HESI A2 Admission Assessment Exam
ACTUAL EXAM | Complete Questions &
Verified Answers Latest Update
Reading Comprehension (Q 1-10)
1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
A. persuade readers to adopt a vegetarian diet
B. describe the nutritional benefits of leafy greens
C. argue against the use of dietary supplements
D. explain how antioxidants slow cellular aging
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The passage centers on the mechanism by which antioxidants neutralize free
radicals, thereby decelerating cellular aging. No persuasive appeal for vegetarianism (A)
or supplements (C) appears, and while leafy greens are mentioned, they are used only
as an illustrative example (B), not as the passage’s focus.
2. Which statement best summarizes paragraph 3?
A. Free radicals are harmless molecules produced during metabolism.
B. Environmental toxins are the sole source of free radicals.
C. Free radicals damage cell membranes and DNA unless neutralized.
D. Antioxidants are ineffective once oxidation has occurred.
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Paragraph 3 explicitly states that unneutralized free radicals “attack” lipid
membranes and nucleic acids. A is incorrect because free radicals are described as
harmful; B is too narrow (“sole source”); D contradicts the text, which claims
antioxidants can still mitigate damage.
3. The author’s tone toward commercial antioxidant supplements is best described
as
A. enthusiastically supportive
B. cautiously skeptical
C. openly hostile
D. completely indifferent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The author acknowledges potential benefits but warns that “megadoses may
disrupt endogenous oxidative balance,” indicating measured skepticism rather than
endorsement (A), hostility (C), or indifference (D).
4. In line 18, “bolster” most nearly means
A. weaken
B. support
C. replace
D. complicate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Context discusses dietary choices that “bolster” antioxidant defenses;
“support” fits. Weaken (A) is antonymous; replace (C) and complicate (D) are
unsupported.
, 5. According to the passage, which food provides the highest ORAC value per
gram?
A. Blueberries
B. Spinach
C. Dark chocolate
D. Pecans
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The ORAC table lists pecans at 17,940 µmol TE/g, exceeding blueberries
(4,669), spinach (1,513), and dark chocolate (3,120).
6. An unstated assumption underlying the recommendation to “eat a rainbow” is
that
A. color diversity guarantees calorie control
B. phytochemical profiles vary with pigment
C. organic produce is superior to conventional
D. cooking always destroys antioxidants
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The phrase implies different colors supply different antioxidants; thus
pigment diversity signals phytochemical variety. Calorie control (A), organic status (C),
and cooking effects (D) are never discussed.
7. Which detail would most weaken the author’s main claim?
A. A meta-analysis showing antioxidant supplementation increases mortality
B. FDA approval of a new antioxidant drug
C. Evidence that exercise raises endogenous antioxidant enzymes
D. A survey indicating most Americans ignore dietary guidelines
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: If supplementation (a proxy for antioxidant intake) raised mortality, the core
claim that antioxidants slow aging would be undermined. FDA approval (B) is neutral;
exercise data (C) supports; survey (D) is irrelevant to biological efficacy.
8. The passage is organized primarily by
A. chronological order
B. problem–solution
C. cause–effect
D. order of importance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The text proceeds from free-radical formation (cause) to oxidative damage
(effect) to antioxidant intervention (counter-effect). No timeline (A), explicit
problem–solution headings (B), or ranked list (D) appear.
9. As used in line 42, “scavenge” means
A. discard randomly
B. search for and neutralize
C. synthesize chemically
D. absorb passively
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Antioxidants “scavenge” free radicals by seeking and neutralizing them.
Discard (A) and synthesize (C) are opposite; absorb (D) misses the active “search”
nuance.
ACTUAL EXAM | Complete Questions &
Verified Answers Latest Update
Reading Comprehension (Q 1-10)
1. The primary purpose of the passage is to
A. persuade readers to adopt a vegetarian diet
B. describe the nutritional benefits of leafy greens
C. argue against the use of dietary supplements
D. explain how antioxidants slow cellular aging
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The passage centers on the mechanism by which antioxidants neutralize free
radicals, thereby decelerating cellular aging. No persuasive appeal for vegetarianism (A)
or supplements (C) appears, and while leafy greens are mentioned, they are used only
as an illustrative example (B), not as the passage’s focus.
2. Which statement best summarizes paragraph 3?
A. Free radicals are harmless molecules produced during metabolism.
B. Environmental toxins are the sole source of free radicals.
C. Free radicals damage cell membranes and DNA unless neutralized.
D. Antioxidants are ineffective once oxidation has occurred.
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Paragraph 3 explicitly states that unneutralized free radicals “attack” lipid
membranes and nucleic acids. A is incorrect because free radicals are described as
harmful; B is too narrow (“sole source”); D contradicts the text, which claims
antioxidants can still mitigate damage.
3. The author’s tone toward commercial antioxidant supplements is best described
as
A. enthusiastically supportive
B. cautiously skeptical
C. openly hostile
D. completely indifferent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The author acknowledges potential benefits but warns that “megadoses may
disrupt endogenous oxidative balance,” indicating measured skepticism rather than
endorsement (A), hostility (C), or indifference (D).
4. In line 18, “bolster” most nearly means
A. weaken
B. support
C. replace
D. complicate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Context discusses dietary choices that “bolster” antioxidant defenses;
“support” fits. Weaken (A) is antonymous; replace (C) and complicate (D) are
unsupported.
, 5. According to the passage, which food provides the highest ORAC value per
gram?
A. Blueberries
B. Spinach
C. Dark chocolate
D. Pecans
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The ORAC table lists pecans at 17,940 µmol TE/g, exceeding blueberries
(4,669), spinach (1,513), and dark chocolate (3,120).
6. An unstated assumption underlying the recommendation to “eat a rainbow” is
that
A. color diversity guarantees calorie control
B. phytochemical profiles vary with pigment
C. organic produce is superior to conventional
D. cooking always destroys antioxidants
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The phrase implies different colors supply different antioxidants; thus
pigment diversity signals phytochemical variety. Calorie control (A), organic status (C),
and cooking effects (D) are never discussed.
7. Which detail would most weaken the author’s main claim?
A. A meta-analysis showing antioxidant supplementation increases mortality
B. FDA approval of a new antioxidant drug
C. Evidence that exercise raises endogenous antioxidant enzymes
D. A survey indicating most Americans ignore dietary guidelines
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: If supplementation (a proxy for antioxidant intake) raised mortality, the core
claim that antioxidants slow aging would be undermined. FDA approval (B) is neutral;
exercise data (C) supports; survey (D) is irrelevant to biological efficacy.
8. The passage is organized primarily by
A. chronological order
B. problem–solution
C. cause–effect
D. order of importance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The text proceeds from free-radical formation (cause) to oxidative damage
(effect) to antioxidant intervention (counter-effect). No timeline (A), explicit
problem–solution headings (B), or ranked list (D) appear.
9. As used in line 42, “scavenge” means
A. discard randomly
B. search for and neutralize
C. synthesize chemically
D. absorb passively
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Antioxidants “scavenge” free radicals by seeking and neutralizing them.
Discard (A) and synthesize (C) are opposite; absorb (D) misses the active “search”
nuance.
