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
Which literary genre best describes this passage?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage describes the water cycle in a factual and informative manner, making it an essay. It presents scientific concepts clearly without storytelling elements or fictional narratives, which distinguishes it from narrative nonfiction or realistic fiction. Additionally, the passage does not aim to persuade or motivate an audience, as would be characteristic of a speech.
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:
"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 3 of 5
What does the author want the reader to know about phobias?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The passage emphasizes that phobias are severe and unreasonable fears that can lead to debilitating physical and emotional symptoms, such as sickness and high blood pressure. While the author also mentions that people can gain control over phobias, the primary focus of the passage is to highlight their debilitating nature. Therefore, the correct answer is B, as it accurately reflects the author's intent to inform readers about the debilitating effects of phobias.
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 4 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:
Exams
Subjective exams measure your ability in several areas. Besides recall information, you must be able to organize content logically and intelligently express yourself in a clearly understood manner. Subjective tests provide a greater opportunity for students to show their broad knowledge of a subject area. Answers may be in the form of paragraphs or lengthy essays.
When you review for an essay exam, concentrate on main ideas rather than details. Since essay tests are limited to a few questions, they are likely to deal with more important ideas of a subject. Prepare a list of questions that you think might be asked. Write an answer to each of your questions. Rather than writing complete sentences, jot down your thoughts in outline form. Doing so will help you organize the information so that you can express yourself clearly.
When you take the test, read through all the questions before you start to write. Allot time for each question, allowing more time for questions worth the most points. Read each question carefully to determine exactly what is being asked. Pay attention to words such as define, illustrate, explain, list, compare, and contrast. Each word requires a different type of response.
Question 5 of 5
From the article, the reader can conclude that a test containing true-false questions is called?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'objective.' Objective tests, such as those containing true-false questions, multiple-choice questions, and other formats with clear answers, are designed to measure specific knowledge objectively. This type of test contrasts with subjective tests that allow for more personal expression and analysis. In the context of the article, the term 'objective' refers to tests with definitive answers that do not involve personal interpretation or opinion.