The pangolin passage teas test draws attention from students aiming to enter nursing programs. This specific part of the TEAS exam tests your ability to understand written information. Many test-takers find it challenging yet rewarding. In this article, you will explore the background of the passage, learn about pangolins, and get practical advice to ace it.
Understanding the TEAS Exam Basics

You start your journey by grasping what the TEAS stands for. The Test of Essential Academic Skills, or TEAS, checks your readiness for health science programs. Schools use it to see if you have strong foundations in reading, math, science, and English.
Colleges often require a good score for nursing admissions. Over 200,000 students take the TEAS each year, according to ATI, the test’s creator. This makes preparation vital. The reading section, where the pangolin passage teas test appears, takes up 28% of the exam. It includes 45 questions in 55 minutes.
You read passages and answer questions on them. These cover topics like science, history, or current events. The pangolin one focuses on an endangered animal, testing how well you pull out main ideas and details.
Experts say practicing with real-like passages builds confidence. You improve by reading daily and noting key points. This approach reassures you that success comes with steady effort.
What Is a Pangolin?
Pangolins live in Africa and Asia. These mammals look like armored anteaters. They curl into balls when threatened, using scales for protection.
Eight species exist, all facing dangers. Hunters target them for scales and meat. Traditional medicine drives much of the demand. Pangolins eat ants and termites, helping control pests in ecosystems.
Their tongues stretch long to catch insects. A single pangolin consumes thousands daily. This keeps nature in balance. Sadly, trafficking puts them at risk. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists them as vulnerable to critically endangered.
You might wonder why this animal features in tests. It teaches about global issues while checking reading skills. Learning these facts helps you connect with the passage.
The History of Pangolins
People have known pangolins for centuries. Ancient texts mention them in Asia. Locals used their parts in rituals.
In modern times, trade grew. From 2010 to 2020, authorities seized over 1 million pangolins, reports TRAFFIC, a wildlife monitor. This shows the scale of the problem.
Conservation started in the 1970s. Groups like the World Wildlife Fund pushed for protections. In 2016, CITES banned international trade. Yet, illegal activities continue.
You see how history ties to current threats. This knowledge deepens your understanding of the passage.
Pangolin Habitats and Behaviors
Pangolins prefer forests, grasslands, and savannas. They dig burrows for sleep during the day. At night, they hunt for food.
Their scales, made of keratin like human nails, cover most of their bodies. When scared, they roll up tight. Predators struggle to bite through.
Mothers carry babies on tails. Young ones learn to forage early. These behaviors make pangolins unique survivors, until humans interfere.
Climate change affects their homes too. Deforestation pushes them into smaller areas. You learn from this how environments shape animal lives.
Threats to Pangolins
Hunters trap pangolins easily because they move slowly. Scales sell for high prices in markets. Meat ends up in luxury dishes.
Beliefs in medicinal powers fuel demand. Some think scales cure ailments, though science disproves this. Blood and other parts face similar myths.
Habitat loss from farming and building adds pressure. Roads cut through territories, increasing accidents.
Statistics alarm experts. Over 100,000 pangolins get trafficked yearly, per estimates. This rate could wipe them out in decades.
You realize activism matters. Groups educate communities to reduce demand.
Conservation Efforts for Pangolins
Organizations rescue and rehabilitate pangolins. Sanctuaries in Vietnam and South Africa care for them.
Laws enforce bans on trade. Countries like China crack down on markets. Education campaigns teach about myths.
You can help by supporting groups. Donate or spread awareness. Simple actions make differences.
Success stories exist. Populations stabilize in protected areas. This reassures that efforts work.
The Role of Pangolins in Ecosystems
Pangolins control insect numbers. Without them, ants and termites overrun farms.
They aerate soil by digging. This helps plants grow. Biodiversity benefits from their presence.
Losing them disrupts chains. Other animals suffer too. You see the big picture of ecology.
Pangolin Myths and Facts
Myth: Scales heal diseases. Fact: No evidence supports this.
Myth: They are reptiles. Fact: They are mammals.
Myth: Easy to keep as pets. Fact: They need specific diets and habitats.
You bust myths to appreciate truths.
How Pangolins Compare to Other Animals
Like armadillos, they have armor. But pangolins eat insects, not omnivorous.
Anteaters share tongues but lack scales. This comparison highlights uniqueness.
The Pangolin Passage TEAS Test Explained
The pangolin passage teas test is a reading comprehension exercise in the TEAS. It presents a short text about pangolins and asks questions.
The passage describes their endangered status, appearance, and threats. You identify summaries, supporting details, and inferences.
Why this topic? It combines science with real-world issues. Test-makers choose it to engage you while assessing skills.
You prepare by reading similar articles. Practice spotting main ideas quickly.
Breaking Down the Pangolin Passage
Here is the typical passage:
The pangolin is a critically endangered mammal native to Africa and Asia. Due to their unique appearance, pangolins are the most trafficked mammal on the planet. About the size of a cat, the body and tail of pangolins are covered by hard, overlapping scales made of keratin, which protects them from attack. These distinctive scales are popular in making apparel. Additionally, many people believe that the scales and the blood of the pangolin possess medicinal properties. If the pangolin continues to be hunted at the current rate, the species will soon reach extinction. Many people have never even heard of the pangolin, and activists are attempting to raise awareness about this unusual creature’s plight. It is important to act quickly before the pangolin is lost forever.
Note the typo “haunted” should be “hunted.” This text informs about dangers.
Sample Questions from the Pangolin Passage TEAS Test
Questions test comprehension. Here are examples:
- Which sentence best summarizes the passage?
- a. While some people have never heard of a pangolin, others have hunted them for years.
- b. The pangolin will soon become extinct because it is the most trafficked mammal on the planet.
- c. Activists hope to raise global awareness about the pangolin, a mammal native to Africa and Asia.
- d. The pangolin is valuable because its scales can be used for apparel or for medical purposes.
The answer is b. It captures the core warning.
- Which detail best supports the main idea?
- a. Many people have never heard of the pangolin.
- b. The pangolin’s scales protect it from attack.
- c. People believe the pangolin’s blood has medical properties.
- d. The pangolin is hunted due to its unique appearance.
c supports why they are trafficked.
You practice these to spot patterns.
Strategies to Ace the Reading Section
Follow these steps:
- Read actively. Highlight key facts as you go.
- Identify the main idea. Ask what the author wants you to know.
- Look for details. Questions often ask for specific info.
- Make inferences. Think beyond words.
- Eliminate wrong answers. Narrow choices.
These tips reassure you of progress.
Common Mistakes in the Pangolin Passage TEAS Test
You might rush and miss details. Or assume based on prior knowledge.
Avoid overthinking. Stick to the text.
Practice fixes this. You gain speed and accuracy.
How to Prepare for the TEAS Reading Section
Set a study plan:
- Read 30 minutes daily.
- Use practice tests from ATI.
- Review wrong answers.
Join study groups. Discuss passages like this one.
Resources help. Visit sites for more practice.
Integrating Pangolin Knowledge into TEAS Prep
Learn animal facts. It aids science sections too.
Watch documentaries. They build vocabulary.
This makes studying fun.
The Importance of Reading Comprehension in Nursing
Nurses read charts and instructions. Good skills save lives.
TEAS ensures you handle this.
You feel prepared knowing why it matters.
Advanced Tips for High Scores
Time yourself. Simulate test conditions.
Vary reading materials. Include science articles.
Track progress. Adjust as needed.
FAQ on the Pangolin Passage TEAS Test
What does the passage focus on? Endangered status and threats.
How many questions? Usually 5-7 per passage.
Is it hard? With practice, no.
Where to find more? Official ATI books.
Why pangolins? To teach about wildlife.
Broader Implications of Wildlife Trafficking
Trafficking affects many species. It spreads diseases too.
Global laws fight it. You support by choosing ethical products.
Personal Stories from TEAS Takers
Many say this passage opened eyes to conservation.
One student shared: “It motivated me to learn more.”
You connect personally.
Linking to Resources
For more on test prep, check Laaster for general study tips.
External links: Learn from the original passage at UBC Linguistics Projects and detailed explanations at Slide Business.
References
- Docsity – TEAS Practice Passages: Provides the full passage and questions. Useful for students needing authentic practice.
- Quizlet – TEAS Reading Flashcards: Offers snippets and answers, targeting quick reviews for busy learners.
- Slide Business – Pangolin Passage Guide: Gives hypothetical samples and tips, ideal for beginners in TEAS prep.
- TRAFFIC Wildlife Trade Monitoring: Statistics on pangolin trafficking, for audiences interested in conservation facts.
- ATI Testing Official Site: General TEAS info, suited for nursing applicants.

