HESI A2 Reading Comprehension 2024

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: To intensify. In the context of the last paragraph, exacerbate means to make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse or more severe. This is supported by the text indicating that the situation described would worsen due to certain factors. Choice A, to soothe, is incorrect as it means to make something feel better or calmer, which is opposite in meaning to exacerbate. Choice C, to adapt, is incorrect as it means to adjust to new conditions, not to make a situation worse. Choice D, to disclose, is incorrect as it means to reveal or make something known, which is unrelated to the context of exacerbate in the paragraph.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: To intensify. In the context of the last paragraph, exacerbate means to make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse or more severe. This is supported by the text indicating that the situation described would worsen due to certain factors. Choice A, to soothe, is incorrect as it means to make something feel better or calmer, which is opposite in meaning to exacerbate. Choice C, to adapt, is incorrect as it means to adjust to new conditions, not to make a situation worse. Choice D, to disclose, is incorrect as it means to reveal or make something known, which is unrelated to the context of exacerbate in the paragraph.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Chance. In the first paragraph, the word "serendipity" is used to describe a fortunate and unexpected discovery. This aligns with the definition of chance, where something positive happens by luck rather than by intention. Other choices like Persistence, Foreboding, and Expertise do not accurately reflect the meaning of serendipity in the context provided. Persistence refers to determination, Foreboding means a feeling that something bad will happen, and Expertise relates to knowledge and skill, none of which capture the essence of serendipity as a chance occurrence.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Seeped. In the context of the last paragraph, "leached" typically refers to the process of nutrients or minerals being removed or washed out gradually from soil or another substance. This choice aligns with the idea of something gradually seeping out, which fits the context of the word. A: "Sucked" implies a more forceful action than the gradual process suggested by the term "leached." B: "Compressed" does not convey the idea of nutrients or minerals being removed, which is the essence of leaching. D: "Materialized" refers to something becoming real or tangible, which is unrelated to the process of leaching.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Vasectomies. The passage discusses various uses for microscopy such as ear surgery, amputations, and reconstructions. Vasectomies do not involve surgery on a specific body part that would typically require the use of microscopy. It is a simple and minimally invasive procedure that does not involve intricate visualization through a microscope. Therefore, vasectomies do not align with the context of the other uses mentioned in the passage.