ATI TEAS key terms

The central point a passage conveys about its topic, usually stated in a topic sentence or implied through details. Recognizing it helps you answer questions about what a text is mostly about.

A specific fact, example, statistic, or reason that explains, illustrates, or proves the main idea. Details answer who, what, when, where, why, and how questions about the topic.

A conclusion you draw by combining information stated in a text with your own background knowledge. It is not stated directly, so it must be supported by textual evidence.

The reason a writer creates a text, commonly to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain. Purpose shapes word choice, tone, and how much evidence the writer provides.

The attitude a writer expresses toward the subject or audience, revealed through word choice and details. Tone may be humorous, serious, critical, or neutral, and it differs from the reader's mood.

Words, phrases, or punctuation near an unfamiliar term that hint at its meaning. Types include definitions, examples, synonyms, antonyms, and the general sense of the sentence.

To restate the most important points of a text briefly and in your own words, leaving out minor details and personal opinion. A good summary reflects the original's proportions and meaning.

A preference or slant that unfairly favors one side of an issue. In reading, bias appears through loaded words, omitted viewpoints, and emotionally charged examples.

The organizational pattern a writer uses, such as chronological order, compare and contrast, cause and effect, problem and solution, or description. Structure signals how ideas relate to one another.

A comparison of two quantities by division, often written as a to b, a:b, or a/b. Ratios describe relative size, such as 3 cups of flour to 2 cups of sugar.

An equation stating that two ratios are equal. Proportions are solved by cross-multiplying, and they are used for scaling recipes, maps, and medication doses.

A rate in which the second quantity is one unit, such as miles per hour or cost per ounce. Unit rates make it easy to compare prices or speeds.

A ratio out of 100, meaning per hundred. Percentages express parts of a whole and are converted to decimals by dividing by 100.

The arithmetic average, found by adding all values in a data set and dividing by the number of values. The mean can be pulled upward or downward by extreme values.

The middle value of a data set arranged in order from least to greatest. If there is an even number of values, the median is the mean of the two middle numbers.

The agreed sequence for evaluating expressions: parentheses, exponents, multiplication and division left to right, then addition and subtraction left to right. Following it gives one correct answer.

A small number written above and to the right of a base that tells how many times the base is used as a factor. For example, 2^3 means 2 times 2 times 2.

A letter or symbol that stands for an unknown or changing number in an expression or equation. Solving an equation means finding the value of the variable.

A measure of how steep a line is, calculated as rise over run, or the change in y divided by the change in x between two points on the line.

A number from 0 to 1 describing how likely an event is, found by dividing favorable outcomes by total possible outcomes. It can be written as a fraction, decimal, or percent.

A testable, specific prediction about the relationship between variables, stated before an experiment. It must be measurable so that data can support or refute it.

The factor an experimenter deliberately changes or manipulates. Its effect on the dependent variable is what the study measures.

The factor that is measured or observed in an experiment; it responds to changes in the independent variable. It is often the outcome or result recorded as data.

The comparison group in an experiment that does not receive the treatment being tested. It shows what would happen without the independent variable.

The body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions, such as temperature and blood glucose, despite changes outside. It relies on feedback loops that detect and correct imbalances.

The process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.

The process by which cells break down glucose, with or without oxygen, to release usable energy stored as ATP, producing carbon dioxide and water as waste.

The passive movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until evenly spread. It requires no energy input from the cell.

A scale from 0 to 14 measuring hydrogen ion concentration, where below 7 is acidic, 7 is neutral, and above 7 is basic. Each whole number represents a tenfold change.

The mass of a substance per unit volume, often expressed as grams per cubic centimeter. An object less dense than the fluid around it will float.

A protein that speeds up a chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy needed. Enzymes are specific to particular substrates and can be denatured by heat or extreme pH.

The rule that a verb must match its subject in number and person. Singular subjects take singular verbs, and intervening phrases do not change the subject's number.

The rule that a pronoun must match the noun it refers to in number and gender. Ambiguous or mismatched references confuse readers about who or what is meant.

Two or more independent clauses joined without correct punctuation or a conjunction. It can be fixed with a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.

A group of words punctuated as a sentence that lacks a subject, a verb, or a complete thought. Fragments must be joined to or expanded into a full clause.

A sentence structure in which the subject performs the action, as in the nurse gave the injection. Active voice is usually clearer and more direct than passive voice.

One of two or more words that sound alike but have different spellings and meanings, such as their, there, and they're. Choosing the wrong one is a common usage error.

Using the same grammatical form for items in a list or comparison, such as all verbs or all noun phrases. It makes writing easier to read and logically balanced.

A word or phrase such as however, therefore, or first that connects ideas and shows how sentences or paragraphs relate. It signals contrast, cause, addition, or sequence.

The implied emotional or cultural association of a word beyond its dictionary meaning. Words with similar denotations can carry very different positive or negative connotations.