HESI A2
HESI A2 Version 3 Reading Comprehension Questions
Extract:
It is a well-known fact that it takes the Earth approximately 365 days to orbit the Sun. At the same time, the Earth revolves or spins around itself over the course of 24 hours, which explains why we experience day and night. One half of the Earth is always facing the Sun, while the other half is facing away. As a result, different time zones divide the globe. Moving suddenly from one time zone to another, such as when flying from Asia to North America, can cause jet lag. People often feel tired, wake up suddenly during the night, and cannot return to sleep. It takes time to adjust to a new time zone. Another important factor to consider is the slight tilt of the Earth toward the Sun. The Earth does not stand straight but leans slightly to one side. Therefore, when it revolves around the Sun, the middle part of the Earth is always closer to the Sun and receives more heat. This area is called the equator, and the regions above and below it are known as the tropics. Countries located in the tropics receive a consistent amount of daylight throughout the year, with the Sun rising at 6 AM and setting at 6 PM. In contrast, the tips of the Earth, or the poles, receive hardly any light because they are so far from the Sun. There are two main seasons at the poles: 6 months of summer, when the Sun is always shining (even at night), and 6 months of winter, characterized by constant darkness. Between the tropics and the poles lies the temperate zone, where there are four distinct seasons. The Sun rises and sets at different times throughout the year. In spring and summer, it gets light earlier; in fall and winter, it gets dark earlier. People living in temperate zones take advantage of this variation to maximize their daylight exposure. At the beginning of spring, countries in Europe and North America readjust their clocks by moving them an hour ahead. As a result, the Sun does not set around 7 or 8 PM as usual, but an hour later. This practice is called Daylight Savings Time (DST) and lasts until the beginning of fall, when people move their clocks back one hour to Standard or Regular Time. It is believed that Benjamin Franklin first suggested the introduction of Daylight Savings Time in the 18th century, but the first serious proposal came in 1907 from William Willet. However, his idea was shelved by the British government, which deemed it unnecessary. Daylight Savings Time was first implemented by the German government in 1916 in order to save energy during World War I. Shortly after, the United Kingdom followed suit, with the United States doing the same in 1918. The law was unpopular, as people had to wake up earlier, leading many to experience a feeling similar to jet lag. However, the energy crisis of the 1970s forced the U.S. to establish Daylight Savings Time as law. Studies showed that the introduction of Daylight Savings Time in the spring saved the U.S. 10,000 barrels of oil per day between 1974 and 1975. It also prevented 2,000 traffic injuries and 50 traffic-related deaths, saving the country $28 million. Currently, Americans switch to Daylight Savings Time on the first Sunday in April and revert to Standard Time on the last Sunday in October. As of 2007, the time adjustments occur even earlier in March and November.
Question 1 of 5
If it is 7 p.m. Standard Time, what time is it for Daylight Savings Time?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When transitioning from Standard Time to Daylight Savings Time, the clock is moved forward by one hour. Therefore, if it is 7 p.m. Standard Time, it would be 8 p.m. in Daylight Savings Time. The correct answer is 6 p.m., reflecting the advancement of the clock by one hour during the Daylight Savings Time period.
Extract:
ELECTORAL COLLEGE
The Electoral College has nothing to do with college and contains no students. It consists of votes that each state acquires based on the number of representatives it has in Congress. Each state has two electoral votes because every state has two senators. The remaining electoral votes are determined by the number of Congressmen, which is based on the population of the state, as established by the Census taken every decade.During the presidential election, most states cast all their electoral votes for the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state. Although this system can be confusing, the founding fathers knew what they were doing. The Electoral College encourages candidates to campaign in every state. However, winning the popular vote across the country does not guarantee winning the election. A notable example is the 2000 election, where Al Gore won the popular vote nationwide, but George W. Bush secured more electoral votes, ultimately becoming the 43rd president.
Question 2 of 5
What is the author's intention in discussing the Electoral College?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The author's intention is to provide an explanation and understanding of the Electoral College system. The passage explains how the Electoral College operates, its purpose, and its impact on presidential elections. It clarifies the connection between the number of electoral votes a state has and its representation in Congress. By discussing the Electoral College, the author aims to educate readers on this specific aspect of the U.S. electoral process, not focusing on voting rights history, political parties' roles, or media influence on elections.
Extract:
ELECTORAL COLLEGE
The Electoral College has nothing to do with college and contains no students. It consists of votes that each state acquires based on the number of representatives it has in Congress. Each state has two electoral votes because every state has two senators. The remaining electoral votes are determined by the number of Congressmen, which is based on the population of the state, as established by the Census taken every decade. During the presidential election, most states cast all their electoral votes for the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state. Although this system can be confusing, the founding fathers knew what they were doing. The Electoral College encourages candidates to campaign in every state. However, winning the popular vote across the country does not guarantee winning the election. A notable example is the 2000 election, where Al Gore won the popular vote nationwide, but George W. Bush secured more electoral votes, ultimately becoming the 43rd president.
Question 3 of 5
What is the author's reason for writing this piece?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The author's intent in writing this piece is primarily to educate the reader about the Electoral College. The passage provides a detailed explanation of how the Electoral College works, including its structure and the role it plays in presidential elections. It aims to inform the audience about a complex system in a straightforward manner, rather than entertaining, persuading, or criticizing. Therefore, the correct answer is C.
Extract:
Nurseries
If you thought nurseries were just for babies, well, think again! Being special kinds of farms, nurseries are used to raise plants in mass quantities. Plants, trees, and shrubs are typically grown in nurseries and then sold to farmers and gardeners to plant in homes, businesses and farms. Most nurseries are found in the more rural parts the country because much land is required to have a viable nursery. If a nursery sells plants to others, it must obtain a special permit from the local city or county, which keeps the competition fair and does not saturate the market with a large number of nurseries selling similar products.
Also on the grounds of nurseries are greenhouses which are made of glass or plastic panes that protect the plants from weather elements that may harm them and cause them not to grow and develop. The glass panels in greenhouses allow for sunlight to enter and moisture to be trapped inside. This creates a tropical environment which allows orchids and poinsettias to grow. It ensures that vegetables and fruits will grow large, which makes them valuable to farmers.
Question 4 of 5
Nurseries are:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Nurseries are special types of farms where plants, trees, and shrubs are grown in mass quantities to be sold to farmers and gardeners for planting. They require a significant amount of land and often have greenhouses to protect plants from adverse weather conditions, creating optimal growing environments. This distinguishes nurseries as agricultural establishments rather than medical facilities, educational institutions, or retail stores selling electronics.
Question 5 of 5
What does 'panel' mean?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The term 'panel' refers to a strip of board or other material that forms a section of a wall or door. In the context provided, the glass panels in greenhouses are specifically mentioned, indicating that 'panel' is used to describe a part of a structure that allows sunlight to enter and protects plants from weather elements. This definition aligns most closely with choice B, making it the correct answer.