Practice Test 12 - ISEE Middle Level Reading Comprehension

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

In line 4, the word "alleviate" most nearly means
The author's main purpose in this passage is to
Which sentence best describes the organization of this passage?
It can be inferred from the passage that a "food desert" is an area where...
A science club studies how sunlight affects plant growth using identical seedlings. One group grows under bright light for twelve hours daily. A second group grows under dim light for the same time. A third group stays in bright light but receives water only every three days. After two weeks, the bright-light, regular-water plants are tallest and darkest green. The dim-light plants are pale and shorter, while the limited-water plants droop. Which conclusion is supported by the evidence presented in the passage?
Read the passage. Lila joined the school newspaper because she liked telling true stories. Her first assignment was to report on the cafeteria's new compost program. The principal said the program would reduce trash and help the school garden grow better vegetables. Lila interviewed the custodian, who described how food scraps were collected and turned into dark soil. When Lila wrote her article, she made sure her tone stayed impartial. She included quotes from students who loved the idea and from students who thought it smelled unpleasant. She also checked facts carefully, such as how many pounds of waste the school threw away each week. "If I sound like I'm taking sides," she told her editor, "readers might not trust the information." On publication day, Lila watched students read her work. Some nodded, and others frowned, but no one accused her of being unfair. Her editor said, "You let the evidence speak. That's what good reporting does." Lila felt proud because her goal was not to win an argument. Her goal was to help people understand the issue clearly. What is the most likely meaning of impartial as used in the passage?
Read the op-ed below, then answer: How does the author feel about group projects? Teachers love group projects the way some people love mystery-flavored jellybeans. They claim it builds "teamwork," which sounds great until you realize teamwork sometimes means one person doing the work while everyone else "helps" by breathing near the poster. In my last project, we had four people and one deadline. Two people argued about fonts. One person vanished like a magician's assistant. I became the project manager, researcher, and emergency glue technician. When we presented, everyone smiled like we had climbed a mountain together. Group work can be useful, but only when roles are clear. If each person has a job, the project feels fair. If not, the responsible student becomes a tired little engine pulling three empty train cars. I am not asking for group projects to disappear. I am asking for teachers to check in, set mini-deadlines, and grade parts separately. Teamwork should teach cooperation, not quiet frustration.
Read the passage. During the winter concert, the orchestra sounded strong, but the audience could tell the group was nervous. The first violinist's hands shook slightly as she lifted her bow. Mr. Rivera, the conductor, raised his arms and waited until the room became quiet. Then he gave a small nod, and the music began. Halfway through the first piece, a cellist played a note too early. For a moment, the mistake stood out, and a few students looked alarmed. Mr. Rivera did not stop the performance. Instead, he made a calm gesture that guided everyone back together. The musicians watched him closely and adjusted their timing. After the concert, Mr. Rivera praised the group's resilience. "You recovered," he said, "and you kept going even when something went wrong." He explained that resilience was not pretending mistakes never happened. It was staying steady and continuing with effort. The students realized they had learned more than music that night. In the passage, what does the word resilience mean?
Based on the context, which word could best replace terrain? Maria joins Alex and Kai on a weekend hike. At first, the terrain is flat and sandy, so their steps feel easy. A mile later, the ground turns steep and rocky, and Maria slows down. She points to loose gravel that slides under her shoes. Kai says the map warns about this section because the land rises quickly. They navigate around a muddy patch and face an obstacle when a narrow bridge is closed. They take a longer route, staying on solid ground until the trail becomes smooth again.
The simile 'like a steel trap' is used to emphasize the detective's
The author's attitude towards gerrymandering can be described as...
What does the word deduction mean in this mystery story? At a garden party, Maria notices the lemonade pitcher is empty, but no one remembers pouring the last cup. Detective Jordan listens quietly. He studies the table and makes a deduction: the pitcher was moved because the wet ring on the cloth sits far from its current spot. He also checks evidence, like sticky footprints leading toward the fountain. Finally, he considers a motive. Someone may have wanted to hide the spill before guests saw it, so they carried the pitcher away.
Read the passage. What is the main idea of the passage? A scientist named Alexander Fleming returns to his lab and notices something unusual. A dish that once held bacteria now has a patch of mold. Around the mold, the bacteria do not grow. Fleming does not throw the dish away. Instead, he asks why the bacteria disappear near the mold. He tests the mold and finds it makes a substance that kills certain bacteria. He names the substance penicillin. At first, penicillin is hard to produce in large amounts. Years later, other scientists improve the process and make enough for hospitals. During World War Two, doctors use penicillin to treat infected wounds. Many patients recover who might have died before. Penicillin changes medicine because it fights bacterial infections effectively. It helps doctors perform safer surgeries and treat illnesses like pneumonia. Over time, scientists discover more antibiotics, but penicillin remains a famous starting point. The discovery also teaches an important lesson about curiosity. A small accident in a lab becomes a major medical breakthrough because Fleming pays attention. His careful observation leads to a treatment that saves countless lives.
In line 7, the phrase "with impunity" most nearly means
Read the passage, then answer: In the passage, who led a team to purify penicillin? In 1928, a scientist named Alexander Fleming made an important discovery by accident. Fleming worked at St. Mary's Hospital in London, where he studied bacteria. One day, he returned from a vacation and noticed something unusual in a set of petri dishes. In one dish, mold had grown, and the bacteria near the mold were not growing well. Fleming examined the dish more closely. He realized the mold was producing a substance that killed or slowed the bacteria. He later identified the mold as Penicillium. Fleming named the bacteria-fighting substance penicillin. At first, penicillin was difficult to produce in large amounts, so it was not used widely right away. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, other scientists worked to turn Fleming's discovery into a usable medicine. A team led by Howard Florey and Ernst Chain developed ways to purify penicillin and make more of it. During World War II, penicillin became especially valuable because it helped treat infected wounds. It saved many lives by stopping infections that had once been deadly. Penicillin changed medicine. Doctors could treat many bacterial illnesses more effectively than before. Over time, scientists developed other antibiotics, but penicillin remains one of the most famous. Fleming's careful observation in 1928 helped begin a new era in medical treatment.
The author of the passage would most likely agree that the Great Molasses Flood...
Which of the following statements provides the best summary of the passage?
A class designs paper airplanes to test how wing shape affects distance. Team 1 uses long, narrow wings, and Team 2 uses short, wide wings. Each team throws five planes from the same line with similar force. Team 1 averages 12 meters, while Team 2 averages 8 meters. When the class repeats the test with new paper, Team 1 again flies farther. Students note the narrow-wing planes glide smoothly and lose height slowly. What conclusion can be drawn from the passage?
Read the passage. What is the central theme of the text? In parts of Mexico, families celebrate Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. The holiday honors loved ones who have died. It is not a scary event. Instead, it is a time for remembering and sharing stories. Many families create ofrendas, or home altars, with photos and favorite foods. They may add candles and bright flowers called marigolds. Some people visit cemeteries to clean graves and decorate them. Music and food often bring relatives together. The tradition teaches that remembering someone keeps their importance alive. Children learn family history by listening to older relatives. Communities also hold parades with costumes and art. These activities show creativity and respect at the same time. Even though customs vary by region, the purpose stays similar. People pause to honor the past while enjoying time with family. The passage highlights how a cultural tradition helps people remember loved ones with warmth and respect.
Read the passage, then answer: What is the author's main purpose in this passage? The cafeteria line moves quickly, but I still notice what ends up on most trays. Many students choose chips, cookies, and sugary drinks because they taste good and feel easy. I understand the temptation, yet I also see the after-lunch slump in class. When our bodies get too much added sugar and not enough nutrients, our energy drops. Healthy eating does not mean giving up favorite foods forever. It means choosing balance most days, so our brains and muscles work better. For example, whole grains release energy slowly, which helps during long lessons. Fruits and vegetables provide vitamins that support focus and mood. Even drinking water instead of soda can make a difference. Some students say healthy food is too expensive or boring. However, small changes can be affordable and simple. A peanut butter sandwich, a banana, and a refillable water bottle cost less than many snack combos. Adding one vegetable to lunch, like carrots or cucumbers, takes almost no extra time. These choices might seem minor, but they add up. Schools can help by offering appealing options, not just "diet" foods. A salad bar with colorful toppings, yogurt, and warm soups can attract more students. Clear labels for whole-grain items also help people decide quickly. When healthy choices look and taste good, more students try them. I want our school to treat lunch as fuel, not just a break. If we practice better habits now, we can feel stronger during sports and more alert in class. The next time you pick your lunch, consider what will help you learn, not just what is sweet.

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