Practice Test 8 - ISEE Lower Level Reading Comprehension

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

A student watches how salt affects ice melting. She places two equal ice cubes on separate plates. She sprinkles one teaspoon of salt on one cube. The other cube gets no salt at all. After five minutes, the salted cube has a larger puddle. The student records that salt speeds up melting. What does the passage say about the salted ice cube?
A local newspaper reports on the annual River Lantern Night downtown. The event begins before sunset in the park. Volunteers set up trash bins beside every snack booth. A stage sits near the river, but the music stays soft. Families spread blankets and share thermoses of cocoa. A sign near the water says, "Lanterns must be paper only." At a craft tent, kids fold lanterns with help from older neighbors. The helpers show small steps and let kids try again. A firefighter stands nearby and chats with parents. When a gust of wind blows, two volunteers hold down the tent poles. Later, the mayor gives a short speech and thanks the cleanup crew first. A group from the middle school science club demonstrates how to keep wax away from the river. They use metal trays to catch drips. People line up patiently and wait for their turn. No one pushes toward the water. When a lantern tips, a teen quickly scoops it out with a net. He carries it to a bin without being asked. At the end, many families stay behind to pick up litter. The reporter notes that the riverbank looks cleaner than before. Based on the passage, what is implied about what this community values?
The author implies that daguerreotypes were most likely taken
In science class, Ms. Chen described an ecosystem as a community where living things interact. She gave an example of a pond. Algae grew near the surface, small fish ate the algae, and larger fish ate the small fish. Frogs rested on lily pads and snapped at insects. Ms. Chen said the pond stayed balanced when each plant and animal had what it needed. What is the meaning of ecosystem as used in this context?
The author's point of view about a perfect day is intended to be...
The author's use of imagery in this passage makes the summer day feel
Read the passage. A porcupine walked through a forest at dusk. It moved slowly and did not chase prey. Instead, it ate bark, leaves, and small plants. Because it was not fast, it needed protection. The porcupine's body was covered with sharp quills. When it felt threatened, it did not run far. It turned its back toward the danger and lifted its quills. The quills looked like a spiky shield. If an animal came too close, the porcupine swung its tail. The quills could stick into the attacker's skin. This hurt and made the predator back away. The porcupine did not throw its quills, but the quills came loose easily. After the danger passed, the porcupine climbed a tree to rest. Its quills helped it avoid fights it could not win. Which statement best captures the main point of the passage?
In the passage, the word "alter" most nearly means
Which of the following is the best summary of the passage?
Based on the language used in the passage, what is the author's point of view?
As used in the passage, "vibrant" most nearly means
In early spring, the last snow piles shrink by the curb. They melt like ice cream left in the sun. The air smells like rain and clean dirt. The sun peeks out, and puddles sparkle like coins. Birds return and stitch songs into the morning. The playground fills with kids, and their voices lift like balloons. Priya jumps over a stream of runoff and laughs. She feels winter's mood slide off her shoulders. The trees show tiny buds, as if they are waking up. Priya thinks each season has its own lesson. Today's lesson is to notice small changes. What is the meaning of the simile "They melt like ice cream left in the sun" in this context?
The author uses imagery in this passage to build a feeling of
In a winter passage, "the world sounds padded, like a blanket." What mood is conveyed by this imagery?
Emperor penguins live in Antarctica, where winters are very cold. They huddle together to stay warm in strong winds. The female lays one egg, then returns to the sea. The male balances the egg on his feet under a flap of skin. He fasts for about two months while keeping it warm. When the chick hatches, both parents take turns feeding it. What does the passage say about the male penguin?
Read the passage. Identify the mood created by the imagery in paragraph 1. A bustling city morning smells like toasted bagels and coffee. Sunlight flashes on glass buildings, and taxis honk in quick bursts. My shoes tap the sidewalk, warm from yesterday's heat. A street musician plays a bright tune that bounces off the walls. People move like a fast river around corner carts. A vendor hands me a pretzel, salty and hot. Steam rises from a subway grate and curls into the air. I hear laughter, chatter, and the snap of a newspaper. By afternoon, clouds gather, and the first drops tick the pavement. Umbrellas bloom like dark flowers. The music sounds farther away now, softened by rain. The air tastes like metal, and my sleeves feel damp. Evening comes early under the thick sky. Streetlights glow in puddles, shaky and pale. Rain drips from ledges in steady strings. The city's noise turns into a low hush, like everyone is speaking through a blanket. At night, the wind pushes rain against my face, cold and sharp. The bagel smell is gone, replaced by wet asphalt. My steps splash, and the empty benches shine with water. The city still moves, but it feels tired.
Read this passage: Maya sat in the front row and stared at the blank page. The classroom was quiet except for pencils scratching. She felt her cheeks grow warm. The writing prompt asked for a story with a strong ending. Maya had ideas, but they tangled in her mind. She watched Mr. Chen walk between desks. He stopped near her and spoke softly. "Start with one clear moment," he said. Maya took a slow breath and wrote a first sentence. It was not perfect, but it was real. Her shoulders relaxed as she added details. She did not notice the bell until it rang. When Mr. Chen collected papers, Maya handed hers in. She felt nervous, yet proud. How does the narrator's viewpoint affect the story?
What is the best summary of this passage?
The passage states that in its earliest days in Japan, origami was mainly used for
Read this passage: In the winter of nineteen forty-three, I lived in a small apartment. The windows rattled when the wind blew. My mother saved every scrap of paper and string. She said we might need them later. At school, we collected metal for a community drive. I carried a bag of old cans that clanked together. My arms got tired, but I did not complain. Our teacher explained that supplies were limited. I did not understand all the reasons, but I saw how careful everyone became. One day, my neighbor Mrs. Green gave me a warm scarf. I thanked her and felt comforted. That scarf reminded me that people helped each other. What is the point of view in the passage?

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