TEAS Reading Practice Test

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because humor allows Wilde to critique the aristocracy in a subtle and indirect manner, avoiding direct confrontation. By using wit and satire, Wilde can highlight the absurdity of the aristocratic class without alienating the audience. This approach makes the critique more accessible and engaging for readers, allowing them to reflect on societal issues without feeling attacked. Explanation for other choices: A: Incorrect. Humor in Wilde's work does not aim to soften the critique, but rather to enhance it. B: Incorrect. While humor is used to make the critique more engaging, it is not meant to be overly pointed or direct. D: Incorrect. While Wilde does entertain the audience with humor, the primary purpose is to critique the aristocracy, not just entertain.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because Lady Bracknell's interrogation focuses on Jack's social standing, wealth, and suitability as a husband for her daughter, Gwendolen. This highlights the society's emphasis on social status and financial considerations in marriage rather than love or personal choice. Lady Bracknell dismisses Jack as a potential suitor for Gwendolen due to his unknown parentage and lack of wealth, emphasizing the societal norms of prioritizing social standing over love in marriage. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not align with the evidence presented in Lady Bracknell's interrogation and the societal critique presented by Wilde in the play. Love and personal choice are not the primary considerations in Lady Bracknell's view of marriage, and the interrogation depicts marriage as a transactional arrangement based on social status and wealth.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because Wilde portrays marriage in "The Importance of Being Earnest" as a social contract designed for economic and social gain. Throughout the play, characters like Lady Bracknell emphasize the importance of marrying for status and wealth rather than love. Wilde satirizes the societal norms that prioritize material gain over genuine emotions. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because Wilde does not idealize marriage as a romantic union, nor does he view it as trivial or necessary evil. Marriage is depicted as a transactional arrangement in the play, highlighting the materialistic and superficial nature of relationships in Victorian society.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: To constantly visit. In the context of the passage, "haunt" means to frequently visit or linger around a place. Mr. Utterson is described as haunting the door, suggesting that he is often seen there. Levitating (A) and terrorizing (C) are not related to the context of the passage. Daunting (D) means to intimidate or discourage, which is not the same as constantly visiting a place as indicated in the passage.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because even without Franz Ferdinand's assassination, the tensions and alliances among world powers at that time made a war highly probable. This choice logically completes the passage by acknowledging the underlying causes of World War I. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they oversimplify the complex factors that led to the war, such as militarism, imperialism, and nationalism. Choice B disregards the geopolitical climate, while choices C and D incorrectly assign blame to specific countries without considering the broader context of alliances and rivalries.