what is the best summary of the passage

HESI A2

HESI A2 Reading Comprehension V1 2024

1. What is the best summary of the passage?

A. Electric currents within the body are due to electrostatic charges set off by the heart. Medical staff are trained to recognize any abnormalities within the heart.
B. Every individual has unique electric currents on the surface of the body. The ECG measures and records these electric currents.
C. The ECG systematically and rather quickly measures the stages at which the 'wave of excitation' occurs within the heart and records them. This wave has three distinct steps that spread from the SA node to the AV node.
D. The ECG measures the electric currents within the body. These currents are detected on the surface of the body when the body is connected to an amplifier.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct summary of the passage is option C. The passage explains how the ECG systematically measures and records the 'wave of excitation' that occurs within the heart in three distinct steps, spreading from the SA node to the AV node. This summary effectively captures the main focus of the passage. Option A is incorrect because it only mentions the detection of electric currents in the body and recognizing abnormalities by medical staff, missing the key information about the 'wave of excitation' and its stages. Option B is incorrect as it focuses solely on the measurement and recording of unique electric currents on the body's surface, neglecting the specific process described in the passage. Option D is also incorrect as it provides a general description of how the ECG measures electric currents without emphasizing the specific stages of the 'wave of excitation' as detailed in the passage.

2. What does the term elasticity mean, as used in the passage about Hypertension?

A. Firmness.
B. Compactness.
C. Flexibility.
D. Rigidity.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Elasticity, as used in the passage about Hypertension, refers to the stretchiness or flexibility of blood vessels. The text mentions that blood vessels lose elasticity and stiffen as a person ages, indicating that they become less flexible. This eliminates choices A and D (Firmness and Rigidity) as the correct answers. Choice B (Compactness) is unrelated to the concept of elasticity in the context of blood vessels and is therefore incorrect. Understanding elasticity as the ability to stretch or flex helps in choosing flexibility as the correct answer.

3. Which part of the bridge was built first according to the passage on Golden Gate Bridge?

A. The cables.
B. The anchorages.
C. The roadway.
D. The towers.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, 'The anchorages.' The passage states that construction began by building the anchorages first. After that, the builders moved on to the towers, then the cables, and lastly, the roadway. Building the anchorages was crucial to providing a stable foundation for the bridge. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the passage clearly outlines the sequence of construction starting with the anchorages.

4. The information presented is

A. Balanced in its view of public speaking.
B. Favoring people with low-pitched voices.
C. Slanted against people with piercing voices.
D. Neutral toward both high- and low-pitched voices.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. The paragraph is biased against people with piercing or harsh voices, suggesting they are less desirable as public speakers, newscasters, or political candidates. The text explicitly mentions that harsh voice qualities, like being shrill, grating, hard, piercing, brassy, loud, or nasal, are undesirable and may make people uncomfortable when speaking. It also highlights that tension leading to harsh voice qualities is more common in higher-pitched voices, which are typically associated with women, making them less preferred for public speaking roles. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the text does not suggest a balanced view, favor low-pitched voices, or maintain neutrality towards both high- and low-pitched voices; instead, it emphasizes the negative impact of harsh and piercing voices.