Practice Test 3 - ISEE Lower Level Reading Comprehension

20 questions. Answer them in any order, then submit to see your score and every explanation.

Which of the following is the best summary of the passage?
Read the passage. In 1776, a group of leaders met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They wanted to decide how the colonies should respond to British rule. After many discussions, they approved a document called the Declaration of Independence. The document explained why they believed they should govern themselves. The final version was approved on July 4, 1776. The meeting took place in a building now called Independence Hall. Some leaders worried about the risks of signing their names. Still, they signed because they believed the decision mattered. News traveled slowly at that time. Riders carried copies to other towns, and people read the words aloud in public squares. In some places, bells rang after the reading. The document later became a symbol of the new nation. Which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that the decision required courage?
The author compares the silence to a 'thick blanket' to show that the silence was...
The primary purpose of this passage is to
From the passage, one can conclude that carrier pigeons were especially valuable during wartime because...
Read the passage. A group of emperor penguins lived on icy land near the sea. The winter air was harsh and windy. To stay warm, the penguins used a smart behavior. They gathered into a tight huddle. The birds pressed close, sharing body heat. Penguins on the outside felt the cold first. After a while, those penguins moved toward the middle. Penguins from the warm center moved outward instead. This constant switching helped everyone. The huddle also blocked the wind like a living wall. While the adults stayed together, they protected their eggs and chicks. Each parent balanced an egg on its feet. A warm flap of skin covered the egg. If an egg touched the ice, it could freeze. By huddling and taking turns, the penguins kept their families alive. Their teamwork made survival possible in winter. What is the central theme of the passage?
Which statement best expresses the main idea of the passage?
What is the author trying to achieve by writing this article?
Read the passage. A class wanted to learn whether music helped students focus during quiet work time. Their teacher asked them to try two different days. On Day One, the room stayed silent. On Day Two, soft music played at a low volume. The teacher timed how long it took the class to finish the same type of math page. On the silent day, the average time was 18 minutes. On the music day, the average time was 15 minutes. The teacher also counted how many times students asked for directions: 12 times on Day One and 7 times on Day Two. The class discussed the results. Some students said the music helped them stay calm. Others said silence worked better for them. The teacher concluded that soft music helped many students, but not everyone. According to the passage, which fact best illustrates improved focus with music?
Read the passage, then answer. In 1804, two explorers named Meriwether Lewis and William Clark begin a long journey across North America. President Thomas Jefferson asks them to map land from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. The team leaves from near St. Louis and follows the Missouri River. They travel by boat, then by foot and horseback. The trip is difficult because weather changes quickly. They face muddy banks, cold nights, and steep mountains. Along the way, they meet many Native American nations. The explorers trade, share meals, and learn about local plants and routes. A young woman named Sacagawea travels with the group and helps as a guide and interpreter. She also shows that the team comes in peace. Lewis and Clark keep journals and draw maps. They describe animals many Americans have never seen, such as prairie dogs and grizzly bears. In 1805, they finally reach the Pacific Ocean. The journey ends in 1806 when they return east with notes and maps. Their work helps the country understand the land's size and variety. It also shows how cooperation and careful records support exploration. What is the main idea of the passage?
The phrase 'a smoky perfume' is used to describe the smell of the burgers. This suggests the smell was...
In 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright tested a flying machine at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. They chose this place because steady winds helped lift the plane. On December 17, 1903, their airplane made four short flights. The longest flight lasted 59 seconds and covered 852 feet. Five local men watched and helped move the plane between flights. The Wright brothers proved that powered flight could work. According to the text, when did the flights happen?
The imagery used to describe the alley makes the place feel
What does the passage identify as a sign of fear communicated by a dog's tail?
Which statement best supports the conclusion that Leo was surprised when he finally started balancing on his own?
A beach storm brings a metallic taste in the air and a sharp slap of rain. What mood is conveyed by this imagery?
The passage suggests that the volcano's eruption was successful because...
The passage states that Pompeii was preserved for centuries under layers of what material?
Read the passage. A wolf pack traveled through a snowy forest. The wolves did not hunt alone. They worked together to find food. First, they spread out and searched for tracks. When one wolf found fresh hoof prints, it howled softly. The others came and followed the trail. The pack moved in a line through deep snow. This saved energy because each wolf stepped in the same path. When they saw a deer, they did not rush in at once. Two wolves ran to the side and circled. Another wolf stayed behind the deer. The deer turned and tried to escape. Each time it ran, a wolf blocked its way. The deer grew tired from running in snow. At last, the pack caught it. After the hunt, the wolves shared the meal. Even the younger wolves ate. By hunting as a group, the wolves had a better chance to survive winter. Which statement best captures the main point of the passage?
Read the passage, then answer. In 1911, a scientist named Marie Curie works in Paris, France. She has already helped discover new substances called radium and polonium. Her work is difficult and tiring. She and her team stir heavy pots of crushed rock for hours. They do this to separate tiny amounts of useful material. Marie keeps careful records and repeats tests to confirm results. Some people doubt her because she is a woman in a field led mostly by men. Still, she continues because she believes evidence matters most. In 1911, she wins the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her discoveries and for isolating pure radium. She becomes the first person to win Nobel Prizes in two different sciences. Marie also uses her knowledge to help others. During World War I, she supports mobile X-ray units so doctors can see injuries inside the body. She trains workers and travels to hospitals. Her efforts save time and improve care. The passage shows Marie Curie as a determined scientist who combines curiosity with service. Her story teaches that persistence and careful work can lead to important progress. Identify the best summary of the passage.

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