TEAS 7 Reading Comprehension Diagnostic Test (45 Questions)

Question 4 of 45

 Brilliant Octopuses

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Which detail is irrelevant to the main idea?

• Octopuses have displayed curious behavior, such as pulling out loose tank valves, opening jars, and even escaping their tanks when no one was watching.
• Octopuses, of which the earth is home to about 300 distinct species, are cephalopods.
• The octopuses chose which strategy to use based on which species they were presented with, and altered their approach to what would work best.
• The animal repeated this behavior, similar to what a human might exhibit when bouncing a ball – exploring the options for engaging with a new stimulus.

End Quiz

Answer Explanation

Incorrect

Octopuses, of which the earth is home to about 300 distinct species, are cephalopods is the correct answer.

This sentence in no way illustrates that octopuses are intelligent, which is the main idea of the article. While a true fact about octopuses, it does not contribute to or further the main idea in any way. 

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The octopuses chose which strategy to use based on which species they were presented with, and altered their approach to what would work best. 

This is incorrect.  This detail shows the decision-making skills of octopuses, which directly supports the main idea that octopuses are intelligent. 

 

The animal repeated this behavior, similar to what a human might exhibit when bouncing a ball – exploring the options for engaging with a new stimulus. 

This is incorrect.  This detail compares the behavior of an octopus to that of a human – supporting the main idea that octopuses are brilliant creatures. 

 

Octopuses have displayed curious behavior, such as pulling out loose tank valves, opening jars, and even escaping their tanks when no one was watching. 

This is incorrect.  This detail lists three ways octopuses display unique and complex behavior, supporting the idea that octopuses are intelligent.