HESI A2 — All Questions

Read the passage: 'Regular handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of illness. Soap and water remove germs from the skin, reducing the chance of infection. Health experts recommend washing for at least twenty seconds.' What is the main idea?

• a.Soap is expensive to buy.
• b.Germs cannot be removed from skin.
• c.People should wash for one minute.
• d.Handwashing helps prevent illness.✓

The main idea is the central point the passage develops, stated in the first sentence. The details about soap and time support that point rather than serving as the main idea.

Read the passage: 'The library will be closed on Monday for a staff training day. Normal hours will resume on Tuesday.' Which day will the library be open?

• a.Tuesday✓
• b.It never reopens
• c.Sunday
• d.Monday

The passage states normal hours resume on Tuesday, so the library is open that day. Monday is explicitly the closed day.

Read the passage: 'Maria studied every night for two weeks before her exam. When results came back, she earned the highest score in her class.' What can you infer?

• a.The exam was canceled.
• b.Maria did not care about the exam.
• c.Maria cheated on the test.
• d.Maria's studying helped her succeed.✓

An inference is a logical conclusion drawn from clues in the text. Steady studying followed by the top score implies her effort led to success, though the passage does not state it directly.

Read the passage: 'The old wooden bridge creaked with every step. Its boards were split, and rusty nails poked out at odd angles.' What is the tone of this passage?

• a.Peaceful
• b.Cheerful and bright
• c.Humorous
• d.Neglected✓

Tone is the author's attitude conveyed through word choice. Words like creaked, split, and rusty create a sense of neglect and danger.

Read the passage: 'Exercise offers many benefits. It strengthens the heart, improves mood, and helps control weight.' Which is a supporting detail, not the main idea?

• a.Exercise offers many benefits.
• b.Exercise strengthens the heart.✓
• c.The passage has no details.
• d.Exercise is the topic sentence.

The main idea is that exercise offers many benefits. The claim that it strengthens the heart is one specific detail that supports that broader statement.

Read the passage: 'Please submit your application by Friday. Late submissions will not be considered.' What is the author's purpose?

• a.To entertain the reader
• b.To state a deadline✓
• c.To describe a place
• d.To tell a story

The author's purpose is why the text was written. This passage gives a clear instruction and consequence, so its purpose is to inform readers of a deadline.

Read the passage: 'The new phone has a longer battery life than any previous model. You simply must upgrade today to enjoy the best experience ever!' Which best describes this passage?

• a.It is entirely factual.
• b.It contains persuasive opinion.✓
• c.It is a set of instructions.
• d.It is a historical account.

Persuasive writing uses opinion and emotional appeals to influence the reader. Phrases like 'must upgrade' and 'best experience ever' signal opinion rather than verifiable fact.

Read the passage: 'First, gather your supplies. Next, mix the ingredients. Finally, bake for thirty minutes.' How is this passage organized?

• a.Problem and solution
• b.Compare and contrast
• c.Cause and effect
• d.Sequential steps✓

Text structure describes how information is arranged. Signal words like first, next, and finally show the passage lists steps in sequential order.

Read the passage: 'Because the storm knocked down power lines, thousands of homes lost electricity for days.' What is the cause?

• a.The homes were rebuilt
• b.The days grew shorter
• c.Downed power lines✓
• d.Homes lost electricity

The cause is the event that makes something else happen. Here the storm knocking down power lines caused the homes to lose electricity, which is the effect.

Read the passage: 'Nursing requires both technical skill and compassion. A good nurse must master procedures while also comforting anxious patients.' What is the main idea?

• a.Procedures are difficult to learn.
• b.Nursing requires both skill and compassion.✓
• c.Nurses do not need training.
• d.Patients are always anxious.

The main idea is stated in the first sentence and reinforced by the second. The passage stresses that nursing combines technical ability with caring for patients.

Read the passage: 'Although the medicine tasted bitter, Jonah swallowed it quickly and thanked the nurse.' What can you infer about Jonah?

• a.He disliked the nurse.
• b.He was cooperative.✓
• c.He refused the medicine.
• d.He was very young.

The clues show Jonah took the unpleasant medicine and expressed thanks. This implies he was cooperative even though the taste was unpleasant.

Read the passage: 'The report was riddled with errors, submitted late, and impossible to follow.' What is the tone?

• a.Excited
• b.Neutral
• c.Critical✓
• d.Approving

Tone reflects the author's attitude. The negative descriptions of errors, lateness, and confusion create a clearly critical tone.

Read the passage: 'Water covers about seventy percent of Earth's surface, yet most of it is salt water unsuitable for drinking.' What is the topic?

• a.Ocean animals
• b.Drinking habits
• c.Earth's water✓
• d.Weather patterns

The topic is the general subject the passage discusses. This passage focuses on how much of Earth is water and how much of it can be used for drinking.

Read the passage: 'Turn off the machine before cleaning it. Failing to do so may cause serious injury.' What is implied about the machine?

• a.It can be dangerous.✓
• b.It cleans itself.
• c.It is broken.
• d.It is inexpensive.

The warning about serious injury implies the machine poses a risk if used carelessly. The instruction to turn it off first supports that inference.

Read the passage: 'Some people prefer coffee for its bold flavor, while others choose tea for its calming effect.' How is this passage organized?

• a.Compare and contrast✓
• b.Chronological order
• c.Persuasion
• d.Spatial description

The passage sets two beverages side by side and notes how they differ. Presenting similarities and differences is the compare and contrast structure.

Read the passage: 'The volunteers worked tirelessly, sorting donations late into the night without a single complaint.' Which word best describes the volunteers?

• a.Lazy
• b.Dedicated✓
• c.Indifferent
• d.Rude

The details of working tirelessly and without complaint show strong commitment. The word dedicated best captures that behavior.

Read the passage: 'A balanced diet includes fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy. Skipping any group may lead to nutritional gaps.' What is the main idea?

• a.Fruits are the most important food.
• b.Grains cause nutritional gaps.
• c.Dairy should be avoided.
• d.Several food groups are needed.✓

The passage explains that a balanced diet is made up of multiple food groups. The warning about skipping a group supports this central idea.

Read the passage: 'Despite losing the first two games, the team practiced harder and won the championship.' What can you conclude?

• a.The team gave up.
• b.The championship was easy.
• c.The team never played again.
• d.Hard work helped the team recover.✓

A conclusion draws on the stated facts. The team's extra practice after early losses led to winning, showing that hard work helped them recover.

Read the passage: 'Ladies and gentlemen, the future of our city depends on your vote. Do not let this opportunity slip away!' What is the author's purpose?

• a.To describe the city's history
• b.To explain a scientific process
• c.To persuade the audience to vote✓
• d.To entertain with a joke

The urgent, emotional language is designed to move the audience to action. This shows the author's purpose is to persuade people to vote.

Read the passage: 'The instructions were vague, the deadline unclear, and the goals undefined.' Which statement is a fact from the passage?

• a.The instructions were vague.✓
• b.The project succeeded.
• c.The deadline was extended.
• d.The team was happy.

A fact is a detail directly stated in the text. The passage explicitly says the instructions were vague, while the other options are not mentioned.

Read the passage: 'The garden burst with color as tulips, daisies, and roses swayed gently in the warm spring breeze.' What is the mood?

• a.Frightening
• b.Gloomy
• c.Tense
• d.Pleasant✓

Mood is the feeling created in the reader. Images of colorful flowers and a warm, gentle breeze produce a pleasant and calm mood.

Read the passage: 'When the fire alarm sounds, exit through the nearest door and gather in the parking lot. Do not use the elevators.' What should you NOT do?

• a.Leave the building
• b.Gather in the parking lot
• c.Exit through the nearest door
• d.Use the elevators✓

The passage directly instructs readers not to use the elevators during a fire alarm. The other actions are things the passage tells you to do.

Read the passage: 'Sleep is essential for health. During sleep, the body repairs tissues and the brain consolidates memories.' Which detail supports the main idea?

• a.The brain consolidates memories.✓
• b.Sleep is a waste of time.
• c.Memories are unimportant.
• d.People need no rest.

The main idea is that sleep is essential for health. The statement that the brain consolidates memories during sleep is a specific detail that supports that idea.

Read the passage: 'The clerk sighed, glanced at the clock repeatedly, and answered questions in short, clipped phrases.' What can you infer about the clerk?

• a.The clerk was on vacation.
• b.The clerk owned the store.
• c.The clerk was impatient.✓
• d.The clerk was eager to help.

Sighing, watching the clock, and giving clipped answers are clues to the clerk's mood. Together they imply the clerk was impatient.

Read the passage: 'Recycling reduces waste in landfills, conserves natural resources, and saves energy.' What is the primary purpose?

• a.To criticize recycling
• b.To tell a personal story
• c.To sell recycling bins
• d.To inform about benefits✓

The passage lists factual benefits of recycling without persuasion or narrative. Its primary purpose is to inform readers about those benefits.

Read the passage: 'The hallway stretched on endlessly, its flickering lights casting long shadows on the silent, empty walls.' What is the tone?

• a.Businesslike
• b.Eerie✓
• c.Joyful
• d.Romantic

Tone comes from descriptive word choices. Flickering lights, long shadows, and silence create an eerie, unsettling tone.

Read the passage: 'Vaccines train the immune system to recognize harmful germs. As a result, the body can fight infection more quickly if exposed later.' What relationship is shown?

• a.Order of importance
• b.Compare and contrast
• c.Spatial order
• d.Cause and effect✓

The phrase 'as a result' signals a cause and effect relationship. Vaccines training the immune system is the cause, and faster infection fighting is the effect.

Read the passage: 'Ella packed her bags days early, checked her passport twice, and set three alarms.' What can you infer about Ella?

• a.She dreaded the trip.
• b.She was disorganized.
• c.She missed her flight.
• d.She was careful and prepared.✓

Packing early, double-checking documents, and setting multiple alarms are clues to Ella's habits. They imply she was careful and well prepared.