TEAS Reading Practice Test Set 16

Circus Trees

Gilroy Gardens, located in Gilroy, California, is a unique family theme park renowned not only for its thrilling rides and beautiful gardens but also for its fascinating collection of circus trees. These trees, unlike any others, were originally shaped and bent into intricate patterns and whimsical shapes by Axel Erlandson in the early 20th century. Erlandson was a Swedish American farmer who, intrigued by the natural grafting of two sycamore trees on his property, began to shape young trees using horticultural techniques. His creations became known as "circus trees" due to their extraordinary forms and the attention they garnered.

Dear Diary,

Today on my school fieldtrip I learned a lot about penguins. I wasn't very excited at first, but then I found out how cool they can be!

For example, even though they're flightless birds, some species of penguins have a maximum swimming speed of over 7 miles per hour! Flying is pretty awesome, but swimming seems really cool too.

It makes sense that penguins are such strong swimmers, though. Apparently, they spend half their lives on land, and the other half in the water! And since they usually live close to the water, penguins often eat krill, fish, and other seafood. I've never really liked seafood, but now I want to try some.

That's all that I remember for today, but I hope I get to go back to the zoo soon to learn more about them.

Dear Diary,

Today on my school fieldtrip I learned a lot about penguins. I wasn't very excited at first, but then I found out how cool they can be!

For example, even though they're flightless birds, some species of penguins have a maximum swimming speed of over 7 miles per hour! Flying is pretty awesome, but swimming seems really cool too.

It makes sense that penguins are such strong swimmers, though. Apparently, they spend half their lives on land, and the other half in the water! And since they usually live close to the water, penguins often eat krill, fish, and other seafood. I've never really liked seafood, but now I want to try some.

That's all that I remember for today, but I hope I get to go back to the zoo soon to learn more about them.

Dear Diary,

Today on my school fieldtrip I learned a lot about penguins. I wasn't very excited at first, but then I found out how cool they can be!

For example, even though they're flightless birds, some species of penguins have a maximum swimming speed of over 7 miles per hour! Flying is pretty awesome, but swimming seems really cool too.

It makes sense that penguins are such strong swimmers, though. Apparently, they spend half their lives on land, and the other half in the water! And since they usually live close to the water, penguins often eat krill, fish, and other seafood. I've never really liked seafood, but now I want to try some.

That's all that I remember for today, but I hope I get to go back to the zoo soon to learn more about them.

Home Is Where the Work Is

The Covid-19 pandemic revealed a truth: for many professions, working from home is a viable alternative to access our fields. Fast internet, meeting platforms, and document sharing means that business can be effectively conducted from residential zones, if only the traditionally minded, upper echelon of business leadership would learn to parallel the speed of progress that the technology revolution has revealed is possible.

Granted, professions like hospitality and maintenance must rely on the in-person model of the brick-and-mortar workplace. And that's valid. Keep those that need to be in a commercial building or vehicle doing just that while letting the rest of us have the benefit of moving laundry over lunch.

Let's make remote work -- work.

It can be difficult to write sometimes, especially if you are creating something brand new. It is even harder when you must write while following certain rules. Some writers thrive when there are limits, like poets. Many poetry forms follow very specific rules, like sonnets or elegies; you can't just throw some words on a page and call it a haiku. On the other hand, some successful poets really enjoy breaking the rules. They will refuse to use proper punctuation or follow any sort of structure. So then what good are the rules, if you can just break them and still succeed? That doesn't make any sense. I guess that is why I am not a poet.

It can be difficult to write sometimes, especially if you are creating something brand new. It is even harder when you must write while following certain rules. Some writers thrive when there are limits, like poets. Many poetry forms follow very specific rules, like sonnets or elegies; you can't just throw some words on a page and call it a haiku. On the other hand, some successful poets really enjoy breaking the rules. They will refuse to use proper punctuation or follow any sort of structure. So then what good are the rules, if you can just break them and still succeed? That doesn't make any sense. I guess that is why I am not a poet.

Sashiko, a form of traditional Japanese embroidery, started as a practical technique for reinforcing clothing and enabling warmth. Originating in the Edo period in Japan, it was primarily practiced by peasants, farmers, and fishermen who used "little stabs"—which is the literal meaning of sashiko—to quilt together layers of fabric with striking white cotton thread on indigo blue cloth, creating durable and insulated garments.

Over time, sashiko evolved from its utilitarian roots into an art form. Patterns often mimic nature or symbolize wishes for good health and fortune, turning everyday garments into beautiful pieces of wearable art. The distinctive style of sashiko has even found its way into modern fashion and home décor, linking the past with the present in each loop and stitch.

Sashiko, a form of traditional Japanese embroidery, started as a practical technique for reinforcing clothing and enabling warmth. Originating in the Edo period in Japan, it was primarily practiced by peasants, farmers, and fishermen who used "little stabs"—which is the literal meaning of sashiko—to quilt together layers of fabric with striking white cotton thread on indigo blue cloth, creating durable and insulated garments.

Over time, sashiko evolved from its utilitarian roots into an art form. Patterns often mimic nature or symbolize wishes for good health and fortune, turning everyday garments into beautiful pieces of wearable art. The distinctive style of sashiko has even found its way into modern fashion and home décor, linking the past with the present in each loop and stitch.