what can the reader conclude from this passage about ponds and lakes

HESI A2

Reading Comprehension HESI A2

1. What can the reader conclude from this passage about ponds and lakes?

A. They are examples of groundwater reservoirs.
B. They are part of the evaporation process.
C. They are formed by runoff.
D. They are formed by condensation.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'They are examples of groundwater reservoirs.' The passage mentions that runoff collects in groundwater reservoirs, among other places. Ponds and lakes are typically reservoirs of groundwater, as stated in the passage. Choice B is incorrect because ponds and lakes are not directly mentioned as part of the evaporation process. Choice C is incorrect as ponds and lakes are not stated to be formed by runoff. Choice D is incorrect as ponds and lakes are not formed by condensation.

2. Choose the best summary of the passage.

A. We often think of all fat as bad, but it is clear that certain fats, especially the more healthful unsaturated fats, are important for bodily function.
B. If you must consume some fat, be sure to choose unsaturated fats such as oils rather than saturated fats found in prepackaged snacks or animal products.
C. Doctors and researchers have discovered that without the calories found in fat, people would not have functioning metabolisms.
D. Some intake of saturated fat is necessary, but you should stay away from the kind of fat found in fried food, which can lead to heart disease.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The best summary of the passage emphasizes the importance of certain fats, particularly unsaturated fats, for bodily function. It highlights that after years of negative publicity, experts now recognize the significance of consuming fats for overall health. The passage discusses how fat is essential for cell health, vitamin absorption, and various bodily functions. It also distinguishes between healthier unsaturated fats like olive oil and detrimental trans fats. Choice B is not the best summary as it focuses more on the choice between unsaturated and saturated fats rather than the overall importance of fats. Choice C is incorrect as the passage doesn't solely attribute functioning metabolisms to fat calories. Choice D is not the best summary as it only briefly mentions saturated fats and fried foods, missing the broader context provided in the passage.

3. What is the meaning of the word 'composed' in the first paragraph?

A. To consist of
B. To be uniquely discovered
C. To be set apart
D. To be surprised

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In the context provided, 'composed' means to consist of. The paragraph explains that a drop of water is composed of an oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms. Therefore, the correct answer is A. Choice B, 'To be uniquely discovered,' is incorrect as it does not relate to the composition of a drop of water. Choice C, 'To be set apart,' and Choice D, 'To be surprised,' are also incorrect as they do not convey the meaning of 'composed' as it is used in this paragraph.

4. Which of the following is not listed as a detail in the passage about microbes?

A. Babies are born coated with germs from the birth canal.
B. Mice and humans respond to microbes differently.
C. Few people share the same microbes in the same quantities.
D. Human bodies contain far more microbes than they do cells.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the passage does not detail that mice and humans respond to microbes differently. The passage discusses how laboratory mice required a particular strain of bacteria to help their immune systems function correctly, indicating a difference in how mice and humans respond to microbes. Choices A, C, and D are all details mentioned in the passage: A discusses babies being coated with germs from the birth canal, C talks about the variation in microbes among individuals, and D states that human bodies contain more microbes than cells.

5. In the passage the word embark means to:

A. Remove the covering from a tree
B. Speak harshly to others
C. Entertain the reader
D. Put or go on board a ship

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The word 'embark' typically means to board a ship or begin a journey. In this context, it means to start or set out on a new undertaking or venture, often including the act of boarding a ship. In the provided passage about the Golden Gate Bridge, it is mentioned that builders, architects, and workers embarked on the challenge of building a bridge across the Golden Gate Strait, which refers to them starting this new undertaking. Therefore, the correct definition of 'embark' is D. Put or go on board a ship. The other choices are incorrect: A. Removing the covering from a tree is unrelated to the context of the passage. B. Speaking harshly to others and C. Entertaining the reader are also irrelevant to the meaning of 'embark' in this context.