select the meaning of the underlined word in the following sentence quick action kept the disease from permeating the general population

HESI A2

Vocabulary HESI A2

1. Select the meaning of the underlined word in the following sentence. Quick action kept the disease from permeating the general population.

A. Conquering
B. Wounding
C. Deterring
D. Infiltrating

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this context, the word 'permeating' indicates the process of spreading throughout or penetrating into. 'Infiltrating' is the most appropriate synonym for this meaning, as it captures the idea of the disease spreading into the general population. 'Conquering' (Choice A) means to overcome or defeat, which is not the meaning in this context. 'Wounding' (Choice B) means to cause injury, which is not relevant to the sentence. 'Deterring' (Choice C) means to discourage or prevent, which does not fit the context of the disease spreading.

2. What does Latent mean?

A. Easily seen
B. Present but not active or visible
C. Quick to react
D. Actively growing

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Present but not active or visible.' Latent refers to something that is existing but not yet developed or manifest. Choice A, 'Easily seen,' is incorrect as latent implies the opposite - not easily seen. Choice C, 'Quick to react,' is incorrect as latent does not imply a quick reaction but rather a hidden or dormant state. Choice D, 'Actively growing,' is incorrect as latent suggests the opposite - not actively growing but rather inactive or concealed.

3. Identify the sentence with a misplaced modifier.

A. The child found a dollar walking to school
B. Walking to school, the child found a dollar
C. The teacher found a note after class
D. After class, the teacher found a note

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because the phrase 'walking to school' seems to modify 'a dollar,' which is illogical. The intended meaning is that the child found the dollar while walking to school. In sentence B, the modifier is correctly placed at the beginning of the sentence, indicating that the child found the dollar while walking to school. Choices C and D do not contain any misplaced modifiers.

4. He tried to remember the names of all the people who were there that night.

A. that
B. who
C. which
D. whom

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this context, 'who' is the correct relative pronoun to refer to people. 'That' is used for things, 'which' is used for animals or things, and 'whom' is an object pronoun, not needed in this sentence. Therefore, 'who' is the most appropriate choice.

5. What is another word for contemptuous?

A. Sympathetic
B. Exhausted
C. Scornful
D. Insensitive

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The word 'contemptuous' means showing disdain or scorn for something or someone. Therefore, the word 'scornful' is the most closely related synonym to 'contemptuous' in this list. 'Sympathetic' means showing compassion, 'exhausted' means very tired, and 'insensitive' means lacking empathy. These options do not convey the same meaning as 'contemptuous'.