2023 HESI A2 READING COMPREHENSION EXAM PREP Q&A

2023 HESI A2 READING COMPREHENSION EXAM PREP Q&A 1. 1. QUESTION When Dinosaurs Coughed Centuries of research and fossil evidence has allowed us to visualize various aspects of dinosaurs, ranging from how they looked to how they acted. Thanks to a recent study that analyzed fossil remains discovered in Montana, it is possible that dinosaurs may have even caught and dealt with the annoying symptoms of the common cold, just like humans do! During an excavation, paleontologists uncovered the remains of a diplodocid, a large herbivore with a long neck. Due to its size, this type of dinosaur breathed in air through sacs in its neck, which were directly connected to its respiratory system. The fossil remains of the dinosaur indicated that a pathogen had infected its lungs and respiratory system. Although researchers have not yet pinpointed the exact source of the infection, one hypothesis posits that it is the Aspergillus fungus, which infects reptiles and birds to this day. No matter the origin, the study shows that the illness caused symptoms similar to a cough and increased body temperature, which are indicative of the common cold. What is the main idea of the paragraph? o Research shows that some dinosaurs likely dealt with respiratory illnesses with symptoms similar to the common cold. o Research shows that the Aspergillus fungus is most likely the reason why dinosaurs may have been afflicted with respiratory illnesses. o A recent study found that Diplodocid dinosaurs breathed through sacs that connected directly to the respiratory system. o Dinosaurs with longer necks were more susceptible to respiratory illnesses, most notably those involving an airborne fungus. Research shows that some dinosaurs likely dealt with respiratory illnesses with symptoms similar to the common cold is the correct answer. This answer option contains the main idea of the paragraph, which includes the discovery that dinosaurs likely had respiratory illnesses comparable to the common cold. This answer contains the main idea of the paragraph without providing any irrelevant supporting details. Research shows that the Aspergillus fungus is most likely the reason why dinosaurs may have been afflicted with respiratory illnesses. This is incorrect. The answer option provides an irrelevant supporting detail about the Aspergillus fungus, which is not part of the paragraph’s main idea involving the research study and its findings. Dinosaurs with longer necks were more susceptible to respiratory illnesses, most notably those involving an airborne fungus. This is incorrect. This statement does not provide the main idea of the paragraph because it is a supporting detail. The statement, “Although researchers have not yet pinpointed the exact source of the infection, one hypothesis posits that it is the Aspergillus fungus, which infects reptiles and birds to this day,” shows that the source of the infection has not been proven. Additionally, we cannot say with certainty that the fungus was airborne, so it would not be the best or the most credible information to include in the main idea. A recent study found that Diplodocid dinosaurs breathed through sacs that connected directly to the respiratory system. This is incorrect. Although the paragraph discusses a recent study along with information regarding how Diplodocid dinosaurs breathed, this piece of information is not the main finding of the study according to the information given in the paragraph. Rather, it is an irrelevant supporting detail that provides more insight into this particular type of dinosaur. 2. 2. QUESTION When Dinosaurs Coughed Centuries of research and fossil evidence has allowed us to visualize various aspects of dinosaurs, ranging from how they looked to how they acted. Thanks to a recent study that analyzed fossil remains discovered in Montana, it is possible that dinosaurs may have even caught and dealt with the annoying symptoms of the common cold, just like humans do! During an excavation, paleontologists uncovered the remains of a diplodocid, a large herbivore with a long neck. Due to its size, this type of dinosaur breathed in air through sacs in its neck, which were directly connected to its respiratory system. The fossil remains of the dinosaur indicated that a pathogen had infected its lungs and respiratory system. Although researchers have not yet pinpointed the exact source of the infection, one hypothesis posits that it is the Aspergillus fungus, which infects reptiles and birds to this day. No matter the origin, the study shows that the illness caused symptoms similar to a cough and increased body temperature, which are indicative of the common cold. Which of the following is true, based on the passage?