HESI A2 Reading Comprehensive Study Guide

Cultural Perspectives on Food Consumption

• Universal Necessity of Eating: The consumption of food is a fundamental necessity shared by all humans across the globe.

• Cultural Diversity in Methods: Different cultures have established unique methods and tools to accomplish the task of eating. Studying these differences allows for the discovery of new perspectives and techniques.

• European Eating Customs:

  • Tools: European cultures developed cutlery consisting of knives, forks, and spoons to facilitate efficient eating.

  • Evolution of Etiquette: The correct use of these tools is subject to change over time. Standards of polite behavior from the year $1800$ might not be considered proper manners in the modern era.

• Chinese Eating Customs:

  • Tools: China developed the chopstick as an efficient tool for food consumption.

  • Learning Curve: Mastery of chopsticks is often difficult for individuals not raised within the culture. The transcript notes that a novice's attempts can be amusing for observers but frustrating for the hungry diner.

• Eating in Space:

  • Challenges: Space travel presents unique difficulties for nutrition consumption.

  • Incompatibility of Traditional Tools: Chopsticks and forks do not function effectively in a space environment.

  • Solutions: Space travelers use squeeze bottles and specialized packaging to receive necessary nutrition.

Questions & Discussion - Eating Consumption

• Q: What conclusion can be drawn about the article?

  • A: The author explains differences in eating processes. (CORRECT)

• Q: What statement can be implied from the content of the article?

  • A: The author thinks cutlery is the best tool to use to consume food. (CORRECT)

Preparation and Execution of Subjective Exams

• Definition of Subjective Exams: These tests measure a student's ability across several areas beyond simple rote memorization. They require the ability to organize content logically and express oneself intelligently and clearly.

• Educational Purpose: They provide students an opportunity to demonstrate broad knowledge of a subject area.

• Format: Answers typically take the form of paragraphs or lengthy essays.

• Study Strategies:

  • Focus: Concentrate on main ideas rather than minor details. Because essay tests usually consist of only a few questions, they focus on the most important concepts.

  • Practice: Prepare a list of potential questions and write answers to them in advance.

  • Outlining: Instead of writing full sentences during practice, use outline form to organize thoughts and improve clarity.

• Test-Taking Procedures:

  • Initial Review: Read through every question before beginning to write.

  • Time Management: Allot specific time for each question, prioritizing those worth the highest point values.

  • Keyword Analysis: Determine the exact requirements by identifying specific action words such as:

    • Define

    • Illustrate

    • Explain

    • List

    • Compare

    • Contrast

  • Drafting: Write a brief outline of the answer on scrap paper or the back of the test booklet to ensure all relevant constraints of the question are met.

• Writing the Response:

  • Introductory Sentence: Use a general topic sentence to serve as a framework for the answer.

  • Development: Use the pre-written outline to expand on main points and subtopics. Add substance by including as many supporting facts as possible.

  • Conciseness: Keep answers specific and as brief as possible while answering the prompt; avoid writing more than what is asked.

• Final Review:

  • Check for errors in grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and punctuation.

  • Caution on Changes: Do not change an answer unless you are certain it is incorrect. Initial educated guesses are often the best chance at a correct answer.

Questions & Discussion - Exams

• Q: When taking a subjective examination, you will find questions like:

  • A: Definitions. (CORRECT)

• Q: Compared to objective exams, essay tests contain:

  • A: Fewer questions. (CORRECT)

• Q: From the article, the reader can conclude that a test containing true-false questions is called:

  • A: Objective. (CORRECT)

• Q: Compared to objective exams, subjective tests contain:

  • A: Fewer questions. (CORRECT)

The Mechanics and Rules of the Game of Bridge

• Atmosphere: The game is often played among friends, characterized by an "ebb and flow of laughter and silence."

• Complexity: Bridge is complicated for beginners but can be mastered with time, effort, and a good teacher.

• Requirement: The game requires the player's undivided attention and concentration.

• Primary Components: The game consists of two main parts: Bidding and Playing.

• Dealing: A standard deck of playing cards is dealt evenly among four players, resulting in each player receiving $13$ cards.

• The Bidding Portion: Suits are ranked from highest to lowest as follows:

  1. Spades

  2. Hearts

  3. Diamonds

  4. Clubs

• The Playing Portion:

  • Card Ranking: All suits are considered equal during play. Individual card values rank from the Ace (high) down to the two (low).

  • Tricks: A "trick" is defined as one card played by each of the four players (total of $4$ cards).

  • Following Suit: After the lead player plays, others must follow the suit if possible.

  • Winning a Trick: The highest card played of the same suit wins the trick and the player collects all four cards.

• Trump Suits:

  • During play, one suit may be designated as the "trump suit."

  • A card from the trump suit always wins the trick if other players cannot follow the lead suit.

  • If two players play cards from the trump suit, the highest card within that trump suit wins.

• Winning the Hand: The team that collects the highest number of tricks wins the hand.

Questions & Discussion - The Game of Bridge

• Q: The author wants the reader to feel:

  • A: Confident and excited about learning the game of bridge. (CORRECT)

• Q: Throughout this passage, the word suit means:

  • A: Any of the four sets into which a deck of cards is divided. (CORRECT)

• Q: In the passage, a trick is described as:

  • A: A collection of one card played by each of four players. (CORRECT)

• Q: The passage explicitly states:

  • A: That the highest card within the "trump" suit always wins the trick. (CORRECT)

• Q: The passage implies that:

  • A: Playing bridge requires concentration. (CORRECT)

Engineering History: The Golden Gate Bridge

• Geography: The bridge links San Francisco to Marin County in California. It spans the Golden Gate Strait, which is a narrow body of water connecting the Pacific Ocean to the San Francisco Bay.

• Pre-Construction: Before the bridge existed, travel across the strait was conducted via ferry boat.

• Visionary Leadership: Joseph Strauss led the project. He believed that risks were necessary for dreams to reach fruition. He assembled a team of top builders, architects, and workers.

• Construction Timeline and Safety:

  • Construction began in $1937$.

  • The project utilized safety nets to protect workers.

• Structural Components and Sequence:

  • Step 1: Building the anchorages.

  • Step 2: Constructing the towers on each end.

  • Step 3: Installing three-foot ($3\,\text{ft}$) thick cables to support the suspension structure.

  • Step 4: Completing the roadway.

• Risks and Danger: The roadway was the most dangerous part of the build. Workers had to maintain the bridge's balance precisely to prevent it from falling into the bay.

• Legacy: Over $65$ years after its construction, the bridge remains a vital life-line for the San Francisco Bay Area.

Questions & Discussion - The Golden Gate Bridge

• Q: The author's reason for writing this piece seems to be to:

  • A: Inform the reader. (CORRECT)

• Q: What body of water does The Golden Gate Bridge cross?

  • A: Golden Gate Strait. (CORRECT)

• Q: Why was the roadway so dangerous to build?

  • A: If the road wasn't balanced, it would collapse. (CORRECT)

• Q: What is embarking?

  • A: Begin/Start.

• Q: What is the first step built?

  • A: Anchorage.

The Electoral College System

• Definition: The Electoral College is a system of votes, not an academic institution. It involves no students.

• Vote Allocation: Each state acquires electoral votes based on its total representation in Congress.

  • Senatorial Component: Each state has $2$ electoral votes because every state has $2$ senators.

  • Congressional Component: The remaining votes are based on the number of Congressmen, which is determined by the state's population according to the Census taken every decade ($10$ years).

• Election Dynamics:

  • In most states, all electoral votes are cast for the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state.

  • The system ensures candidates campaign across every state.

• Discrepancy Between Popular and Electoral Vote: A candidate can win the national popular vote but lose the election if they do not win the majority of the Electoral College.

• Historical Case Study (Election 2000): Al Gore won the national popular vote, but George W. Bush won more electoral votes, becoming the $43\text{rd}$ President of the United States.

Questions & Discussion - The Electoral College

• Q: Which statement from the passage is a fact?

  • A: Each state casts their electoral votes during the Presidential election. (CORRECT)

• Q: The author's reason for writing this piece seems to be to:

  • A: Teach the reader. (CORRECT)

The Impact of Vocal Quality

• Social Effects: A person's voice can persuade or irritate, and attract or repel others.

• The Quality of Harshness: Identified as one of the worst vocal qualities. Harsh tones can be "jarring" to a listener's eardrums.

• Characteristics of Unpleasant Voices:

  • Shrill, grating, hard, piercing, brassy, too loud, or too nasal.

• Physiological Causes: Harshness typically results from excessive tension in the throat and jaw. Tension tightens muscles and prevents the relaxed tones required for a pleasant impression.

• Gender Generalizations in the Text:

  • The text claims tension occurs more frequently in higher-pitched voices.

  • It suggests women tend to have shriller voices than men, which the author claims makes them "less desirable" as public speakers, newscasters, or political candidates.

Questions & Discussion - Voice

• Q: Which statement from the selection presents a fact rather than an opinion?

  • A: Harsh voice qualities usually come from too much tension in the throat and jaw. (CORRECT)

• Q: What is stated in this paragraph?

  • A: Women make less appealing political candidates. (CORRECT)

• Q: The information presented is:

  • A: Slanted in favor of newscasters. (CORRECT - Note: This relates to the answer key provided in the transcript).

• Q: The author seems to:

  • A: Prefer low pitched tones. (CORRECT)

Origin of the "White Elephant"

• Historical Context: The term originated centuries ago in Siam, the country now known as Thailand.

• The Royal Custom: Rulers would punish those who displeased them by gifting them a white elephant.

• The Nature of the Burden:

  • White elephants were considered holy/sacred and could not be used for manual labor.

  • The recipient was required to feed the animal hundreds of pounds ($lbs$) of fruit and provide lavish care.

  • The gift could not be given away; improper care would offend the ruler.

• Resulting Liability: The financial cost of maintaining the elephant often led the recipient to become impoverished.

• Modern Usage: Today, "white elephant" denotes an unwanted or burdensome gift.

• The White Elephant Game: A holiday gift exchange where participants bring silly or unwanted gifts.

  • Players draw numbers and take turns picking a gift.

  • Subsequent players have the option to "steal" a gift from a previous player.

Questions & Discussion - The White Elephant

• Q: How did the people regard a white elephant?

  • A: People tried very hard not to offend the king so they would not receive a white elephant.

• Q: Where is Thailand?

  • A: Asia. (CORRECT)