HESI Reading

HESI Reading

The HESI Reading section requires students to read a set of passages and then answer several questions about each. This section tests various reading skills. Here's some additional information on the HESI Reading section.

Tips for Preparing for the HESI Reading section

  • Make sure you understand each type of question asked (see below)
  • Practice reading passages multiple times before answering
  • Experiment with taking notes while reading to guide your answers

HESI Reading Question Types

Identifying the Main Idea

This type of question asks you to determine the central message or overall point the author communicates in the passage. Everything in the passage should relate to the main idea.

Example question: Which statement best expresses the main idea of the passage?

Identifying Supporting Details

This type of question asks you to find specific facts, examples, or information from the passage that support the author’s main point.

Example question: According to the passage, which statement supports the author’s claim about the importance of hand hygiene?

Finding the Meaning of Words in Context

This type of question asks you to determine the meaning of a word or phrase based on how it is used in the passage. Usually the sentence the word is in gives some clues, along with the previous and following sentences.

Example question: In the passage, the word vital most nearly means what?

Identifying the Writer’s Purpose and Tone

This type of question asks you to determine why the author wrote the passage and the author’s attitude toward the topic. Look at the types of word used in the passage and determine whether the writer feels positively or negatively about the topic. Also, try to determine if the purpose was to entertain, persuade, or inform the reader.

Example question: What is the author’s primary purpose in writing this passage?

Distinguishing Between Fact and Opinion

This type of question asks you to decide whether a statement from the passage is a verifiable fact or the author’s personal belief or judgment.

Example question: Which of the following statements from the passage is an opinion?

Making Logical Inferences

This type of question asks you to draw a reasonable conclusion based on information in the passage, even if it is not stated directly. This requires the reader to “read between the lines.”

Example question: Based on the information in the passage, what can be inferred about the patient’s condition?

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