Reading Comprehension HESI A2 Practice Test

Question 1

The regulation of dietary supplements falls under the jurisdiction of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which applies different standards compared to those governing prescription and over-the-counter medications. In general, the regulations for dietary supplements are less stringent. Manufacturers are not required to demonstrate the safety or effectiveness of a dietary supplement prior to its marketing. However, they are allowed to make claims about addressing nutrient deficiencies, supporting health, or being associated with specific bodily functions, provided that research backs these assertions. These claims must be accompanied by a disclaimer stating, “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.â€ Additionally, manufacturers are expected to adhere to good manufacturing practices (GMPs) to ensure consistent processing and quality standards, with requirements that took effect in 2008 for larger manufacturers and are being phased in for smaller ones by 2010. Once a dietary supplement is available on the market, the FDA monitors its safety and product information, including label claims and package inserts. If a product is deemed unsafe, the FDA has the authority to take action against the manufacturer or distributor, which may include issuing warnings or requiring product removal. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) oversees advertising regulations, ensuring that all promotional materials are truthful and not misleading. Consequently, the federal government has pursued legal action against numerous dietary supplement promoters or websites that have made false claims or marketed unsafe products.

What does the phrase 'phased in' mean as it is used in the third paragraph?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) C

Rationale

Implemented in stages.

The phrase "phased in" refers to the gradual implementation of a process or regulation over a specified period, rather than introducing it all at once. In the context of dietary supplement regulations, it indicates that the requirements were rolled out in increments for smaller manufacturers by 2010.

A) Stunned into silence
This choice suggests a state of shock or disbelief, which has no relevance to the gradual implementation of regulations. "Phased in" does not imply any emotional response but rather a systematic approach to introducing changes.

B) Confused
This option implies a lack of understanding or clarity, which does not accurately describe the structured process indicated by "phased in." The term refers specifically to a methodical rollout, rather than any state of confusion.

D) Legalized
While "legalized" refers to the act of making something lawful, it does not capture the essence of "phased in." The phrase denotes a gradual introduction of regulations rather than the act of establishing legality or compliance.

Conclusion
"Phased in" specifically describes a process that is implemented gradually, highlighting a structured approach to regulatory compliance for dietary supplement manufacturers. This contrasts with the other choices, which fail to convey the methodical nature of the rollout. Understanding this terminology is crucial for grasping how the FDA manages the introduction of new regulations within the industry.

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Question 2

The Moon has been worshipped by primitive peoples and has inspired humans to create everything from lunar calendars to love sonnets. But what do we really know about it? The most accepted theory about the Moon's origin is that it was formed from the debris of a massive collision with the young Earth about 4.6 billion years ago. A huge body, perhaps the size of Mars, struck the Earth, throwing out an immense amount of debris that coalesced and cooled in orbit around the Earth.The development of Earth is inextricably linked to the Moon; the Moon's gravitational influence upon the Earth is the primary cause of ocean tides. In fact, the Moon has more than twice the effect on the tides than the Sun. The Moon makes one rotation and completes a revolution around the Earth every 27 days, 7 hours, and 43 minutes. This synchronous rotation is caused by an uneven distribution of mass in the Moon (essentially, it is heavier on one side than the other) and has allowed the Earth's gravity to keep one side of the Moon permanently facing Earth.The average distance from Earth to the Moon is about 384,403 km. The Moon has no atmosphere; without it, the Moon has no protection from meteorite impacts, resulting in a surface covered with impact craters, both large and small. The Moon also has no active tectonic or volcanic activity, so the erosive effects of atmospheric weathering, tectonic shifts, and volcanic upheavals that tend to erase and reform the Earth's surface features are not at work on the Moon. In fact, even tiny surface features, such as the footprint left by an astronaut in the lunar soil, are likely to last for millions of years unless obliterated by a chance meteorite strike. The surface gravity of the Moon is about one-sixth that of Earth's. Therefore, a person weighing 82 kilograms on Earth would only weigh 14 kilograms on the Moon. The geographical features of the Earth most similar to those of the Moon are places such as the Hawaiian volcanic craters and the huge meteor crater in Arizona. However, the climate of the Moon is very different from either Hawaii or Arizona; in fact, the temperature on the Moon ranges from 123 degrees Celsius to -233 degrees Celsius.

What is the passage primarily about?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) A

Rationale

What we know about the Moon and its differences from Earth.

The passage provides a comprehensive overview of the Moon, detailing its origin, physical characteristics, and how it contrasts with Earth. It emphasizes not only what we understand about the Moon but also highlights significant differences such as gravity, atmosphere, and surface features.

A) What we know about the Moon and its differences from Earth
This option accurately captures the essence of the passage, which discusses various aspects of the Moon, including its formation, physical properties, and how these elements differentiate it from Earth. The passage presents a holistic view of the Moon, making this choice the most fitting.

B) A comparison of the Moon and Earth
While the passage includes elements of comparison, it is primarily focused on providing information about the Moon itself rather than a direct comparative analysis. This choice lacks the broader context of the Moon's characteristics and origin, which are central to the passage.

C) The Moon's effect on Earth
Although the passage mentions the Moon's gravitational influence on ocean tides, this is just one aspect of a much larger discussion. The primary focus is on the Moon, not solely its effects on Earth, making this choice too narrow to represent the main idea.

D) The origin of the Moon
The passage does discuss the Moon's origin due to a massive collision with Earth, but it is not the primary focus. This choice overlooks the extensive information provided about the Moon’s physical features and its relationship with Earth, which contribute to the overall understanding of the Moon.

Conclusion
The passage primarily explores various aspects of the Moon, including its formation, characteristics, and differences from Earth. While it touches on specific topics like the Moon's gravitational effects and origin, the overall emphasis is on a general understanding of the Moon's properties and how they set it apart from Earth, making the first option the most comprehensive choice.

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Question 3

Subjective exams measure your ability in several areas. Besides recall information, you must be
able to realize content logically and intelligently express yourself in a clearly understood manner. Subjective test provide opportunity for students to show their broad knowledge of a subjective
area. Answers may be in the form of paragraphs or lengthy essays. When your review for an essay exam, concentrate on main ideas rather than details. Since essay tests are less to a few questions, they are likely to deal with more important ideas of a subject. Prepare a list of question you think might be asked. Write an answer to each of your questions. Rather than writing complete sentence down your thoughts in outline form. Doing so will help
you organize the information so that you can express yourself clearly.
When you take the test, read through all the questions before you start to write. Allot time for each question, spending more time for questions worth the most points. Read each question carefully to determine exactly what they are asked. Pay attention to words such as define, illustrate, explain, list, compare, and contrast. Each work requires a different type of response. Write a brief outline of your answer on scrap paper or the back of the test. Make sure you include all the important ideas that are within the limits of the question. In other words, do not write more than is asked for each answer. When you write your answer, keep it specific and as brief as possible. In the introductory sentence it is often helpful to make a general statement that includes
important points addressed in each question. Such a topic sentence serves as a framework for your answer. Then use your outline to develop the main point and subtopics. Add substance to
your answer by including as many facts as possible to support your answer.
Check your paper before you submit it. Look for mistakes in grammar, spelling, sentence
structure, and punctuation. Unless you are certain an answer is wrong, do not change it. Your answer is an educated guess and is usually your best chance of answering correctly.

When answering subjective questions, the student should

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) B

Rationale

Keep it brief and specific.

When answering subjective questions, it is essential to focus on clarity and conciseness, ensuring that responses directly address the question without unnecessary elaboration. This approach helps convey the main ideas effectively while adhering to any specified limits.

A) Include more than is asked.
Including more information than required can lead to irrelevant details, making it difficult for the reader to identify the main points. Subjective questions often have specific criteria, and exceeding those limits can dilute the quality of the response and potentially confuse the reader.

C) Write out the words-true or false.
Writing out "true" or "false" is not applicable in the context of subjective questions, which typically require more comprehensive answers, such as essays or paragraphs. This choice disregards the nature of subjective assessments that demand critical thinking and structured responses rather than binary answers.

D) Capitalize the matching letters.
While capitalization might be relevant in multiple-choice formats or specific instructions, it is not a necessary practice when answering subjective questions. The focus should instead be on the content and clarity of the written response, rather than formatting elements like capitalization of letters.

Conclusion
In subjective exams, the emphasis should be on crafting responses that are both brief and specific, allowing for clear communication of ideas. By avoiding unnecessary elaboration and focusing on the essential points of the question, students can effectively demonstrate their understanding and knowledge. This strategic approach enhances the quality of their answers, aligning with the expectations of subjective assessments.

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Question 4

Croatian-born inventor Nikola Tesla is often called the "forgotten scientist". Although he
invented the alternating current (AC) motor and developed an AC electricity generation system, he never received historical credit for many of his achievements, unlike one of his first employer and eventual nemesis, inventor Thomas Edison
Tesla made the first sketches of his idea for a brushless of his idea for a brushless AC motor while he was a student at the University of Prague in 1882. His interest in electricity generation led him to Paris where he was employed by the Continental Edison Company later that year to repair Edison's direct current (DC) power plants. Two years later, Tesla immigrated to New York City and acquired a job as an engineer at
Thomas Edison's headquarters in Manhattan. Edison was impressed with Tesla's work ethic and
ingenuity. He challenged the young scientist to develop an improved design for his DC
generators for $50,000. Tesla experimented for months, finally presenting Edison with the
solution he needed. Edison reneged on the deal, telling Tesla that he didn't understand American humor. Tesla soon left Edison in order to begin his own electric light company
Tesla filed and was granted more than 30 patents for his inventions in 1887 and 1888. He soon
had financial backing for his ideas from one of Edison' main competitors, Westinghouse. In the
1890's Tesla experimented with x-rays, developed a high-voltage electrical transformer call the
Tesla coil, and demonstrated the propagation of radio waves two years before the "Father of
Radio" Guglielmo Marconi. He was also the first to harness the mammoth potential energy of
Niagara Falls. He worked with General Electric to install AC generators with turbines driven by the falling waters of the Niagara River, creating the first modern power plant although a brilliant scientist, Tesla was not an astute businessman. He created his own obscurity by relinquishing
royalty rights for his inventions to major corporations for the purpose of raising funds for future projects.

What is the meaning of the word 'astute' in the last paragraph?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) B

Rationale

Shrewd

In the context of the passage, 'astute' refers to having the ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one’s advantage, which aligns with the definition of being shrewd. Tesla's lack of business acumen is highlighted, indicating that he did not possess this quality.

A) Unwise
This choice implies a lack of judgment or poor decision-making skills. While Tesla may have made decisions that were not financially beneficial, 'unwise' does not capture the nuance of being shrewd, which involves being perceptive and clever in making decisions that leverage opportunities.

B) Shrewd
This option accurately reflects the meaning of 'astute.' Being shrewd means having sharp judgment and being able to make smart decisions, particularly in business. Tesla’s inability to navigate the business world effectively illustrates his lack of shrewdness, despite his scientific brilliance.

C) Reckless
Recklessness suggests a disregard for the potential consequences of one's actions, indicating impulsive behavior. Tesla's actions, while perhaps unwise in a business sense, do not reflect recklessness; rather, they stem from his focus and passion for invention, not a lack of foresight.

D) Honest
Honesty refers to being truthful and transparent, qualities that do not relate to the meaning of 'astute.' Tesla's character in the passage is not characterized by dishonesty; therefore, this choice does not align with the context of his business decisions.

Conclusion
The term 'astute' in the passage describes someone who is perceptive and able to effectively navigate complex situations, particularly in business. Tesla's brilliance as an inventor contrasts sharply with his lack of shrewdness, as he forfeited financial rights to his inventions for funding. Understanding the meaning of 'astute' as shrewd is vital for grasping the nuanced critique of Tesla's business decisions in the text.

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Question 5

About 6% of the earth is covered by rainforests. The largest rainforest in the world is the
Amazon Basin, which stretches over 2.3 million square miles in nine different South American countries. This area is double the length of all the other remaining rainforests in the world. Brazil contains 60%of the Amazonian rainforest, since it lies at the mouth of the river Amazon. This river is the second largest in the world and contains more than one-fifth of the world's fresh water. The Amazon rainforest is a type of wet broadleaf forest. The weather there is very humid and warm as it rains quite a bit. Because of the high rainfall, the forest is very rich and green. The
tree leaves are pointed and narrow so that the raindrops can easily drop off wet plants. This
tropical rainforest has more living species than the entire European continent. There are over 400 types of insects living in one single rain forest tree for a total of 2.5 million species. One square kilometer of rainforest may contain over 75,000 types of trees and approximately 438,000
different kinds of plants, which comes to a total of 90,000 tons of greenery overall. The Amazon rainforest is home to 2,000 birds and mammals, with one in every five birds in the world living there. Local farmers have lived off this rich and diverse land for thousands of years. They have been able to find food and water here without destroying the land. The Kayapo people of Brazil
farm in an environmentally-friendly way. Instead of chemicals, they use burned wood to enrich the soil, and plant banana trees, which attract wasps. These wasps then feed on leafcutter ants and get rid of these harmful insects. The rainforest also offers a lot of tropical fruits, such as bananas and coconuts, as food.
Cinnamon is made from the bark of a rainforest tree. Amazonian Indians use the fruit and stem
of the Buruti plant as a drink, to make bread and to build houses. Many other plants are used as medicine. But the Amazon rainforest is in very big danger of disappearing. 9,169 square miles of
forest have been cut down in 2003 in Brazil alone. An area of the size of a football field is burned down basically every minute, which means that the rain forest may be gone by the year 2030.The dangers related to this type of activity are obvious. Trees take in poisonous carbon
dioxide from the air and give off oxygen. There is more oxygen and less carbon dioxide around a
rainforest. When trees are cut down, however, the amount of carbon dioxide increases, and the
air gets warmer. This leads to global warming, which is extremely harmful to the environment. It
is estimated that the burning of Brazilian rainforests alone produces 200 million metric tons of carbon dioxide ayear. Another danger connected with destroying the rainforest is the disappearance of plants and animals. When trees are cut down, plants and animals have no more
food left and slowly die out. Killing wild animals is illegal in Brazil, but there is plenty of stealing going on. 38 million animals are stolen and sold illegally each year. The most hunted
animals are birds, especially parrots, followed by snakes and the jaguar.

Which of the following statements is true about the Amazon Basin?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) B

Rationale

The Amazon Basin is more than one-fifth the size of all the other rainforests in the world combined.

The Amazon Basin covers over 2.3 million square miles, which is stated to be double the length of all other remaining rainforests in the world, making it significantly larger than one-fifth of their combined area.

A) It is not much larger than all the other rainforests in the world combined.
This statement is incorrect because the Amazon Basin is explicitly described as being double the size of all other rainforests combined, which clearly indicates that it is much larger, not just "not much larger."

B) It is more than one-fifth the size of all the other rainforests in the world combined.
This statement is true, as the text states that the Amazon Basin is over 2.3 million square miles and double the size of the remaining rainforests, which confirms it exceeds one-fifth of their combined area.

C) The tree leaves there have a specific shape to allow raindrops to fall off easily.
While the text mentions that tree leaves in the rainforest are pointed and narrow to help raindrops fall off, this characteristic does not pertain specifically to the size or area of the Amazon Basin itself, making it irrelevant to the question.

D) It is a habitat for many mammals and birds.
Although it is true that the Amazon Basin is home to many mammals and birds, the statement is not specific enough to address the question of size relative to other rainforests, which is the focus of the question.

Conclusion
The Amazon Basin stands out as a colossal rainforest, significantly larger than all other rainforests combined, reinforcing its importance in global ecology. While it serves as a habitat for diverse wildlife and has unique tree adaptations, the key fact about its size relative to other rainforests is what makes option B the only accurate statement regarding the Amazon Basin.

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Implemented in stages.

What we know about the Moon and its differences from Earth.

Keep it brief and specific.

Shrewd

The Amazon Basin is more than one-fifth the size of all the other rainforests in the world combined.

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