HESI A2
HESI A2 Version 1 Reading Comprehension Questions
Extract:
Over the last few decades, medical experts have changed their thinking on the health effects of some common foods and beverages. Higher-fat foods and some alcoholic beverages like red wine and beer, once viewed as top threats to a healthy lifestyle, are now seen by many as less harmful and even as having some health benefits. But there is perhaps no topic that the medical community has reversed its
thinking on more often than coffee. Since long before the advent of modern medicine, public opinion regarding the health effects of coffee has been diverse and ever-changing. Opinion on coffee's health effects can be traced back several centuries. In the 1600s, doctors in England touted coffee as a cure for alcoholism, but some women complained that coffee was making their husbands impotent. They may have been correct, as caffeine is a
diuretic and can irritate the prostate (dehydration and prostatitis can both lead to erectile dysfunction). In the late 1700s, coffeehouses began opening all over colonial America, where coffee was seen as a healthy stimulant that helped the colonists work longer hours. But by the early 1900s, public concern grew as coffee consumption was blamed for a variety of common ailments, such as nervousness, indigestion, and insomnia. In the 1970s, medical journals published studies that linked coffee consumption with high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attacks. In 2001, a meta-study indicated that coffee was responsible for a 20% increase in risk for urinary tract cancer. But starting in 2007, to the surprise of many, meta-studies began to show positive health effects of coffee consumption. A 2007 study showed that coffee was viewed by many as "practically a health food." However, CNN also warned that given the long history of flip-flops on the health effects of coffee, medical and public opinion on coffee could easily turn negative again.
Question 1 of 5
What is the definition of the term insomnia as mentioned in the third paragraph?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Insomnia, as mentioned in the passage, is described as one of the common ailments attributed to coffee consumption. The term refers to the difficulty or trouble in falling asleep or staying asleep, which aligns with choice A, 'Difficulty sleeping.' Insomnia is characterized by a persistent problem with sleep patterns, leading to inadequate or poor-quality sleep, rather than symptoms like double vision, dizziness, or drowsiness.
Extract:
Let's Go to the Circus
Everyone loves a circus! The bright lights, fanciful costumes, and fierce wild animals delight and entertain folks of all ages. The circus calls to the child in each one of us. Ernest Hemingway wrote that it "is the only ageless delight that you can buy for money..."
"Circus" is a magic word inspiring all sorts of exciting, colorful images. It's a theater of mind-boggling feats, elephants thundering around the rings, horses dancing, clowns cavorting and the sequins glittering under the lights.
There are historical references to animal displays and athletic competitions from the earliest days of civilization. The Romans were famous for their extravaganzas in the Coliseum. The shows we see today cannot compare to those great spectacles, but all who go to a circus enjoy the experience. It allows us all to be a child again and watch in awe as the athletes perform on the high wire or control the savage beasts in the center ring.
Question 2 of 5
What does 'cavorting' mean in the second paragraph?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In the context of the passage, 'cavorting' generally means to jump or leap around in a lively or playful way. It describes clowns moving about energetically in a fun and playful manner, aligning with the idea of running and jumping. The word 'cavorting' adds to the colorful and exciting imagery of the circus performance described in the text.
Extract:
Eating
Consumption of food is a universal necessity. Different
cultures have developed different methods to accomplish
the task. It is interesting to discover these differences and
learn new ways to do things.
European cultures developed cutlery (knives, forks, and
spoons) to enable people to efficiently eat their food.
Correct use of this toolā€™s changes with the times-what was
polite in 1800 may not be considered proper manners
today.
China developed the chopstick as an efficient tool for
eating. Mastery of the use of chopsticks can be difficult
for the person not raised in the culture. The attempts of a
novice to use chopsticks can be very amusing to the
watcher, but frustrating for the hungry diner.
Space travel has created new challenges for consuming
food. Squeeze bottles and other unique packaging have
enabled space travelers to get their needed nutrition.
Chopsticks and forks do not work well in space.
Question 3 of 5
What statement can be implied from the content of the article?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, 'Diversity is interesting to learn about.' The passage discusses how different cultures have developed various tools for eating, such as cutlery in European cultures and chopsticks in China. It highlights the differences in eating practices and how space travel has introduced new challenges for consuming food. The passage's focus on cultural diversity and unique eating tools makes it clear that the implication is about the interest in learning about diverse eating practices, making choice A the most suitable answer.
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 4 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:
Food
Food and drink are necessary and desirable, but their abuse can cause serious physical and mental problems. Many physicians believe that overeating is one of the countryā€™s main health problems, since It places a great strain on the heart, can lead to diabetes, and often shortens the individual's life span. To fill an emotional void, people often turn to food when they are bored or lonely.
Another area of concern is alcohol consumption. The results of alcohol abuse are widely publicized. The social drinker who becomes alcoholic, the drunken drivers contribution to highway deaths, spousal and child abuse, are all concomitant problems associated with alcohol abuse.
Question 5 of 5
As used in the last sentence of this paragraph, the term 'concomitant' means
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The term 'concomitant' refers to something that accompanies or occurs alongside something else. In the context of the sentence, it describes the problems associated with alcohol abuse that occur together with issues such as drunken driving and spousal or child abuse. Therefore, the correct answer is D, meaning 'accompanying.'