Reading Comprehension Practice Test HESI A2 Related

Aromatherapy:
For years, aromatherapy has been touted as a safe and natural way to relax and even heal. Essential oils from a variety of scents have been added to candles and sprays to help people feel better. However, a recent study performed at Ohio State University says that these smells, as nice as they may be, do not do a thing to improve people’s health.
To find out if aromatherapy actually works, the researchers tested two of the most popular scents: lemon and lavender. First, test subjects had their heart rate, blood pressure, stress hormones, and immune function measured and noted. Next, they were subjected to mild stressors and then told to sniff one of the scents to see if the scent would help them to relax. Finally, all the subjects were tested again to look for improvement. No significant changes were noted—even in people who had previously stated they were true believers in the power of aromatherapy.
Of course, this does not necessarily prove that aromatherapy is worthless, either. It was just one small study, pitted against the opinions of thousands of consumers who swear by peppermint on their pillow for an upset stomach or vanilla for a headache. More tests will be done, but in the meantime, a whiff of lavender, lemon, or other scents will certainly do no harm—and can be quite pleasant at the same time.

Identify the overall tone of the essay about Aromatherapy.

• A. Congratulatory.
• B. Uncertain.
• C. Annoyed.
• D. Distressed.

Barefoot Running:
Barefoot running is a rapidly growing movement that encourages people to leave their shoes at home and take to the streets in only their bare feet. Barefoot running advocates are quick to point out that while shoe technology has advanced significantly since the advent of the modern running shoe, there has been little decline in the number of injuries that occur from running. Humankind has been running for millions of years, and modern running shoes have existed for less than 50 years. By wearing larger shoes with excessive cushioning, we are changing the biomechanics of how we run, thereby increasing the likelihood for injury.
Early humans ran with a “forefoot strike,” landing closer to the balls of their feet and using their foot’s natural arch as a spring to store and release energy. Modern shoe designs encourage a “heel strike,” landing on the heel and rolling forward to the toe. Barefoot running advocates believe “heel striking” replaces your reliance on the natural mechanics of your feet with the cushioning provided by your shoes, and that this is what causes many of the injuries affecting runners today.
Critics assert that while our feet may have been designed for barefoot running, our road surfaces were not. Concrete and asphalt are much firmer than any surface where our human ancestors would have been running. Broken glass and debris also may make barefoot running a significant challenge. There is little consensus when it comes to the safety and effectiveness of barefoot running, but even the most skeptical of podiatrists will agree that wearing heavily padded shoes too often can result in a weaker foot and leg structure. Spend some extra time walking barefoot around your house; aside from building up the muscles and tendons that strengthen your feet, you may just find yourself tempted to go for a run.

Which of the following statements is an opinion related to Barefoot Running?

• A. Running barefoot is natural and advantageous.
• B. The cost of modern running shoes keeps increasing.
• C. Concrete sidewalks are harder than dirt paths.
• D. The arch of the foot gives a spring to the step.

Evolution of the CDC:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) started in 1946 as the Communicable Disease Center (CDC). Its original goal was to stop malaria in the United States. From a small office in Atlanta, health workers spread out over the South, spraying mosquitoes and using shovels to eliminate low spots of standing water. At that time, most of the CDC’s workers were not doctors; the need was for entomologists and engineers. The founder of the CDC, Dr. Joseph Mountin, enlarged the organization’s mission to fight communicable diseases of all kinds, and over the next 20 years, the CDC would focus on smallpox, measles, and polio.
In 1970, the name was changed to the Center for Disease Control, but the mission continued to expand. By 1980, the CDC was working not only on the eradication of existing diseases but also on disease prevention. By this point, it had hundreds of doctors and researchers looking into health problems such as depression and addiction. The name changed again, to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Today, the CDC has thousands of employees and coordinates research activities with public health agencies worldwide. It is especially known for its work to protect people from epidemics and unexpected health threats, but its everyday work in the areas of environmental health, injury prevention, birth defects, healthy schools and workplaces, and health education is just as important and beneficial to all Americans.

What is the overall tone of the essay about A Short History of the CDC?

• A. Appreciative.
• B. Awestruck.
• C. Somber.
• D. Disheartened.

HCFS:
The impact of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) on health has been a topic of concern in recent years. High fructose corn syrup, a sweetener derived from corn, has been linked to various health issues, including obesity. Unlike refined table sugar, which is a natural product, HFCS is manufactured through a chemical process. Studies have shown that rats tend to prefer HFCS over other sweeteners, raising questions about its effects on human health. The American Medical Association (AMA) has examined the implications of HFCS consumption and its potential role in the obesity epidemic. Despite some benefits in terms of cost and versatility in food products, the association has highlighted potential health risks, including increased caloric intake and potential links to obesity. As research continues, the debate over the safety and health implications of HFCS remains relevant.

Which of the following is not mentioned as a detail in the passage about High Fructose Corn Syrup?

• A. HFCS and sugar share a biological structure.
• B. HFCS is cheaper to use than sugar.
• C. HFCS is now used to sweeten a variety of products.
• D. HFCS contains more calories than aspartame.

CONCUSSIONS:
A concussion is a traumatic injury to the brain that can interfere with the way the brain processes information and functions. A concussion often results in severe headaches, diminished alertness, and even unconsciousness. While more than one million people in the United States suffer concussions every year, many believe that, like people, no two concussions are identical.
Recently, two professional baseball players suffered concussions. The first player was injured early in the season and tried twice to return to regular play but was not medically cleared to play until the following year. Even after eight months, this player reported a recurring condition of “fogginess” that seemed to linger. The second player had brief symptoms of sleepiness and involuntary movement, or “shakiness.” A few days later, and after several tests, the second player reported that the effects of the concussion had subsided, and he was cleared to play.
No matter the duration of a person’s recovery, refraining from trying to do too much, too soon is vital. A specialist at Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy believes that someone who suffers a second concussion while still recovering from the first risks an even longer recovery. Full recovery from concussions is possible. Problems are seldom permanent, and for most people who have had a concussion, the long-term prognosis is typically excellent. The first baseball player recently returned to his team. And though he was told by his physician that he has no greater risk than anyone else of suffering another concussion, other physicians believe that suffering one sports-related concussion increases the likelihood of suffering another.

What is the meaning of the word diminished as used in the passage about Concussions?

• A. Miniature.
• B. Reduced.
• C. Recurrent.
• D. Hollow.