HESI Reading Comprehension Study Test – Practice
Questions with Explanations (2025 Update)
1. QUESTION
When Dinosaurs Coughed
Centuries of research and fossil evidence have allowed us to visualize
various aspects of dinosaurs, ranging from how they looked to how
they acted. Thanks to a recent study that analyzed fossil remains
discovered in Montana, it is possible that dinosaurs may have even
caught and dealt with the annoying symptoms of the common cold,
just like humans do! During an excavation, paleontologists uncovered
the remains of a Diplodocid, a large herbivore with a long neck. Due to
its size, this type of dinosaur breathed in air through sacs in its neck,
which were directly connected to its respiratory system. The fossil
remains of one such dinosaur indicated that a pathogen had infected its
lungs and respiratory system. Although researchers have not yet
pinpointed the exact source of the infection, one hypothesis posits that
it is the Aspergillus fungus, which infects reptiles and birds to this day.
No matter the origin, the study shows that the illness caused
symptoms similar to a cough and increased body temperature, which
are indicative of the common cold.
What is the main idea of the paragraph?
o Research shows that the Aspergillus fungus is most likely the
reason why dinosaurs may have been afflicted with respiratory
illnesses.
o Research shows that some dinosaurs likely dealt with
respiratory illnesses with symptoms similar to the common
cold.
, o Dinosaurs with longer necks were more susceptible to
respiratory illnesses, most notably those involving an airborne
fungus.
o A recent study found that Diplodocid dinosaurs breathed
through sacs that connected directly to the respiratory system.
Incorrect
Answer:
Research shows that some dinosaurs likely dealt with respiratory illnesses with
symptoms similar to the common cold is the correct answer.
This answer option contains the main idea of the paragraph, which includes the
discovery that dinosaurs likely had respiratory illnesses comparable to the common
cold. This answer contains the main idea of the paragraph without providing any
irrelevant supporting details.
Research shows that the Aspergillus fungus is most likely the reason why
dinosaurs may have been afflicted with respiratory illnesses.
This is incorrect. The answer option provides an irrelevant supporting detail about
the Aspergillus fungus, which is not part of the paragraph’s main idea involving the
research study and its findings.
Dinosaurs with longer necks were more susceptible to respiratory illnesses,
most notably those involving an airborne fungus.
This is incorrect. This statement does not provide the main idea of the paragraph
because it is a supporting detail. The statement, “Although researchers have not yet
pinpointed the exact source of the infection, one hypothesis posits that it is
the Aspergillus fungus, which infects reptiles and birds to this day,” shows that the
source of the infection has not been proven. Additionally, we cannot say with
certainty that the fungus was airborne, so it would not be the best or the most
credible information to include in the main idea.
A recent study found that Diplodocid dinosaurs breathed through sacs that
connected directly to the respiratory system.
This is incorrect. Although the paragraph discusses a recent study along with
information regarding how Diplodocid dinosaurs breathed, this piece of information
is not the main finding of the study according to the information given in the
paragraph. Rather, it is an irrelevant supporting detail that provides more insight
into this particular type of dinosaur.
,2. 2. QUESTION
When Dinosaurs Coughed
Centuries of research and fossil evidence have allowed us to visualize
various aspects of dinosaurs, ranging from how they looked to how
they acted. Thanks to a recent study that analyzed fossil remains
discovered in Montana, it is possible that dinosaurs may have even
caught and dealt with the annoying symptoms of the common cold,
just like humans do! During an excavation, paleontologists uncovered
the remains of a Diplodocid, a large herbivore with a long neck. Due to
its size, this type of dinosaur breathed in air through sacs in its neck,
which were directly connected to its respiratory system. The fossil
remains of one such dinosaur indicated that a pathogen had infected its
lungs and respiratory system. Although researchers have not yet
pinpointed the exact source of the infection, one hypothesis posits that
it is the Aspergillus fungus, which infects reptiles and birds to this day.
No matter the origin, the study shows that the illness caused
symptoms similar to a cough and increased body temperature, which
are indicative of the common cold.
Which of the following is true, based on the passage?
o The anatomy of the Diplodocid dinosaur had an impact on
how it drew in and transported air to the rest of its body.
o Compared to present day, the Aspergillus fungus was more
prevalent on Earth when dinosaurs were alive.
o Fossil remains prove that Diplodocid dinosaurs had a harder
time breathing when compared to other dinosaurs.
o The Diplodocid dinosaur was more susceptible to illness due to
its diet of mostly plants and vegetation.
Correct
Answer:
, The anatomy of the Diplodocid dinosaur had an impact on how it drew in and
transported air to the rest of its body is the correct answer.
This is the correct answer. The statement, “Due to its size, this type of dinosaur
breathed in air through sacs in its neck, which were directly connected to its
respiratory system”, proves this supporting detail to be correct.
Fossil remains prove that Diplodocid dinosaurs had a harder time breathing
when compared to other dinosaurs.
This is incorrect. The statement is not necessarily true. The paragraph tells us that
the fossil remains of one Diplodocid “proved that a pathogen had infected its lungs
and respiratory system”. The information does not compare the Diplodocid to any
other dinosaur, so we cannot logically infer that they had a harder time breathing
than other dinosaurs.
Compared to present day, the Aspergillus fungus was more prevalent on Earth
when dinosaurs were alive.
This is incorrect. When it comes to the prevalence of this fungus, the text only
states that “…one hypothesis posits that it is the Aspergillus fungus, which infects
reptiles and birds to this day”. This shows that the fungus still exists, but we cannot
state that it was more prevalent when dinosaurs were alive.
The Diplodocid dinosaur was more susceptible to illness due to its diet of mostly
plants and vegetation.
This is incorrect. The text tells us that the Diplodocid was “a large herbivore with a
long neck”, which means that it ate only plants. However, the text does not say
anything about why the remains of the Diplodocid were infected with the pathogen.
3. 3. QUESTION
When Dinosaurs Coughed
Centuries of research and fossil evidence have allowed us to visualize
various aspects of dinosaurs, ranging from how they looked to how
they acted. Thanks to a recent study that analyzed fossil remains
discovered in Montana, it is possible that dinosaurs may have even
caught and dealt with the annoying symptoms of the common cold,
just like humans do! During an excavation, paleontologists uncovered
the remains of a Diplodocid, a large herbivore with a long neck. Due to
its size, this type of dinosaur breathed in air through sacs in its neck,
which were directly connected to its respiratory system. The fossil
Questions with Explanations (2025 Update)
1. QUESTION
When Dinosaurs Coughed
Centuries of research and fossil evidence have allowed us to visualize
various aspects of dinosaurs, ranging from how they looked to how
they acted. Thanks to a recent study that analyzed fossil remains
discovered in Montana, it is possible that dinosaurs may have even
caught and dealt with the annoying symptoms of the common cold,
just like humans do! During an excavation, paleontologists uncovered
the remains of a Diplodocid, a large herbivore with a long neck. Due to
its size, this type of dinosaur breathed in air through sacs in its neck,
which were directly connected to its respiratory system. The fossil
remains of one such dinosaur indicated that a pathogen had infected its
lungs and respiratory system. Although researchers have not yet
pinpointed the exact source of the infection, one hypothesis posits that
it is the Aspergillus fungus, which infects reptiles and birds to this day.
No matter the origin, the study shows that the illness caused
symptoms similar to a cough and increased body temperature, which
are indicative of the common cold.
What is the main idea of the paragraph?
o Research shows that the Aspergillus fungus is most likely the
reason why dinosaurs may have been afflicted with respiratory
illnesses.
o Research shows that some dinosaurs likely dealt with
respiratory illnesses with symptoms similar to the common
cold.
, o Dinosaurs with longer necks were more susceptible to
respiratory illnesses, most notably those involving an airborne
fungus.
o A recent study found that Diplodocid dinosaurs breathed
through sacs that connected directly to the respiratory system.
Incorrect
Answer:
Research shows that some dinosaurs likely dealt with respiratory illnesses with
symptoms similar to the common cold is the correct answer.
This answer option contains the main idea of the paragraph, which includes the
discovery that dinosaurs likely had respiratory illnesses comparable to the common
cold. This answer contains the main idea of the paragraph without providing any
irrelevant supporting details.
Research shows that the Aspergillus fungus is most likely the reason why
dinosaurs may have been afflicted with respiratory illnesses.
This is incorrect. The answer option provides an irrelevant supporting detail about
the Aspergillus fungus, which is not part of the paragraph’s main idea involving the
research study and its findings.
Dinosaurs with longer necks were more susceptible to respiratory illnesses,
most notably those involving an airborne fungus.
This is incorrect. This statement does not provide the main idea of the paragraph
because it is a supporting detail. The statement, “Although researchers have not yet
pinpointed the exact source of the infection, one hypothesis posits that it is
the Aspergillus fungus, which infects reptiles and birds to this day,” shows that the
source of the infection has not been proven. Additionally, we cannot say with
certainty that the fungus was airborne, so it would not be the best or the most
credible information to include in the main idea.
A recent study found that Diplodocid dinosaurs breathed through sacs that
connected directly to the respiratory system.
This is incorrect. Although the paragraph discusses a recent study along with
information regarding how Diplodocid dinosaurs breathed, this piece of information
is not the main finding of the study according to the information given in the
paragraph. Rather, it is an irrelevant supporting detail that provides more insight
into this particular type of dinosaur.
,2. 2. QUESTION
When Dinosaurs Coughed
Centuries of research and fossil evidence have allowed us to visualize
various aspects of dinosaurs, ranging from how they looked to how
they acted. Thanks to a recent study that analyzed fossil remains
discovered in Montana, it is possible that dinosaurs may have even
caught and dealt with the annoying symptoms of the common cold,
just like humans do! During an excavation, paleontologists uncovered
the remains of a Diplodocid, a large herbivore with a long neck. Due to
its size, this type of dinosaur breathed in air through sacs in its neck,
which were directly connected to its respiratory system. The fossil
remains of one such dinosaur indicated that a pathogen had infected its
lungs and respiratory system. Although researchers have not yet
pinpointed the exact source of the infection, one hypothesis posits that
it is the Aspergillus fungus, which infects reptiles and birds to this day.
No matter the origin, the study shows that the illness caused
symptoms similar to a cough and increased body temperature, which
are indicative of the common cold.
Which of the following is true, based on the passage?
o The anatomy of the Diplodocid dinosaur had an impact on
how it drew in and transported air to the rest of its body.
o Compared to present day, the Aspergillus fungus was more
prevalent on Earth when dinosaurs were alive.
o Fossil remains prove that Diplodocid dinosaurs had a harder
time breathing when compared to other dinosaurs.
o The Diplodocid dinosaur was more susceptible to illness due to
its diet of mostly plants and vegetation.
Correct
Answer:
, The anatomy of the Diplodocid dinosaur had an impact on how it drew in and
transported air to the rest of its body is the correct answer.
This is the correct answer. The statement, “Due to its size, this type of dinosaur
breathed in air through sacs in its neck, which were directly connected to its
respiratory system”, proves this supporting detail to be correct.
Fossil remains prove that Diplodocid dinosaurs had a harder time breathing
when compared to other dinosaurs.
This is incorrect. The statement is not necessarily true. The paragraph tells us that
the fossil remains of one Diplodocid “proved that a pathogen had infected its lungs
and respiratory system”. The information does not compare the Diplodocid to any
other dinosaur, so we cannot logically infer that they had a harder time breathing
than other dinosaurs.
Compared to present day, the Aspergillus fungus was more prevalent on Earth
when dinosaurs were alive.
This is incorrect. When it comes to the prevalence of this fungus, the text only
states that “…one hypothesis posits that it is the Aspergillus fungus, which infects
reptiles and birds to this day”. This shows that the fungus still exists, but we cannot
state that it was more prevalent when dinosaurs were alive.
The Diplodocid dinosaur was more susceptible to illness due to its diet of mostly
plants and vegetation.
This is incorrect. The text tells us that the Diplodocid was “a large herbivore with a
long neck”, which means that it ate only plants. However, the text does not say
anything about why the remains of the Diplodocid were infected with the pathogen.
3. 3. QUESTION
When Dinosaurs Coughed
Centuries of research and fossil evidence have allowed us to visualize
various aspects of dinosaurs, ranging from how they looked to how
they acted. Thanks to a recent study that analyzed fossil remains
discovered in Montana, it is possible that dinosaurs may have even
caught and dealt with the annoying symptoms of the common cold,
just like humans do! During an excavation, paleontologists uncovered
the remains of a Diplodocid, a large herbivore with a long neck. Due to
its size, this type of dinosaur breathed in air through sacs in its neck,
which were directly connected to its respiratory system. The fossil
