HESI A2
HESI A2 Version 1 Reading Comprehension Questions
Extract:
Have you ever found yourself staring at the ceiling at 2:00 a.m.? Have you kicked the blankets off to the floor from tossing and turning? Many longtime suffers of Insomnia know these situations all too well. As many as 17% of Americans find the restful break of sleep hard to achieve.
Lack of sleep affects intellectual abilities at work or school by causing a deficit in memory, attention, and concentration which in turn creates a feeling of irritation or depression. Chronic insomnia can result from a medical illness, a psychiatric condition, or from sleep apnea, a condition where an individual actually stops breathing during sleep. Sleep hygiene, developing good sleep habits, and non- pharmacological therapies such as herbs and spices are some solutions to Insomnia.
Question 1 of 5
What is a solution to insomnia?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Developing good sleep habits, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, and ensuring a comfortable sleep environment, along with using herbs and spices like chamomile or lavender, can help in managing insomnia. These strategies promote better sleep quality, aid in falling asleep faster, and staying asleep longer by relaxing the mind and body before sleep.
Extract:
Facts about the One Dollar Bill
As Americans, we should all know some statistics about our currency.
The one dollar bill is a fascinating document with a varied historical beginning. Consisting of a cotton and linen blend with minute
red and blue silk fibers woven through it, the one dollar bill debuted in 1957. Due to the fact that the bill is constructed of material,
laundering it does not cause any permanent harm. A special blend of ink created from a secret formula is used to write on the dollar bill,
which acts as a deterrent to counterfeiters.
By sharing these important facts with others, a common understanding and appreciation of the one dollar bill is established.
Question 2 of 5
By writing this passage, the author intended to
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage presents intriguing details such as the material composition, its historical debut in 1957, and the unique ink used, which suggests the author's intent to share interesting and lesser-known information. The focus is on providing facts about the one dollar bill rather than aiming to teach everything about it, entertain with a story, or defend its use.
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 3 of 5
What is the meaning of the word 'impoverished' in the first paragraph?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The term 'impoverished' means being financially ruined or extremely poor. In the context provided, it describes the situation where the individuals who received a white elephant as a displeasure gift from the rulers ended up in a state of financial hardship due to the burden of caring for the elephant. The other choices ('honored', 'nobility', 'rich') do not accurately reflect the meaning of 'impoverished' in this context, making 'Financially ruined' the correct answer.
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
The information presented is
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The information presented in the text is slanted against people with piercing voices. It highlights the negative impact of harsh voice qualities such as being shrill, grating, hard, piercing, brassy, too loud, or too nasal. The text points out that these harsh voice qualities, often due to tension in the throat and jaw, can make a person's voice unpleasant and uncomfortable for others. While it briefly mentions women potentially having shriller voices than men, it does not specifically favor newscasters or target people with deep voices. Therefore, the correct answer is C, as the text focuses on the drawbacks associated with piercing voices.
Extract:
Linking San Francisco to Marin County in California, the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the world. The bridge crosses over a narrow strait which connects the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco Bay. Prior to the bridge, people traveled by ferry boat across the strait.
Although most people thought a bridge was necessary to expedite travel, some residents of the
bay area felt the risk of building the bridge was too great. Joseph Strauss believed that nothing was impossible, and dreams would never come to fruition if risks weren't taken. So, he decided to gather the best and brightest builders, architects, and workers to embark on the challenge of
building a bridge across the Golden Gate Strait. With safety nets in place, the construction began in 1937. Building the anchorages first, the
builders then move on to the towers on each end, and then to the three-foot thick cables to support the suspension bridge. Lastly, workers labored to complete the roadway which became
the most dangerous and treacherous part of the entire task. The builders had to keep the bridge
balance, so it wouldn't fall into the bay.
Today, over sixty-five years later, the bridge remains a life-line for the people of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Question 5 of 5
In the passage the word embark means to:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In the context provided in the passage, the word 'embark' is used to describe the action taken by Joseph Strauss to start on the challenge of building a bridge across the Golden Gate Strait. 'Embark' in this context means to undertake or start an important or challenging task. Therefore, the correct answer is D: 'Being an undertaking.' This choice aligns with the idea of starting a challenging project, as seen in the passage.