Practice Test 5 - ISEE Middle Level Reading Comprehension

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

Read the passage, then answer: What does the passage say penicillin was at first? 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.
Read the passage, then answer: Which sentence best reflects the author's intention? Dear Student Council, Our school hallways look better when we take care of them, and recycling can help. Each day, students throw away plastic bottles, paper handouts, and snack wrappers. Much of this waste could be sorted and reused instead of sitting in a landfill. I believe a recycling program should start with clear, easy steps. First, place labeled bins near the cafeteria and by the main exits. Students already pass these spots, so recycling would not require extra trips. Second, announce simple rules during morning messages for two weeks. Recycling also supports learning. When students see how much paper is collected in one week, they understand how quickly resources are used. Teachers can connect this to science lessons about materials and energy. A program like this turns a daily habit into a real-life example. Some students worry the bins will become messy. To prevent that, the council can organize short volunteer shifts, like five minutes after lunch. If the program starts small and improves over time, it will not feel overwhelming. Please vote to begin a one-month trial next quarter. If we track results and adjust the bin locations, we can build a system that lasts. I hope you will lead this change and show that our school cares about its campus. Sincerely, Maria Lopez
What can be concluded about how GPS functions from the phrase 'broadcasting time-stamped signals'?
In the passage, the word precarious most nearly means...
Read the passage and answer the question. A science passage described how the human body responded to exercise. When Sienna jogged, her muscles needed more oxygen to keep moving. Her heart beat faster to pump blood more quickly. The blood carried oxygen from her lungs to her muscles and carried waste products away. The passage explained that breathing also increased during activity. Sienna inhaled more often, bringing in extra oxygen. She exhaled carbon dioxide, a gas her body produced as it used energy. The author compared this process to a delivery system: oxygen was delivered where it was needed, and waste was removed. The author said the body adapted over time. If a person exercised regularly, the heart and lungs became stronger. That made it easier to do the same activity later. The passage also reminded readers to drink water, because sweating helped cool the body. After reading, Sienna noticed that her breathing slowed a few minutes after she stopped running. She realized her body was returning to its normal state. The passage helped her understand that the uncomfortable feeling of heavy breathing was a sign of hard-working muscles. Sienna decided to keep jogging three times a week. She liked seeing progress and feeling healthier. She also appreciated that science could explain everyday experiences. In the passage, what does the word adapted mean?
In line 3, the word "fidelity" most nearly means
What does the word artisan mean in the passage? Jordan writes about medieval jobs. In the town square, an artisan sells bowls he shapes from clay and fires in a kiln. His hands move with steady practice, and each piece looks carefully made. Nearby, an apprentice carries tools for a metalworker and listens to instructions. The metalworker's guild requires members to create strong products, not rushed ones. Jordan realizes that an artisan earns respect because his work shows skill and care.
Which of the following best summarizes the impact of the printing press?
What is the main idea of the passage?
What does the passage say about why the Erie Canal mattered? Passage: In the early 1800s, moving goods across New York State was slow and costly. Roads were often muddy, and wagons could not carry very heavy loads. To solve this problem, leaders supported building the Erie Canal. Construction began in 1817, and the canal officially opened in 1825. It stretched about 363 miles from Albany on the Hudson River to Buffalo on Lake Erie. The canal made shipping faster and cheaper. Farmers and factory owners could send products to markets more easily. Towns along the canal grew as boats stopped for supplies and repairs. The passage also states that the canal helped New York City become a major trade center because goods could travel between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. Over time, trains and highways reduced the canal's importance, but the Erie Canal remains a key part of U.S. transportation history.
Read the passage, then answer the question. When people study the night sky, they notice that stars seem to move in patterns. For a long time, many thinkers believe Earth sits still at the center of everything. Over time, careful observations challenge that idea. A major shift comes from the heliocentric model, which places the Sun at the center of the solar system. Nicolaus Copernicus argues that Earth rotates and also travels around the Sun. This model explains why planets sometimes appear to move backward in the sky. Later, Galileo Galilei uses a telescope to observe moons orbiting Jupiter. Those moons show that not everything circles Earth. He also observes phases of Venus, which fit the idea that Venus orbits the Sun. The new model changes how scientists think. It encourages people to test ideas with evidence instead of accepting old beliefs. It also helps later scientists develop better predictions about planetary motion. The heliocentric model matters because it reshapes astronomy and scientific thinking. It shows that careful observation can lead to a better understanding of the universe. Which option best describes the overarching idea presented?
Read the passage, then answer the question. During the Great Migration, many African Americans moved from the rural South to Northern and Western cities. People left for several reasons, including the hope of better jobs and safer communities. This movement changed families, neighborhoods, and the culture of the United States. In Northern cities, factories needed workers, especially during World War I. Newspapers and letters also spread news about opportunities. At the same time, unfair laws and violence in the South pushed many people to leave, even when the journey was difficult. In summary, the Great Migration led to major social and economic changes. Northern cities became more diverse, and new communities formed with churches, businesses, and newspapers. The movement also influenced music, art, and politics, including stronger efforts to fight discrimination. However, the migration did not solve every problem. Many migrants faced crowded housing and unfair treatment in their new cities. Even so, the Great Migration remains an important example of how people can reshape a nation through collective choices. What is the primary function of the third paragraph?
Read the passage and answer the question. In a short story Ms. Alvarez assigned, the main character, Theo, moved to a new apartment above a bakery. Each morning, the smell of warm bread drifted through his window. Theo wanted to make friends, but he felt nervous in a new place. When he walked to school, he kept his eyes on the sidewalk and spoke quietly. One afternoon, Theo heard a thud in the hallway. He opened his door and saw a younger child struggling with a heavy backpack. Without thinking, Theo lifted the bag and carried it upstairs. The child grinned and said, "Thanks! I'm Nia." Theo introduced himself, and they talked about their favorite books. The next day, Theo saw Nia being teased near the mailboxes. He hesitated, then stepped forward and said firmly, "Stop. That's not okay." The teasing ended quickly, and Nia looked relieved. Theo's heart raced, but he felt proud that he had spoken up. Later, Theo realized that bravery did not always look like heroic movies. Sometimes it meant choosing kindness when it was uncomfortable. He began greeting neighbors in the hallway and offering help when he could. Over time, the building felt less strange and more like home. Theo still felt shy sometimes, but he learned that small actions could change his day. Each friendly conversation made the next one easier. By the end of the month, Theo was no longer invisible in the hallway. Based on the passage, the word hesitated most likely means ___.
Which of the following is mentioned in the passage as a specific function of bioluminescence?
The simile 'as delicate as a butterfly's wings' is used to emphasize the manuscript's
Which statement best describes the author's perspective on Marie Curie?
A student team tests whether music affects reading comprehension. They read two similar passages on different days. On Day 1, students read in silence and answer ten questions, averaging 8 correct. On Day 2, they read while fast music plays and average 6 correct. Several students report they reread lines because the beat distracts them. The team repeats the test with slower music and averages 7 correct. What conclusion can be drawn from the passage?
In the passage, the word arduous most nearly means...
The metaphor 'a sea of silence' suggests that the silence in the library was
The passage describes counter-illumination as a form of camouflage that works in what specific way?

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