English and Language Usage TEAS

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is "D: although." This transition word is appropriate because it introduces a contrast or contradiction between the excitement for the picnic and the concern about rain. "Although" indicates that the two statements are opposing each other. A: "after all" implies a conclusion or justification, not a contrast. B: "likewise" suggests similarity or agreement, not a contradiction. C: "in other words" is used to clarify or rephrase, not to introduce a contrast. In summary, "although" is the best choice as it effectively sets up the contrasting ideas in the sentence.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: The homophone 'peaked' should be 'peeked.' In the original sentence, "peeked" is the correct past tense form of "peek," meaning to look quickly or furtively. "Peaked" means to reach the highest point, which does not make sense in the context of the sentence. The other choices (A, C, D) involve homophones that do not fit the context or change the meaning of the sentence.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Cacti. This is because "cactus" is a Latin word that follows the pluralization rule of changing "-us" to "-i." The singular form is "cactus," and the plural form is "cacti." The other choices, A: Tomatoes, B: Analysis, and D: Criterion, do not follow the same pluralization rule. Tomatoes is the plural form of tomato, Analysis follows the rule of adding "-es" to form its plural "Analyses," and Criterion becomes Criteria in its plural form.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it uses commas to separate items in a series: milk, bread, and eggs. Commas in a series are used to clarify the individual items being listed. Choice B incorrectly uses a comma before "and," disrupting the series. Choice C incorrectly places a comma before "and," breaking the series. Choice D incorrectly uses commas before "and" inconsistently, causing confusion in the series. Overall, choice A is correct because it maintains consistent comma usage to separate items in the series effectively.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, "John threw the ball," because it follows the active voice structure where the subject performs the action. In this sentence, "John" is the subject performing the action of throwing the ball. B, C, and D are written in the passive voice where the subject receives the action rather than performing it. In B, the subject is "The ball," making it the focus of the sentence. In C, the past perfect tense "had been thrown" indicates the action already took place before a certain time in the past. In D, the present tense "is thrown" also indicates a passive construction.