TEAS Reading · Practice Question

    Comparing Literary Themes: 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

    A set of literary excerpts includes two narratives: Narrative X describes an elderly woman in a high-tech society who insists on writing handwritten letters to preserve human connection despite her community's reliance on digital telepathy. Narrative Y focuses on a teenager in a traditional farming colony who builds mechanical tools to improve efficiency, even though his elders believe manual labor is the only path to spiritual growth. Which of the following best compares the themes of Narrative X and Narrative Y?

    • A.Both stories highlight the necessity of financial wealth for achieving personal fulfillment.
    • B.Both stories feature protagonists who persist in their personal goals despite social or environmental pressures.
      Correct
    • C.Both stories suggest that success is only possible when moving from a rural setting to an urban one.
    • D.Both stories emphasize the role of mentorship in overcoming internal self-doubt.

    Correct answer: B. The correct answer identifies the shared theme of individual persistence against societal expectations found in both narratives.

    Understanding Theme Comparison on the TEAS

    In the TEAS Reading section, you are often asked to identify and compare themes between two different passages. A theme is the underlying message, moral, or "big idea" of a story. While the plots of these two stories are different (one involves an elderly woman and letters, the other a teenager and mechanics), their core messages align.

    Why Choice B is Correct

    Choice B is the most accurate comparison because it identifies the commonality in the protagonists' actions:

    • Narrative X: The pressures are social (the community's reliance on technology). The woman persists in her goal of "preserving human connection."
    • Narrative Y: The pressures are environmental/cultural (the elders' beliefs about manual labor). The teenager persists in his goal of "building tools."

    Both characters are "non-conformists" who face pushback from their respective societies but continue their chosen path regardless. This shared "persistence against the grain" is a classic thematic link.

    Analysis of Incorrect Choices

    • Choice A: While Narrative Y mentions efficiency, neither story focuses on the accumulation of "financial wealth." In Narrative X, the focus is on emotional connection, not money.
    • Choice C: This choice confuses the setting with the theme. Narrative X takes place in a "high-tech society" (urban/futuristic) and Narrative Y in a "farming colony" (rural), but Narrative X doesn't suggest moving to the city brings success; she is already there and struggling with its norms.
    • Choice D: Mentorship is never mentioned in either excerpt. In fact, the characters seem to be working in opposition to their elders or peers, rather than being guided by them.

    TEAS Concept: Identifying the 'Universal Truth'

    When comparing themes, look for the "Universal Truth." Authors use different characters and settings to express the same human experiences. On the TEAS, themes like man vs. society, the importance of heritage, or the sacrifice for progress are common. Always look for the option that describes the "why" of the characters' actions rather than just the "what" of the plot.

    Quick study tip: To find a theme, ask yourself: 'What is the author trying to say about life in general?' rather than 'What happened in this specific story?'

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