HESI A2 Reading Comprehension Questions
and Answers Updated () (Verified
Answers)
Identifying the Main Idea
First identify the topic by asking "What is the passage about?" Once this question is answered, then
ask "What point is the author making about this topic?" The majority of paragraphs will include
information about the main idea. Stop and summaries, and visualize as you read.
HESI Hint: Main Ideas
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.
Topic Sentence
A sentence that expresses the main idea of the paragraph. Can be stated in one or two sentences, and
are often found at the beginning of paragraphs.
Identifying Supporting Details
These are details that the writer uses to give a description, a background, or simply more information
to support the main idea. They may be examples, facts, or statistics. Often the author's main idea can
be confused with the examples or reasons that support the main idea.
Hint: Identifying Supporting Details
Usually the reader can discover details by the authors use of transition words such as one, next,
another, first, or finally, which indicate that a detail is being provided.
Finding the meaning of Words in Context
Identifying the correct meaning of a word or words may be the key to identifying the authors main
idea. The reader should use context clues to identify the meaning of a word.
Context Clue
The information provided by the author in the words or sentences surrounding the unknown word or
words.
Definition Context Clue
When the author puts the meaning of the word in parenthesis or states the definition in the following
sentence.
Synonym Context Clue
When the author gives the reader another word that means the same or nearly the same as the
unknown word.
Antonym Context Clue
When the author gives a word that means the opposite of the unknown word.
HESI Hint: Antonym Context Clues
, The reader needs to watch for clue words such as although, but, and instead, which sometimes signal
that an antonym is being used.
Restatement Context Clue
When the author restates the unknown word in a sentence using more familiar words.
"Example Context Clue"
When the author gives examples that clearly help the reader understand the meaning of the unknown
word.
Explanation Context Clue
When the author gives more information about the unknown word, which better explains the
meaning of the word.
Word Structure Context Clue
Sometimes simply knowing the meaning of basic prefixes, suffixes, and root words can help the
reader make an educated guess about an unknown word.
HESI Hint: Finding a words Meaning in the Context
Look carefully at the words and sentences surrounding the unknown word. Once the correct meaning
has been chosen, test that meaning in the passage. It should make sense, and the meaning should be
supported by the other sentences in the passage or paragraph
Identifying a Writers Purpose
Factual information may be used to inform, and information with positive or negative connotations or
judgments may be used to persuade. An in-depth investigation of a topic may be an analysis.
Purpose
The reason for reading or writing, such as entertain, inform, analyze, or persuade.
Identifying a Writers Tone
An article that describes something as being inspiring or visionary has a positive tone. An article that
describes something as wasteful or foolhardy has a negative tone. There are various tones an article
can take on.
Tone
Refers to the attitude or feelings the author has about the topic; the character of the text in terms of
word choice, and sentence structure.
Connotation
Refers to the emotions or feelings that the reader attaches to the words. Can be positive or negative,
and usually has implied meanings. (Denotation: Dictionary definitions of a word)
HESI Hint: Identifying Writers Purpose/Tone
When identifying the writer's purpose and/or tone, look closely at the writers choice of words. The
words are the clues.
and Answers Updated () (Verified
Answers)
Identifying the Main Idea
First identify the topic by asking "What is the passage about?" Once this question is answered, then
ask "What point is the author making about this topic?" The majority of paragraphs will include
information about the main idea. Stop and summaries, and visualize as you read.
HESI Hint: Main Ideas
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.
Topic Sentence
A sentence that expresses the main idea of the paragraph. Can be stated in one or two sentences, and
are often found at the beginning of paragraphs.
Identifying Supporting Details
These are details that the writer uses to give a description, a background, or simply more information
to support the main idea. They may be examples, facts, or statistics. Often the author's main idea can
be confused with the examples or reasons that support the main idea.
Hint: Identifying Supporting Details
Usually the reader can discover details by the authors use of transition words such as one, next,
another, first, or finally, which indicate that a detail is being provided.
Finding the meaning of Words in Context
Identifying the correct meaning of a word or words may be the key to identifying the authors main
idea. The reader should use context clues to identify the meaning of a word.
Context Clue
The information provided by the author in the words or sentences surrounding the unknown word or
words.
Definition Context Clue
When the author puts the meaning of the word in parenthesis or states the definition in the following
sentence.
Synonym Context Clue
When the author gives the reader another word that means the same or nearly the same as the
unknown word.
Antonym Context Clue
When the author gives a word that means the opposite of the unknown word.
HESI Hint: Antonym Context Clues
, The reader needs to watch for clue words such as although, but, and instead, which sometimes signal
that an antonym is being used.
Restatement Context Clue
When the author restates the unknown word in a sentence using more familiar words.
"Example Context Clue"
When the author gives examples that clearly help the reader understand the meaning of the unknown
word.
Explanation Context Clue
When the author gives more information about the unknown word, which better explains the
meaning of the word.
Word Structure Context Clue
Sometimes simply knowing the meaning of basic prefixes, suffixes, and root words can help the
reader make an educated guess about an unknown word.
HESI Hint: Finding a words Meaning in the Context
Look carefully at the words and sentences surrounding the unknown word. Once the correct meaning
has been chosen, test that meaning in the passage. It should make sense, and the meaning should be
supported by the other sentences in the passage or paragraph
Identifying a Writers Purpose
Factual information may be used to inform, and information with positive or negative connotations or
judgments may be used to persuade. An in-depth investigation of a topic may be an analysis.
Purpose
The reason for reading or writing, such as entertain, inform, analyze, or persuade.
Identifying a Writers Tone
An article that describes something as being inspiring or visionary has a positive tone. An article that
describes something as wasteful or foolhardy has a negative tone. There are various tones an article
can take on.
Tone
Refers to the attitude or feelings the author has about the topic; the character of the text in terms of
word choice, and sentence structure.
Connotation
Refers to the emotions or feelings that the reader attaches to the words. Can be positive or negative,
and usually has implied meanings. (Denotation: Dictionary definitions of a word)
HESI Hint: Identifying Writers Purpose/Tone
When identifying the writer's purpose and/or tone, look closely at the writers choice of words. The
words are the clues.
