HESI A2 Reading Comprehension V1 & V2
Actual Questions with Verified Answers
Grade A+ Guarantee
PASSAGE 1: EATING (V1)
Consumption of food is a universal necessity. Different cultures have developed different
methods to accomplish the task. It is interesting to discover these differences and learn new
ways to do things. European cultures developed cutlery (knives, forks, and spoons) to enable
people to efficiently eat their food. Correct use of these tools changes with the times—what
was polite in 1800 may not be considered proper manners today. China developed the chopstick
as an efficient tool for eating. Mastery of the use of chopsticks can be difficult for the person not
raised in the culture. The attempts of a novice to use chopsticks can be very amusing to the
watcher, but frustrating for the hungry diner. Space travel has created new challenges for
consuming food. Squeeze bottles and other unique packaging have enabled space travelers to
get their needed nutrition. Chopsticks and forks do not work well in space .
Question 1
What conclusion can be drawn about the article?
A) The author thinks chopsticks are funny
B) The best way to eat food is with cutlery
C) The author explains differences in eating processes
D) Space flight is fun and exciting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage focuses on how different cultures developed different eating tools and
methods. It does not endorse one method over another .
Question 2
What statement can be implied from the content of the article?
A) Eating in space can be time-consuming
B) Diversity is interesting to learn about
C) The author thinks cutlery is the best tool to use
D) The author enjoys trying new food
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: The author's positive tone—describing the process as "interesting"—suggests they
find learning about cultural differences valuable. An inference requires looking for the
"unwritten" message based on the tone .
Question 3
What is the best definition of "efficient" as used in the third paragraph?
A) Productive without waste
B) Fast and dangerous
C) Careful and slow
D) Messy and disorganized
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In the context of eating, "efficient" refers to achieving the result (nutrition or speed)
with the least amount of wasted effort or material .
Question 4
Which statement from the article serves as a concluding thought?
A) China developed chopsticks for eating utensils
B) "It is interesting to discover new ways to do things."
C) Space travel has created new challenges
D) European cultures developed cutlery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This sentence summarizes the author's overall point and wraps up the passage .
Question 5
What statement from the article is correct?
A) European cultures developed chopsticks
B) China developed chopsticks for eating utensils
C) Space travel has made eating easier
D) Cutlery use has remained the same since 1800
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage states that "China developed the chopstick as an efficient tool for
eating" .
PASSAGE 2: FOOD (V1)
,Food and drink are necessary and desirable, but their abuse can cause serious physical and
mental problems. Many physicians believe that overeating is one of the country's main health
problems, since it places a great strain on the heart, can lead to diabetes, and often shortens
the individual's life span. To fill an emotional void, people often turn to food when they are
bored or lonely. Another area of concern is alcohol consumption. The results of alcohol abuse
are widely publicized. The social drinker who becomes alcoholic, the drunken driver's
contribution to highway death, spousal and child abuse, are all concomitant problems
associated with alcohol abuse .
Question 6
As used in the last sentence of this paragraph, the term "concomitant" means:
A) Accompanying
B) Dangerous
C) Unrelated
D) Unimportant
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Concomitant" means accompanying or occurring alongside something else. In
context, the listed problems accompany alcohol abuse .
Question 7
The information presented in this article is:
A) Against drinking alcohol only
B) Unbiased in its approach
C) In favor of eating
D) Against all food consumption
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage presents factual information about the consequences of abuse without
being overly emotional or taking an extreme position .
Question 8
The author's motive for writing the paragraph seems to have been to:
A) Entertain the reader
B) Urge self-control
C) Criticize physicians
D) Promote alcohol use
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: The passage highlights the dangers of overeating and alcohol abuse, suggesting the
author wants readers to practice moderation and self-control .
Question 9
What is implied by this paragraph?
A) Food and drink are unnecessary
B) We should eat and drink in reasonable quantities
C) Alcohol is never acceptable
D) Overeating is not a serious concern
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The author notes that food and drink are necessary but warns against abuse,
implying the need for moderation .
Question 10
The author seems to:
A) Oppose all eating
B) Favor moderation
C) Promote overeating
D) Support alcohol consumption
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage warns of the problems caused by excess and implies the author
supports balanced habits .
PASSAGE 3: THE GAME OF BRIDGE (V1)
The ebb and flow of laughter and silence fills the room as four old friends gather to engage in a
round of Bridge playing. For the beginner, Bridge can be complicated, but with time, effort, and
a good teacher, even the novice can become proficient. Composed of two main parts, bidding
and playing, Bridge requires the player's undivided attention. The dealer deals the entire deck of
playing cards evenly between the four players, with each person receiving thirteen cards. In the
bidding portion of the game, the four suits of cards in the deck are ranked highest to lowest as
follows: spades, hearts, diamonds, and finally clubs. However, during play all the suits of cards
are considered equals, and they go from highest to lowest within the suit—from ace, king,
queen, jack, and then ten through two. A trick is a collection of one card played by each of the
four players. The winner of the trick is determined by the highest card in the lead suit, or by the
highest card in the trump suit, if one is played .
Actual Questions with Verified Answers
Grade A+ Guarantee
PASSAGE 1: EATING (V1)
Consumption of food is a universal necessity. Different cultures have developed different
methods to accomplish the task. It is interesting to discover these differences and learn new
ways to do things. European cultures developed cutlery (knives, forks, and spoons) to enable
people to efficiently eat their food. Correct use of these tools changes with the times—what
was polite in 1800 may not be considered proper manners today. China developed the chopstick
as an efficient tool for eating. Mastery of the use of chopsticks can be difficult for the person not
raised in the culture. The attempts of a novice to use chopsticks can be very amusing to the
watcher, but frustrating for the hungry diner. Space travel has created new challenges for
consuming food. Squeeze bottles and other unique packaging have enabled space travelers to
get their needed nutrition. Chopsticks and forks do not work well in space .
Question 1
What conclusion can be drawn about the article?
A) The author thinks chopsticks are funny
B) The best way to eat food is with cutlery
C) The author explains differences in eating processes
D) Space flight is fun and exciting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The passage focuses on how different cultures developed different eating tools and
methods. It does not endorse one method over another .
Question 2
What statement can be implied from the content of the article?
A) Eating in space can be time-consuming
B) Diversity is interesting to learn about
C) The author thinks cutlery is the best tool to use
D) The author enjoys trying new food
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: The author's positive tone—describing the process as "interesting"—suggests they
find learning about cultural differences valuable. An inference requires looking for the
"unwritten" message based on the tone .
Question 3
What is the best definition of "efficient" as used in the third paragraph?
A) Productive without waste
B) Fast and dangerous
C) Careful and slow
D) Messy and disorganized
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In the context of eating, "efficient" refers to achieving the result (nutrition or speed)
with the least amount of wasted effort or material .
Question 4
Which statement from the article serves as a concluding thought?
A) China developed chopsticks for eating utensils
B) "It is interesting to discover new ways to do things."
C) Space travel has created new challenges
D) European cultures developed cutlery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This sentence summarizes the author's overall point and wraps up the passage .
Question 5
What statement from the article is correct?
A) European cultures developed chopsticks
B) China developed chopsticks for eating utensils
C) Space travel has made eating easier
D) Cutlery use has remained the same since 1800
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage states that "China developed the chopstick as an efficient tool for
eating" .
PASSAGE 2: FOOD (V1)
,Food and drink are necessary and desirable, but their abuse can cause serious physical and
mental problems. Many physicians believe that overeating is one of the country's main health
problems, since it places a great strain on the heart, can lead to diabetes, and often shortens
the individual's life span. To fill an emotional void, people often turn to food when they are
bored or lonely. Another area of concern is alcohol consumption. The results of alcohol abuse
are widely publicized. The social drinker who becomes alcoholic, the drunken driver's
contribution to highway death, spousal and child abuse, are all concomitant problems
associated with alcohol abuse .
Question 6
As used in the last sentence of this paragraph, the term "concomitant" means:
A) Accompanying
B) Dangerous
C) Unrelated
D) Unimportant
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: "Concomitant" means accompanying or occurring alongside something else. In
context, the listed problems accompany alcohol abuse .
Question 7
The information presented in this article is:
A) Against drinking alcohol only
B) Unbiased in its approach
C) In favor of eating
D) Against all food consumption
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage presents factual information about the consequences of abuse without
being overly emotional or taking an extreme position .
Question 8
The author's motive for writing the paragraph seems to have been to:
A) Entertain the reader
B) Urge self-control
C) Criticize physicians
D) Promote alcohol use
Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: The passage highlights the dangers of overeating and alcohol abuse, suggesting the
author wants readers to practice moderation and self-control .
Question 9
What is implied by this paragraph?
A) Food and drink are unnecessary
B) We should eat and drink in reasonable quantities
C) Alcohol is never acceptable
D) Overeating is not a serious concern
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The author notes that food and drink are necessary but warns against abuse,
implying the need for moderation .
Question 10
The author seems to:
A) Oppose all eating
B) Favor moderation
C) Promote overeating
D) Support alcohol consumption
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The passage warns of the problems caused by excess and implies the author
supports balanced habits .
PASSAGE 3: THE GAME OF BRIDGE (V1)
The ebb and flow of laughter and silence fills the room as four old friends gather to engage in a
round of Bridge playing. For the beginner, Bridge can be complicated, but with time, effort, and
a good teacher, even the novice can become proficient. Composed of two main parts, bidding
and playing, Bridge requires the player's undivided attention. The dealer deals the entire deck of
playing cards evenly between the four players, with each person receiving thirteen cards. In the
bidding portion of the game, the four suits of cards in the deck are ranked highest to lowest as
follows: spades, hearts, diamonds, and finally clubs. However, during play all the suits of cards
are considered equals, and they go from highest to lowest within the suit—from ace, king,
queen, jack, and then ten through two. A trick is a collection of one card played by each of the
four players. The winner of the trick is determined by the highest card in the lead suit, or by the
highest card in the trump suit, if one is played .
