THE ULTIMATE HESI A2 (HEALTH
EDUCATION SYSTEMS, INC. ADMISSION
ASSESSMENT) PRACTICE EXAM:
QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, AND IN-DEPTH
RATIONALES
READING COMPREHENSION
Question 1
Which of the following is the primary purpose of the passage's introduction?
A) To present the thesis statement and engage the reader
B) To provide supporting evidence for the argument
C) To summarize the main points of the passage
D) To transition between paragraphs
Answer: A) To present the thesis statement and engage the reader
Rationale: The introduction of a passage presents the thesis statement (the main argument) and
engages the reader with a hook. Supporting evidence is provided in the body paragraphs; the conclusion
summarizes the main points; transitions connect paragraphs. The introduction sets the stage for the
entire passage.
Question 2
A passage describes the similarities and differences between two historical figures. Which of the
following text structures is being used?
A) Cause and effect
B) Compare and contrast
C) Problem and solution
D) Chronological order
Answer: B) Compare and contrast
Rationale: Compare and contrast text structure shows the similarities and differences between two or
more subjects. Cause and effect shows how one event leads to another; problem and solution presents a
problem and proposes solutions; chronological order is sequential by time.
,Question 3
Which of the following is a credible source for academic research?
A) A peer-reviewed journal article
B) A personal blog
C) A social media post
D) An opinion piece in a newspaper
Answer: A) A peer-reviewed journal article
Rationale: A peer-reviewed journal article is a credible source because it has been evaluated by experts in
the field. Personal blogs, social media posts, and opinion pieces are not necessarily credible because they
may contain bias or lack rigorous review. Peer review is a hallmark of scholarly credibility.
Question 4
Which of the following is the best definition of the term "inference"?
A) A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning
B) A direct statement made by the author
C) A fact presented in the passage
D) A question raised by the author
Answer: A) A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning
Rationale: An inference is a conclusion that a reader reaches based on evidence and reasoning presented
in the passage. It is not directly stated but is implied. Direct statements, facts, and questions are not
inferences; they are part of the text itself.
Question 5
Which of the following is a commonly used transition word to indicate a cause-and-effect relationship?
A) Therefore
B) However
C) Furthermore
D) Similarly
Answer: A) Therefore
Rationale: "Therefore" is a transition word used to indicate a cause-and-effect relationship. "However"
shows contrast; "furthermore" adds information; "similarly" shows similarity. Transition words are
important for coherence in writing.
Question 6
,A passage states: "The company's profits have declined for three consecutive quarters." Which of the
following is an inference that can be drawn from this statement?
A) The company is facing financial difficulties
B) The company is laying off employees
C) The company is closing its doors
D) The company's CEO is resigning
Answer: A) The company is facing financial difficulties
Rationale: From the statement that profits have declined for three consecutive quarters, it can be
inferred that the company is facing financial difficulties. The statement does not provide information
about layoffs, closing, or CEO resignation, so those would be unwarranted inferences.
Question 7
Which of the following is an example of a secondary source?
A) A diary written by a Civil War soldier
B) A biography of Abraham Lincoln
C) A photograph taken during the Civil War
D) A letter written by Abraham Lincoln
Answer: B) A biography of Abraham Lincoln
Rationale: A secondary source interprets or analyzes primary sources. A biography of Abraham Lincoln is
a secondary source because it is written by someone who was not present during Lincoln's life. Diaries,
photographs, and letters are primary sources because they provide firsthand evidence.
Question 8
Which of the following is the purpose of a conclusion in an essay?
A) To summarize the main points and restate the thesis
B) To introduce new information
C) To present the thesis statement
D) To transition between paragraphs
Answer: A) To summarize the main points and restate the thesis
Rationale: The conclusion of an essay summarizes the main points and restates the thesis (in different
words). It should not introduce new information. The introduction presents the thesis; transitions connect
paragraphs. A strong conclusion leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
Question 9
Which of the following is a synonym for "rapid"?
A) Slow
, B) Quick
C) Delayed
D) Gradual
Answer: B) Quick
Rationale: "Rapid" means fast or quick. The synonym is "quick." "Slow," "delayed," and "gradual" are
antonyms. Vocabulary questions on the HESI test the ability to determine the meaning of words in
context.
Question 10
Which of the following is a fact?
A) The Earth is the third planet from the sun
B) The Earth is the most beautiful planet
C) Everyone should care about the environment
D) The Earth has the best climate
Answer: A) The Earth is the third planet from the sun
Rationale: A fact is a statement that can be verified or proven true or false. "The Earth is the third planet
from the sun" is a fact. The other options are opinions (beauty, should care, best climate) that cannot be
proven true or false.
Question 11
Which of the following is the author's purpose in writing a persuasive essay?
A) To inform the reader
B) To entertain the reader
C) To convince the reader
D) To describe a topic
Answer: C) To convince the reader
Rationale: A persuasive essay aims to convince the reader to agree with the author's point of view. The
author uses arguments, evidence, and emotional appeals to persuade. Expository writing informs;
narrative writing entertains; descriptive writing describes.
Question 12
Which of the following is an example of a simile?
A) Her smile was sunshine
B) Her smile was like sunshine
C) The sun smiled down on her
D) She was the sunshine of my life
EDUCATION SYSTEMS, INC. ADMISSION
ASSESSMENT) PRACTICE EXAM:
QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, AND IN-DEPTH
RATIONALES
READING COMPREHENSION
Question 1
Which of the following is the primary purpose of the passage's introduction?
A) To present the thesis statement and engage the reader
B) To provide supporting evidence for the argument
C) To summarize the main points of the passage
D) To transition between paragraphs
Answer: A) To present the thesis statement and engage the reader
Rationale: The introduction of a passage presents the thesis statement (the main argument) and
engages the reader with a hook. Supporting evidence is provided in the body paragraphs; the conclusion
summarizes the main points; transitions connect paragraphs. The introduction sets the stage for the
entire passage.
Question 2
A passage describes the similarities and differences between two historical figures. Which of the
following text structures is being used?
A) Cause and effect
B) Compare and contrast
C) Problem and solution
D) Chronological order
Answer: B) Compare and contrast
Rationale: Compare and contrast text structure shows the similarities and differences between two or
more subjects. Cause and effect shows how one event leads to another; problem and solution presents a
problem and proposes solutions; chronological order is sequential by time.
,Question 3
Which of the following is a credible source for academic research?
A) A peer-reviewed journal article
B) A personal blog
C) A social media post
D) An opinion piece in a newspaper
Answer: A) A peer-reviewed journal article
Rationale: A peer-reviewed journal article is a credible source because it has been evaluated by experts in
the field. Personal blogs, social media posts, and opinion pieces are not necessarily credible because they
may contain bias or lack rigorous review. Peer review is a hallmark of scholarly credibility.
Question 4
Which of the following is the best definition of the term "inference"?
A) A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning
B) A direct statement made by the author
C) A fact presented in the passage
D) A question raised by the author
Answer: A) A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning
Rationale: An inference is a conclusion that a reader reaches based on evidence and reasoning presented
in the passage. It is not directly stated but is implied. Direct statements, facts, and questions are not
inferences; they are part of the text itself.
Question 5
Which of the following is a commonly used transition word to indicate a cause-and-effect relationship?
A) Therefore
B) However
C) Furthermore
D) Similarly
Answer: A) Therefore
Rationale: "Therefore" is a transition word used to indicate a cause-and-effect relationship. "However"
shows contrast; "furthermore" adds information; "similarly" shows similarity. Transition words are
important for coherence in writing.
Question 6
,A passage states: "The company's profits have declined for three consecutive quarters." Which of the
following is an inference that can be drawn from this statement?
A) The company is facing financial difficulties
B) The company is laying off employees
C) The company is closing its doors
D) The company's CEO is resigning
Answer: A) The company is facing financial difficulties
Rationale: From the statement that profits have declined for three consecutive quarters, it can be
inferred that the company is facing financial difficulties. The statement does not provide information
about layoffs, closing, or CEO resignation, so those would be unwarranted inferences.
Question 7
Which of the following is an example of a secondary source?
A) A diary written by a Civil War soldier
B) A biography of Abraham Lincoln
C) A photograph taken during the Civil War
D) A letter written by Abraham Lincoln
Answer: B) A biography of Abraham Lincoln
Rationale: A secondary source interprets or analyzes primary sources. A biography of Abraham Lincoln is
a secondary source because it is written by someone who was not present during Lincoln's life. Diaries,
photographs, and letters are primary sources because they provide firsthand evidence.
Question 8
Which of the following is the purpose of a conclusion in an essay?
A) To summarize the main points and restate the thesis
B) To introduce new information
C) To present the thesis statement
D) To transition between paragraphs
Answer: A) To summarize the main points and restate the thesis
Rationale: The conclusion of an essay summarizes the main points and restates the thesis (in different
words). It should not introduce new information. The introduction presents the thesis; transitions connect
paragraphs. A strong conclusion leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
Question 9
Which of the following is a synonym for "rapid"?
A) Slow
, B) Quick
C) Delayed
D) Gradual
Answer: B) Quick
Rationale: "Rapid" means fast or quick. The synonym is "quick." "Slow," "delayed," and "gradual" are
antonyms. Vocabulary questions on the HESI test the ability to determine the meaning of words in
context.
Question 10
Which of the following is a fact?
A) The Earth is the third planet from the sun
B) The Earth is the most beautiful planet
C) Everyone should care about the environment
D) The Earth has the best climate
Answer: A) The Earth is the third planet from the sun
Rationale: A fact is a statement that can be verified or proven true or false. "The Earth is the third planet
from the sun" is a fact. The other options are opinions (beauty, should care, best climate) that cannot be
proven true or false.
Question 11
Which of the following is the author's purpose in writing a persuasive essay?
A) To inform the reader
B) To entertain the reader
C) To convince the reader
D) To describe a topic
Answer: C) To convince the reader
Rationale: A persuasive essay aims to convince the reader to agree with the author's point of view. The
author uses arguments, evidence, and emotional appeals to persuade. Expository writing informs;
narrative writing entertains; descriptive writing describes.
Question 12
Which of the following is an example of a simile?
A) Her smile was sunshine
B) Her smile was like sunshine
C) The sun smiled down on her
D) She was the sunshine of my life
