the word part placed before a word to change its meaning is a

HESI A2

HESI A2 Practice Test Vocabulary

1. What is the term for the word part placed before a word to change its meaning?

A. Prefix
B. Affix
C. Suffix
D. Vocab

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Prefix.' A prefix is a word part that is placed before a root word to modify its meaning. In this case, a prefix changes the meaning of the root word. Choice B, 'Affix,' is a broader term that includes prefixes, suffixes, and infixes. Choice C, 'Suffix,' is a word part placed after a root word to modify its meaning, not before. Choice D, 'Vocab,' is unrelated to the word part placed before a word.

2. What does 'Deficit' mean?

A. An excess of something
B. A deficiency or lack of something
C. An abundance of something
D. A stable amount

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'A deficiency or lack of something.' The term 'deficit' refers to a shortage or inadequacy of something. Choice A is incorrect because a surplus means an excess, which is the opposite of a deficit. Choice C is incorrect as an abundance signifies a large quantity or more than enough of something. Choice D is incorrect as a stable amount does not convey the concept of a deficit.

3. What is the best description for the word establish in the following sentence? Physicians use patch tests to establish the specific causes of contact dermatitis.

A. Launch
B. Introduce
C. Endorse
D. Determine

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In the given sentence, the word 'establish' is used in the context of identifying or finding out the specific causes of contact dermatitis through patch tests. The most fitting description for 'establish' in this context is 'Determine,' as it signifies the action of figuring out or ascertaining the specific causes. 'Launch,' 'introduce,' and 'endorse' do not capture the essence of what the physicians are doing in this scenario. They are not launching, introducing, or endorsing the causes; instead, they are trying to determine them through the patch tests.

4. Which sentence uses 'etc.' grammatically correct?

A. The list included diseases such as flu, measles, etc.
B. The list included flu, measles, etc., and other items.
C. The list included flu, measles, etc., diseases, and other items.
D. The list included, flu, etc., measles, diseases, and other items.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct usage of 'etc.' should follow a comma when concluding a list. Option A correctly places 'etc.' at the end of a logical list with a comma before it, following grammatical rules. In option B, a comma should be placed after 'etc.' before introducing 'and other items.' Options C and D either misplace commas or incorrectly use 'etc.' within the list.

5. The most important things in my life are making money, traveling abroad, and _____.

A. living well
B. to live well
C. to be happy
D. enjoying life

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'living well.' The sentence lists actions using '-ing' forms (making, traveling, and living), so 'living well' maintains parallel structure. Choice B ('to live well') breaks this structure by introducing an infinitive form. Choice C ('to be happy') introduces a new action not in parallel with the others. Choice D ('enjoying life') changes the structure and focuses on a different action not consistent with the previous activities listed.