What this area covers
- Identifying the main idea and distinguishing it from a supporting detail
- Summarising a passage without adding your own interpretation
- Following multi-step directions exactly as written
- Drawing inferences that the text actually supports
- Locating specific information in dense healthcare text
Concepts that come up most in our question bank:
Where students lose marks
The most common mistake is choosing an answer that is true but not the main idea. A detail can be perfectly accurate and still be the wrong answer — the question is asking what the passage is mostly about, not what it mentions.
How to study it
Practise stating the main idea of a paragraph in one sentence before you look at the options. If your sentence does not match any option closely, re-read rather than picking the closest-sounding one. For directions questions, read the whole sequence before answering; the order matters and the final step often changes the result.
Practice questions
Answer these, then check them to see the full explanation for every option — including why each wrong answer is wrong.
- Question 1
Read the passage
Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among adults aged 65 and older in the United States. Each year, approximately 36 million falls occur among older adults, resulting in more than 32,000 deaths. Risk factors for falls include muscle weakness, balance problems, vision impairment, certain medications, and environmental hazards such as loose rugs and poor lighting. Evidence-based fall prevention strategies include regular exercise programs focusing on strength and balance, medication reviews to reduce fall-risk drugs, annual vision checks, and home safety assessments to remove tripping hazards.
What is the author's primary purpose in writing this passage?
Correct answer: B. The passage presents factual information about the scope of the problem (statistics), identifies risk factors, and describes evidence-based prevention strategies. The primary purpose is informational — to educate readers about falls in older adults and what can be done to prevent them.
- A. The passage recommends 'medication reviews to reduce fall-risk drugs,' not stopping all medications. This is a distortion of the passage's recommendation.
- C. Exercise is listed as one of several prevention strategies alongside medication reviews, vision checks, and home safety assessments. The passage does not claim it is the only solution.
- D. The passage uses statistics and factual information, not personal stories. Its tone is informational, not entertaining.
- Question 2
Read the passage
Sleep plays a vital role in maintaining immune system function. During sleep, the body produces cytokines, proteins that help fight infection and inflammation. Research has shown that people who regularly get fewer than seven hours of sleep per night are nearly three times more likely to develop a cold when exposed to the virus compared to those who sleep eight or more hours. Chronic sleep deprivation has also been linked to reduced vaccine effectiveness, as the immune system requires adequate rest to mount a strong antibody response. Healthcare professionals working night shifts or extended hours are particularly vulnerable to these effects.
Based on the passage, which statement best summarizes the relationship between sleep and immune function?
Correct answer: B. The passage explains that sleep helps the body produce immune-fighting cytokines, that insufficient sleep increases susceptibility to colds, and that chronic sleep deprivation reduces vaccine effectiveness. The overall relationship is clear: adequate sleep supports immunity, while insufficient sleep weakens it.
- A. The passage directly contradicts this, providing specific research showing sleep deprivation nearly triples the risk of developing a cold.
- C. Healthcare workers are mentioned as 'particularly vulnerable,' but the passage discusses the sleep-immunity relationship as applying to all people, not just healthcare workers.
- D. The passage mentions that eight or more hours is beneficial but says nothing about ten hours providing the strongest benefit. This is an unsupported extrapolation.
- Question 3
Read the passage
Foodborne illness affects approximately 48 million Americans each year, resulting in 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. The most common causes of foodborne illness include norovirus, Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, and Campylobacter. Among these, norovirus accounts for the largest number of cases, while Salmonella causes the most hospitalizations. Proper food handling practices, including washing hands before preparing food, cooking meats to safe internal temperatures, and refrigerating leftovers within two hours, are essential for preventing these illnesses.
According to the passage, what is the most common cause of foodborne illness in the United States?
Correct answer: B. The passage states that 'norovirus accounts for the largest number of cases,' making it the most common cause of foodborne illness. While Salmonella causes the most hospitalizations, norovirus causes the most total cases.
- A. The passage states that Salmonella causes the most hospitalizations, not the most cases overall. Norovirus accounts for more total cases.
- C. Clostridium perfringens is listed as one of the common causes but is not identified as the most common.
- D. E. coli is not mentioned in the passage at all. The answer must come from information provided in the text.
- Question 4
Read the passage
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve to survive exposure to antibiotics that previously killed them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at least 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur in the United States each year, resulting in more than 35,000 deaths. Contributing factors include the overprescription of antibiotics for viral infections (against which antibiotics are ineffective), patients failing to complete prescribed antibiotic courses, and the widespread use of antibiotics in livestock farming. Without urgent action, experts warn that common infections could once again become life-threatening.
What conclusion can be drawn from the passage about antibiotic resistance?
Correct answer: B. The passage presents antibiotic resistance as a serious problem (2.8 million infections, 35,000 deaths annually) driven by overprescription, incomplete courses, and livestock use — all forms of misuse and overuse. The warning that common infections could become life-threatening underscores that this is a growing threat.
- A. The passage presents statistics showing millions of infections and tens of thousands of deaths, clearly indicating this is a major public health concern, not a minor one.
- C. The passage does not mention developing new antibiotics as a solution. It focuses on reducing misuse and overuse as the approach to addressing the problem.
- D. The passage criticizes overprescription and misuse, not appropriate prescription. Antibiotics are still essential when properly used; the issue is their overuse and misuse.
- Question 5
Read the passage
Adequate hydration is essential for maintaining normal body function. Water makes up approximately 60% of an adult's body weight and is involved in nearly every physiological process, including nutrient transport, temperature regulation, joint lubrication, and waste elimination through the kidneys. Dehydration, even at mild levels, can impair cognitive function, reduce physical performance, and cause headaches and fatigue. Health authorities generally recommend that adults consume at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily, though individual needs vary based on activity level, climate, and health status.
Which sentence from the passage best expresses the main idea?
Correct answer: B. The first sentence — 'Adequate hydration is essential for maintaining normal body function' — captures the central message of the entire passage. Everything else (percentage of body weight, processes water supports, effects of dehydration, intake recommendations) provides supporting details for this main idea.
- A. This is a supporting detail that illustrates the importance of water but does not capture the full scope of the passage's message.
- C. This is a supporting detail about the consequences of dehydration, not the overarching main idea.
- D. This is a supporting detail about recommendations, not the central point of the passage.
- Question 6
Read the passage
Clinical rotations are an integral part of nursing education, providing students with the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world healthcare settings. During these rotations, students work under the supervision of experienced nurses and clinical instructors, practicing skills such as patient assessment, medication administration, wound care, and therapeutic communication. Studies have shown that students who complete diverse clinical experiences across multiple settings — including medical-surgical units, pediatrics, obstetrics, and mental health — report higher confidence and clinical competence upon graduation. Without clinical rotations, nursing education would remain purely academic, leaving graduates unprepared for the demands of professional practice.
Based on the passage, why are nursing students required to complete clinical rotations?
Correct answer: C. The passage clearly states that clinical rotations provide students 'the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world healthcare settings' and that without them, 'nursing education would remain purely academic, leaving graduates unprepared.' The purpose is hands-on application of classroom learning.
- A. While exposure to multiple settings may help students discover preferences, the passage identifies the primary purpose as applying knowledge and building competence, not choosing a specialty.
- B. The passage does not mention reducing classroom hours. Clinical rotations supplement classroom learning; they do not replace it.
- D. The passage describes rotations as educational experiences for students, not as a staffing solution for hospitals.
- Question 7
Read the passage
Patient compliance with prescribed treatment plans remains one of the greatest challenges in healthcare. Research indicates that approximately 50% of patients with chronic conditions do not take their medications as directed. Factors influencing compliance include the complexity of the medication regimen, the patient's understanding of their condition, the cost of medications, side effects experienced, and the quality of the patient-provider relationship. Among these factors, studies consistently identify the patient-provider relationship as the most influential: patients who feel heard, respected, and involved in treatment decisions are significantly more likely to follow their prescribed plans.
According to the passage, which factor most strongly influences a patient's decision to follow a prescribed treatment plan?
Correct answer: C. The passage explicitly states that 'studies consistently identify the patient-provider relationship as the most influential' factor in patient compliance. Patients who feel heard and involved are more likely to follow their treatment plans.
- A. Cost is listed as one influencing factor but is not identified as the most influential. The passage gives that distinction to the patient-provider relationship.
- B. Regimen complexity is mentioned as a factor but is not identified as the strongest influence on compliance.
- D. Side effects are listed as a factor affecting compliance but are not described as the most influential one.
- Question 8
Read the passage
Electronic health records (EHRs) have transformed how patient information is documented, stored, and shared across healthcare systems. By replacing paper charts with digital records, EHRs have improved legibility, reduced medication errors caused by illegible handwriting, and enabled instant access to patient history by authorized providers anywhere in the system. However, the transition has not been without drawbacks. Many clinicians report that excessive documentation requirements in EHR systems reduce the time available for direct patient care, and concerns about data breaches have intensified as medical records become increasingly digital. Despite these challenges, most healthcare leaders view EHRs as a net positive development that continues to evolve.
What can be inferred about the author's attitude toward electronic health records (EHRs)?
Correct answer: B. The passage presents both benefits (improved legibility, fewer errors, instant access) and drawbacks (excessive documentation, less patient time, data breach concerns), then concludes with a generally positive assessment. This balanced approach indicates the author acknowledges both sides.
- A. The passage mentions data breach concerns but concludes that EHRs are seen as a 'net positive development.' The author does not advocate for eliminating them.
- C. The passage includes significant praise for EHRs (improved legibility, fewer errors) and ends by calling them a 'net positive,' showing the author is not strongly opposed.
- D. The passage explicitly discusses drawbacks such as reduced patient care time and data breach concerns, so claiming no significant drawbacks contradicts the text.
- Question 9
Read the passage
Triage is a system used in emergency departments to prioritize patients based on the severity of their conditions rather than their order of arrival. When patients enter the emergency department, a trained triage nurse assesses their symptoms, vital signs, and medical history to assign a priority level. Patients with life-threatening conditions, such as heart attacks, strokes, or severe trauma, are seen immediately, while those with less urgent complaints, such as minor sprains or cold symptoms, may wait longer. The goal of triage is to ensure that limited medical resources are allocated to the patients who need them most urgently, maximizing the number of lives saved and minimizing preventable deterioration.
What is the primary purpose of a triage system in an emergency department?
Correct answer: C. The passage directly states that triage is used 'to prioritize patients based on the severity of their conditions rather than their order of arrival.' The goal is to allocate resources to the most urgent cases first.
- A. The passage explicitly states the opposite: triage prioritizes by severity 'rather than their order of arrival.'
- B. Triage involves assessment and priority assignment, not formal diagnosis. The passage describes assessing symptoms and vital signs, not making diagnoses.
- D. The passage says triage aims to maximize lives saved and minimize deterioration. It does not aim to reduce patient volume.
- Question 10
Read the passage
Childhood obesity rates in the United States have tripled since the 1970s, with nearly 20% of children aged 6 to 19 now classified as obese. Factors contributing to this trend include increased consumption of processed foods and sugary beverages, reduced physical activity due to screen time, and limited access to affordable healthy foods in low-income neighborhoods. Obese children are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, and social-emotional challenges including bullying and low self-esteem. Long-term studies indicate that children who are obese are five times more likely to remain obese as adults.
Which of the following is a logical conclusion that can be drawn from the passage?
Correct answer: B. The passage states that obese children are 'five times more likely to remain obese as adults.' Logically, if childhood obesity is prevented or reversed, fewer children would carry obesity into adulthood, thereby reducing adult obesity rates.
- A. The passage lists multiple health consequences including diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, and social-emotional challenges, directly contradicting this option.
- C. The passage identifies 'reduced physical activity due to screen time' as a contributing factor to childhood obesity, establishing a relationship.
- D. The passage states that childhood obesity rates have 'tripled since the 1970s,' meaning they have increased, not decreased.
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