What is on the Reading section
The TEAS 7 has 170 questions in total, 150 of which are scored — the other 20 are unscored pretest items mixed in, and you cannot tell which is which. The Reading section contributes 39 of those scored questions.
How to approach the section
Pacing. About 73 seconds per question.
Reading is the section where running out of time does the most damage, because every question depends on a passage you have to read first. Work the questions in the order they appear rather than skimming ahead — the passages are short enough that jumping around costs more time than it saves. If a passage is dense, read the question stem first so you know what you are looking for.
The mistake that costs the most marks
Bringing outside knowledge into the answer. Several distractors on every Reading section are statements that are true in the real world but not supported by the passage. The only correct answer is the one the text itself backs up.
Sample Reading questions
A short mixed set from across the section. Each sub-area page above has ten more.
- Question 1
Read the passage
According to the Surgeon General's advisory, prolonged social media use among adolescents is associated with increased rates of anxiety, depression, body image dissatisfaction, and sleep disruption. Adolescents who spend more than three hours per day on social media are twice as likely to report symptoms of depression compared to those who use it less. Parents are encouraged to set screen time limits, model healthy technology habits, and maintain open conversations with their children about online experiences. Schools should integrate digital literacy programs that teach students to critically evaluate online content and manage their digital well-being.
The author most likely wrote this passage for which purpose?
Correct answer: B. The passage presents research findings about risks, then directly addresses parents ('parents are encouraged to') and schools ('schools should integrate') with specific recommended actions. The dual purpose is to inform about risks and persuade adults to take action.
- A. The passage uses research and recommendations, not stories. Its tone is informative and advisory, not entertaining.
- C. The passage discusses the health effects of social media on adolescents, not how platforms make money.
- D. No specific platforms are compared. The passage discusses social media use in general.
- Question 2
Read the passage
Informed consent is not merely a signature on a form — it is a meaningful dialogue between provider and patient that ensures understanding of the proposed treatment, its risks and benefits, and available alternatives. When providers treat informed consent as a checkbox to complete rather than a conversation to engage in, they undermine patient autonomy and may expose themselves to legal liability.
What is the effect of the author using the word 'merely' in the sentence below? 'Informed consent is not merely a signature on a form — it is a meaningful dialogue between provider and patient.'
Correct answer: B. The word 'merely' means 'only' or 'just,' and it diminishes the significance of the signature to create a contrast with the more important element — the 'meaningful dialogue.' The author uses 'merely' to shift the reader's focus from the paperwork to the conversation.
- A. The word 'merely' does the opposite: it downplays the signature's importance, suggesting it is the less significant part.
- C. The author does not say signatures are unnecessary. 'Not merely' means 'not just' — implying a signature is part of it, but not sufficient alone.
- D. The author demonstrates a clear understanding of informed consent by distinguishing between its superficial and substantive elements.
- Question 3
Read the passage
ABSTRACT: This randomized controlled trial examined the efficacy of a nurse-led diabetes self-management education program on glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. A total of 240 participants were randomized to either the intervention group (n=120), which received a 12-week structured education program, or the control group (n=120), which received standard care. At 6 months, participants in the intervention group demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in HbA1c levels (mean difference -0.8%, p<0.001) compared to controls. Results suggest that structured nurse-led programs can significantly improve glycemic outcomes.
Which type of source is this passage most likely from?
Correct answer: B. The passage is labeled 'ABSTRACT' and uses research terminology: 'randomized controlled trial,' 'intervention group,' 'control group,' 'statistically significant,' 'p<0.001,' and 'mean difference.' These are hallmarks of a peer-reviewed research article.
- A. A personal blog would use informal language and personal experiences, not statistical analysis and research methodology.
- C. A patient brochure would use simple, accessible language and avoid technical research terminology like 'p-values' and 'randomized controlled trial.'
- D. A newspaper editorial would express opinions about policy using accessible language, not present original research data.
- Question 4
Read the passage
Infection control in healthcare settings depends on breaking the chain of infection. Like a physical chain, the chain of infection has six links: the infectious agent (pathogen), the reservoir (where the pathogen lives), the portal of exit (how the pathogen leaves the reservoir), the mode of transmission (how it travels), the portal of entry (how it enters a new host), and the susceptible host. If any single link in this chain is broken — through hand hygiene, sterilization, vaccination, or isolation protocols — the infection cannot spread. Understanding each link empowers healthcare workers to target their interventions effectively.
The author uses the analogy of a 'chain' to illustrate which concept?
Correct answer: B. The chain analogy illustrates that infection spreads through a series of connected steps (links), and breaking any one link stops the spread. This helps readers visualize the concept that targeting any step in the process can prevent infection transmission.
- A. The chain describes how infection spreads, not how pathogens evolve. Evolution is a different concept.
- C. While the 'susceptible host' is one link, the chain analogy illustrates the entire spread process, not individual patient strength.
- D. The chain represents the steps of infection transmission, not organizational hierarchy within a hospital.
- Question 5
Read the passage
When curative treatment is no longer effective and the focus shifts to comfort, palliative measures become the priority. The healthcare team works to alleviate pain, manage distressing symptoms such as nausea and shortness of breath, and provide emotional and spiritual support to both the patient and family. The goal of palliative care is not to cure the disease but to improve quality of life during the remaining time.
In the passage, the word 'palliative' most likely means:
Correct answer: B. The passage explicitly contrasts palliative care with curative treatment and defines its goal as alleviating pain, managing symptoms, and improving quality of life — all focused on comfort rather than cure.
- A. The passage states the opposite: 'the goal of palliative care is not to cure the disease.'
- C. The passage describes established comfort measures (pain management, symptom relief, emotional support), not experimental treatments.
- D. The passage describes symptom management and emotional support, not surgical procedures.
Keep going
The full bank has 280 reading questions, plus timed exams that match the real section length.
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