HESI A2 Reading Comprehension Passages - 1

1. Game of Bridge HESI A2 Reading Comprehension Passages - 1 1. The author wants the reader to feel? Confident and excited about learning the game of bridge 2. Throughout this passage the word suit means? Any of the four sets into which a deck of cards is divided. 3. In the passage, a trick is described as? A collection of one card played by each of four players. 4. The passage explicitly states? That the highest card within the "trump" suit always wins the trick. 5. The passage implies that? Playing bridge requires concentration. 2. Eating 1. What conclusion can be drawn about the article? The author explain differences in eating processes. 2. What statement can be implied from the content of article. Diversity is interesting to learn about 3. What is the best definition of "efficient" as used in the third paragraph? Productive without waste 5. What statement from the article draws a conclusion? It is interesting to discover new ways to do things 6. What statement from the article is correct? China developed chopsticks for eating utensils 3. Food 1. As used in the last sentence of this paragraph, the term "concomitant" means? Accompanying 2. The information presented in this article is? Against drinking alcohol 3. The author's motive for writing the paragraph seems to have been to? Urge self-control 4. What is implied by this paragraph? We should eat and drink in reasonable quantities. 5. The author seems to? Oppose drinking alcohol 4. Golden Gate Bridge 1. The authors reason for writing this piece seems to be to Inform the reader 2. What body of water does The Golden Gate Bridge cross? Golden Gate Strait 3. Why was the roadway so dangerous to build? If the road wasn't balanced, it would collapse. 4. In the passage the word embark means to Begin an undertaking, start 5. Which part of the bridge was built first? Anchorage 5. Phobia 1. According to the passage, which of the following are types of phobias? (Check all that apply) Social phobias, Panic disorder, Specific phobia 2. What does the author want the reader to know about phobia? That phobias are debilitating. 3. The passage says that being afraid is normal and good, according to the passage why is having a phobia not normal and good? Because phobias are extreme and unreasonable. 4. What are physical ailments that phobias cause? Ulcers and hypertension 5. The author wants to conclude that? People can gain control or deal with phobias. 6. Which of the following is NOT a category of specific phobias? Social phobias 6. Rainforest - Amazon Rainforest 1. According to paragraph 1, Which of the following is NOT mentioned about the Amazon Rainforest? Its precipitation 2. How can you describe the Amazon rainforest? (Choose 2 answers) (A) It rains all time there so the forest is always green. (C) The plants are shaped so that rainwater can pour off them. 3. Which of the following is true about the Amazon Basin? It is more than one-fifth of all the other rainforests in the world. 4. Look at the end of paragraph 2. What does the author refer to when he says "rich and diverse land" at the beginning of paragraph 3? 2,000 birds and mammals in the Amazon rainforest 5. What does the sentence "people of Brazil farm in an environmentally friendly way" mean in paragraph 3? They do not poison the soil when farming. 6. Which rainforest plant has more than one use? The Bruti plant 7. What is the biggest problem related to the disappearance of the rainforest? Cutting down trees Rainforest 1. Rain forests are essential to life on earth 2. Deforestation has long term consequences that we still do not know about 3. The Nile is the longest river 7. Safe Driving 1. What is the best meaning of the word advocate as used in the forth sentence of this paragraph? Supporter. 2. What is stated in this paragraph? Each individuals driving behavior is the key to automobile safety. 3. What is implied by this paragraph? Government action will not help if individual drivers do not cooperate. 4. The author seems to think that? All cars should be properly inspected. 5. The author's motive for writing the paragraph seems to have been to? Get people personally involved with traffic safety. 8. Getting a Good Night's Sleep 1. What is stated in the passage? Physical Illness can cause Insomnia. 2. Which is a solution to Insomnia? Developing good sleep and taking herbs and spices. 3. Sleep Apnea causes? Chronic illness 4. Why did the author write this passage? To explain insomnia and purpose some solutions for the condition. 5. Insomnia affects intellectual abilities because it? Causes a deficit in memory, concentration, and attention. 9. Chronic Insomnia 1. Sleep insomnia causes deficit in Memory 2. Which statement is true about sleep insomnia Most insomniacs tend to over estimate their sleep loss 3. Which is the solution? Developing good sleeping habits, taking herbs and spices 4. The author intends to explain insomnia and propose solutions? for the condition 5. Why did the author write this passage To explain insomnia and purpose some solution for insomnia 10. Summer Olympics 1. How often is the game played? Every 4 years 2. Meaning of "root" in the passage? To wish success 3. What is the main reason athletics wish to participate in the olympics? They have patriotic pride in their participation 4. Where was Summer 2008 played? China 11. Voice 1. Which statement from the selection presents a fact rather than an opinion? Harsh voice qualities usually come from too much tension in the throat and jaw. XXX eveileb2. What is stated in this paragraph?Women make less appealing political candidates. 3. The information presented is Slanted against people with piercing voices. 4. The author seems to: Prefer low pitched tones. 5. One of the worst voice qualities is Harshness 12. The Water Cycle 1. What is the meaning of the word composed in the first paragraph? To consist of 2. What is the main idea of this passage? The different components of the water cycle are precipitation, evaporation, and condensation. The explanation of the different components of the water cycle 3. Which statement is not a detail from the passage? Condensation fails to happen when water vapor cools and changes back into droplets of liquid. 4. What was the author's primary purpose for writing this essay? To inform the reader about the stages of the water cycle 5. What can the reader conclude from this passage about ponds and lakes? They are examples of groundwater reservoirs. 6. Knowing that the cooling of water vapor results in condensation, one could conclude that _Heat is/are a factor in the evaporation process. 13. White Elephant 1. How did the people regard a white elephant? People tried very hard not to offend the king so they would not receive a white elephant. 2. Where is Thailand? Asia 3. What is implied by the article? People enjoy giving/receiving gifts. 4. What is the meaning of the word impoverished in the first paragraph? Financially ruined 5. Why is an unwanted gift called a white elephant? It is rare thing to get an unwanted gift. 1. The Bicycle / Bikes 1. The main idea of this passage is best expressed in which sentence? Sentence (4): 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. 2. Which of the following would be the best title for this passage? A Ride through the History of Bicycles 3. Which sentence best expresses the main idea of paragraph 3? Macmillan made important changes in bicycle design. 4. An innovation, as it is used in Sentence (4), is A new way of doing something. 5. Revolutionized, as it is used in Sentence (10), most nearly means changed drastically. 6. The word prone, as it is used in Sentence (15), means lying down. 7. Which of the following sentences from the passage represents the writer's opinion? Sentence (1) The safety bicycle would look familiar to today's cyclists. 8. Sentence (8), "It didn't look much like a modern bicycle, though, because its back wheel was substantially larger than its front wheel," follows which pattern? Opinion, fact 9. Macmillan added iron rims to the tires of his bicycle to Macmillan added iron rims to the tires of his bicycle to 10. The first person to use a gear system on bicycles was James Starley. 11. Starley's addition of wire spokes made the bicycle lighter. 2. Changing Time 1. What is the meaning of "they" in the passage? Clock change DST 2. Irrelevant means meaningless 3. What was the author inferring? Should be abolished 4. Computer changed itself 5. Trying to persuade the audience 3. Day Light Savings Time 1. What is the main idea of this passage? Daylight Savings Time is the result of the Earth moving around the Sun. 2. What does the sentence "It takes time to get used to a new time zone." mean in paragraph 1? Changing time zones makes people feel tired. 3. Which part of the Earth is the closest to the Sun? The tropics 4. It is 7 p.m. Standard Time. What time is it for Daylight Savings Time? 6 p.m. 5. Was Daylight Savings Time popular in the beginning? No, people felt tired because they couldn't sleep that long. 6. What can be inferred about Daylight Savings Time? It will be modified starting in 2007. 7. Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage? Why the British government refused Daylight Savings Time 8. As it used in paragraph 3, the word obligatory most nearly means Requisite 9. Who first established the idea of DST? Benjamin Franklin 10. Who opposed the bill that was introduced in the House of Commons in the early 1900s? farmers 11. Which of the following statements is true of the U.S. Department of Transportation? It oversees all time laws in the United States. 12. Which of the following would be the best title for this passage? The History and Rationale of Daylight Savings Time 13. The Daylight Savings Time Energy Act of 1973 was responsible for extending Daylight Saving Time in the interest of energy conservation. Glass 1. Brittle- easily broken 2. Archaeological digs have found article made of glass 3. Glass is not an element 4. The combination of several glass is an essential part of our lives 5. Science uses glass in experiments Healthcare 1. Premium: means amount to be paid 2. Hospitals are passing down the cost of taking care of people without insurance 3. The passage implies that There is a crisis in normal management in healthcare 4. Opinion or fact Rising Homonyms 1. Which statement is a fact rather than an opinion? Homonyms make learning English more challenging. 2. What inference can be drawn from the article? English is a difficult language to master. 3. What conclusion can be drawn from the article? In order to master English, the student must learn the Homonyms. 4. How does the article define homonyms? Words that sound alike and are spelled in different ways with different meaning. Issac Asimov 1. Greatest fear Flying 2. Meaning of "prolific" High productivity 3. The big three Asimov, Clarke, Heinlein 4. How old was Asimov when he died? 72 years 5. What made him popular Science, fiction, writing 6. Issac Asimov was an American writer, professor of Biochemistry at Boston university. 7. He is famous and known for his work on science fictions, popular science, and also he write above 500 books , 90,000 letters, post cards. 8. He was born on 2nd January 1920 and died on 6th April 1990. 9. He won a lots of awards for his excellence work on science and some life time awards. 10. He also received 14 doctorate honorary degree from different websites. 11. Some of the books he had written are Star Trek, cosmic cork screw, galaxy science fiction, weird tales and many more All the Jazz 1. The Passage answers which of the following questions? What were the origins of Jazz and how did it differ from other forms of music? 2. According to the passage, Jazz originated in New Orleans 3. The word "welded" in line 6 is closest in meaning to bound 4. Which of the following distinguished Jazz as a new form of musical expression? improvisation 5. The word "skeletal" in line 15 is closest in meaning to framework 6. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage? Many early Jazz musicians had little formal musical training 7. The word "menial" in line 18 is closest in meaning to degrading 8. According to the passage, which of the following belonged to the second wave of New Orleans Jazz musicians? Joe Oliver 9. All the following are true EXCEPT? Joe Oliver is generally considered to be the first real Jazz musician 10. The word "its" in line 21 refers to earlier music 11. Which of the following terms is defined in the passage? "improvisation" (line 12) 12. It is a website which is established by Michael Ricci in the year of 1995. 13. He was born at Philadelphia. 15. Jazz includes articles, listing, videos, concerts, events related to all jazz. 16. In the year of 2016 he was given as The Jazz Bridge Ambassador for his great contribution. 17. In the year of 2016 he was given as The Jazz Bridge Ambassador for his great contribution. Laughter 1. The passage indicates Native American humor deserves more attention 2. The passage infers that Native American humor is often overlooked 3. The author's reason for writing this passage To persuade people to take a broad view of Native Americans 4. The author seems to favor: Research into Native American humor Lightning 1. Get into a metal 2. To pierce 3. Draw light away (measuring of rod) 4. Consist of klanstruk big 5. The author did not support the eyes(?) Mr. Rogers 1. Mr. Rogers started a website 2. He wanted to help children deal with real world problems. 3. Uniqueness 4. Meaning of legacy: something handed down 5. The author wants to inform the audience 6. He wanted to inform readers about Fred Rogers 7. Mr. Rogers started a website for children in his retirement. Nurseries 1. Green House creates tropical condition at nurseries 2. Too many nurseries means not enough buyers to buy the plants that need to be sold 3. Nurseries are helpful for farmers 4. Special type of farms 5. A strip of board, often material that forms a section of a wall or door 6. Nurseries are a place where young plants, trees and shrubs are cultivated and grown. 7. In the nurseries the plants are grown under proper ventilation, sunlight, good nutritive products usage and sell them to public or by using retail nursery prices. 8. Different varieties of plant species are grown under these nurseries on a larger scale. 9. This process of taking care of plants is called as Horticulture and a nursery operator daily takes care of plants by providing sufficient water and sunlight. Circus 1. Converting means running/jumping 2. Recommends attending the circus 3. There was a great extravaganza 4. The roman stayed extravaganza 5. Gave child an experience Facts About the One Dollar Bill 1. What did the author intend? To share some little-known facts about the one-dollar bill 2. Why is making counterfeit copies of the one-dollar bill difficult? The formula for the ink used is kept a secret 3. What is implied by the message, The One Dollar Bill? It is a fabulously historical document 4. In the third sentence of the passage, the word minute means? Extremely small 5. We often accidentally wash dollar bills, why is that not a problem? Because the dollar bills are made of cotton and linen, so they wash easily Coffee 1. Fact in the passage Coffee can cause digestion, heart attack 2. Disliked by CNN news 3. Causes of insomnia-sleeplessness 4. Positive to negative 5. Further research (flip flop) Electoral College 1. Which statement from the passage is a fact? Each state casts their electoral vote during a presidential election 2. The author's reason for writing this piece seems to be to Teach the reader 3. Give one vote 4. Have an understanding of the electoral college 5. Congressional election The Flu 1. What is the main idea of the passage The flu is a deadly disease that's difficult to control because people become infectious 2. Why is the flu considered not too infectious? The flu virus cannot travel far or live for long periods of time outside the human body, so its spread can be easily contained 3. What is the meaning of the word "measures" in the last paragraph? Plan of action 4. Which of the following correctly describes the flu? The flu is difficult to contract and sometimes fatal Exams 1. When taking a subjective examination, you will find questions like. Definitions 2. Compared to objective exams, essay test contain Fewer questions 3. From the article the reader can conclude that a test containing true-false questions is called Objective 4. Compared to objective exams, subjective tests contain Fewer questions 5. In answering subjective questions the student should Keep it brief and specific 6. When taking an exam, you should divide your time To allow more time for the difficult questions 7. In the above passage, the word "subjective" refers to test questions that Require you to write your own answer Factory 1, The information presented in this paragraph is Balanced in its approach 2. What is the best definition of the word "execution" as it is used in the last sentence of this paragraph? Implementation or design 3. The paragraphs suggest that the purpose of a factory layout is for? Safety and profit 4. The author's reason for writing this composition seems to have been to? Persuade people to modernize factory design 5. The paragraph states that both labor and management . a. Can benefit from a well-designed factory. 6. The paragraph suggests the purpose of a factory layout is for . a. Safety and profit. All Answers was A A A A A Lightning Strike 1. The author seems to . a. Favor the use of lightning rods 2. The passage suggest lightning rods are used to what? a. Draw lightning away from buildings. 3. When taking cover from lightning, you should? a. Get into metal car, or lie flat 4. The reader can conclude that lightning? a. Consists of a main stroke and several smaller strokes. 5. The word penetrates means. a. To pierce Healthcare 1. The passage implies that a. Insurance companies are getting rich. 2. According to the passage, why are more and more people using the emergency room for minor illness? a. They cannot afford the co-payments or deductible required by insurance. 3. Which statement is an opinion? a. If we don’t change the way health care game is played, we’re all going to lose. 4. Why insurance companies continue to raise insurance rates? a. Hospitals are passing down the costs of taking care of people without insurance. 5. What does premium means? a. An amount to be paid for an insurance policy. Rainforest 1. According to paragraph 1, which of the following is NOT mentioned about the Amazon Rainforest? Its precipitation 2. How can you describe the Amazon rainforest? (Choose 2 answers) (A)It rains all time there so the forest is always green. (C)The plants are shaped so that rainwater can pour off them. 3. Which of the following is true about the Amazon Basin? It is more than one-fifth of all the other rainforests in the world. 4. Look at the end of paragraph 2. What does the author refer to when he says "rich and diverse land" at the beginning of paragraph 3? 2,000 birds and mammals in the Amazon rainforest 5. What does the sentence "people of Brazil farm in an environmentally friendly way" mean in paragraph 3? They do not poison the soil when farming. 6. Which rainforest plant has more than one use? The Bruti plant 7. What is the biggest problem related to the disappearance of the rainforest? Cutting down trees 1. Rain forests are essential to life on earth 2. Deforestation has long term consequences that we still do not know about 3. The Nile is the longest river 1. The Bicycle / Bikes Food away from home (FAFH) has been associated with poor diet quality in many studies. It is difficult, however, to measure the effect of FAFH on diet quality since many unobserved factors, such as food preferences and time constraints, influence not just our choice of where to eat, but also the nutritional quality of what we eat. Using data from 1994-96 and 2003-04, this study applies fixed-effects estimation to control for such unobservable influences and finds that, for the average adult, FAFH increases daily caloric intake and reduces diet quality. The effects vary depending on which meals are consumed away from home. On average, breakfast away from home decreases the number of servings of whole grains and dairy consumed per 1,000 calories and increases the percent of calories from saturated and solid fat, alcohol, and added sugar (So FAAS) in a day. Dinner away from home reduces the number of servings of vegetables consumed per 1,000 calories for the average adult. Breakfast and lunch away from home increase calories from saturated fat and So FAAS on average more among dieters than among non-dieters. Some of the overall negative dietary effects decreased between 1994-96 and 2003-04, including those on whole grain, sodium, and vegetable consumption. 1. Which meal(s) eaten away from home have worse results for dieters than for non-dieters? Breakfast and lunch eaten away from home are worse because they increase the percent of calories from saturated fats. 2. Why is it difficult to measure the effect of food away from home on diet quality? Too many unknown variables affect the data. 3. Which statement is not a detail from the passage? Eating breakfast away from home can result in an increase in fatty protein consumption. 4. What is the meaning of the word “associated” in the first paragraph? Connected 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. 5. What is the major difference between matter at the nanoscale and matter at larger scales such as millimeters or inches? Matter has different and special characteristics at the nanoscale. 6. Which claim from the passage best describes the benefits of nanotechnology? Scientists can develop novel technologies and products. 7. What is the author’s primary purpose in writing this essay? to describe nanotechnology and what it is Researchers have developed a recording device that essentially melts into place, snugly fitting to the brain's surface. This new technology allows for closer interaction between machines and living tissue, paving the way for more advanced implantable devices. Currently, the simplest devices for recording from the brain are needle-like electrodes that can penetrate into brain tissue. More state-of-the-art devices, called micro-electrode arrays, consist of dozens of semi-flexible wire electrodes. These are usually fixed to rigid silicon grids that don't conform to the brain's shape. An ideal recording device would conform to complex curved surfaces while placing minimal stress on the tissue. The scientists chose silk as their base material because it is flexible and durable enough to withstand manipulation. The team reported that they were able to create ultrathin flexible implants that hug the brain like shrink wrap, collapsing into its grooves and stretching over its rounded surfaces. The silk base dissolves once it makes contact with the brain, allowing the array to end up tightly hugging the brain. They found that the ultrathin arrays they created can record brain activity more faithfully than thicker implants embedded with similar electronics. 8. Which sentence best summarizes the benefits of the new silk technology? The new technology allows for closer interaction between machines and living tissue, paving the way for more advanced implantable devices. 9. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the silk brain recording device? Needle-like electrodes Neurologists and biological psychologists have witnessed a sharp increase in the knowledge and understanding of particular structures of the brain over the past two decades. As technology becomes ever more advanced, scientists are able to isolate the functions of even small regions of the human brain. One noteworthy discovery is the role of the amygdala in human fear and aggression. The amygdala, a small, almond-shaped conglomerate, is just one part of the limbic system. Located at the very center of the brain, the limbic system is the core of our 'emotional brain;' each individual structure in the limbic system is somehow connected to an aspect of human emotion. Scientists have found that electrode stimulation of the amygdala can elicit extreme and aggressive acts. Patients or experimental subjects who experience this utter rage and fearlessness have no rational foundation for their reaction. In other words, this aggression is wholly attributable to electrode stimulation. On the other hand, patients with trauma or damage to this structure exhibit a complete absence of aggression. Researchers find that no amount of poking, prodding or harassment will evoke even remotely aggressive responses from these subjects. 1. The author suggests that persistent passivity and imperturbability may be a direct result of which of the following? A stroke that resulted in severe tissue damage in the limbic system. 2. Which statement is not listed as a detail within the passage? Typically temperamental rhesus monkeys with amygdala damage are completely imperturbable 3. What is the main idea of the passage? Scientists have learned a lot about how the amygdala affects human emotion. 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. 1. In the context of the passage, “accommodate” means to? make allowances for 2. The author of the passage would probably agree with which of the following statements relating corrective lenses and aging eyes? A hiker reinforces a fraying backpack strap with duct tape. 3. What was the author’s primary purpose for writing this essay? to describe how eyes age and the function of corrective lens 1. Which of the following is an accurate paraphrasing of the underlined phrase? Bacteria and alfalfa plants have a symbiotic relationship. 2. In the context in which it appears, "naked" most nearly means which of the following? unaided 3. Which of the following can NOT be inferred from the passage? A soil without lime will not grow bacteria 4. The author of the passage suggests which of the following about bacteria? Bacteria is compact by nature. Initially, scientists suspected a high dietary calcium intake of increasing the risk of kidney stones. A high intake of calcium, however, reduces the urinary excretion of oxalate, which is thought to lower the risk. As a result, the concept that a higher dietary calcium intake increases the risk of kidney stones, and the mechanism underlying their formation, required examination. Stanford researchers studied the relationship between dietary calcium intake and the risk of symptomatic kidney stones in a cohort of 35,119 men ranging in age from 40 to 75 years old who had no history of kidney stones. Dietary calcium was measured by means of a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire in 1998. During four years of follow-up, 535 cases of kidney stones were documented by LifeWork analysts. After adjustment for age, dietary calcium intake was inversely associated with the risk of stones; in fact, a high calcium intake decreased the risk of symptomatic kidney stones. Surprisingly, intake of animal protein was directly associated with the risk of stone formation. According to the passage, dietary calcium intake was discovered to decrease the chance of symptomatic kidney stone formation, after adjustment for age. The passage suggests that in conducting this medical study, researchers discovered associations they had not been looking for What is the main focus of this passage? How dietary calcium affects kidneys The passage cites all of the following as causing psychological problems for women medical students EXCEPT declining admissions of women to medical schools The author of the passage is concerned that feelings of isolation among women medical students are partly the result of social stereotypes The author cites factual information in support of which of the following contentions? Many women medical students feel a need for officially sponsored support services. The passage suggests that which of the following would be likely to reduce the isolation felt by women medical students? An increased proportion of women in medical schools In terms of its tone and form, the passage is most appropriately described as a reasoned appeal Cystic fibrosis is a disease that is passed down through families. It is caused by a defective gene that makes the body produce abnormally thick and sticky fluid, called mucus. This mucus builds up in the breathing passages of the lungs and in the pancreas. The buildup of mucus results in life- threatening lung infections and serious digestion problems. The disease may also affect the sweat glands and a man's reproductive system. Millions of Americans carry a CF gene, but do not have symptoms. This is because a person with CF must inherit two defective genes, one from each parent. About 1 in 29 Caucasian Americans have the CF gene. It is more common among those of northern or central European descent. Most children with CF are diagnosed by age 2. For a small number, the disease is not detected until age 18 or older. These children often have a milder form of the disease. Which of the following describes the purpose of the passage? to overview the causes of CF and how it is carried In context, the word “defective” in the first sentence of the passage means which of the following? Faulty Which statement is not a detail from the passage? About 1 in 39 Caucasian Americans have the CF gene READING COMPEHENSION Have you ever wondered why the whistle of a traveling, distant locomotive predicts its approach several yards before anyone actually sees it? Or why an oncoming ambulance’s screaming siren is heard momentarily several feet before the ambulance comes into full view, before it passes you, and why its siren is still heard faintly well after the ambulance is out of sight? What you are witnessing is a scientific phenomenon known as the Doppler effect. What takes place is truly remarkable. In both of these instances, when the train or ambulance moves toward the sound waves in front of it, the sound waves are pulled closer together and have a higher frequency. In either instance, the listener positioned in front of the moving object hears a higher pitch. The ambulance and locomotive are progressively moving away from the sound waves behind them, causing the waves to be farther apart and to have a lower frequency. These fast- approaching modes of transportation distance themselves past the listener, who hears a lower pitch. 1. Which statement is not listed as a detail in the passage? The oncoming sound waves have a higher pitch because of low frequency and closeness of waves. 2. What is the main idea of the passage? A. The Doppler effect explains the rationale for why sound is heard initially more strongly and then faintly after a moving object has passed. 3. What is the meaning of the word phenomenon in the second paragraph? A. Something that is significant but unusual 4. What is the author’s primary purpose in writing this essay? To inform the reader about how movement affects sound 5. Which sound waves have a higher pitch? Those waves that are closer together 6. Which sound waves have a lower pitch? Those waves that are farther apart Beep!…Beep!…Beep! is the audible rhythmic sound made as the strength of the heart muscle is measured. The signal cadence has a characteristic record that varies in every individual. This record is called an electrocardiogram, or ECG. In the body, an array of systemic neural responses constantly occur, emitting electric currents. The electric currents can be detected on the surface of the body, and if a person is hooked to an amplifier, these impulses are recorded by an electrocardiograph. Most of the information obtained is about the heart because the heart sends out electric currents in waves. This “wave of excitation” spreads through the heart wall and is accompanied by electric changes. The wave takes place in three distinct steps. Initially, the “wave of excitation” accompanied by an electric change lasts for approximately 1 to 2 seconds after the contraction of the cardiac muscle. The electric impulses are discharged rhythmically from the sinoatrial (SA) node, the pacemaker of the heart. This spread of excitation over the muscle of the atrium indicates that the atrium has contracted. Next, the peak of the ECG reading is due to the atrioventricular (AV) node, causing the ventricle to become excited. Finally, the ventricles relax, and any changes in the wave indicate to trained medical staff any abnormalities within the heart. 7. What is the author’s primary purpose in writing the essay? To inform the reader how an electrocardiograph reads the electric currents emitted by the heart 8. Which statement is not listed as a detail within the passage? Changes in the ECG are typically used for diagnosis of abnormal cardiac rhythm. 9. What is the meaning of the word emitting as it is used in the second paragraph? Releasing 10. What is the main idea of the passage? The ECG systematically and quickly measures the stages at which the “wave of excitation” occurs within the heart and records them. 11. What is the best summary of the passage? The ECG systematically and rather quickly measures the stages at which the “wave of excitation” occurs within the heart and records them. This wave has three distinct steps that spread from the SA node to the AV node. 12. What are the three steps of the “wave of excitation”? The excitation of the atrium, the excitement of the ventricle, and the relaxing of the ventricle. The body is composed of systems that have evolved and diversified in order to maintain the natural functions and processes they regulate. One such system that has these regulators is the body’s cardiovascular system. The body’s pump, which regulates the flow of vitally needed oxygen to all cells of the body, as well as the discard of carbon dioxide and other waste products, is the heart. Because blood pressure varies at different points within the body, differing components are needed to keep the body’s blood pressure regulated. Three of the basic components are baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and the kidneys. Baroreceptors are stretch receptors composed of fine branching nerve endings and are contained along the walls of the arteries near the heart and in other areas of the body as well. Impulses are related to this stretching along the arterial walls, which causes these baroreceptors to send out even more impulses to the heart, arteries, and veins, causing the blood pressure to go either up or down. Chemoreceptors are located along the walls of the arteries and monitor changes in oxygen level, carbon dioxide, and pH. Just think! A fall in oxygen causes receptors to send impulses to raise the blood pressure. The kidneys play a role in regulating blood pressure by absorbing salts and water and removing wastes. Hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex cause the kidney to keep or let go of any salt and water. This has an influence on blood volume and consequently on blood pressure. 13. What is the main idea of the passage? A. Blood pressure can be treated only by monitoring baroreceptors. B. Blood pressure can be treated only by monitoring chemoreceptors. C. Blood pressure can be treated only by monitoring the kidneys. D. Blood pressure can be regulated through baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and the kidneys. 14. Which statement is not a detail from the passage? A. Baroreceptors are rigid and static nerve endings that are contained along the arterial walls and send out messages along the nerve pathway. B. Chemoreceptors are located along the walls of the arteries and monitor changes in oxygen level. C. The kidneys play a role in regulating blood pressure by absorbing salts and water. D. The heart is the body’s pump, which regulates the flow of vitally needed oxygen to cells of the body. 15. What is the meaning of the word evolved in the first paragraph? A. To spread B. To gradually develop C. To revolve D. To shift 16. What is the writer’s primary purpose in writing this essay? A. To inform the reader about the dangers of high blood pressure B. To inform the reader how high blood pressure leads to a higher risk of heart attack C. To inform the reader how the cardiovascular system regulates blood pressure D. To persuade the reader that controlling one’s blood pressure is important 17. What is the best summary of this passage? A. The body’s pump, the heart, regulates the flow of oxygen to all cells of the body and discards waste products that include carbon dioxide. The kidneys help in this process by absorbing salts and water. B. There are several systems to maintain the natural functions and processes of the body. One system is the cardiovascular system, which regulates blood pressure through baroreceptors, chemoreceptors, and the kidneys. C. Baroreceptors help regulate blood pressure and are found along the wall of the arteries. Baroreceptors send out impulses to the heart, arteries, and veins, resulting in the lowering or raising of blood pressure. D. Chemoreceptors monitor changes in oxygen level that affect blood pressure. 18. What is a major difference in the way baroreceptors and chemoreceptors work from the way the kidneys work? A. Baroreceptors and chemoreceptors both work within the wall of the arteries sending out impulses to raise or lower blood pressure, whereas the kidneys help control blood volume. The immune system is a network of cells, tissues, and organs that defends the body against attacks by foreign invaders. These invaders are primarily microbes—tiny organisms such as bacteria, parasites, and fungi—that can cause infections. Viruses also cause infections, but are too primitive to be classified as living organisms. The human body provides an ideal environment for many microbes. It is the immune system’s job to keep the microbes out or destroy them. The immune system is amazingly complex. It can recognize and remember millions of different enemies, and it can secrete fluids and cells to wipe out nearly all of them. The secret to its success is an elaborate and dynamic communications network. Millions of cells, organized into sets and subsets, gather and transfer information in response to an infection. Once immune cells receive the alarm, they produce powerful chemicals that help to regulate their own growth and behavior, enlist other immune cells, and direct the new recruits to trouble spots. Although scientists have learned much about the immune system, they continue to puzzle over how the body destroys invading microbes, infected cells, and tumors without harming healthy tissues. New technologies for identifying individual immune cells are now allowing scientists to determine quickly which targets are triggering an immune response. Improvements in microscopy are permitting the first-ever observations of living B cells, T cells, and other cells as they interact within lymph nodes and other body tissues. In addition, scientists are rapidly unraveling the genetic blueprints that direct the human immune response, as well as those that dictate the biology of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The combination of new technology with expanded genetic information will no doubt reveal even more about how the body protects itself from disease. 19. What is the main idea of the passage? The immune system protects the body from infection. 20. Which statement is not a detail from the passage? Viruses are extremely sophisticated. 21. What is the meaning of the word ideal as it is used in the first paragraph? Perfect 22. Which statement is not a detail from the passage? The immune system ignores tumors. 23. What is the meaning of the word enlist as it is used in the second paragraph? call into service 24. What is the author’s primary purpose in writing the essay? to inform The federal government regulates dietary supplements through the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The regulations for dietary supplements are not the same as those for prescription or over-the-counter drugs. In general, the regulations for dietary supplements are less strict. To begin with, a manufacturer does not have to prove the safety and effectiveness of a dietary supplement before it is marketed. A manufacturer is permitted to say that a dietary supplement addresses a nutrient deficiency, supports health, or is linked to a particular body function (such as immunity), if there is research to support the claim. Such a claim must be followed by the words “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.” Also, manufacturers are expected to follow certain good manufacturing practices (GMPs) to ensure that dietary supplements are processed consistently and meet quality standards. Requirements for GMPs went into effect in 2008 for large manufacturers and are being phased in for small manufacturers through 2010. Once a dietary supplement is on the market, the FDA monitors safety and product information, such as label claims and package inserts. If it finds a product to be unsafe, it can take action against the manufacturer and/or distributor and may issue a warning or require that the product be removed from the marketplace. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for regulating product advertising; it requires that all information be truthful and not misleading. The federal government has taken legal action against a number of dietary supplement promoters or Web sites that promote or sell dietary supplements because they have made false or deceptive statements about their products or because marketed products have proven to be unsafe. 25. What is the main idea of the passage? The FDA has a special program for regulating dietary supplements. 26. Which statement is not a detail from the passage? The FDA does not monitor products after they enter the market. 27. What is the meaning of the phrase phased in as it is used in the third paragraph? implemented in stages 28. What is the meaning of the word deceptive as it is used in the fifth paragraph? misleading Foodborne illnesses are contracted by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated with bacteria, parasites, or viruses. Harmful chemicals can also cause foodborne illnesses if they have contaminated food during harvesting or processing. Foodborne illnesses can cause symptoms ranging from upset stomach to diarrhea, fever, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and dehydration. Most foodborne infections are undiagnosed and unreported, though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that every year about 76 million people in the United States become ill from pathogens in food. About 5,000 of these people die. Harmful bacteria are the most common cause of foodborne illness. Some bacteria may be present at the point of purchase. Raw foods are the most common source of foodborne illnesses because they are not sterile; examples include raw meat and poultry contaminated during slaughter. Seafood may become contaminated during harvest or processing. One in 10,000 eggs may be contaminated with Salmonella inside the shell. Produce, such as spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, sprouts, and melons, can become contaminated with Salmonella, Shigella, or Escherichia coli (E. coli). Contamination can occur during growing, harvesting, processing, storing, shipping, or final preparation. Sources of produce contamination vary, as these foods are grown in soil and can become contaminated during growth, processing, or distribution. Contamination may also occur during food preparation in a restaurant or a home kitchen. The most common form of contamination from handled foods is the calicivirus, also called the Norwalk-like virus. When food is cooked and left out for more than two hours at room temperature, bacteria can multiply quickly. Most bacteria don’t produce an odor or change in color or texture, so they can be impossible to detect. Freezing food slows or stops bacteria’s growth, but does not destroy the bacteria. The microbes can become reactivated when the food is thawed. Refrigeration also can slow the growth of some bacteria. Thorough cooking is required to destroy the bacteria. 29. What is the subject of the passage? A. foodborne illnesses B. the dangers of uncooked food C. bacteria D. proper food preparation 30. Which statement is not a detail from the passage? A. Every year, more than 70 million Americans contract some form of foodborne illness. B. Once food is cooked, it cannot cause illness. C. Refrigeration can slow the growth of some bacteria. D. The most common form of contamination in handled foods is calicivirus. 31. What is the meaning of the word pathogens as it is used in the first paragraph? A. diseases B. vaccines C. disease-causing substances D. foods 32. What is the meaning of the word sterile as it is used in the second paragraph? A. free of bacteria B. healthy C. delicious D. impotent Water is needed to sustain practically all life functions on planet Earth. A single drop of this compound is composed of an oxygen atom that shares its electrons with each of the two hydrogen atoms. The cycle starts when precipitation, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, descends from the sky onto the ground. Water that is not absorbed immediately from the precipitation is known as runoff. The runoff flows across the land and collects in groundwater reservoirs, rivers, streams, and oceans. Evaporation takes place when liquid water changes into water vapor, which is a gas. Water vapor returns to the air from surface water and plants. Ultimately, condensation happens when this water vapor cools and changes back into droplets of liquid. In fact, the puffy, cotton clouds that we observe are formed by condensation. When the clouds become heavily laden with liquid droplets, precipitation ensues. 33. What is the meaning of the word composed in the first paragraph? A. To consist of B. To be uniquely discovered C. To be set apart D. To be surprised 34. What is the main idea of this passage? A. Water is formed from the joining of two hydrogen atoms to one atom of oxygen. B. Water is a versatile and important universal solvent. C. The different components of the water cycle are precipitation, evaporation, and condensation. D. Rain is a trivial part of the life cycle. 35. Which statement is not a detail from the passage? A. A single drop of water is made of a couple of hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms. B. Evaporation takes place when liquid water changes into water vapor. C. Water that is not absorbed is called runoff. D. Condensation fails to happen when water vapor cools and changes back into droplets of liquid. 36. What was the author’s primary purpose for writing this essay? A. To persuade the reader to conserve water B. To persuade the reader that runoff is not the best way to collect water C. To analyze different types of runoff D. To inform the reader about the stages of the water cycle 37. What can the reader conclude from this passage about ponds and lakes? A. They are examples of groundwater reservoirs. B. They are not important in the collection of runoff. C. They do not play a role in water collection. D. They consist of only water collected through precipitation. 38. Knowing that the cooling of water vapor results in condensation, one could conclude that is/are a factor in the evaporation process. A. Humidity B. Heat C. Electrons D. Runoff Searching for medical information can be confusing, especially for first-timers. However, if you are patient and stick to it, you can find a wealth of information. Your community library is a good place to start your search for medical information. Before going to the library, you may find it helpful to make a list of topics you want information about and questions you have. Your list of topics and questions will make it easier for the librarian to direct you to the best resources. Many community libraries have a collection of basic medical references. These references may include medical dictionaries or encyclopedias, drug information handbooks, basic medical and nursing textbooks, and directories of physicians and medical specialists (listings of doctors). You may also find magazine articles on a certain topic. Look in the Reader’s Guide to Periodical Literature for articles on health and medicine from consumer magazines. Infotrac, a CD-ROM computer database available at libraries or on the Web, indexes hundreds of popular magazines and newspapers, as well as medical journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association and New England Journal of Medicine. Your library may also carry searchable computer databases of medical journal articles, including MEDLINE/PubMed or the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Many of the databases or indexes have abstracts that provide a summary of each journal article. Although most community libraries don’t have a large collection of medical and nursing journals, your librarian may be able to get copies of the articles you want. Interlibrary loans allow your librarian to request a copy of an article from a library that carries that particular medical journal. Your library may charge a fee for this service. Articles published in medical journals can be technical, but they may be the most current source of information on medical topics. 39. What is the main idea of the passage? A. Infotrac is a useful source of information. B. The community library offers numerous resources for medical information. C. Searching for medical information can be confusing. D. There is no reason to prepare a list of topics before visiting the library. 40. What is the meaning of the word popular as it is used in the third paragraph? A. complicated B. old-fashioned C. beloved D. for the general public 41. Which statement is not a detail from the passage? A. Abstracts summarize the information in an article. B. Having a prepared list of questions enables the librarian to serve you better. C. Infotrac is a database on CD-ROM. D. The articles in popular magazines can be hard to understand. 42. What is the meaning of the word technical as it is used in the fourth paragraph? A. requiring expert knowledge B. incomplete C. foreign D. plagiarized Lub-dub! Lub-dub! Lub-dub! This sound is made by the rapid contracting and extending of the chamber doors on the inside of the heart. This ventricular contracting injects roughly 70 mL of blood into a vascular system with a given volume at differing pressure. Blood pressure refers to the pressure in the arterial system; and it is typically taken in the brachial artery of the arm because the pressure at different places along the circulatory route is different. Blood pressure is simply the force that the blood exerts in all directions within any given area and is the basis for the movement of blood from the heart, through the body, and back to the heart. This pressure is commonly expressed as a ratio of the systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure. The systolic pressure or “high peak” pressure takes place within the arterial system as ventricles contract and force blood into the arteries. The diastolic pressure or “low peak” pressure takes place within this arterial system just before the next ventricular contraction. An increase in blood pressure can occur if the arterial walls lose some of their elasticity with age or disease. 43. What is the main idea of the passage? A. Blood pressure overall measures the elasticity of the arteries near the heart as they stretch to accommodate expelled blood. B. Blood pressure within the arterial system takes into account that pressure is different at varying locations. C. Blood pressure is simply the force that the blood exerts in all directions within any given area, measured as a ratio. D. Blood pressure represents the pulse difference between ventricular contractions. 44. Which statement is not a detail from the passage? A. The ventricular contraction asserts capillary pressure that is about 70 mm Hg. B. The pressures at different places in the circulatory system are different. C. Increase in blood pressure can occur if arterial walls lose some of their elasticity. D. Blood pressure is expressed as a ratio of systolic over diastolic pressure. 45. What is the meaning of the word elasticity in the last paragraph? A. Something that is able to resist and be flexible B. Something that is like plastic C. Something that is dynamic and electrifying D. Something that is silly 46. What is the author’s primary purpose in writing this essay? A. To entertain the reader with information about the blood system B. To analyze how blood pressure can affect an individual’s health C. To inform the reader how blood pressure is measured D. To persuade the reader of the importance of accurate blood pressure procedures 47. Which of the following is not a fact stated in the passage? A. Ventricular contracting injects roughly 70 mL of blood into a vascular system. B. Blood pressure is typically taken in the brachial artery of the arm. C. Blood pressure is commonly expressed as a ratio of the systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure. D. Loss of arterial wall elasticity is always caused by disease. 48. Which is the best summary of this passage? A. The heart pumps roughly 70 mL of blood by rapidly contracting and extending the chamber doors of the heart. Disease and age affect the pressure of blood on arterial walls. B. The brachial artery of the arm is usually used to take blood pressure, although the pressure is different in different parts of the body. C. The measurement of the ratio of systolic pressure over the diastolic pressure is known as blood pressure. D. The force that blood exerts on arterial walls is known as blood pressure and is measured as a ratio of the systolic pressure or “high peak” over the diastolic pressure or “low peak.” Isaac Asimov 1. Definition of “Prolific”. a. Highly productive b. Against war c. Literate d. Eccocentric 2. For what type of writing was Mr. Asimov most famous for? a. Juvenile fiction b. Mystery c. Popular science d. Science fiction 3. The Big three mentioned were , , and . a. Asimov, Heinlein, Clarke 4. How old was Asimov when he died? (this was a fill in the blank question) a. 72 years old Laughter 1. Which statement is presented in the passage? a. Native Americans rarely laugh. b. Native Americans humor is often overlooked. c. Western Americans neglect the needs of Native Americans. d. Native American humor is mostly satire. 2. What is implied by this paragraph? a. Native Americans really are as stern and serious as they white men make them out to be. b. Humor is the same all over the world. c. Native American humor deserves more attention. 3. The author seems to a. Take an impartial view on the issue. 4. The author’s reason for writing seem to have been to a. Persuade people to take a broader view on Native Americans. Jazz Jazz has been called "the art of expression set to music", and "America's great contribution to music". It has functioned as popular art and enjoyed periods of widespread public response, in the "jazz age" of the 1920s, in the "swing era" of the late 1930s and in the peak popularity of modern jazz in the late 1950s. The standard legend about Jazz is that it originated around the end of the 19th century in New Orleans and moved up the Mississippi River to Memphis, St. Louis, and finally to Chicago. It welded together the elements of Ragtime, marching band music, and the Blues. However, the influences of what led to those early sounds goes back to tribal African drumbeats and European musical structures. Buddy Bolden, a New Orleans barber and cornet player, is generally considered to have been the first real Jazz musician, around 1891. What made Jazz significantly different from the other earlier forms of music was the use of improvisation. Jazz displayed a break from traditional music where a composer wrote an entire piece of music on paper, leaving the musicians to break their backs playing exactly what was written on the score. In a Jazz piece, however, the song is simply a starting point, or sort of skeletal guide for the Jazz musicians to improvise around. Many of the early Jazz musicians were bad sight readers and some couldn't even read music at all. These early musicians couldn't make money very much and were stuck working menial jobs to make a living. The second wave of New Orleans Jazz musicians included such memorable players as Joe Oliver, Kid Ory, and Jelly Roll Morton. These men formed small bands and took the music of earlier musicians, improved its complexity, and gained greater success. This music is known as "hot Jazz" due to the enormously fast speeds and rhythmic drive. A young cornet player by the name of Louis Armstrong was discovered by Joe Oliver in New Orleans. He soon grew up to become one of the greatest and most successful musicians of all time, and later one of the biggest stars in the world. The impact of Armstrong and other talented early Jazz musicians changed the way we look at music. 1. Definition of confluence. a. Melding b. Influence c. Intersection d. Coming together 2. Where and when did jazz originate? a. Southern US. 20th century 3. How does the author regard Jazz? a. A real aficionado b. Unable to determine c. Doesn’t like it much d. Enjoys it occasionally 4. Derivation of the word “Jazz” a. West coast slang Homonyms 1. How does the article define homonyms? a. Words that sound alike but are spelled different ways with different meanings. 2. What inference can be drawn from the article? a. English is a difficult language to master. 3. Which statement is a fact rather an opinion? a. Homonyms make learning English more challenging. 4. What conclusion can be drawn from the article? a. In order to master English, the student must learn about homonyms. Glass 1. The definition of brittle is? a. Easily broken 2. What conclusion can be drawn by the information included in the article? a. New use for glass is constantly being discovered. 3. What statement is implied by the article? a. Glass is an essential part of our lives. 4. What statement is a fact stated in the article? a. Glass isn’t an element, but a combination of several elements. Changing time 1. To what word or phrase does the word “They” in the 3rd paragraph mean? a. DST 2. Which statement is true based on the info in the article? a. Computers automatically change the time settings when DST is established. 3. Which statement most accurately reflects the author’s attitude about this subject? a. DST is an inconvenience & should end. Mr. Roger’s 1. According to the passage, Fred Rogers believed in . a. Uniqueness 2. Why did Fred Rogers design and develop a T.V. show for children? a. He wanted to help children deal with real world problems. 3. Author wrote passage because . a. He wanted to inform readers about Fred Rogers 4. Which statement is a fact and not an opinion? a. Mr. Rogers started a website for children in his retirement. Lightning Strike 1. The author seems to . a. Favor the use of lightning rods 2. The passage suggest lightning rods are used to what? a. Draw lightning away from buildings. 3. When taking cover from lightning, you should? a. Get into metal car, or lie flat 4. The reader can conclude that lightning? a. Consists of a main stroke and several smaller strokes. 5. The word penetrates means. a. To pierce Healthcare 1. The passage implies that a. Insurance companies are getting rich. 2. According to the passage, why are more and more people using the emergency room for minor illness? a. They cannot afford the co-payments or deductible required by insurance. 3. Which statement is an opinion? a. If we don’t change the way health care game is played, we’re all going to lose. 4. Why insurance companies continue to raise insurance rates? a. Hospitals are passing down the costs of taking care of people without insurance. 5. What does premium means? a. An amount to be paid for an insurance policy. Factory 1. The paragraph states that both labor and management . a. Can benefit from a well-designed factory. 2. The paragraph suggests the purpose of a factory layout is for . a. Safety and profit. Electoral college The Electoral College has nothing to do with college and contains no students. The Electoral College consists of votes that each state acquires based on the number of representatives it has in Congress. Each state has two electoral votes because each state has two senators. The remaining electoral votes are determined by the number of Congressmen, the number of which is based on the population of the state established by the Census taken each decade. During the presidential election, most states cast all their electoral votes for the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state. It's all very confusing, but the founding fathers know what they were doing. By having and using the Electoral College candidates' campaign in every state, but just because they win the popular vote across the country doesn't mean they will always win the election. Case in point, in election 2000, Al Gore won the popular vote across