Actual HESI A2 Test Questions Set 1

Reading Comprehension

Electrocardiogram Beep!…Beep!…Beep! is the audible rhythmic sound made as the strength of the heart muscle is measured. The signal cadence has a characteristic record that varies in every individual. This record is called an electrocardiogram, or ECG. In the body, an array of systemic neural responses constantly occur, emitting electric currents. The electric currents can be detected on the surface of the body, and if a person is hooked to an amplifier, these impulses are recorded by an electrocardiograph. Most of the information obtained is about the heart because the heart sends out electric currents in waves. This “wave of excitation” spreads through the heart wall and is accompanied by electric changes. The wave takes place in three distinct steps. Initially, the “wave of excitation” accompanied by an electric change lasts for approximately 1 to 2 seconds after the contraction of the cardiac muscle. The electric impulses are discharged rhythmically from the sinoatrial (SA) node, the pacemaker of the heart. This spread of excitation over the muscle of the atrium indicates that the atrium has contracted. Next, the peak of the ECG reading is due to the atrioventricular (AV) node, causing the ventricle to become excited. Finally, the ventricles relax, and any changes in the wave indicate to trained medical staff any abnormalities within the heart.

Question 1.

What is the best summary of the passage?

  • A: Electric currents within the body are due to electrostatic charges set off by the heart. Medical staff are trained to recognize any abnormalities within the heart.
  • B: Every individual has unique electric currents on the surface of the body. The ECG measures and records these electric currents.
  • C: The ECG systematically and rather quickly measures the stages at which the “wave of excitation” occurs within the heart and records them. This wave has three distinct steps that spread from the SA node to the AV node.
  • D: The ECG measures the electric currents within the body. These currents are detected on the surface of the body when the body is connected to an amplifier.
  • Correct Answer: C

  • Rationale: The correct answer is C because it accurately summarizes the passage by highlighting that the ECG systematically measures the stages of the 'wave of excitation' within the heart. This wave has three distinct steps that spread from the SA node to the AV node. The other options either focus on general information about electric currents or do not capture the specific details provided in the passage about the ECG and the heart's electrical activity.
Have you ever wondered why the whistle of a traveling, distant locomotive predicts its approach several yards before anyone actually sees it? Or why an oncoming ambulance’s screaming siren is heard momentarily several feet before the ambulance comes into full view, before it passes you, and why its siren is still heard faintly well after the ambulance is out of sight? What you are witnessing is a scientific phenomenon known as the Doppler Effect. What takes place is truly remarkable. In both of these instances, when the train or ambulance moves toward the sound waves in front of it, the sound waves are pulled closer together and have a higher frequency. In either instance, the listener positioned in front of the moving object hears a higher pitch. The ambulance and locomotive are progressively moving away from the sound waves behind them, causing the waves to be farther apart and to have a lower frequency. These fast-approaching modes of transportation distance themselves past the listener, who hears a lower pitch.

Question 2:

Which statement is not listed as a detail in the passage?

  • A: The oncoming sound waves have a higher pitch because of high frequency and closeness of waves.
  • B: The oncoming sound waves have a higher pitch because of low frequency and closeness of waves.
  • C: The whistling sound of the locomotive as it approaches and passes can be explained by the Doppler effect.
  • D: The high-pitched sound of the ambulance as it approaches and passes can be explained by the Doppler effect.
  • Correct Answer: B

  • Rationale:
Have you ever wondered why the whistle of a traveling, distant locomotive predicts its approach several yards before anyone actually sees it? Or why an oncoming ambulance’s screaming siren is heard momentarily several feet before the ambulance comes into full view, before it passes you, and why its siren is still heard faintly well after the ambulance is out of sight? What you are witnessing is a scientific phenomenon known as the Doppler Effect. What takes place is truly remarkable. In both of these instances, when the train or ambulance moves toward the sound waves in front of it, the sound waves are pulled closer together and have a higher frequency. In either instance, the listener positioned in front of the moving object hears a higher pitch. The ambulance and locomotive are progressively moving away from the sound waves behind them, causing the waves to be farther apart and to have a lower frequency. These fast-approaching modes of transportation distance themselves past the listener, who hears a lower pitch.

Question 3:

What is the main idea of the passage?

  • A: Trains and ambulances produce specific sounds
  • B: Low-frequency waves produce high-pitched sounds.
  • C: High-frequency waves produce low-pitched sounds.
  • D: The Doppler Effect explains why sound is heard more strongly initially and then faintly after a moving object has passed.
  • Correct Answer: D

  • Rationale: The main idea of the passage is to explain the phenomenon known as the Doppler Effect, which describes how the frequency of sound waves changes as a source of sound moves relative to an observer. The passage illustrates this with examples of a traveling train and ambulance. As the objects approach the listener, the sound waves are compressed, resulting in a higher frequency and a higher pitch heard by the observer. Conversely, as the objects move away, the sound waves are stretched, leading to a lower frequency and a lower pitch. Therefore, the correct answer is D, as it summarizes the key concept of the Doppler Effect and its impact on sound perception.
Doppler Effect Have you ever wondered why the whistle of a traveling, distant locomotive predicts its approach several yards before anyone actually sees it? Or why an oncoming ambulance’s screaming siren is heard momentarily several feet before the ambulance comes into full view, before it passes you, and why its siren is still heard faintly well after the ambulance is out of sight? What you are witnessing is a scientific phenomenon known as the Doppler Effect. What takes place is truly remarkable. In both of these instances, when the train or ambulance moves toward the sound waves in front of it, the sound waves are pulled closer together and have a higher frequency. In either instance, the listener positioned in front of the moving object hears a higher pitch. The ambulance and locomotive are progressively moving away from the sound waves behind them, causing the waves to be farther apart and to have a lower frequency. These fast-approaching modes of transportation distance themselves past the listener, who hears a lower pitch.

Question 4:

What is the meaning of the word phenomenon in the second paragraph?

  • A: Something that is lifeless to the senses
  • B: Something that is nonchalant
  • C: Something that is significant but unusual
  • D: Something that is chemical in origin
  • Correct Answer: C

  • Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Something that is significant but unusual.' In the context of the passage, the word 'phenomenon' refers to the scientific concept of the Doppler Effect, which is described as remarkable and not commonly observed in everyday situations. It is used to explain the unique behavior of sound waves when emitted by moving objects. Therefore, 'phenomenon' in this context signifies something that is notable, important, and out of the ordinary, making choice C the most appropriate answer.
Doppler Effect Have you ever wondered why the whistle of a traveling, distant locomotive predicts its approach several yards before anyone actually sees it? Or why an oncoming ambulance’s screaming siren is heard momentarily several feet before the ambulance comes into full view, before it passes you, and why its siren is still heard faintly well after the ambulance is out of sight? What you are witnessing is a scientific phenomenon known as the Doppler Effect. What takes place is truly remarkable. In both of these instances, when the train or ambulance moves toward the sound waves in front of it, the sound waves are pulled closer together and have a higher frequency. In either instance, the listener positioned in front of the moving object hears a higher pitch. The ambulance and locomotive are progressively moving away from the sound waves behind them, causing the waves to be farther apart and to have a lower frequency. These fast-approaching modes of transportation distance themselves past the listener, who hears a lower pitch.

Question 5:

What is the author’s primary purpose in discussing the Doppler Effect in this essay?

  • A: To entertain the reader with information about trains and ambulances
  • B: To inform the reader about avoiding accidents involving trains and ambulances
  • C: To inform the reader about how movement affects sound
  • D: To analyze the difference between train and ambulance sounds
  • Correct Answer: C

  • Rationale: The author's primary purpose in writing the essay about the Doppler Effect is to inform the reader about how movement affects sound. The essay explains the scientific phenomenon of the Doppler Effect and how it influences the perception of sound when objects like trains and ambulances are in motion. The focus is on how the movement of these objects toward or away from the listener alters the frequency and pitch of the sound waves. The essay aims to educate the reader on this specific aspect of physics rather than entertain or analyze differences between train and ambulance sounds.

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