what does contract mean

HESI A2

HESI A2 Vocabulary Practice Test

1. What does 'Contract' mean?

A. To expand
B. To draw together
C. To elongate
D. To dissolve

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'To draw together.' Contract means to reduce in size or draw together. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they suggest actions opposite to what contracting means. A: 'To expand,' C: 'To elongate,' and D: 'To dissolve' all indicate actions that involve increasing in size or breaking apart, which are the opposite of what contracting means.

2. Select the meaning of the word 'undulate' in the sentence: 'Each shiver made his muscles undulate beneath his skin.'

A. Ripple
B. Shake
C. Flatten
D. Unknot

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this context, 'undulate' means to move in a smooth, wave-like motion. An undulation of muscles is a subtle, continuous rippling or rolling movement, making 'ripple' the most appropriate synonym in this sentence. 'Shake' (Choice B) is incorrect as it implies a more abrupt and irregular movement. 'Flatten' (Choice C) and 'Unknot' (Choice D) are unrelated to the smooth, wave-like motion described in the sentence.

3. Which word is NOT CORRECT? The student did not recognize which backpack was hers.

A. Backpack
B. Student
C. Hers
D. Recognize

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'C: Hers.' The possessive pronoun 'hers' does not require an apostrophe. The use of 'her's' with an apostrophe is grammatically incorrect. Choices A, B, and D ('Backpack,' 'Student,' and 'Recognize') are all spelled correctly and are grammatically sound in the sentence provided.

4. Which sentence uses 'etc.' grammatically correct?

A. The list included diseases such as flu, measles, etc.
B. The list included flu, measles, etc., and other items.
C. The list included flu, measles, etc., diseases, and other items.
D. The list included, flu, etc., measles, diseases, and other items.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct usage of 'etc.' should follow a comma when concluding a list. Option A correctly places 'etc.' at the end of a logical list with a comma before it, following grammatical rules. In option B, a comma should be placed after 'etc.' before introducing 'and other items.' Options C and D either misplace commas or incorrectly use 'etc.' within the list.

5. What does the quoted word 'fundamental' mean in the following sentence?

A. Appropriate
B. Underlying
C. Dosage
D. Basic

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'D: Basic.' In this context, 'fundamental' means basic or essential, referring to the core or foundational dissimilarity between the two medications. Choice A, 'Appropriate,' is incorrect as it does not reflect the meaning of 'fundamental' in this sentence. Choice B, 'Underlying,' is incorrect because although it is related, it does not capture the primary or essential nature of the difference being discussed. Choice C, 'Dosage,' is unrelated to the meaning of 'fundamental' and does not align with the context of the sentence.