HESI A2
HESI A2 Version 1 Reading Comprehension Questions
Extract:
Centuries ago, in the country of Siam, now known as Thailand, it was the custom of the rulers
that displeased them by giving the offender a white elephant. Because the animal was could not
be made to work as other elephants did, but still had to be fed hundreds of pounds of fruit and cared for in the most lavish style. The recipient could not give the elephant to anyone else, as it was the ruler, who would be greatly displeased should the recipient not receive the gift graciously or care for in a grand style. This monetary burden could be a major liability to the
recipient and in many cases they became impoverished.
This is the origin of the term "white elephant" as it is used today to denote an unwanted gift. The way of gift exchange played during the holiday season is an offshoot of this. In this game, everyone brings, and the gifts are exchanged by drawing numbers and picking a gift in turn. The
second person can choose or steal the first one. It is all in good fun, and people enjoy giving silly
gifts and "stealing" someone else.
Question 1 of 5
How did the people regard a white elephant?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. In ancient Siam, receiving a white elephant was considered a burden and a sign of displeasure from the rulers. The white elephant was not a useful animal for work like other elephants and was costly to maintain, leading to financial difficulties for the recipient. Therefore, people made efforts not to offend the king to avoid receiving such an unwanted and costly gift, which could lead to their impoverishment.
Extract:
The Summer Olympic Games. Once every four years the countries of the world send their best and brightest to participate in the Summer Olympic Games. The site for the event is decided years before, and most countries contend strongly for the privilege to host the Games. The 2008 games were held in Bejing, China.
There is a lot of pageantry and tradition attached to the event. The opening ceremony is elaborate and awe-inspiring. China put on a spectacularly beautiful fireworks display to welcome the world's athletes in 2008.
The track events, water events (swimming, diving) and precision activities such as archery and rhythmic gymnastics are wonderful to watch. Seeing these athletes perform their special skills is a treat for those of us who achieve a vicarious satisfaction from it. Everyone roots for the athletes from their own country and we thrill when our anther is played during the medal ceremony. Being an Olympian is an honor every athlete dreams of.
Question 2 of 5
How often are the Summer Olympic Games held?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Summer Olympic Games are held 'once every four years,' as stated in the text. This timeframe allows countries to send their best athletes to participate. The correct answer is B, 'Every four years,' making it a significant and eagerly anticipated global event. The four-year interval also allows for ample time for countries to prepare, build excitement, and showcase their best talents on a world stage.
Extract:
The ebb and flow of laughter and silence fills the room as four old friends gather to engage in a
round of Bridge playing. For the beginner, Bridge can be complicated, but with time, effort, and a good teacher, even the novice can become proficient. Composed of two main parts, bidding and playing, Bridge requires the player's undivided attention. The dealer deals the entire deck of playing cards evenly between the for players, with
each person receiving thirteen cards. In the bidding portion of the game, the four suits of cards in the deck are ranked highest to lowest as follows: spades, hearts, diamonds, and finally clubs. However, during play all the suits of cards are
considered equals, and they go from highest to lowest from the ace being high to the two cards
being low. The highest number of tricks wins. A trick is one card played by each player for a
total of four. After the lead player lays down his/her card, the other players follow suit, if
possible. The highest card within the four "same suit" cards played wins the trick and picks up all
four cards. If a player cannot follow suit, he/she plays any card, but to make the game more
interesting and challenging, one suit is named a trump suit which means that if a player plays a
card from the trump suit, it always wins the trick. If two cards from the trump suit are played, the
highest card within the trump suit wins the trick. Obviously, the team with the most tricks wins
the hand.
Question 3 of 5
The author wants the reader to feel
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage describes Bridge as a game that may seem complicated for beginners but can be learned with time, effort, and the guidance of a good teacher. The detailed explanation of the game rules and mechanics is aimed at providing a clear understanding and fostering confidence and excitement about learning Bridge. The mention of how even novices can become proficient with practice and the breakdown of the game's components in a structured manner suggests that the author's intention is to make the reader feel confident and enthusiastic about delving into the world of Bridge.
Extract:
What effect does your voice have on others? Does it persuade or irritate, attract or repel? One of
the worst qualities is harshness. If you ever get the feeling that people are uncomfortable when you speak, it may be that your harsh tones are jarring their eardrums. Your voice will sound
unpleasant if it is shrill, grating, hard, piercing, brassy, to loud, or too nasal. Harsh voice qualities usually come from too much tension in the throat and jaw. Tension tightens muscles and blocks the relaxed voice tones essential to a pleasing impression. Because tension occurs in higher pitched voices, women tend to have shriller voices than men, which usually makes them
less desirable public speakers, newscasters, or political candidates.
Question 4 of 5
Which statement from the selection presents a fact rather than an opinion?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because it presents a factual statement about the source of harsh voice qualities, attributing them to excessive tension in the throat and jaw. This statement is based on a cause-and-effect relationship and can be objectively verified. In contrast, options A, C, and D involve subjective judgments or generalizations, making them opinions rather than verifiable facts. By identifying the cause of harsh voice qualities, option B stands out as a factual statement that provides a clear explanation for the undesirable voice characteristic, distinguishing it from the subjective nature of the other options in the selection.
Extract:
Centuries ago, in the country of Siam, now known as Thailand, it was the custom of the rulers
that displeased them by giving the offender a white elephant. Because the animal was could not
be made to work as other elephants did, but still had to be fed hundreds of pounds of fruit and cared for in the most lavish style. The recipient could not give the elephant to anyone else, as it was the ruler, who would be greatly displeased should the recipient not receive the gift graciously or care for in a grand style. This monetary burden could be a major liability to the
recipient and in many cases they became impoverished.
This is the origin of the term "white elephant" as it is used today to denote an unwanted gift. The way of gift exchange played during the holiday season is an offshoot of this. In this game, everyone brings, and the gifts are exchanged by drawing numbers and picking a gift in turn. The
second person can choose or steal the first one. It is all in good fun, and people enjoy giving silly
gifts and "stealing" someone else.
Question 5 of 5
How did the people regard a white elephant?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. In ancient Siam, receiving a white elephant was considered a burden and a sign of displeasure from the rulers. The white elephant was not a useful animal for work like other elephants and was costly to maintain, leading to financial difficulties for the recipient. Therefore, people made efforts not to offend the king to avoid receiving such an unwanted and costly gift, which could lead to their impoverishment.