HESI A2
HESI A2 Version 1 Reading Comprehension Questions
Extract:
The Water Cycle
Water is needed to sustain practically all life functions on planet Earth. A single drop of this compound is composed of an oxygen atom that shares its electrons with each of the two hydrogen atoms.
The cycle starts when precipitation, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, descends from the sky onto the ground. Water that is not absorbed immediately from the precipitation is known as runoff. The runoff flows across the land and collects in groundwater reservoirs, rivers, streams, and oceans.
Evaporation takes place when liquid water changes into water vapor, which is a gas. Water vapor returns to the air from surface water and plants.
Ultimately, condensation happens when this water vapor cools and changes back into droplets of liquid. In fact, the puffy, cotton clouds that we observe are formed by condensation. When the clouds become heavily laden with liquid droplets, precipitation ensues.
Question 1 of 5
What is the main idea of this passage?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The main idea of the passage is to explain the different components of the water cycle, which include precipitation, evaporation, and condensation. The passage describes how water moves through these stages, highlighting the importance of each step in maintaining life on Earth. Options A and B are incorrect as they do not capture the central theme of the water cycle, and option D is misleading as rain, a form of precipitation, plays a crucial role in the cycle.
Extract:
The Water Cycle
Water is needed to sustain practically all life functions on planet Earth. A single drop of this compound is composed of an oxygen atom that shares its electrons with each of the two hydrogen atoms.
The cycle starts when precipitation, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, descends from the sky onto the ground. Water that is not absorbed immediately from the precipitation is known as runoff. The runoff flows across the land and collects in groundwater reservoirs, rivers, streams, and oceans.
Evaporation takes place when liquid water changes into water vapor, which is a gas. Water vapor returns to the air from surface water and plants.
Ultimately, condensation happens when this water vapor cools and changes back into droplets of liquid. In fact, the puffy, cotton clouds that we observe are formed by condensation. When the clouds become heavily laden with liquid droplets, precipitation ensues.
Question 2 of 5
What does the word 'composed' mean in the first paragraph?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is 'A: To consist of.' In this context, 'composed' means made up of or formed by. The sentence refers to a single drop of water being made of an oxygen atom that shares its electrons with two hydrogen atoms. Therefore, 'composed' in this context signifies the idea of something being comprised or made up of other elements.
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 3 of 5
What is implied by this paragraph?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The paragraph discusses the necessary and desirable nature of food and drink while also highlighting the serious issues that arise from their abuse, including overeating and alcohol consumption. The author implies that moderation is important to avoid the negative consequences associated with these behaviors. Therefore, D is the correct answer, as it suggests that we should eat and drink in reasonable quantities.
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 4 of 5
What is the main reason that athletes want to participate in the Olympics?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The passage emphasizes that athletes from different countries participate in the Olympics, and the audience "roots for the athletes from their own country." It highlights the honor and pride associated with representing one's country on a global stage. Thus, the main motivation for athletes is their patriotic pride, making answer A the correct one. The passage does not mention financial rewards, scholarships, or travel as primary motivations.
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 5 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.