HESI A2 Reading Comprehension Practice Test

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DAY LIGHT SAVINGS TIME:
It is a well-known fact that it takes the Earth approximately 365 days to move around the sun. At the same time, the Earth revolves or spins around itself over the course of 24 hours, which explains why there is day and night. One half of the Earth is always facing the Sun and the other half is facing away from it. As a result, there are different time zones dividing the globe. Moving suddenly from one time zone into the other, as when flying for example from Asia to North America, causes jetlag. People feel tired, they wake up suddenly during the night and cannot go back to sleep. It takes time to get used to a new time zone.
Another thing to consider is the slight tilting of the Earth towards the sun. The Earth does not stand straight but leans a little to one side. Therefore, when it revolves around the Sun, the middle part of the Earth is always closer to the Sun and gets more heat. This part is called the equator, and above it lathes tropics. Countries at the tropics get the same amount of daylight all the time. The sun always rises at 6 am and sets at 6 pm. In contrast, the tips of the Earth or the Poles get hardly any light at all because they are so far away from the sun.
There are two main seasons at the Poles. There are 6 months of summer, when the sun is always shining, even at night, and there are 6 months of winter, when there is constant darkness.
In between the tropics and the Poles lies the temperate zone, where there are 4 seasons. The sun rises and sets at different times throughout the year. In the spring and summer, it gets light earlier; in the fall and winter it gets dark earlier. People who live in temperate zones take advantage of that fact to get more daylight. At the beginning of spring, countries in Europe and North America re-adjust their clocks. They change the time on their clocks and watches by moving them an hour ahead. As a result, the sun does not set around 7 or 8 pm as usual, but an hour later. This measure is called Daylight Savings Time (DST) and lasts until the beginning of fall, when people move their clocks back one hour to Standard or regular Time.
It is thought that Benjamin Franklin first suggested the introduction of Daylight Savings Time in the 18th century. But, the first serious proposal came in 1907 from William Willet. Yet his idea was shelved by the British government, who refused it because they thought it was unnecessary. Daylight Savings Time was first put into practice by the German government in 1916 in order to save energy during the First World War. Shortly after, the United Kingdom followed suit, with the United States doing the same in 1918.
The law was very unpopular since people had to wake up earlier and many experienced a feeling like jetlag. But the 1970s energy crisis forced the US to make Daylight Savings Time the law. Studies have shown that the introduction of Daylight Savings Time in the spring saved the US 10,000 barrels of oil per day between 1974-1975. It also prevented 2,000 traffic injuries and 50 traffic-related deaths, saving the country $28 million.
Currently, Americans switch to Daylight Savings Time on the first Sunday in April and move back to Standard Time on the last Sunday in October. But as of 2007, the time re-adjustment happened even earlier, in March and November.

What is the relationship between the tilt of the Earth and seasons as explained in the passage on Daylight Savings Time?

  • A. The tilt of the Earth has no effect on seasons.
  • B. The tilt of the Earth creates seasons.
  • C. The tilt of the Earth changes throughout the year.
  • D. The tilt of the Earth is random and unpredictable.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'The tilt of the Earth creates seasons.' The passage explains that the tilt of the Earth causes the different seasons by changing the amount of sunlight different regions receive. This tilt results in varying angles at which sunlight reaches different parts of the Earth, leading to the seasonal changes in temperature and daylight hours. Choice A is incorrect because the passage clearly states that the tilt of the Earth does have an effect on the seasons. Choice C is incorrect because the tilt of the Earth remains relatively constant throughout the year. Choice D is incorrect as the tilt of the Earth is not random but follows a consistent pattern.

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DAY LIGHT SAVINGS TIME:
It is a well-known fact that it takes the Earth approximately 365 days to move around the sun. At the same time, the Earth revolves or spins around itself over the course of 24 hours, which explains why there is day and night. One half of the Earth is always facing the Sun and the other half is facing away from it. As a result, there are different time zones dividing the globe. Moving suddenly from one time zone into the other, as when flying for example from Asia to North America, causes jetlag. People feel tired, they wake up suddenly during the night and cannot go back to sleep. It takes time to get used to a new time zone.
Another thing to consider is the slight tilting of the Earth towards the sun. The Earth does not stand straight but leans a little to one side. Therefore, when it revolves around the Sun, the middle part of the Earth is always closer to the Sun and gets more heat. This part is called the equator, and above it lathes tropics. Countries at the tropics get the same amount of daylight all the time. The sun always rises at 6 am and sets at 6 pm. In contrast, the tips of the Earth or the Poles get hardly any light at all because they are so far away from the sun.
There are two main seasons at the Poles. There are 6 months of summer, when the sun is always shining, even at night, and there are 6 months of winter, when there is constant darkness.
In between the tropics and the Poles lies the temperate zone, where there are 4 seasons. The sun rises and sets at different times throughout the year. In the spring and summer, it gets light earlier; in the fall and winter it gets dark earlier. People who live in temperate zones take advantage of that fact to get more daylight. At the beginning of spring, countries in Europe and North America re-adjust their clocks. They change the time on their clocks and watches by moving them an hour ahead. As a result, the sun does not set around 7 or 8 pm as usual, but an hour later. This measure is called Daylight Savings Time (DST) and lasts until the beginning of fall, when people move their clocks back one hour to Standard or regular Time.
It is thought that Benjamin Franklin first suggested the introduction of Daylight Savings Time in the 18th century. But, the first serious proposal came in 1907 from William Willet. Yet his idea was shelved by the British government, who refused it because they thought it was unnecessary. Daylight Savings Time was first put into practice by the German government in 1916 in order to save energy during the First World War. Shortly after, the United Kingdom followed suit, with the United States doing the same in 1918.
The law was very unpopular since people had to wake up earlier and many experienced a feeling like jetlag. But the 1970s energy crisis forced the US to make Daylight Savings Time the law. Studies have shown that the introduction of Daylight Savings Time in the spring saved the US 10,000 barrels of oil per day between 1974-1975. It also prevented 2,000 traffic injuries and 50 traffic-related deaths, saving the country $28 million.
Currently, Americans switch to Daylight Savings Time on the first Sunday in April and move back to Standard Time on the last Sunday in October. But as of 2007, the time re-adjustment happened even earlier, in March and November.

What does the author suggest about the Earth's tilt in the passage on Daylight Savings Time?

  • A. The Earth's tilt has no effect on the seasons.
  • B. The Earth's tilt affects the amount of sunlight different areas receive.
  • C. The Earth's tilt is constant throughout the year.
  • D. The Earth's tilt changes dramatically during the seasons.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The author suggests that the Earth's tilt affects the amount of sunlight different areas receive, influencing the seasons. The passage explains how the tilt of the Earth towards the sun results in different regions receiving varying amounts of sunlight, leading to the existence of seasons. This tilt causes regions near the equator to receive more sunlight consistently, while the Poles experience periods of constant darkness or sunlight, creating different seasons. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the passage clearly states that the Earth's tilt influences sunlight distribution and subsequently impacts the seasons.

AMAZON RAINFOREST:
About 6% of the earth is covered by rainforests. The largest rainforest in the world is the Amazon Basin, which stretches over 2.3 million square miles in nine different South American countries. This area is double the length of all the other remaining rainforests in the world. Brazil contains 60%of the Amazonian rainforest, since it lies at the mouth of the river Amazon. This river is the second largest in the world and contains more than one-fifth of the world's fresh water.
The Amazon rainforest is a type of wet broadleaf forest. The weather there is very humid and warm as it rains quite a bit. Because of the high rainfall, the forest is very rich and green. The tree leaves are pointed and narrow so that the raindrops can easily drop off wet plants. This tropical rainforest has more living species than the entire European continent. There are over 400 types of insects living in one single rain forest tree for a total of 2.5 million species. One square kilometer of rainforest may contain over 75,000 types of trees and approximately 438,000 different kinds of plants, which comes to a total of 90,000 tons of greenery overall. The Amazon rainforest is home to 2,000 birds
and mammals, with one in every five birds in the world living there.
Local farmers have lived off this rich and diverse land for thousands of years. They have been able to find food and water here without destroying the land. The Kayapo people of Brazil farm in an environmentally-friendly way. Instead of chemicals, they use burned wood to enrich the soil, and plant banana trees, which attract wasps. These wasps then feed on leafcutter ants and get rid of these harmful insects. The rainforest also offers a lot of tropical fruits, such as bananas and coconuts, as food. Cinnamon is made from the bark of a rainforest tree. Amazonian Indians use the fruit and stem of the Buruti plant as a drink, to make bread and to build houses. Many other plants are used as medicine. But the Amazon rainforest is in very big danger of disappearing. 9,169 square miles of forest have been cut down in 2003 in Brazil alone. An area of the size of a football field is burned down basically every minute, which means that the rain forest may be gone by the year 2030.The dangers related to this type of activity are obvious. Trees take in poisonous carbon dioxide from the air and give off oxygen. There is more oxygen and less carbon dioxide around a rainforest. When trees are cut down, however, the amount of carbon dioxide increases, and the air gets warmer. This leads to global warming, which is extremely harmful to the environment.
It is estimated that the burning of Brazilian rainforests alone produces 200 million metric tons of carbon dioxide a year. Another danger connected with destroying the rainforest is the disappearance of plants and animals. When trees are cut down, plants and animals have no more food left and slowly die out. Killing wild animals is illegal in Brazil, but there is plenty of stealing going on. 38 million animals are stolen and sold illegally each year. The most hunted animals are birds, especially parrots, followed by snakes and the jaguar.

What fact is stated about the Amazon Rainforest in the passage?

  • A. The Amazon Rainforest is shrinking rapidly.
  • B. The Amazon Rainforest is home to diverse species.
  • C. The Amazon Rainforest is unaffected by human activity.
  • D. The Amazon Rainforest contains few animals.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The passage highlights the incredible biodiversity of the Amazon Rainforest, emphasizing its diverse species of plants and animals. The passage describes the rainforest as home to over 2,000 birds and mammals, with one in every five birds in the world living there. It also mentions the vast variety of insects, trees, and plants present in the rainforest, showcasing its rich ecosystem. Choice A is incorrect as the passage does not directly state that the Amazon Rainforest is shrinking rapidly, although it does mention the dangers it faces. Choice C is incorrect as the passage clearly indicates that human activity, such as deforestation, poses a significant threat to the rainforest. Choice D is incorrect as the passage provides evidence of a high number of animals inhabiting the Amazon Rainforest.

THE WHITE ELEPHANT:
Centuries ago, in the country of Siam, now known as Thailand, it was the custom of the rulers to punish those who displeased them by giving the offender a white elephant. Because the animal was considered sacred, it could not be made to work as other elephants did, but still had to be fed hundreds of pounds of fruit and cared for in the most lavish style. The recipient could not give the elephant to anyone else, as it was a gift from the ruler, who would be greatly displeased should the recipient not receive the gift graciously or care for it in a grand style. This monetary burden could be a major liability to the recipient, and in many cases, they became impoverished.
This is the origin of the term "white elephant," as it is used today to denote an unwanted gift. The popular way of gift exchange played during the holiday season is an offshoot of this tradition. In this game, everyone brings a gift, and the gifts are exchanged by drawing numbers and picking a gift in turn. The second person can choose a new gift or steal the first one. It is all in good fun, and people enjoy giving silly gifts and "stealing" someone else's.

What is the author's reason for writing the passage on the White Elephant?

  • A. To inform readers about Thailand's historical customs.
  • B. To entertain readers with the origins of the term 'white elephant.'
  • C. To explain the tradition of giving white elephants.
  • D. To criticize the tradition of giving white elephants as gifts.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'To explain the tradition of giving white elephants.' The passage provides historical context about the practice of giving white elephants as gifts in ancient Siam, now Thailand. It explains how white elephants were considered sacred, could not be put to work, and became a burden to the recipients. The author's purpose is to shed light on this tradition and its implications, not to inform readers about Thailand in general (choice A), entertain with fun facts (choice B), or criticize the tradition (choice D). Choices A and B are incorrect because the passage focuses specifically on the tradition of giving white elephants, not on broader aspects of Thailand or entertainment. Choice D is incorrect because the passage does not criticize the tradition but rather provides a factual account of its historical significance.

GETTING A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP:
Have you ever found yourself staring at the ceiling at 2:00 a.m.? Have you kicked the blankets off to the floor from burning? Many sufferers of insomnia know these situations all too well. As many as 17% of Americans find the restful break of sleep hard to achieve.
Lack of sleep affects intellectual abilities at work or school by causing a deficit in memory, attention, and concentration, which in turn creates a feeling of irritation or depression. Chronic insomnia can result from a medical illness, a psychiatric condition, or from sleep apnea, a condition where an individual actually stops breathing during sleep.
Sleep hygiene, developing good sleep habits, and non-pharmacological therapies such as herbs and spices are some solutions to insomnia. There is no need to live with insomnia, so contact a physician and get a good night's sleep!

How does insomnia affect intellectual abilities?

  • A. Causes a deficit in memory, concentration, and attention.
  • B. Improves mental alertness.
  • C. Boosts concentration levels.
  • D. Has no effect on intellectual abilities.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Insomnia affects intellectual abilities by causing a deficit in memory, concentration, and attention. The passage highlights that lack of sleep impacts memory, attention, and concentration, leading to feelings of irritation or depression. Therefore, choice A is correct. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not align with the negative impact insomnia has on intellectual abilities as described in the passage.

GETTING A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP:
Have you ever found yourself staring at the ceiling at 2:00 a.m.? Have you kicked the blankets off to the floor from burning? Many sufferers of insomnia know these situations all too well. As many as 17% of Americans find the restful break of sleep hard to achieve.
Lack of sleep affects intellectual abilities at work or school by causing a deficit in memory, attention, and concentration, which in turn creates a feeling of irritation or depression. Chronic insomnia can result from a medical illness, a psychiatric condition, or from sleep apnea, a condition where an individual actually stops breathing during sleep.
Sleep hygiene, developing good sleep habits, and non-pharmacological therapies such as herbs and spices are some solutions to insomnia. There is no need to live with insomnia, so contact a physician and get a good night's sleep!

Why did the author write this passage?

  • A. To explain insomnia and propose some solutions for the condition.
  • B. To encourage people to avoid sleep.
  • C. To criticize people who have sleep problems.
  • D. To promote the use of sleep medication.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. The author wrote the passage to explain insomnia and suggest ways to deal with it. The passage provides information about insomnia, its impact on daily life, and offers solutions like sleep hygiene and non-pharmacological therapies. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as the passage does not encourage avoiding sleep, criticize people with sleep problems, or promote the use of sleep medication. Instead, it focuses on understanding and addressing insomnia.

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