Practice Test 5 - ISEE Lower Level Reading Comprehension

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

Read the passage, then answer. In 1930, a scientist named Clyde Tombaugh works at an observatory in Arizona. He is young and does not have a college degree, but he is skilled at observing the sky. Astronomers suspect there may be a ninth planet far beyond Neptune. They call it "Planet X." Clyde is given a careful task. He takes photographs of the same area of the sky on different nights. Then he uses a device called a blink comparator. It lets him switch quickly between two images. Most stars stay in the same place, but a planet should shift slightly. Night after night, Clyde checks tiny dots. The work requires patience and sharp focus. On February 18, 1930, he notices a small object that moves. He reports it, and other astronomers confirm the finding. The new object is later named Pluto. At first, people call it a planet, and it becomes famous in textbooks. Many years later, scientists learn more about Pluto and similar objects. Pluto is reclassified as a dwarf planet, but its discovery remains important. Clyde's story shows how careful methods can lead to new knowledge. It also shows that science can change when new evidence appears. Which of the following best summarizes the passage?
The imagery in this passage creates a mood of
Read the passage, then answer. In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell works on ways to send sound over wires. He wants people to speak to each other from far away. Bell and his assistant, Thomas Watson, spend many days testing parts. Sometimes the wires crackle, and sometimes nothing happens at all. Bell keeps a notebook of ideas and sketches. He learns that a thin membrane can vibrate like an eardrum. If the vibration changes an electric current, it might carry sound. On March 10, 1876, Bell tries a new setup in his Boston lab. He accidentally spills liquid on his clothes and calls out, "Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you." Watson hears the words through the device in another room. The message is simple, but it works. The invention becomes known as the telephone. Soon, Bell demonstrates it to others, and interest grows. Over time, telephones connect homes, businesses, and cities. The passage highlights the value of experiments and teamwork. It shows how a practical need can inspire a new invention. Identify the best summary of the passage.
Read the passage, then answer. In 1955, an African American woman named Rosa Parks lives in Montgomery, Alabama. She works as a seamstress and helps her community in quiet ways. On December 1, 1955, she rides a city bus home after a long day. The bus fills up, and the driver tells Rosa to give her seat to another rider. Rosa refuses and stays seated. She is arrested and taken to jail. Many people in Montgomery feel upset, but they also feel ready to act. Local leaders, including a young minister named Martin Luther King Jr., meet with neighbors and plan a bus boycott. Starting the next day, thousands of riders stop using the buses. Instead, they walk, share rides, and support each other. The boycott lasts for more than a year. It is not easy. People get tired, and some lose time at work. Still, they keep going because they want fair treatment. Finally, in 1956, the Supreme Court rules that bus segregation is unconstitutional. The city must change its rules. Rosa Parks's quiet decision helps spark a larger movement. The passage shows how one brave choice can encourage many people to work together for change. Identify the best summary of the passage.
Which statement is the best summary of the passage?
The author's point of view suggests that the town of Harmony is...
In line 4, the word "initiative" most nearly means
Read the passage, then answer. Jamal wants to run faster in the school's spring race. He practices every afternoon, but he still feels tired halfway through. His coach, Ms. Lee, watches him run and notices he starts too quickly. She explains that pacing matters. If Jamal uses all his energy early, he will slow down later. Ms. Lee asks him to try a new plan. For the first lap, he should run at a steady, comfortable speed. For the second lap, he can increase his pace. Jamal tries it the next day. At first, he worries he looks slow. Then he realizes he is breathing more easily. When the second lap begins, he has enough energy to speed up. His time improves, and he feels less worn out. Ms. Lee also helps him add simple strength exercises and stretching. Jamal keeps a small notebook of times and how he feels. Over several weeks, he becomes stronger and more confident. On race day, he follows his plan and finishes with a personal best. The passage shows that smart training includes strategy, not just effort. Which summary accurately reflects the passage?
The claim that community gardens can improve residents' health is best supported by which statement?
Read the passage. Which description best changes the mood from peaceful to tense? A winter park sits under soft snow. The pond is still, and the air smells clean. My mittens feel thick and warm. I hear only a light crunch as I walk. Sunlight makes the snow glitter. Bare branches hold tiny icicles that shine. The quiet feels gentle, like a whisper. I sip cocoa, and it tastes sweet. Then the wind rises. The sky dulls, and the glitter fades. Snow begins to swirl, brushing my face with cold dust. The trees blur at the edges. The gusts grow stronger and louder. My cocoa cools fast in my cup. The path looks less clear, and the open space feels too wide.
In a mysterious forest, Sora walks with her older brother on a sunny afternoon. The path curls ahead like a question mark, inviting them to keep going. Pine needles cover the ground, soft as a welcome mat. A squirrel darts up a trunk, and the bark looks like puzzle pieces. The breeze carries a cool smell, and it brushes Sora's cheeks like a feather. She hears branches creak, and it sounds like the woods are talking quietly. Still, the light between leaves is cheerful, not gloomy. Sora remembers to stay on the trail, and she feels proud of her care. When they find a small clearing, it is a secret room without walls. Sora learns that mystery can feel safe when you pay attention. What is the meaning of the simile "the path curls ahead like a question mark" in this context?
In line 3, the word "tedious" most nearly means
The author uses imagery in this paragraph to create a sense of
The class takes a field trip to a planetarium. The bus roars to life, eager to explore. Inside, the ceiling becomes a night sky, wide and deep. Stars appear like scattered salt on dark cloth. The narrator's voice is a calm river of facts. As planets glide overhead, they look like lanterns drifting. Keisha feels her mind open like a window. She realizes space is huge, but questions can travel far. Her friend points, and their whispers are tiny sparks. After the show, Keisha writes down three new things she learned. She thinks learning is a map that keeps growing. What does the phrase "Keisha feels her mind open like a window" suggest in the passage?
Which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that being a Pony Express rider was a difficult job?
The personification of the wind as a 'playful puppy' is used to create a feeling of...
Based on the passage, it is reasonable to conclude that archerfish live in places where...
What is the main idea of this passage?
The Grand Canyon is in northern Arizona in the United States. The Colorado River flows through the canyon at the bottom. The canyon is about 277 miles long. In some places, it is over one mile deep. Many visitors hike along the South Rim for wide views. The canyon shows layers of rock from long ago. Where is the Grand Canyon mentioned in the passage?
In line 4, the word "lure" most nearly means

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