Practice Test 11 - ISEE Middle Level Reading Comprehension

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

What is the function of the final paragraph?
In the passage, the word ephemeral most nearly means...
Read the passage. What is the main point discussed in the passage? When scientists study earthquakes, they often mention tectonic plates. Earth's outer layer is broken into large pieces called plates. These plates move slowly on a softer layer beneath them. Most of the time, people do not notice the motion. Problems happen when plates meet. In some places, plates push together and one plate slides under another. In other places, plates pull apart or grind past each other. The edges can get stuck because of friction. Pressure builds until the plates suddenly slip. That sudden slip releases energy as shaking, which people feel as an earthquake. The shaking can damage buildings, roads, and bridges. After a large quake, smaller aftershocks may continue for days or weeks. Although earthquakes cannot be prevented, damage can be reduced. Engineers design stronger buildings and flexible bridges. Communities practice safety drills and prepare emergency supplies. The passage explains what causes earthquakes and how people can prepare for them.
What does the word apprentice mean in this historical narrative? In a busy medieval town, Kai works in a leather shop. He is an apprentice, so he learns by watching his master cut patterns and stitch seams. Each morning, Kai sweeps the floor and sorts tools before practice begins. The shoemaker belongs to a guild, a group that sets rules for the trade and checks the quality of work. When customers arrive, an artisan displays finished boots in the window. Kai hopes that after years of training, he will make shoes on his own.
Read the passage, then answer: Which detail shows the narrator's limited understanding? I remember the first day I joined the art club, mostly because I almost left. The room smelled like paint water, and the tables were already covered in paper. I stood near the doorway, pretending to read the poster on the wall. Ms. Grant, the advisor, waved me in and said, "Pick any seat." I chose one near the sink, so I could look busy. A student named Rowan sat across from me and arranged his brushes in a straight line. He did not look up at first. I thought he was being unfriendly, and my chest tightened. Then he slid one brush toward me and said, "This one is good for shading." His voice was quiet, like he was saving it. Ms. Grant explained today's project, which was drawing a still life of fruit. I tried to copy the shape of an apple, but my lines wobbled. Rowan's drawing looked smooth, and I felt jealous. I told myself he probably practiced for years. I did not actually know that, but it fit my mood. When Ms. Grant walked by, she said, "Nice start," and I could not tell if she meant it. Rowan glanced at my paper and nodded once. I decided that was a good sign. Still, I left wondering what Rowan really thought of me, because his face stayed serious the whole time.
The passage suggests that if the temperature on January 15, 1919, had been colder...
In this sentence, the metaphor 'an anchor for the community' suggests that the mayor's voice provided
Read the passage and answer the question. In a historical narrative, Rosa visited a restored one-room schoolhouse from the 1800s. The guide explained that students of many ages learned together. Older students helped younger ones read, and everyone practiced arithmetic on small slates. Rosa tried writing with a piece of chalk and found it dusty. The guide described the strict rules of the school. Students arrived early to chop wood for the stove in winter. They sat on wooden benches, and the teacher watched closely. If someone whispered too much, the teacher might assign extra copying as a consequence. Rosa noticed a bell hanging near the door. The guide said the bell signaled the beginning and end of lessons. It also reminded families that education was important, even when children had chores at home. Rosa imagined walking miles through snow just to attend class. Before leaving, Rosa asked why the schoolhouse was preserved. The guide said it helped people remember how communities once worked together. The building showed how education changed over time, but also how effort and discipline mattered in any era. On the ride home, Rosa thought about her own school's bright classrooms and computers. She felt grateful, but she also respected the students who learned with fewer supplies. Their determination made the past feel real. In the passage, what does the word consequence mean?
Which sentence provides the best summary of the passage?
Which of the following best summarizes the passage?
Read the passage and answer the question. In a science reading, Amir learned how the water cycle moved water around Earth. The text said the sun warmed oceans, lakes, and rivers. When water warmed enough, some of it became water vapor and rose into the air. This change from liquid to gas was called evaporation. High in the sky, the vapor cooled. The tiny droplets gathered together and formed clouds. The reading explained that cooling caused condensation, which turned gas back into liquid droplets. Amir pictured a cold glass on a hot day, with water forming on the outside. When clouds became heavy with droplets, water returned to the ground as precipitation. It could fall as rain, snow, or sleet, depending on temperature. Some precipitation ran into streams and rivers, and some soaked into the soil. Plants used part of it, and the rest moved back toward the ocean. The reading emphasized that the cycle repeated constantly. Even though water seemed to disappear, it was only changing form and location. Amir liked that the same water could travel through clouds, rivers, and living things. It made Earth feel connected. At the end, Amir drew the cycle in his notebook and labeled each step. He realized that understanding the cycle helped explain weather patterns. It also showed why protecting water sources mattered. What is the most likely meaning of condensation as used in the passage?
Read the passage, then answer: Which detail shows the narrator's limited understanding? I still think about the day our class hosted the new student, Jae. Ms. Lin asked me to be a welcome buddy, because I sit near the door. I said yes right away, even though my hands got sweaty. I wanted to seem confident, and I wanted Ms. Lin to be proud. When Jae walked in, he held his backpack straps like they were handles. He smiled once, quickly, and then looked down. I told Jae where to put his things and where the pencils were. He nodded a lot, but he barely spoke. At first I assumed he was shy. Then I wondered if he did not like our class. I tried to make a joke about our noisy hallway, but he only blinked. I could not tell if he understood me, or if my joke was just bad. During math, Jae wrote neat numbers and finished early. I watched him tap his eraser against the desk. I thought maybe he was bored. When Ms. Lin asked a question, Jae raised his hand and answered in a clear voice. Everyone turned to look, and I saw his ears turn pink. I guessed he felt embarrassed, but I did not know for sure. At recess I asked, "Do you want to play four square?" He paused, then said, "Maybe later." I walked away feeling rejected, even though he might have meant something else. That afternoon, I wrote a note that said, "Glad you're here." I left it on his desk, hoping it helped, because I could not read his face at all.
What is the central theme of the passage?
What is the author's primary tone in the passage?
The author's point of view is that Jackson Pollock's paintings are...
What can be concluded from the author's statement that 'life in the North was often difficult and presented its own forms of prejudice'?
After a new highway opens, a small diner stays empty, and its sign fades. What can be inferred?
Based on the context, which word could best replace deposition? Jordan visits a river after a storm and notices muddy water slowing near a wide bend. As the current loses speed, it can no longer carry all the sand and small rocks. The particles settle to the bottom and build up a new bar along the edge. This settling and piling up is called deposition. Over time, it can create deltas where rivers meet oceans. It can also make the river shallower in some spots, changing the path of the water.
In 1912, a small coastal town built a lighthouse after several ships struck hidden rocks. Some fishermen worried the tower would scare away fish, and a few taxpayers opposed the expense. After the lighthouse opened, captains reported they could spot the coast earlier during fog. Over the next five years, the harbor recorded fewer rescue missions and less cargo loss. The town also gained more regular shipping visits. Based on the details in the passage, which conclusion is most justified?
The passage suggests that a person who appreciates kintsugi would likely believe that...

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