HESI A2 - Reading Comprehension Bundled Exams
Questions and Answers with Verified Solutions
Identifying the Main Idea - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER The information provided by the author in the words or
sentences surrounding the unknown word or words.
Definition Context Clue - ANSWER When the author puts the meaning of the word
in parenthesis or states the definition in the following sentence.
Synonym Context Clue - ANSWER When the author gives the reader another word
that means the same or nearly the same as the unknown word.
Antonym Context Clue - ANSWER When the author gives a word that means the
opposite of the unknown word.
HESI Hint: Antonym Context Clues - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER When the author restates the unknown
word in a sentence using more familiar words.
, "Example Context Clue" - ANSWER When the author gives examples that clearly
help the reader understand the meaning of the unknown word.
Explanation Context Clue - ANSWER When the author gives more information
about the unknown word, which better explains the meaning of the word.
Word Structure Context Clue - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER The reason for reading or writing, such as entertain, inform,
analyze, or persuade.
Identifying a Writers Tone - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER When identifying the
writer's purpose and/or tone, look closely at the writers choice of words. The words
are the clues.
Fact - ANSWER Something that can be proved (right or wrong). Such as, "The
movie Avatar was nominated for best picture in 2010."
Opinion - ANSWER A statement that cannot be proved. Such as, "The movie
Avatar was the best movie ever made."
Distinguishing Between Fact & Opinion - ANSWER Contrastingly, words that
convey degrees of being are usually associated with opinion: good, better, best, and
bad, worse, and worst. Also, words that reflect abstract ideas and emotions are also
associated with opinion: love, friendship, jealousy.
Questions and Answers with Verified Solutions
Identifying the Main Idea - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER The information provided by the author in the words or
sentences surrounding the unknown word or words.
Definition Context Clue - ANSWER When the author puts the meaning of the word
in parenthesis or states the definition in the following sentence.
Synonym Context Clue - ANSWER When the author gives the reader another word
that means the same or nearly the same as the unknown word.
Antonym Context Clue - ANSWER When the author gives a word that means the
opposite of the unknown word.
HESI Hint: Antonym Context Clues - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER When the author restates the unknown
word in a sentence using more familiar words.
, "Example Context Clue" - ANSWER When the author gives examples that clearly
help the reader understand the meaning of the unknown word.
Explanation Context Clue - ANSWER When the author gives more information
about the unknown word, which better explains the meaning of the word.
Word Structure Context Clue - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER The reason for reading or writing, such as entertain, inform,
analyze, or persuade.
Identifying a Writers Tone - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER 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 - ANSWER When identifying the
writer's purpose and/or tone, look closely at the writers choice of words. The words
are the clues.
Fact - ANSWER Something that can be proved (right or wrong). Such as, "The
movie Avatar was nominated for best picture in 2010."
Opinion - ANSWER A statement that cannot be proved. Such as, "The movie
Avatar was the best movie ever made."
Distinguishing Between Fact & Opinion - ANSWER Contrastingly, words that
convey degrees of being are usually associated with opinion: good, better, best, and
bad, worse, and worst. Also, words that reflect abstract ideas and emotions are also
associated with opinion: love, friendship, jealousy.
