vowel-consonant pattern, so the final r doubles before the vowel suffix -ed, producing "referred."

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.1 — prefix rule (root spelling unchanged) and final-consonant doubling before a vowel suffix in stressed syllablesReport a problem with this question

29. 29. Which sentence uses the correct plural form?

    • A.Two separate diagnoses were listed in the childrens' records.
    • B.Two separate diagnosises were listed in the childrens' records.
    • C.Two separate diagnoses were listed in the children's records.✓ Answer
    • D.Two separate diagnosis were listed in the childrens records.

    Nouns of Greek or Latin origin ending in -is form the plural by changing -is to -es, giving "diagnoses." "Children" is already an irregular plural that does not end in -s, so its possessive adds apostrophe plus s: "children's." Forms such as "childrens'" and "diagnosises" do not exist in standard English.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.1 — irregular and Latin/Greek plurals; E.1.2 — possessive of irregular pluralsReport a problem with this question

30. 30. Which sentence is punctuated correctly with an introductory element?

    • A.After the medication, was administered the patient rested comfortably.
    • B.After the medication was administered; the patient rested comfortably.
    • C.After the medication was administered, the patient rested comfortably.✓ Answer
    • D.After the medication was administered the patient rested comfortably.

    An introductory dependent clause is followed by a comma before the main clause begins. Option B omits that required comma, option C separates the subject from its verb inside the clause, and option D uses a semicolon, which can only join two independent clauses and never attaches a dependent clause.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.2 — comma after an introductory dependent clauseReport a problem with this question

31. 31. Which sentence uses "principal" and "principle" correctly?

    • A.The principle reason for the policy is a basic principal of patient safety.
    • B.The principal reason for the policy is a basic principle of patient safety.✓ Answer
    • C.The principle reason for the policy is a basic principle of patient safety.
    • D.The principal reason for the policy is a basic principal of patient safety.

    "Principal" works as an adjective meaning main or chief, so it modifies "reason," while "principle" is a noun meaning a rule or fundamental truth, which is what a safety standard is. A useful memory aid is that a principle is a rule, since both end in -le.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline E.1.1 — commonly confused words (principal vs. principle)Report a problem with this question

32. 32. A nurse is writing discharge instructions for a patient who has no medical training. Which sentence best meets the needs of that audience?

    • A.Walk with someone helping you, and call your doctor if you have trouble breathing.✓ Answer
    • B.Postoperative ambulation should be undertaken only with appropriate supervision.
    • C.Don't overdo it — you'll know when something feels off.
    • D.Ambulate with assistance and report any dyspnea to the provider.

    Language must be judged against the audience, not against how impressive it sounds. "Ambulate," "dyspnea," and "postoperative" are clinical terms a layperson may not know, so options A and D fail the audience test even though they are the most technical. Option C is too vague to act on. Option B keeps the same clinical instruction but uses everyday words, so the patient can actually follow it.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 Content Outline, English and Language Usage E.2.2 — evaluate if language meets the needs of an audience for a provided rhetorical context (plain-language principle for lay audiences)Report a problem with this question

33. 33. A hospital is publishing a printed patient-education pamphlet. The draft sentence reads: "You shouldn't skip the second dose, 'cause it won't work as well." Which revision is most appropriate for that document?

    • A.Omission of the second dose results in a diminution of pharmacologic efficacy.
    • B.You really shouldn't skip that second dose, okay?
    • C.Skipping the second dose reduces the medicine's effectiveness.✓ Answer
    • D.Don't skip that second dose — it won't work as well.

    A published pamphlet calls for a moderately formal register: no contractions, no clipped slang like "'cause," and no chatty tags like "okay?" Options A and B keep those informal markers. Option D is formal but its Latinate diction ("diminution of pharmacologic efficacy") is aimed at clinicians, not patients. Option C is the only choice that is both formal in register and readable by the intended audience.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.2.2 — formal vs. informal register markers (contractions, slang, colloquial tags) matched to audienceReport a problem with this question

34. 34. Which sentence would best fit a text whose purpose is to PERSUADE readers to get a flu vaccine?

    • A.Influenza is a viral illness that affects the respiratory system.
    • B.The influenza vaccine is produced annually and is given by injection.
    • C.An influenza pandemic once spread across the globe within months.
    • D.Getting your flu shot is the simplest step you can take to protect the people you love.✓ Answer

    Persuasive writing addresses the reader directly and appeals to values or benefits in order to move the reader to act. Options A, B, and C are expository: they report neutral facts and could appear in any encyclopedia entry. Only option D uses second person ("your") and a value appeal ("the people you love") to urge an action, which is the mark of persuasive purpose.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.2.2 — identifying author's purpose (inform, persuade, entertain, express) and matching diction to itReport a problem with this question

35. 35. Which revision of this sentence is the most concise without changing its meaning? "Due to the fact that the patient was experiencing feelings of nausea, the nurse made the decision to postpone the meal."

    • A.Because the patient was nauseated, the nurse postponed the meal.✓ Answer
    • B.The patient had feelings of nausea, so the nurse decided to make a postponement of the meal.
    • C.Due to the fact of nausea, the meal was postponed by the nurse.
    • D.The nurse postponed the meal, the reason being that the patient was experiencing nausea.

    Concise writing replaces padded phrases with single words: "due to the fact that" becomes "because," "was experiencing feelings of nausea" becomes "was nauseated," and the nominalization "made the decision to postpone" becomes the plain verb "postponed." Option A applies all three cuts and keeps the cause-and-effect meaning; the other options retain at least one wordy construction or a weak passive.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.2.1 — using grammar to enhance clarity; standard concision rule ("omit needless words"; replace nominalizations with verbs)Report a problem with this question

36. 36. Which sentence is free of redundancy?

    • A.Please repeat the instructions again for the patient.
    • B.The final outcome was an unexpected surprise to the staff.
    • C.The nurse repeated the instructions for the patient.✓ Answer
    • D.The two twins arrived at 3 a.m. in the morning.

    Redundancy means a word repeats meaning already carried by another word. "Twins" already means two, "3 a.m." already means morning, "repeat" already means again, and a "surprise" is by definition unexpected while an "outcome" is by definition final. Option D says each idea once, so nothing can be deleted without losing information.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.2.1 — eliminating wordiness and redundancy for clarityReport a problem with this question

37. 37. Which sentence expresses the action most clearly and directly?

    • A.The wound dressing was in the process of being changed.
    • B.A dressing change was performed on the wound by the nurse.
    • C.The nurse changed the wound dressing.✓ Answer
    • D.It was the nurse by whom the dressing was changed.

    In the active voice the subject performs the action, so the reader learns who did what in the fewest words. Options A, B, and D are passive or wordy: they bury the actor at the end, or drop the actor entirely, and they convert the strong verb "changed" into the noun phrase "a dressing change" or the padded "in the process of being changed." Option C names the actor, the action, and the object directly.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.2.1 — prefer the active voice for clarity and concisionReport a problem with this question

38. 38. Which sentence most clearly states that the nurse checked ALMOST ALL of the charts?

    • A.The nurse nearly checked every chart.
    • B.Nearly, the nurse checked every chart.
    • C.The nurse checked nearly every chart.✓ Answer
    • D.The nurse checked every chart nearly.

    A limiting modifier such as "nearly," "only," or "almost" attaches to whatever immediately follows it, so its position changes the meaning. In option A, "nearly" sits before the verb and says the checking almost happened at all. Options B and C are misplaced and unidiomatic. Only option D puts "nearly" directly before "every chart," limiting the quantity rather than the action.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.2.1 — placement of limiting/misplaced modifiers (a modifier belongs next to the word it modifies)Report a problem with this question

39. 39. Which sentence gives the most precise information?

    • A.The patient's temperature was kind of high this morning.
    • B.The patient's temperature was 102.4°F at 08:00.✓ Answer
    • C.The patient seemed warm to the touch and stuff.
    • D.The patient had a bad fever thing going on.

    Precise writing replaces vague qualifiers with specific, verifiable detail. "Kind of high," "a bad fever thing," and "and stuff" are general and cannot be measured or acted on, and two readers could interpret them differently. Option C names an exact value and time, so the information means the same thing to every reader.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.2.1 — precise word choice; avoid vague or overly general wordingReport a problem with this question

40. 40. Which word most precisely completes the sentence? "The nurse ______ the medication into the IV line slowly over two minutes."

    • A.administered✓ Answer
    • B.did
    • C.got
    • D.put

    Precise diction chooses the verb that names the exact action rather than a catch-all. "Did," "put," and "got" are general-purpose verbs that could describe almost any action and leave the reader guessing. "Administered" specifically means to give a medication or treatment, so it carries the exact professional meaning the sentence requires.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.2.1 — precise word choice (select the specific verb over a general-purpose verb)Report a problem with this question

41. 41. Which revision makes this sentence clearest? "When Maria met with Dr. Chen, she reviewed her lab results."

    • A.She reviewed her lab results when Maria met with Dr. Chen.
    • B.Maria met with Dr. Chen, and she went over the results of hers.
    • C.When Maria met with Dr. Chen, the doctor reviewed Maria's lab results.✓ Answer
    • D.When Maria met with Dr. Chen, she reviewed her lab results with her.

    A pronoun must point to one unmistakable antecedent. In the original, "she" and "her" could each refer to Maria or to Dr. Chen, so the reader cannot tell who reviewed whose results. Option B removes the ambiguity by naming the actor and the owner of the results; options A, C, and D keep or even multiply the unclear pronouns.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.2.1 — ambiguous/vague pronoun reference must be revised for clarityReport a problem with this question

42. 42. A nurse wants a sympathetic tone. Which ending best completes the sentence? "Your recovery will take time, and ______"

    • A.we will support you at every step.✓ Answer
    • B.you will simply have to deal with it.
    • C.the timeline is what it is.
    • D.full compliance is expected.

    Tone is the attitude the writer's word choice conveys toward the reader. "Deal with it" and "is what it is" sound dismissive, and "full compliance is expected" is a cold directive that treats the patient as a rule-follower. "We will support you at every step" uses inclusive, reassuring diction, which is what produces a sympathetic tone.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.2.2 — tone and its effect on the reader; matching diction and connotation to intended toneReport a problem with this question

43. 43. Read the sentence: "Sure, another twelve-hour shift — exactly what I was hoping for." What is the tone of this sentence?

    • A.Formal and academic
    • B.Sarcastic✓ Answer
    • C.Objective and neutral
    • D.Sincere and grateful

    Sarcasm occurs when the literal words state the opposite of the intended meaning, and context signals the reversal. Almost no one hopes for an extra twelve-hour shift, so "exactly what I was hoping for" cannot be sincere; the resigned "Sure" and the dash reinforce the mock-enthusiasm. The tone is therefore sarcastic, not grateful, neutral, or formal.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.2.2 — identifying tone (objective, sympathetic, urgent, sarcastic, optimistic) from diction and contextReport a problem with this question

44. 44. Which transition best completes the passage? "The medication reduced the patient's pain within an hour. ______, it caused mild drowsiness that lasted all afternoon."

    • A.Therefore
    • B.In summary
    • C.However✓ Answer
    • D.For example

    Transitions must match the logical relationship between the two ideas. The first sentence reports a benefit and the second reports a drawback, which is a contrast, and "however" is a contrast transition. "Therefore" signals cause and effect, "for example" signals illustration, and "in summary" signals a closing recap — none of which describes the benefit-versus-drawback relationship here.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.2.3 — transition words grouped by function (addition, contrast, cause/effect, sequence, example, conclusion)Report a problem with this question

45. 45. A paragraph will contain these details: hand hygiene before patient contact, correct use of gloves, disinfection of shared surfaces, and safe disposal of sharps. Which sentence is the best topic sentence?

    • A.Several simple practices help prevent the spread of infection in a clinic.✓ Answer
    • B.Sharps must be placed in a puncture-resistant container.
    • C.Infection can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
    • D.Gloves are available in several sizes and materials.

    A topic sentence states the single main idea that every supporting detail illustrates; it must be broader than any one detail but not wander off topic. Options B and C are themselves supporting details, so they are too narrow to cover the others. Option D introduces causes of infection, which none of the details discuss. Option A names the umbrella idea — preventive practices — under which all four details fit.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.2.3 — develop a well-organized paragraph (topic sentence states the main idea; supporting sentences develop it)Report a problem with this question

46. 46. Which sentence should be removed to keep the paragraph unified? "(1) Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health. (2) Walking thirty minutes a day can lower a person's resting heart rate. (3) My cousin bought new running shoes last week. (4) Even moderate activity reduces blood pressure over time."

    • A.Sentence 4
    • B.Sentence 2
    • C.Sentence 1
    • D.Sentence 3✓ Answer

    A unified paragraph contains only sentences that support its topic sentence. Sentence 1 states the main idea (exercise improves cardiovascular health), and sentences 2 and 4 give physiological evidence for it. Sentence 3 reports a personal anecdote about buying shoes, which offers no support for the health claim, so it breaks unity and should be cut.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.2.3 — paragraph unity and coherence (every supporting sentence must develop the main idea)Report a problem with this question

47. 47. Which order arranges these sentences into the most logical paragraph? W. Finally, apply a sterile dressing. X. First, wash your hands thoroughly. Y. Then clean the wound with saline. Z. Next, pat the area dry with sterile gauze.

    • A.X, Y, Z, W✓ Answer
    • B.X, Z, Y, W
    • C.Y, X, Z, W
    • D.W, X, Y, Z

    Sequence transitions signal the order themselves: "First" opens the process, "Then" and "Next" continue it, and "Finally" closes it. Content confirms the same chronological pattern — hands are washed before touching a wound, the wound is cleaned before it can be dried, and it must be dry before a dressing will adhere. That gives X, Y, Z, W.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.2.3 — organizing a paragraph (chronological/sequence pattern; ordered-response item format)Report a problem with this question

48. 48. Based on its word parts, what does the term "bradycardia" mean?

    • A.An abnormally rapid heart rate
    • B.An enlarged heart
    • C.An abnormally slow heart rate✓ Answer
    • D.Inflammation of the heart

    The prefix brady- comes from Greek bradys, meaning "slow," and the root cardi- comes from kardia, meaning "heart," so bradycardia is literally a slow heart condition. The prefix that means "fast" is tachy- (tachycardia), enlargement is -megaly (cardiomegaly), and inflammation is -itis (carditis), which rules out the other three options.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.3.2 — determine meaning by analyzing word parts; Greek brady- (slow) + cardi- (heart)Report a problem with this question

49. 49. In the word "dermatitis," what does the suffix -itis indicate?

    • A.Pain
    • B.The study of
    • C.Surgical removal
    • D.Inflammation✓ Answer

    In medical terminology the suffix -itis consistently names an inflammation of the structure identified by the root, so dermat- (skin) plus -itis is inflammation of the skin. Surgical removal is -ectomy (appendectomy), the study of something is -ology (dermatology), and pain is -algia (neuralgia).

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.3.2 — suffix meanings in Greek/Latin medical terminology (-itis = inflammation)Report a problem with this question

50. 50. A patient's blood sugar is BELOW the normal range. Which term uses the prefix that means "below" or "deficient"?

    • A.hypoglycemia✓ Answer
    • B.hyperglycemia
    • C.interglycemia
    • D.antiglycemia

    The prefix hypo- means "under, below, or deficient," while its look-alike hyper- means "above or excessive," so hypoglycemia is low blood sugar and hyperglycemia is high blood sugar. Anti- means "against" and inter- means "between," neither of which describes a level that is too low.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.3.2 — prefix contrast hypo- (below/deficient) vs. hyper- (above/excessive)Report a problem with this question

51. 51. Based on its word parts, an "intramuscular" injection is given where?

    • A.Underneath the muscle
    • B.Between two muscles
    • C.Across the muscle surface
    • D.Within a muscle✓ Answer

    The Latin prefix intra- means "within," so intramuscular means inside the muscle tissue itself. It is easily confused with inter-, which means "between" (intercostal = between the ribs); sub- means "under" (subcutaneous = under the skin) and trans- means "across" (transdermal), so those prefixes would produce different injection sites.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.3.2 — prefix contrast intra- (within) vs. inter- (between), sub- (under), trans- (across)Report a problem with this question

52. 52. A chart note contains the unfamiliar word "hepatomegaly." Using word parts, what does it most likely mean?

    • A.Enlargement of the liver✓ Answer
    • B.Inflammation of the liver
    • C.The study of the liver
    • D.Surgical removal of the liver

    The root hepat- means "liver" and the suffix -megaly means "enlargement," so hepatomegaly is an enlarged liver. Each distractor corresponds to a different suffix attached to the same root: -ectomy gives hepatectomy (removal), -itis gives hepatitis (inflammation), and -ology gives hepatology (the study of), which is why decoding the suffix, not just the root, is what fixes the meaning.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.3.2 — decoding an unfamiliar term from root hepat- (liver) + suffix -megaly (enlargement)Report a problem with this question

53. 53. In the word "transdermal," which word part means "across" or "through"?

    • A.-al
    • B.derm
    • C.the whole word, which cannot be divided
    • D.trans-✓ Answer

    A prefix is an affix attached to the front of a root, and trans- is the Latin prefix meaning "across" or "through." In this word the root derm means "skin" and the derivational suffix -al turns the term into an adjective, so a transdermal patch delivers medication through the skin.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 E.3.2 — identify prefix, root, and suffix within a word (trans- = across/through)Report a problem with this question

54. 54. Read the sentence: "Unlike her gregarious roommate, Dana avoided parties and preferred to read alone." Based on context, what does "gregarious" mean?

    • A.Quiet and withdrawn
    • B.Sociable and outgoing✓ Answer
    • C.Careless and disorganized
    • D.Generous with money

    The signal word "unlike" sets up an antonym (contrast) clue: whatever the roommate is, Dana is the opposite. Because Dana avoids parties and prefers solitude, the roommate must enjoy company, so "gregarious" means sociable. Choosing "quiet and withdrawn" is the classic error of matching the described person instead of reversing the contrast.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 vocabulary acquisition / context clues — antonym (contrast) clue signaled by unlike, but, however, althoughReport a problem with this question

55. 55. Read the sentence: "The technician was meticulous about labeling specimens: she verified each patient's name, the date, and the collection time before sealing every tube." What does "meticulous" mean here?

    • A.Extremely careful about details✓ Answer
    • B.Impatient and rushed
    • C.Forgetful and unreliable
    • D.Unusually fast

    The colon introduces examples that define the word: verifying the name, the date, and the time on every tube is behavior of someone who attends closely to small details. This is an example/explanation context clue, and the listed behaviors contradict "rushed," "forgetful," and "fast," leaving "extremely careful about details" as the only supported meaning.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 vocabulary acquisition / context clues — example and explanation cluesReport a problem with this question

56. 56. Read the sentence: "The patient reported malaise, a general feeling of discomfort and fatigue, for three days before the visit." Which type of context clue helps a reader determine the meaning of "malaise"?

    • A.An example clue
    • B.A definition (restatement) clue✓ Answer
    • C.An antonym (contrast) clue
    • D.No clue is present; the reader must guess

    The phrase set off by commas immediately after the word restates its meaning outright, which is the definition or restatement clue; such clues are typically signaled by commas, dashes, parentheses, or the word "or." There is no contrast signal such as "unlike" or "but," and no list of instances, so this is not an antonym or example clue.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 vocabulary acquisition / context clues — definition-restatement clue (set off by commas, dashes, parentheses, or "or")Report a problem with this question

57. 57. What does the word "chart" mean in this sentence? "The nurse will chart the patient's vital signs before the end of the shift."

    • A.A ranked list of popular songs
    • B.A printed table of numbers
    • C.A map used for navigation
    • D.To record information in a patient's medical record✓ Answer

    "Chart" is a multiple-meaning (polysemous) word, and its part of speech in the sentence settles the question: it follows the auxiliary "will" and takes the object "vital signs," so it functions as a verb, not a noun. The three noun senses — a table, a navigational map, a music ranking — cannot fill a verb slot, leaving the clinical verb sense "to record in the medical record."

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 vocabulary acquisition — determining which sense of a multiple-meaning word applies, using part of speech and contextReport a problem with this question

58. 58. All four words describe anger. Which one expresses the GREATEST degree of anger?

    • A.displeased
    • B.irritated
    • C.annoyed
    • D.furious✓ Answer

    Near-synonyms differ in intensity, an aspect of meaning called shades of meaning or gradation. "Annoyed," "displeased," and "irritated" all describe mild, controlled displeasure, whereas "furious" names rage that is intense and difficult to contain. Choosing among synonyms therefore requires matching the strength of the word to the strength of the feeling.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 vocabulary acquisition — synonyms, antonyms, and shades of meaning (intensity gradation)Report a problem with this question

59. 59. A writer wants to describe someone who spends money carefully in a way that sounds COMPLIMENTARY. Which word has the most positive connotation?

    • A.stingy
    • B.miserly
    • C.thrifty✓ Answer
    • D.cheap

    All four words share roughly the same denotation — spending little money — but they carry different connotations, the emotional associations attached to a word. "Stingy," "cheap," and "miserly" imply selfishness or an unwillingness to give, so they insult the person described. "Thrifty" implies wise management of resources, which is the positive framing the writer wants.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 vocabulary acquisition — connotation vs. denotation in word selectionReport a problem with this question

60. 60. The words "slender" and "scrawny" both describe a thin person. Which statement best explains the difference between them?

    • A."Slender" is a denotation and "scrawny" is a connotation.
    • B.They share a similar denotation, but "scrawny" carries a negative connotation.✓ Answer
    • C.They have different denotations but identical connotations.
    • D.Neither word carries a connotation, because both are adjectives.

    Denotation is a word's literal dictionary meaning, while connotation is the emotional association it adds. Both words denote thinness, but "slender" suggests graceful thinness and "scrawny" suggests unhealthy, bony thinness, so only the connotations differ. Option C confuses the two terms by treating them as labels for individual words rather than as two layers of meaning every word can have.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 vocabulary acquisition — denotation (literal meaning) vs. connotation (associative meaning)Report a problem with this question

61. 61. Use this dictionary entry: resolve (ri-ZOLV) v. 1. to find a solution to 2. to decide firmly on a course of action 3. to separate into component parts n. 4. firm determination. Which numbered sense applies in the sentence "After a long discussion, the team was able to resolve the scheduling conflict"?

    • A.Sense 4
    • B.Sense 2
    • C.Sense 1✓ Answer
    • D.Sense 3

    Choosing a numbered sense requires matching both the part of speech and the context. In the sentence "resolve" follows "able to" and takes the object "conflict," so it is a verb, which eliminates sense 4 (a noun). A conflict is something that gets settled rather than decided upon or physically separated, so sense 1, "to find a solution to," is the sense in use.

    Source: ATI TEAS 7 vocabulary acquisition — using a dictionary entry (pronunciation, part of speech, numbered senses) to select the sense that fits contextReport a problem with this question

Practice questions based on the ATI TEAS test outline. Not affiliated with ATI. The English & Language section is practiced in English. About the TEAS (ATI) →