HESI ADMISSION
ASSESSMENT
Reading Comprehension
EXAM OUTLINE
Identifying the Main Idea
Identifying Supporting Details
Finding the Meaning of Words in Context Identifying a Writer’s
Purpose and Tone
Distinguishing between Fact and Opinion
Making Logical Inferences
Summarizing
Review Questions
Answers to Review Questions
,Identifying the Main Idea
Identifying the main idea is the key to understanding what
has been read and what needs to be remembered. First,
identify the topic of the passage or paragraph by asking the
question, “What is it about?” Once that question has been
answered, ask, “What point is the author making about the
topic?” If the reader understands the author’s message
about the topic, the main idea has been identified.
In longer passages the reader might find it helpful to count
the number of paragraphs used to describe what is believed
to be the main idea statement. If the majority of paragraphs
include information about the main idea statement the
reader has chosen, the reader is probably correct. However,
if the answer chosen by the reader is mentioned in only one
paragraph, the main idea that was chosen is probably just a
detail.
Another helpful hint in identifying main ideas is to read a
paragraph and then stop and summarize that paragraph.
This type of active reading helps the reader focus on the
content and can lessen the need to reread the entire passage
several times.
Some students find that visualizing as they read helps
them remember details and stay focused. They picture the
information they are reading as if it were being projected on
, a big-screen TV. If you do not already do this, try it. Informal
classroom experiments have proved that students who
visualize while reading comprehension tests easily outscore
their counterparts who do not visualize.
HESI Hint
Main ideas can be found in the beginning, in the middle, or at
the end of a paragraph or passage. Always check the
introduction and conclusion for the main idea.
Finally, not all main ideas are stated. Identify unstated or
implied main ideas by looking specifically at the details,
examples, causes, and reasons given.
Again, asking the questions stated earlier will help in this
task:
• What is the passage about? (Topic)
• What point is the author making about the topic? (Main
idea)
Some experts like to compare the main idea with an
umbrella covering all or most of the details in a paragraph
or passage. The chosen main idea can be tested for accuracy
by asking whether the other details will fit under the
umbrella. The idea of an umbrella also helps visualize how
broad a statement the main idea can be.
ASSESSMENT
Reading Comprehension
EXAM OUTLINE
Identifying the Main Idea
Identifying Supporting Details
Finding the Meaning of Words in Context Identifying a Writer’s
Purpose and Tone
Distinguishing between Fact and Opinion
Making Logical Inferences
Summarizing
Review Questions
Answers to Review Questions
,Identifying the Main Idea
Identifying the main idea is the key to understanding what
has been read and what needs to be remembered. First,
identify the topic of the passage or paragraph by asking the
question, “What is it about?” Once that question has been
answered, ask, “What point is the author making about the
topic?” If the reader understands the author’s message
about the topic, the main idea has been identified.
In longer passages the reader might find it helpful to count
the number of paragraphs used to describe what is believed
to be the main idea statement. If the majority of paragraphs
include information about the main idea statement the
reader has chosen, the reader is probably correct. However,
if the answer chosen by the reader is mentioned in only one
paragraph, the main idea that was chosen is probably just a
detail.
Another helpful hint in identifying main ideas is to read a
paragraph and then stop and summarize that paragraph.
This type of active reading helps the reader focus on the
content and can lessen the need to reread the entire passage
several times.
Some students find that visualizing as they read helps
them remember details and stay focused. They picture the
information they are reading as if it were being projected on
, a big-screen TV. If you do not already do this, try it. Informal
classroom experiments have proved that students who
visualize while reading comprehension tests easily outscore
their counterparts who do not visualize.
HESI Hint
Main ideas can be found in the beginning, in the middle, or at
the end of a paragraph or passage. Always check the
introduction and conclusion for the main idea.
Finally, not all main ideas are stated. Identify unstated or
implied main ideas by looking specifically at the details,
examples, causes, and reasons given.
Again, asking the questions stated earlier will help in this
task:
• What is the passage about? (Topic)
• What point is the author making about the topic? (Main
idea)
Some experts like to compare the main idea with an
umbrella covering all or most of the details in a paragraph
or passage. The chosen main idea can be tested for accuracy
by asking whether the other details will fit under the
umbrella. The idea of an umbrella also helps visualize how
broad a statement the main idea can be.
