Test of Essential Academic Skills - Reading Comprehension

Here you have the best Test Prep TEAS Section 1 Reading Comprehension practice exam questions

  • You have 100 total questions across 20 pages (5 per page)
  • These questions were last updated on March 24, 2026
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Question 1 of 100

When Rob became interested in electricity, his clear-headed father considered the boys fancy to be instructive as well as amusing; so he heartily encouraged his son, and Rob never lacked batteries, motors, or supplies of any sort that his experiments might require.

He fitted up the little back room in the attic as his workshop, and from thence, a network of wires soon ran throughout the house. Not only had every outside door its electric bell, but every window was fitted with a burglar alarm; moreover, no one could cross the threshold of any interior room without registering the fact in

Robs work- shop. The gas was lighted by an electric fob; a chime, connected with an erratic clock in the boys room, woke the servants at all hours of the night and caused the cook to give warning; a bell rang whenever the postman dropped a letter into the box; there were bells, bells, bells everywhere, ringing at the right time, the wrong time and all the time. And there were telephones in the different rooms, too, through which Rob could call up the different members of the family just when they did not wish to be disturbed.

His mother and sisters soon came to vote the boys scientific craze a nuisance; but his father was delighted with these evidences of Robs skill as an electrician and insisted that he be allowed perfect freedom in carrying out his ideas.

Which is the best selection describing the social commentary inferred in the passage?

Answer

Suggested Answer

The suggested answer is A.

Although Choice B looks accurate, there is nothing to be inferred as this is what the reader sees directly from the passage. Choice A qualifies as the best selection as it is only inferred that father knows best.
Question 2 of 100

When Rob became interested in electricity, his clear-headed father considered the boys fancy to be instructive as well as amusing; so he heartily encouraged his son, and Rob never lacked batteries, motors, or supplies of any sort that his experiments might require.

He fitted up the little back room in the attic as his workshop, and from thence, a network of wires soon ran throughout the house. Not only had every outside door its electric bell, but every window was fitted with a burglar alarm; moreover, no one could cross the threshold of any interior room without registering the fact in

Robs work- shop. The gas was lighted by an electric fob; a chime, connected with an erratic clock in the boys room, woke the servants at all hours of the night and caused the cook to give warning; a bell rang whenever the postman dropped a letter into the box; there were bells, bells, bells everywhere, ringing at the right time, the wrong time and all the time. And there were telephones in the different rooms, too, through which Rob could call up the different members of the family just when they did not wish to be disturbed.

His mother and sisters soon came to vote the boys scientific craze a nuisance; but his father was delighted with these evidences of Robs skill as an electrician and insisted that he be allowed perfect freedom in carrying out his ideas.

The authors purpose for the second paragraph is:

Answer

Suggested Answer

The suggested answer is D.

The author uses this paragraph to fully demonstrate the latitude given to Rob but as importantly, the control, as head of household, father has on the house.
Question 3 of 100

When Rob became interested in electricity, his clear-headed father considered the boys fancy to be instructive as well as amusing; so he heartily encouraged his son, and Rob never lacked batteries, motors, or supplies of any sort that his experiments might require.

He fitted up the little back room in the attic as his workshop, and from thence, a network of wires soon ran throughout the house. Not only had every outside door its electric bell, but every window was fitted with a burglar alarm; moreover, no one could cross the threshold of any interior room without registering the fact inRobs work- shop. The gas was lighted by an electric fob; a chime, connected with an erratic clock in the boys room, woke the servants at all hours of the night and caused the cook to give warning; a bell rang whenever the postman dropped a letter into the box; there were bells, bells, bells everywhere, ringing at the right time, the wrong time and all the time. And there were telephones in the different rooms, too, through which Rob could call up the different members of the family just when they did not wish to be disturbed.

His mother and sisters soon came to vote the boys scientific craze a nuisance; but his father was delighted with these evidences of Robs skill as an electrician and insisted that he be allowed perfect freedom in carrying out his ideas.

Paragraph three performs which of the following functions?

Answer

Suggested Answer

The suggested answer is D.

Notwithstanding Robs mother and sisters feel that the experiments are a nuisance, father still holds firm in his decision to allow things to continue, reinforcing the control father has over the entire house.
Question 4 of 100

In conclusion, it seized first the corpse of the daughter, and thrust it up the chimney, as it was found; then that of the old lady, which it immediately hurled through the window headlong.

As the ape approached the casement with its mutilated burden, the sailor shrank aghast to the rod, and, rather gliding than clambering down it, hurried at once homedreading the consequences of the butchery, and gladly abandoning, in his terror, all solicitude about the fate of the Ourang-Outang. The words heard by the party upon the staircase were the Frenchmans exclamations of horror and affright, commingled with the fiendish jabberings of the brute.

I have scarcely anything to add. The Ourang-Outang must have escaped from the chamber, by the rod, just before the break of the door. It must have closed the window as it passed through it. It was subsequently caught by the owner himself, who obtained for it a very large sum at the Jardin des Plantes. Le Don was instantly released, upon our narration of the circumstances (with some comments from Dupin) at the bureau of the Prefect of Police. This functionary, however well disposed to my friend, could not altogether conceal his chagrin at the turn which affairs had taken, and was fain to indulge in a sarcasm or two, about the propriety of every person minding his own business.

The word "solicitude" in 1st paragraph most nearly means

Answer

Suggested Answer

The suggested answer is C.

The sailor, having seen the murderous scene, lost all concern for the well-being of his animal.
Question 5 of 100

In conclusion, it seized first the corpse of the daughter, and thrust it up the chimney, as it was found; then that of the old lady, which it immediately hurled through the window headlong.

As the ape approached the casement with its mutilated burden, the sailor shrank aghast to the rod, and, rather gliding than clambering down it, hurried at once homedreading the consequences of the butchery, and gladly abandoning, in his terror, all solicitude about the fate of the Ourang-Outang. The words heard by the party upon the staircase were the Frenchmans exclamations of horror and affright, commingled with the fiendish jabberings of the brute.

I have scarcely anything to add. The Ourang-Outang must have escaped from the chamber, by the rod, just before the break of the door. It must have closed the window as it passed through it. It was subsequently caught by the owner himself, who obtained for it a very large sum at the Jardin des Plantes. Le Don was instantly released, upon our narration of the circumstances (with some comments from Dupin) at the bureau of the Prefect of Police. This functionary, however well disposed to my friend, could not altogether conceal his chagrin at the turn which affairs had taken, and was fain to indulge in a sarcasm or two, about the propriety of every person minding his own business.

The word "brute" at the end of 1st paragraph

Answer

Suggested Answer

The suggested answer is C.

The word "brute" refers back to the animal whose animal noises or "fiendish jabberings" were heard from the chamber.

About the Test Prep TEAS Section 1 Reading Comprehension Certification Exam

About the Exam

The Test Prep TEAS Section 1 Reading Comprehension (Test of Essential Academic Skills - Reading Comprehension) validates your knowledge and skills. Passing demonstrates proficiency and can boost your career prospects in the field.

How to Prepare

Work through all 100 practice questions across 20 pages. Focus on understanding the reasoning behind each answer rather than memorizing responses to be ready for any variation on the real exam.

Why Practice Exams?

Practice exams help you familiarize yourself with the question format, manage your time, and reduce anxiety on the test day. Our TEAS Section 1 Reading Comprehension questions are regularly updated to reflect the latest exam objectives.