HESI A2 Reading Comprehension Practice Test

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Step 1: White elephants are mentioned in the passage. Step 2: The passage describes white elephants as being given as gifts. Step 3: The passage emphasizes that white elephants are considered burdensome and unwanted. Step 4: Therefore, the purpose of white elephants in the tradition mentioned is to symbolize unwanted and burdensome gifts, supporting choice B. Summary: A: Incorrect - White elephants are not portrayed as symbols of wealth and power in the passage. C: Incorrect - The passage does not mention white elephants being used in religious ceremonies. D: Incorrect - The passage does not suggest that white elephants are mythological creatures with no real use.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Chronic illness. Sleep apnea causes interruptions in breathing during sleep, leading to reduced oxygen supply to the body. This can result in various chronic illnesses such as hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. The other choices are incorrect because sleep apnea does not promote good sleep (choice B), improve memory (choice C), or reduce physical illness (choice D). In fact, untreated sleep apnea can significantly impact overall health and quality of life due to the associated chronic health conditions.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: China developed chopsticks for eating utensils. This is supported by historical evidence showing that chopsticks originated in China over 5,000 years ago. The Chinese developed chopsticks as an alternative to using hands or knives for eating. Other choices are incorrect: A is false as chopsticks were not developed in Europe; C is subjective and not supported by the article; D is irrelevant and not related to the development of utensils.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the passage mentions the Kayapo people in the context of their sustainable farming practices. The author highlights their environmentally friendly approach, indicating that they farm in a way that does not harm the rainforest. This is supported by evidence within the text. Choice A is incorrect because there is no indication in the passage that the Kayapo people destroy the environment for farming. Choice C is incorrect as the passage does not suggest that the Kayapo people contribute to deforestation. Choice D is also incorrect since the passage does not focus on the hunting practices of the Kayapo people, but rather their farming methods.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the roadway of the Golden Gate Bridge had to be perfectly balanced to avoid collapse due to its suspension design. The weight distribution and tension in the cables needed to be precisely calculated to ensure stability. The other choices are incorrect because: A - The location above a fast-moving river does not inherently make the roadway dangerous. C - While materials used in construction can pose risks, there is no specific mention of unstable materials in the question. D - Construction during bad weather may have posed challenges, but it was not the primary reason for the danger of building the roadway.