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 was the author's primary purpose for writing this essay?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The author's primary purpose for writing the essay is to inform the reader about the stages of the water cycle. The essay discusses the different phases of the water cycle, including precipitation, runoff, evaporation, and condensation. The descriptions provided aim to educate the reader about how water moves through the environment in a continuous cycle, highlighting its importance in sustaining life on Earth. There is no explicit attempt to persuade the reader to conserve water or to argue against runoff as a way to collect water, making these choices incorrect. Choice C is also incorrect as the essay focuses on explaining the stages of the water cycle rather than analyzing different types of runoff.
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 2 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:
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 3 of 5
Where were the Summer Olympic Games held in 2008?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The 2008 Summer Olympic Games were held in Beijing, China. The question specifically mentions that the 2008 games took place in Beijing, China, making option D the correct answer. China hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 2008, as stated in the text.
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
According to the passage, what does the author imply about the effect of voice tones on public speaking?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The author emphasizes the significance of voice tones in public speaking, suggesting that harsh voice qualities can make a person less desirable as a public speaker. The passage highlights that unpleasant voice qualities like being shrill, grating, or piercing can result from too much tension in the throat and jaw, which negatively impacts the audience's perception. Therefore, the correct answer is A, as the author implies that voice tones play a crucial role in making a positive impression on the audience in public speaking.
Extract:
"Phobias — 'Don’t be afraid.' Sounds simple, but for some people it's not. Having the normal
reaction of being scared or frightened helps you to survive threats of all kinds, both physical
and verbal. Most mild fears are outgrown during childhood; however, severe fears, called
phobias, are extreme and unreasonable. Phobias cause out-of-control feelings such as
sickness, headaches, ulcers, and high blood pressure. Specific phobias center around things,
activities, or situations while people with social phobias feel anxiety over social settings
where they fear embarrassing situations. Another type of phobia called panic disorder causes
people to sweat, tremble, or even faint due to overwhelming panic which may occur at any
time. By talking, breathing deeply, and visualizing, a person can gain control over
debilitating phobias
Question 5 of 5
The passage says that having fears is normal and good. According to the passage, why is having a phobia not normal and good? Because phobias
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The passage differentiates between normal fears, which can be helpful for survival, and phobias, which are described as extreme and unreasonable. Phobias can lead to debilitating feelings and physical symptoms, indicating that they disrupt normal functioning and well-being. Therefore, the correct answer is D, as it highlights that phobias are extreme and unreasonable, making them not normal or good.