Identifying Evidence of Action: TEAS Practice Question with Answer & Explanation
An original TEAS 7-style reading practice question, written for nursing-school applicants — with a full breakdown of every answer choice.
Question
An author writes about visiting a community garden and being moved by the experience. Which of the following excerpts from the passage provides evidence that the author was inspired to take a specific action?
- A."I never imagined finding tranquility in a crowded garden."
- B."I realized that I needed to start my own balcony planter."Correct
- C."Botanical studies are surprisingly complex for beginners."
- D."The local park was more crowded than I anticipated."
Correct answer: B. Evidence of action requires a statement of intent or a physical task, such as starting a project, rather than just a feeling or observation.
Understanding Evidence of Action in Reading Comprehension
On the TEAS 7 Reading section, you will frequently be asked to identify specific evidence from a text that supports a conclusion. In this scenario, we are looking for a statement that proves the author didn't just feel an emotion, but intended to perform a task or change a behavior based on what they learned.
Why Choice B is Correct
Choice B ("I realized that I needed to start my own balcony planter") is the only option that describes a concrete plan or intention to act. The word "start" is an action verb, and "my own balcony planter" is the resulting project. This excerpt provides direct evidence of the author transitioning from a passive observer to an active participant.
Why the Other Choices are Incorrect
- Choice A: ("I never imagined finding tranquility...") describes an internal feeling or a shift in perspective. While the author feels calm, this does not give us evidence that they did anything or planned to do anything as a result.
- Choice C: ("Botanical studies are surprisingly complex...") is a factual observation. It shows the author gained knowledge or respect for the subject, but it lacks the "call to action" found in Choice B.
- Choice D: ("The local park was more crowded...") is a situational observation. It describes the environment but does not link back to the author being inspired to do something productive or personal.
TEAS Concept: Drawing Inferences and Identifying Evidence
To master these questions, you must distinguish between:
- Facts: Objective truths (e.g., the park was crowded).
- Opinions/Feelings: Subjective states (e.g., finding tranquility).
- Informed Intentions: Actions taken or planned due to new information (e.g., starting a garden).
When the question asks for "evidence to support a conclusion" regarding an action, look for operational verbs like start, build, try, go, create, or modify.
Memory Tip
Think of the word "ACT":
- Action (What is being done?)
- Consequence (What happens because of the experience?)
- Task (Is there a specific job mentioned?)
If the excerpt doesn't describe a "Task" or "Action," it’s likely just a description or a feeling!
Quick study tip: When looking for 'evidence of action,' ignore sentences about how the author feels and look for verbs that describe 'doing' or 'starting' something.
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