what is the meaning of nebulous

HESI A2

Vocabulary HESI A2 Practice Test

1. What is the meaning of NEBULOUS?

A. Clear
B. Vague
C. Precise
D. Obvious

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, 'Vague.' Nebulous means something that is vague or unclear. Choice A, 'Clear,' is incorrect as it represents the opposite meaning of nebulous. Choice C, 'Precise,' is incorrect as it denotes clarity and exactness, which is the opposite of nebulous. Choice D, 'Obvious,' is also incorrect as it implies something that is easily understood or seen, unlike nebulous which refers to something unclear or hazy.

2. Another word for CONSISTENCY is?

A. Appearance
B. Volatility
C. Thickness
D. Color

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Consistency refers to the quality of staying the same in behavior or level. Thickness is a synonym for consistency as it implies a state of being dense, compact, or solid throughout, which aligns with the idea of staying the same. Conversely, appearance, volatility, and color do not directly relate to the concept of consistency. 'Appearance' refers to how something looks, 'volatility' refers to how easily something changes, and 'color' refers to the hue or shade of something, none of which capture the essence of consistency.

3. Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?

A. I have a big test tomorrow; I can't go out tonight.
B. She likes apples; oranges are her favorite.
C. I went to the store; and I bought some milk.
D. I like apples, but oranges are better.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The sentence 'She likes apples; oranges are her favorite.' correctly uses a semicolon to connect two related independent clauses. The semicolon is used to separate two closely related ideas in a way that is stronger than a comma but not as final as a period. Choice A is incorrect because the conjunction 'but' is missing before 'I can't go out tonight.' Choice C is incorrect as the conjunction 'and' after the semicolon is unnecessary and disrupts the flow of the sentence. Choice D is incorrect because the semicolon is incorrectly placed before 'oranges are better,' where a comma or period would be more appropriate.

4. What is the best description for the term anodyne?

A. Emulsified
B. Liquefied
C. Contaminated
D. Painkilling

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The term 'anodyne' refers to something that relieves or alleviates pain or discomfort. Therefore, the best description for anodyne is 'painkilling.' Choices A (Emulsified), B (Liquefied), and C (Contaminated) are incorrect as they do not accurately represent the meaning of anodyne.

5. What does 'Excess' mean?

A. Less than what is needed or usual
B. More than what is needed or usual
C. Equal to the amount needed
D. Below average

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'More than what is needed or usual.' Excess refers to an amount that surpasses what is required or typical. Choice A is incorrect because 'less than what is needed or usual' is the opposite of excess. Choice C is incorrect as 'equal to the amount needed' does not imply excess. Choice D is incorrect as 'below average' does not capture the essence of excess.