HESI A2 Grammar Practice Test

1. Which sentence is written correctly?

• A. Because she was uncertain of her abilities, Renee asked for help.
• B. Because she was uncertain of her abilities; Renee asked for help.
• C. Because she was uncertain of her abilities, Renee asked for help.
• D. Because she was uncertain of her abilities, Renee asked for help.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct sentence is 'Because she was uncertain of her abilities, Renee asked for help.' This sentence uses a comma after the introductory phrase 'Because she was uncertain of her abilities' to set it off from the main clause 'Renee asked for help.' The comma helps to separate the two parts of the sentence clearly and indicates the pause that should be there when reading it aloud. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because they either use a semicolon incorrectly or have commas placed incorrectly within the sentence.

2. Select the phrase that will make the following sentence grammatically correct. Three days from now, the horses ___________.

• A. performing in a show
• B. performed in a show
• C. will perform in a show
• D. have performed in a show

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In this sentence, 'Three days from now' indicates a future timeframe, so the correct verb tense to use is the future tense. The phrase 'will perform in a show' is the best choice to make the sentence grammatically correct because it aligns with the future action of the horses. Choice A ('performing in a show') uses the present participle and is incorrect in this context. Choice B ('performed in a show') uses the past tense, which is not suitable for a future event. Choice D ('have performed in a show') uses the present perfect tense, which is also not appropriate for a future action. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

3. Which word is not spelled correctly in the context of the following sentence? The itinerant teacher moved continually from one school to another within the district.

• A. iterate
• B. continually
• C. within
• D. district

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The word 'iterate' is not spelled correctly in the sentence. The correct word that should be used here is 'itinerant,' which means constantly traveling from place to place, especially for work. In this context, 'iterate' does not fit as it means to repeat a process or utterance. 'Continually' is spelled correctly and means happening without interruption. 'Within' and 'district' are also spelled correctly and are used appropriately in the sentence. Therefore, choice A is the correct answer.

4. Which word is used incorrectly in the following sentence? Dr. Leo laid the paperwork out upon the table for us to view.

• A. lay
• B. upon
• C. us
• D. view

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In the sentence provided, the word 'lay' is used incorrectly. The correct past tense of 'lay' in this context should be 'lay.' Therefore, the sentence should read, 'Dr. Leo laid the paperwork out upon the table for us to view.' 'Laid' is the past participle of 'lay' when it requires an object. In this sentence, 'lay' is the correct choice as it is used without an object. The other choices ('upon,' 'us,' 'view') are used appropriately in the sentence and do not contain any errors.

5. Select the correct word for the blank in the following sentence: Nurse Junko and ________ will review the patient’s chart.

• A. me
• B. she
• C. them
• D. him

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In this sentence, the correct word to use after 'and' is a pronoun that would refer to Nurse Junko as another person. Since 'Nurse Junko' is a singular female subject, the appropriate pronoun to use is 'she.' Therefore, the correct choice is 'she.' Choice 'A' ('me') is incorrect because it is an object pronoun, not a subject pronoun. Choice 'C' ('them') is incorrect because it is a plural pronoun and does not agree with the singular subject 'Nurse Junko.' Choice 'D' ('him') is incorrect because it is a masculine pronoun, while the subject 'Nurse Junko' is a singular female, so the pronoun should be feminine.