HESI A2
HESI A2 Version 1 Reading Comprehension Questions
Extract:
Changing Time: I have a major problem with Daylight Saving Time (DST). I really wish they would abolish the practice of changing the time on us every year. 'Spring ahead, Fall back' should disappear from our language.
Although an early goal of DST was to reduce evening usage of incandescent lighting, formerly a primary use of electricity, modern heating and cooling usage patterns greatly differ, and research about how DST currently affects energy use is limited and often contradictory. The reason for the time shift has become irrelevant.
DST's occasional clock shifts present other challenges. They complicate timekeeping and can disrupt meetings, travel, billing, recordkeeping, medical devices, and heavy equipment. Many computer-based systems can adjust their clocks automatically, but this can be limited and error-prone, particularly when DST rules change.
I vote to abolish DST. Can I count on your vote?
Question 1 of 5
To what word or phrase does the word 'they' in the third paragraph refer?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clock shifts. In the third paragraph, the word 'they' refers to the subject of the previous sentence, which is "occasional clock shifts." This is evident from the context that follows, discussing how the clock shifts complicate timekeeping and disrupt various aspects. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because 'they' does not directly refer to computer-based systems (B), DST's (C), or challenges (D) in the given paragraph. The key to identifying the correct answer lies in understanding the pronoun reference and its connection to the context provided in the surrounding sentences, which clearly point to clock shifts as the subject referred to by 'they.'
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
Which of the following words is an antonym for the word 'comprised'?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The term 'comprised' means to include or contain. An antonym would be a word that signifies the opposite of including or containing. The correct answer, 'Exclude,' means to leave out or omit, which is the opposite of comprising.
Question 3 of 5
Which transitional expression best replaces 'ultimately' in the following sentence: 'Ultimately, condensation happens when water vapor cools'?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The word 'ultimately' is used to indicate the final step in a process. 'While' can serve as a transition that suggests a time-based connection, which works well in the context of the water cycle's progression. The other options, such as 'furthermore' and 'moreover,' are used to add information, and 'since' indicates causality, none of which is appropriate in this context.
Extract:
Have you ever found yourself staring at the ceiling at 2:00 a.m.? Have you kicked the blankets off to the floor from tossing and turning? Many longtime suffers of Insomnia know these situations all too well. As many as 17% of Americans find the restful break of sleep hard to achieve.
Lack of sleep affects intellectual abilities at work or school by causing a deficit in memory, attention, and concentration which in turn creates a feeling of irritation or depression. Chronic insomnia can result from a medical illness, a psychiatric condition, or from sleep apnea, a condition where an individual actually stops breathing during sleep. Sleep hygiene, developing good sleep habits, and non- pharmacological therapies such as herbs and spices are some solutions to Insomnia.
Question 4 of 5
When the author wrote this passage, what was his/her intent?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage is factual and aims to inform readers about insomnia, its effects, and possible solutions. The tone is educational rather than satirical, and the intent seems to be to explain the condition and propose non-pharmacological remedies. By discussing the impact of insomnia on intellectual abilities and suggesting solutions like sleep hygiene and non-pharmacological therapies, the author's main goal is to provide information and potential strategies for managing insomnia.
Question 5 of 5
What can sleep apnea cause?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sleep apnea can cause chronic insomnia. Sleep apnea is a condition where an individual stops breathing during sleep, leading to disruptions in sleep patterns which can result in chronic insomnia. Chronic insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling and staying asleep over a prolonged period, often leading to various health issues. Therefore, the correct answer is option A, as sleep apnea is a known factor that can contribute to the development of chronic insomnia.