HESI A2 Reading Comprehension Study Guide

HESI A2 Full Reading Comprehension Guide Main Idea What is the “Main Idea”? The main idea is what the text is about and what the author wants you, the reader, to know. If someone were to ask you, “What was that book or article about?” they are asking you about the main idea. When you can tell them exactly what it is about, you have grasped the main idea. What is the purpose of the main idea? The purpose of the main idea is two-fold. First, it lets the reader know what the text is about so that the reader can decide whether or not to continue reading. Secondly, its purpose is to engage the reader quickly. It serves to capture and take hold of the reader within the first minute or two of picking up the text. How can you identify the main idea? The main idea is usually (but not always) apparent within the first two to three sentences. Often, the main idea is the same as the topic sentence. At other times, the title may state the main idea. After the first two or three paragraphs of a text, a reader should be able to identify the main idea and what the text is seeking to do. Some questions you can ask yourself after these first paragraphs include: ● Does this book/article/text tell me who, what, when, where, or how about something? ● Does this piece’s title tell me what I am reading? ● What is the point of this text? Main idea and supporting details The text you are reading will have additional details that help support or lend credence to the main idea. As you are reading, it is important to stop periodically to decide reflect how the supporting details help illustrate the main idea and to determine how they relate to each other. Rereading and reviewing Sometimes it is necessary to read the text again to decipher the main idea and the supporting details. Read each paragraph carefully and consider why the author is sharing this information. Example: Glass is such a popular material in our homes because it has all kinds of really useful properties. Apart from being transparent, it's inexpensive to make, easy to shape when it's molten, reasonably resistant to heat when it's set, chemically inert (so a glass jar doesn't react with the things you put inside it), and it can be recycled many number of times. What is the main idea of this paragraph? a. Glass is transparent. b. Glass can be recycled. c. Glass is useful in varied ways. d. Glass is resistant to heat. The answer is C. The first sentence states that glass is a popular material because it is useful in many ways. All the other answers (a, b, d) are supporting details that illustrate the main idea. Identifying the Main Idea Worksheet Select the main idea of each paragraph from the choices provided. 1. Annie Etheridge is one of the most famous nurses of the Civil War. Annie decided to become a nurse after her experience looking after her father when he was very ill and who eventually passed away. When the war broke out, Annie joined the 2nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry. She was affectionately nicknamed “Gentle Annie” and known for her bravery and courage. Annie was also an expert horsewoman and would ride throughout the battlefields with her saddlebags full of medical supplies. At one point, Annie’s horse was shot out from under her, but she continued to work in the field and tend to wounded soldiers. Her dedication and courage led her to become one of only two women in history to ever be awarded the Kearny Cross. When she died in 1913, Annie was buried as a veteran. What is the best title for this passage? a. “The Greatest Horsewoman of the Civil War” b. “The Famous Kearny Cross Award” c. “The Bravery and Courage of Nurse Annie” d. “Annie’s Dying Father” 2. Studies show that people who work in front of the computer all day can benefit from getting up from their desk and moving around. Prolonged inactivity can cause serious long-term health issues, including an increased risk of heart disease. To combat some of the negative effects of sitting in front of a computer for extended periods of time, it is recommended that workers should incorporate 5 to 10 minutes of activity per hour into their daily schedule. This can include activities such as stretching or walking. What is the main idea of this passage? a. Engaging in activity periodically throughout the day can be beneficial to your health. b. Sitting for prolonged periods of time is good for your overall health. c. Working at a desk is the primary cause of heart disease.