HESI A2 Practice Test

Which of the following terms refers to “behind or toward the back”?

The study of the microscopic structure of tissues is called _________.

Which of the following is not a function of the integumentary system?

Which of the following is a function of the skeletal system?

Which of the following correctly describes the function of the muscular system?

Which system is responsible for receiving information from the environment; processing and integrating the information; initiating a response?

Which systems are primarily responsible for homeostasis?

Which of the following is not a function of the circulatory system?

Which of the following is not a function of the nose?

What is the value and place value of the five in 459,409.3?

Compare -15 and -24 using , or =.

Write an expression for the following scenario: A subscription to an online management system costs $49.95. How much would x months of this subscription cost?

Round 614.721 to the nearest whole number.

12 – 5 + 2 – 8

A theater sold 327 tickets on Saturday and 484 tickets on Sunday. How many tickets were sold in total?

One case of water contains 24 bottles. How many bottles of water do 16 cases contain?

One fence post is 3 meters tall. If Amaya needs to purchase 35 fence posts for her yard, what is the total length of the wood that she needs to purchase?

Find the sum of 56.7 and 34.56

Solve 5.5 x 27

A race car driver can complete one lap in 14.3 seconds. How many seconds will it take for the driver to complete 200 laps?

Put 8/14 into simplest form.

Which of the following sets contains fractions that are equivalent to one another?

Convert 15/4 into a mixed number.

Add 2/3 + 1/5

3 1/5 + 4 3/5

Which of the following statements defines a “theory”?

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of life?

What is the correct number of atoms in one molecule of water?

Which biologic molecule is comprised of polymers of amino acids?

All metabolic reactions in a cell are catalyzed by which of the following?

Which of these correctly defines a prokaryotic cell?

A metabolic pathway that breaks down glucose and produces ATP is called __________.

The process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy to chemical energy in the form of sugars is called ___________.

Which of the following statements is CORRECT about daughter cells formed during mitotic cell division?

If a temperature were to decrease by 100 Kelvins, how much would this temperature decrease on the Celsius scale?

Normal body temperature is considered to be 98.6oF. What is the normal body temperature in degrees Celsius?

Elements in the modern periodic table are arranged by increasing what?

How many neutrons are in germanium-62?

Which of the following correctly states Le Chatlier’s principle?

If a certain reversible reaction was at equilibrium, what would happen to this equilibrium if more reactants were added?

A chemist wants to make 5 L of a solution of NaCl that has a molarity of 0.5. How many moles of NaCl do they need?

Calculate the molarity of a solution that contains 2.5 moles in 195 liters

In a chemical equation, what do (aq), (l), (g), and (s) represent?

Which word in the following sentence is a conjunction? I don’t want to have to work from home any longer, nor do I want to attend a virtual happy hour.

Which word in the following sentence is a preposition? The small flock of birds flew toward the horizon and the bird watcher took several photos.

Which sentence uses NOTE as a verb?

In the following sentence, which is the complete subject? The family next door loves to have cookouts when it is sunny.

Identify the complete sentence.

Identify the INCOMPLETE sentence.

Identify the dependent clause in the following sentence: It’s wise to make a shopping list with the things you need before you go to the grocery store.

Which word or phrase in the following sentence is the direct object? The morning after the surgery, before the arrival of his visitors, the patient ate a light breakfast.

Identify the dependent clause in the following sentence: Whenever the weatherman announces rain, the sun shines as bright as in a summer afternoon.

Which word or phrase in the following sentence is the direct object? Despite closing the door, my sister’s cat got inside and scratched the sofa.

Which sentence contains a predicate adjective?

Which statement contains a predicate adjective?

Which of the following is a compound sentence?

Which of the following is a compound sentence?

Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

Which use of an apostrophe in the following sentence is correct? My supervisor’s job disappeared due to budget cuts’, so he will be posting his resume on various’ website’s.

Which of the following statements correctly defines both scalar and vector quantities?

A ball is set in motion. The ball has an initial velocity of 10 m/s and moves for 30 seconds. At the end of these 30 seconds, the ball’s velocity is 40 m/s. What is the magnitude of the ball’s acceleration?

A baseball is hit in the horizontal direction at 25 m/s. How far does it travel after 4 seconds?

Which of the following statements describes Newton’s first law of motion?

Two people are pushing a box on the ground. One person applies a force of 146.5 N to the left, whereas the second person applies a force of 90.6 N to the right. What is the net force on the box, and in which direction is it moving? (Ignore the effects of friction)

Which of the following forces is depicted in the image below?

A block of mass 22 kg is placed on a table with a coefficient of friction equal to 0.3. What is the frictional force on the block?

A car wheel is rotating at 6 revolutions per second and then accelerates to 7.5 revolutions per second over a period of 4.5 seconds. What is the angular acceleration of the wheel?

Which of the following is the name of the force acting on a body in circular motion that is directed toward the center?

New Discoveries in DNA Research Nearly two decades after the complete sequencing of human DNA was first published, many gaps still remain when it comes to our knowledge of this important genetic sequence. Thanks to recent experiments completed by an established genomics institute, scientists have been able to reconstruct the complete sequence of a crucial, single human chromosome: the X chromosome. These findings are of fundamental importance for those who study genomics, which is the branch of molecular biology concerned with genome mapping, and give scientists an opportunity to decipher these fundamental structures. Which of the following is true based on the passage?

The technique used to process X chromosome findings is considered revolutionary, in that it uses the latest technology for genetic sequencing, i.e. the nanopore-based sequencing method. This technique enables a longer read length of a DNA sequence, which scientists believe to have been the crucial, missing component for understanding the complete sequencing of human DNA. When it comes to DNA sequencing, a read length refers to the number of base pairs sequenced from a single fragment of DNA. Prior to this most recent discovery, read lengths were generally short and nearly identical, which required researchers to piece together numerous segments at a time, similar to completing a difficult jigsaw puzzle. Which of the following is true regarding read lengths?

By using the nanopore-based method, it is now possible to reconstruct extremely long sequences containing hundreds of thousands of base pairs. In an effort to combine new technology with what was previously used in neuroscientific research, an advanced team of researchers from the genomics institute used both the nanopore-based sequencing method and older sequencing technologies to develop a genome map. A genome, in this regard, is the complete set of genes (or genetic material) present in a cell or an organism. As was expected, the team created what is considered to be the most accurate and complete representation of a human genome map. However, there are still some gaps that have not been resolved by recent technological advancements. Which of the following is NOT true, based on the passage?

In many African cultures, the African Elephant is a revered animal symbolizing strength and power. Praised for its longevity throughout history despite facing difficult obstacles, it is considered to be the largest terrestrial animal in the world. Despite its favorable reputation, this species has long been at risk of becoming extinct for many reasons, including but not limited to illegal poaching and habitat loss. With only 400,000 specimens surviving across the continent, conservationists are taking extra precautions when it comes to preserving these wild animals. However, they have recently been confronted with an unprecedented situation resulting in a loss of nearly 400 elephants without any known cause. What is the meaning of the word “revered” as it is used in the paragraph?

In many African cultures, the African Elephant is a revered animal symbolizing strength and power. Praised for its longevity throughout history despite facing difficult obstacles, it is considered to be the largest terrestrial animal in the world. Despite its favorable reputation, this species has long been at risk of becoming extinct for many reasons, including but not limited to illegal poaching and habitat loss. With only 400,000 specimens surviving across the continent, conservationists are taking extra precautions when it comes to preserving these wild animals. However, they have recently been confronted with an unprecedented situation resulting in a loss of nearly 400 elephants without any known cause. Which of the following is a synonym for the word “specimens” as it is used in the paragraph?

When conservationists working in Botswana arrived in the Okavango Delta, they noticed something that they had never seen before. Through their exploration of the area, they quickly came into contact with nearly 200 dead elephants, a number that soared to over 350 in just a few short days. According to the lead conservationist of a local park rescue service, the most disturbing detail was the unknown cause of death. Since this discovery, researchers have been looking into possible explanations, and have created a few theories that seek to explain the strange phenomenon that could eliminate the entire species forever. Which word would best replace the word “theories” as it is used in the paragraph?

Beyond the benefits of physical activity, it is neurologically crucial for children and teens to spend time outside in nature. A long-term London study measured the effects of foliage on the development of 3,568 children from 9 to 15. Spending more time near woodlands was associated with improved mental health and cognitive performance in adolescence. Children who spent time around natural environments like rivers, grasslands, and lakes did not experience the same positive cognitive effects. The London study echoes epidemiological findings from the United States and Denmark. These national findings show that children in residential areas interspersed with green spaces are at lower risk for mental health problems later in life. For developing minds, 30-60 minutes outside during recess is not sufficient. Children should get substantial exposure to parks with abundant nature and greenery. What is the author’s purpose for writing this paragraph?

U.S. government corruption is pervasive and a cause for deep concern. Revelations about financial conflicts of interest in Congress are shocking, especially in light of unprecedented circumstances during the COVID pandemic. A new study exposed that over one-third of Congress members held personal investments in the healthcare industry. The median total value of holdings per member of Congress came to over $43,000. Some of these Congresspeople were simultaneously on healthcare committees. Multiple Congresspeople on healthcare committees and subcommittees held hundreds of thousands of dollars in healthcare industry assets. Matthew McCoy, Ph.D., assistant professor of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at UPenn, rightly calls for holding Congress to “a higher standard and [expecting] that they divest from assets in industries directly affected by their committee work to preserve the integrity of their policy-making.” What is the author’s purpose for writing this paragraph?

It is easier than ever to spend an excessive amount of time looking at screens. Common sense says that overdoing screen time cannot be good for mental or physical health. This notion has gained support from American Heart Association research. They found that American adults spend 10.5 hours per day glued to smartphone, television, or computer screens. Apparently, those from ages 50 to 64 spend the most time connected to electronic media than any other age group. The risk of cardiovascular disease including stroke increases with more time adults spend being sedentary. In fact, almost 9 out of 10 strokes may be preventable by modifying behaviors and limiting sedentary time. Leisure activities involving screen time encroach on physical activity and threaten health. People in all age groups should consider cutting down on these addicting sedentary activities during free time. Why does the author include the detail “In fact, almost 9 out of 10 strokes may be preventable by modifying behaviors and limiting sedentary time” in the paragraph?

Nuclear energy and weapons leave behind near-permanent extreme hazards to humans and the environment that can last hundreds of thousands of years. Scientists at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in Northern California yielded an energy burst through a unique nuclear fusion method. The scientists shot light beams from 192 of the largest lasers in the world at a miniscule hydrogen pellet. This produced over 10 quadrillion watts of power in 100 trillionths of a second. That amounts to 1.3 megajoules—10% of the total energy the sun emits onto the earth each second. The reaction gave off 70% of the energy the pellet absorbed from the lasers. The NIF scientists’ goal is a break-even ignition point, so that the pellet emits 100+% of the lasers’ energy. While impressive, the positive impacts of these nuclear fusion tests are unclear. Which of the following statements would the author most likely agree with?

Humans last landed on the moon in 1972. NASA formerly planned to send astronauts to the moon again by 2024. Confirming the doubts voiced by NASA’s acting administrator as well as independent experts, the mission will not be possible within that timeline. There are several reasons, one of which is the delay in developing appropriate space suits. NASA has been working on the new spacesuits for 14 years, spending $420 million on development. An estimate from the inspector general predicts the spacesuits will be ready in April 2025 at the earliest with $625 million more in costs. The report also cites a lack of funding, technical challenges, and COVID-related disruptions. The inspector general reported delays in progress on the new Space Launch System rocket. Which of the following statements would the author most likely agree with?

Researchers have silenced schizophrenia- and autism-linked genes in the mouse thalamus. The thalamus is the large mass of grey matter in the brain that acts as a hub to transport information to other brain regions. When these genes were suppressed, the mice’s thalamus neurons became more excitable, causing memory problems to surface. The University of Texas at Austin’s assistant professor of neurology and pediatrics Audrey Brumback noted, “It’s exciting to see how different genetic changes can converge onto the same circuits in the brain and even onto the same physiological mechanism.” Lead investigator Guoping Feng says that for “every phenotype or symptom… there’s a particular circuit responsible.” Matching symptoms and behaviors to their respective brain regions could lead to groundbreaking targeted autism and schizophrenia treatments with fewer side effects.

Hiccups: At some point in your life, you have probably had the hiccups. Hiccups are caused by spasms in the diaphragm, a muscle located at the bottom of your chest. As we inhale, the diaphragm contracts, pulling air into the lungs. As we exhale, the diaphragm relaxes, pushing air back out through the mouth and nose. When we hiccup, the diaphragm jerks downward suddenly, pulling a quick burst of air into our lungs. As the air rushes into your body, it hits the voice box. This causes your vocal cords to snap shut, creating the sound we recognize as a hiccup. Hiccups can be triggered by many different things—eating too much, drinking too fast, sudden change of temperature, stress, fatigue, nervousness, and even excessive laughter can all cause the hiccups. While there are many home remedies for hiccups, there is no evidence to suggest that any of them are actually effective. In fact, most cases of the hiccups go away on their own. Although hiccups are usually harmless, they can be a sign of something more serious. Long-term hiccups might be a result of damage to the nerves that serve the diaphragm muscle. Persistent hiccups might also be caused by certain central nervous system disorders, traumatic brain injuries, drug abuse, or kidney disease. Question: What is the main idea of the passage?

Hiccups: At some point in your life, you have probably had the hiccups. Hiccups are caused by spasms in the diaphragm, a muscle located at the bottom of your chest. As we inhale, the diaphragm contracts, pulling air into the lungs. As we exhale, the diaphragm relaxes, pushing air back out through the mouth and nose. When we hiccup, the diaphragm jerks downward suddenly, pulling a quick burst of air into our lungs. As the air rushes into your body, it hits the voice box. This causes your vocal cords to snap shut, creating the sound we recognize as a hiccup. Hiccups can be triggered by many different things—eating too much, drinking too fast, sudden change of temperature, stress, fatigue, nervousness, and even excessive laughter can all cause the hiccups. While there are many home remedies for hiccups, there is no evidence to suggest that any of them are actually effective. In fact, most cases of the hiccups go away on their own. Although hiccups are usually harmless, they can be a sign of something more serious. Long-term hiccups might be a result of damage to the nerves that serve the diaphragm muscle. Persistent hiccups might also be caused by certain central nervous system disorders, traumatic brain injuries, drug abuse, or kidney disease. Question: What is the meaning of the word triggered in paragraph 2?

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 the 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?

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 the 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?

What is the meaning of “patency”?

What is the meaning of the underlined word in the following sentence? The doctor explained that antihistamine used may increase the risk of apneic episodes, so she recommended an evaluation of airway patency before initiating the treatment.

Which of the following words has a similar meaning to “infamous”?

Fill in the blank with the correct word. Bonnie and Clyde, the criminal couple __________ for their bank robberies, actually preferred to rob small stores and rural gas stations.

Which word has a similar meaning to “stubborn, obstinate”?

Fill in the blank with the correct word: Everybody thought Portugal’s national team would easily win the championship, but Bulgaria proved to be an _________ opponent, and the match ended in a tie.

Which word has a similar meaning to “vaccination”?

Fill the blank with the correct word: After ___________ with the second dose of the vaccine, some patients might experience a mild fever.

What is the meaning of “resin”?

What is the meaning of the underlined word in the following sentence? Amber, a material widely used for jewelry, decorative objects, and for its healing purposes, is fossilized tree resin.

What is the meaning of “graduate”?

Fill the blank with the correct word. Because the Historical Association deeply valued academic achievements, one of the requirements was that only History ___________ could become scholarship recipients.

Which word has a similar meaning to “abundance; excess”?

Fill the blank in the following sentence. There are a __________ of potential causes for your dog’s hair loss: it could be a parasite, a hormonal disorder, or a result of the dog licking the area excessively, among others.

Which word has a similar meaning to “plethora; plenty”?

What is the best description for the word “gaping”?