HESI A2 Reading Comprehension V2 2024

Extract:

Today, bicycles are so common that it's hard to believe they haven't always been around. But two hundred years ago, bicycles didn't even exist, and the first bicycle, invented in Germany in 1818, was nothing like our bicycles today. It was made of wood and didn't even have pedals. Since then, however, numerous innovations and improvements in design have made the bicycle one of the most popular means of recreation and transportation around the world.
In 1839, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a Scottish blacksmith, dramatically improved upon the original bicycle design. Macmillan's machine had tires with iron rims to keep them from getting worn down. He also used foot-operated cranks like pedals, so his bicycle could be ridden at a quick pace. It didn't look much like a modern bicycle, though, because its back wheel was substantially larger than its front wheel.
In 1861, the French Michaux brothers took bicycle design a step further by introducing a metal frame, making bicycles stronger and lighter. They also used rubber tires, which provided better traction and allowed for a more comfortable ride.
Finally, in 1874, the first truly modern bicycle appeared on the scene, complete with solid rubber tires, ball bearings, and even a chain drive, which enabled the rider to pedal at a higher speed with less effort. Today bicycles are built, used, and enjoyed all over the world.

Question 1 of 5

What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Bicycles have become a common mode of transportation worldwide. B. The first modern bicycle was invented in 1818 in Germany. C. Innovations and improvements in bicycle design have made bicycles popular for recreation and transportation globally. D. Bicycles are now built, used, and enjoyed globally.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The main idea of the passage is that innovations and improvements in bicycle design have made bicycles one of the most popular means of recreation and transportation worldwide. The passage outlines the evolution of bicycles from their early designs to the modern versions, emphasizing how these changes have contributed to their popularity.
Choice A is incorrect because it focuses only on the current status of bicycles, while the main idea encompasses the evolution and improvements in design.
Choice B is incorrect as it mentions the invention of the first modern bicycle but does not address the overall impact of innovations on bicycle popularity.
Choice D is incorrect as it simply states a fact without capturing the essence of the passage, which is about the impact of design improvements.

Extract:

The ability to see at a distance, in good light, does not diminish as a result of aging to the extent that other visual acuities do. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is more common to younger eyes, while presbyopia, or farsightedness, more commonly afflicts people as they age. The word presbyopia comes from Greek presbys, "old man," and opia, "eye," and names a condition in which, because the lens of the eye hardens slightly and loses elasticity as a person ages, one cannot as easily focus sharply on nearby objects. This condition leads to the familiar habit of lifting up one's glasses and bringing an object or reading material close to the face so that the eyes can more easily focus on it. The function of the lens is to accommodate different focal points so that sensory data can be correctly directed to the retina for interpretation into images by the brain. Corrective lenses, particularly bifocals or progressive lenses, adjust for the focal point aberration. In essence, they do the work that the eye can no longer do for itself

Question 2 of 5

The author of the passage would probably agree with which of the following statements relating corrective lenses and aging eyes?

A. A carpenter uses wood glue to fix a broken cabinet. B. A student buys a new notebook for upcoming classes. C. A chef sharpens knives before starting to cook. D. An athlete stretches before a game to avoid a potential injury.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct analogy for the role of corrective lenses in helping aging eyes can be compared to an athlete stretching before a game. Just as stretching prepares an athlete's body to perform optimally and avoid injury during a game, corrective lenses help aging eyes adjust and focus properly due to the hardening and loss of elasticity in the eye lens.

Choices A, B, and C do not align with the concept of preparing or adjusting to address a specific issue, unlike the use of corrective lenses for aging eyes.

Extract:

Today, bicycles are so common that it's hard to believe they haven't always been around. But two hundred years ago, bicycles didn't even exist, and the first bicycle, invented in Germany in 1818, was nothing like our bicycles today. It was made of wood and didn't even have pedals. Since then, however, numerous innovations and improvements in design have made the bicycle one of the most popular means of recreation and transportation around the world.
In 1839, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a Scottish blacksmith, dramatically improved upon the original bicycle design. Macmillan's machine had tires with iron rims to keep them from getting worn down. He also used foot-operated cranks like pedals, so his bicycle could be ridden at a quick pace. It didn't look much like a modern bicycle, though, because its back wheel was substantially larger than its front wheel.
In 1861, the French Michaux brothers took bicycle design a step further by introducing a metal frame, making bicycles stronger and lighter. They also used rubber tires, which provided better traction and allowed for a more comfortable ride.
Finally, in 1874, the first truly modern bicycle appeared on the scene, complete with solid rubber tires, ball bearings, and even a chain drive, which enabled the rider to pedal at a higher speed with less effort. Today bicycles are built, used, and enjoyed all over the world.

Question 3 of 5

Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?

A. Bicycles are better. B. A ride through the history of bicycles. C. Cycle your way to fitness. D. The popularity of bicycles.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The best title for this passage would be 'A ride through the history of bicycles' as it provides a comprehensive overview of the historical development of bicycles from their invention to modern times.
Choice A, 'Bicycles are better,' is incorrect as it does not capture the essence of the passage, which focuses on the history and evolution of bicycles rather than their superiority.
Choice C, 'Cycle your way to fitness,' is misleading as the passage does not primarily discuss the fitness aspect of cycling but instead focuses on the evolution of bicycle design.
Choice D, 'The popularity of bicycles,' is too narrow as it only touches on one aspect mentioned briefly in the passage, while the passage covers a broader historical perspective.

Question 4 of 5

Why did Macmillan add iron rims to the tires of his bicycle?

A. Increase the weight of the bicycle. B. Enhance the durability of the tires. C. Reduce the bumpiness of the ride. D. Decrease the level of fatigue during the ride.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Macmillan added iron rims to his bicycle tires to enhance their durability and make them last longer. This innovation aimed to prevent the tires from getting worn down quickly. Adding weight to the bicycle (
Choice
A) was not the purpose of adding iron rims. While adding iron rims could potentially reduce the bumpiness of the ride (
Choice
C) by providing more stability, the main objective was to improve tire longevity. Similarly, reducing the level of fatigue during the ride (
Choice
D) was not the primary reason for adding iron rims.

Extract:

A nanometer is a billionth of a meter. A DNA molecule is 2 nanometers in diameter. Protein molecules are about 10 nanometers in diameter. A human hair is 100,000 nanometers in diameter. But what is a nanometer and how does it relate to technology?
Nanotechnology is defined as the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, a scale at which unique properties of materials emerge that can be used to develop novel technologies and products. At the nanoscale, the physical, chemical, and biological properties of materials differ from the properties of matter either at smaller scales, such as atoms, or at larger scales that we use in everyday life such as millimeters or inches.
Nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring, modeling, and manipulating matter only a few nanometers in size. Gold nanoparticles are made of the same material as in jewelry. But when light interacts with particles of gold, different colors are reflected. The different colors can be used in simple medical tests to indicate infection or disease. Metals such as copper become extremely rigid at the nanoscale, rather than bendable as in copper wires seen in everyday use.

Question 5 of 5

What is the major difference between matter at the nanoscale and matter at larger scales such as millimeters or inches?

A. At the nanoscale, metals are rigid, and at larger scales, they are bendable. B. Matter has different and special characteristics at the nanoscale. C. At the nanoscale, matter has different properties than matter at the atomic level. D. There is no difference.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Matter at the nanoscale exhibits unique and special characteristics that distinguish it from matter at larger scales. This can include properties like increased surface area, different melting points, altered conductivity, and enhanced reactivity.
Choice A is incorrect as metals at the nanoscale can be more rigid compared to their larger scale counterparts.
Choice C is incorrect because matter at the nanoscale has properties that are distinct from both atomic and larger scales.
Choice D is incorrect as there are significant differences in how matter behaves and interacts at the nanoscale compared to larger scales.

Nurselytic

HESI A2

HESI A2