Practice Test 1 - ISEE Upper Level Reading Comprehension

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

The author's primary argument is that criticism of helicopter parenting
Times New Roman, 12-point, double-spaced. [Magazine Article Excerpt] The first bell rings, and the hallway fills with the usual parade of backpacks and half-finished conversations. Yet the loudest sound is not the chatter; it is the hum of phones, glowing like tiny stage lights in every hand. A teacher asks for attention, and eyes rise slowly, as if pulled upward by reluctant strings. We tell ourselves this is "just how school is now," which is a convenient phrase that means, "Let's not think too hard." To be fair, technology can help. Students can translate a paragraph in seconds, review a math concept at midnight, and message a classmate about homework. Those are real benefits, and pretending otherwise would be silly. Still, the way we use devices often feels less like a tool and more like a leash. Notifications tug, taps repeat, and minutes vanish without anyone noticing. If learning is a journey, we keep stopping to check the map, even when we are already lost. Some schools respond with strict bans. Lock the phones away, they say, and watch focus bloom like spring flowers. It sounds neat. It also ignores the fact that students will eventually live in a world where self-control matters more than a locked cabinet. Other schools shrug and hope for the best, which is a strategy only if "hope" is spelled with a detailed plan. A better approach is boring but effective: teach attention like a skill. Build short phone-free blocks into class, explain why they exist, and let students practice. Give choices, but set boundaries. Ask students to notice how they feel after ten minutes of constant checking. Then ask them to try ten minutes of real reading. The difference is not magic; it is measurable. We do not need a heroic crusade against screens. We need honest habits, clear expectations, and adults who model them. The glow will still be there. The question is whether we will keep staring into it, or finally learn when to look up. What is the tone of the passage?
What role does the third paragraph play in the author's analysis of social media's relationship to mental health?
What rhetorical device does the author use to emphasize their point in the passage below? In a commencement address at a small technical college, the speaker urges graduates to practice careful craftsmanship. He repeats the phrase "measure twice" at the start of several sentences: "Measure twice in your designs, measure twice in your promises, measure twice in your friendships." He then contrasts haste and precision, stating that "speed builds applause; accuracy builds bridges." The speech includes a brief story about an early job mistake that required costly repairs, and it ends with a call to "be the person whose work does not wobble."
The organizational structure of this passage can best be characterized as
According to the passage, during which specific phase of mitosis do the sister chromatids separate and move to opposite ends of the dividing cell?
What can be inferred about Emma's behavior regarding her schoolwork?
At the annual river blessing in Kalyanpur, the priest did not sprinkle water outward toward the crowd, as visitors expected, but dipped a bundle of reeds into the river and drew a thin line of water along the ground, encircling the stone steps. Fishermen, who normally joked loudly, stood with their nets folded and their mouths closed, and when a child tried to chase a floating garland downstream, his grandmother caught his wrist and whispered, "Not today." After the chanting, families placed small clay boats with candles onto the water, yet they released them only after turning the boats three times in their palms, as if aligning them. When a candle tipped and extinguished immediately, the boat was retrieved without comment and set aside, not relit. Later, the village council distributed new rope to certain households, though the rope was identical to what many already owned, and the recipients accepted it with lowered eyes. The passage suggests that the river blessing is connected to what unspoken concern?
<div style="font-size:12pt; line-height:1.5;"> <p>Passage: The invention of the printing press in fifteenth-century Europe is often described as a technological milestone, but its greatest significance was social. By making books faster and cheaper to produce, printing widened access to information that had previously been limited to wealthy patrons and religious institutions. As more people encountered new ideas, debates that once occurred only among scholars began to influence everyday life. For example, pamphlets could be produced quickly and distributed widely, allowing political and religious arguments to spread across borders. A merchant who could not afford a hand-copied book might still purchase a printed booklet and discuss it with friends. Over time, this broader circulation of texts encouraged literacy, since reading became useful for more than a small elite. It also made it harder for any single authority to control which ideas reached the public. Although the printing press did not automatically create agreement or peace, it changed the pace and scale of communication. The central impact was the expansion of public access to knowledge, which reshaped culture, education, and power.</p> <p>Question: What is the main idea of the passage?</p> </div>
<div style="font-size:12pt; line-height:1.5;"> <p>Passage: In Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the most enduring question is not whether the creature is frightening, but what responsibility a creator owes to what he brings into the world. Victor Frankenstein is thrilled by his scientific success, yet he immediately abandons the being he has made. The novel suggests that neglect, more than nature, can shape a person—or a creature—into something dangerous. The creature begins by seeking companionship and learning language by observing a family from afar. Rejected repeatedly because of his appearance, he becomes bitter and desperate. Victor's refusal to guide him or acknowledge him deepens this isolation. Even when the creature asks for a chance at a peaceful life, Victor responds with fear rather than accountability, and the conflict escalates. Through this tragic pattern, Shelley warns against pursuing achievement without considering consequences. The story argues that ambition must be paired with empathy and duty, or else innovation can lead to suffering for both the maker and the made.</p> <p>Question: What overarching theme is presented in the passage?</p> </div>
Read the passage, then answer: Based on the passage, what does assimilation most likely mean? When Lina moved to a new country, she brought recipes, music, and holiday traditions from her childhood. At school, she learned the local language quickly, partly because she joined a debate club that required frequent speaking. Her classmates appreciated her effort, but some assumed that fitting in meant leaving old customs behind. Lina's family faced subtle pressure toward assimilation. Neighbors advised them to stop cooking "foreign" foods so the house would smell more familiar. A counselor suggested that using an English-only nickname would make Lina "easier to remember." These recommendations were presented as helpful, yet they implied that acceptance depended on becoming less distinct. Over time, Lina chose a different path. She mastered the new language and learned local history, but she also taught friends to pronounce her full name. She brought traditional snacks to club meetings and explained their significance. Her experience showed the difference between blending in and disappearing. Assimilation, as described by the community, meant adopting the dominant culture so completely that previous identity was minimized. Lina's story raised a question many students recognized: how can someone participate fully without being required to erase their past?
Which methodological approach does the author demonstrate in discussing homework research?
Read the passage and answer: How does the second paragraph contribute to the overall argument of the passage? Paragraph 1: Many consumers want to buy products that last, but it can be hard to judge durability in a store. A backpack may look sturdy, yet fail after a few months of use. To address this problem, some companies now publish repair guides and sell replacement parts. This practice supports a growing "repair culture." Paragraph 2: Repair culture is based on the idea that objects should be maintained, not quickly discarded. When people fix a torn strap or replace a zipper, they extend a product's useful life. This can reduce waste and lower the demand for constant manufacturing. It also encourages consumers to understand how products are constructed. Paragraph 3: Critics argue that repair is not always practical. Some items are designed with sealed components or specialized screws that require unusual tools. In other cases, the cost of professional repair approaches the price of a new item. These obstacles can make repair feel inconvenient. Paragraph 4: Even with these challenges, repair culture can influence design. If customers value repairability, companies may choose simpler parts and clearer instructions. Schools and community workshops can teach basic skills, making repair less intimidating. Over time, small choices about maintenance can add up to meaningful reductions in waste.
Which of the following details strengthens the author's claim about urban trees reducing summer heat? The author argues that planting and maintaining urban trees is one of the most cost-effective strategies for reducing dangerous summer heat in cities. This conclusion rests on the idea that trees cool neighborhoods through shade and evapotranspiration, lowering surface and air temperatures. In many cities, heat is intensified by dark pavement and dense buildings, which absorb sunlight and release it slowly at night. Consequently, residents in areas with few trees often face higher health risks during heat waves. To support the argument, the author cites a 2019 study comparing two nearby neighborhoods with similar building density but different canopy coverage. The neighborhood with greater tree canopy had notably cooler afternoon temperatures and fewer heat-related emergency calls. Additionally, satellite images showed that shaded streets had lower surface temperatures than adjacent unshaded blocks. These findings suggest that the cooling effect is not merely theoretical but measurable across real city landscapes. Furthermore, the author notes that trees can reduce energy demand. When trees shade buildings, air conditioners run less frequently, which can lower electricity use during peak hours. Utility reports from several U.S. cities indicate that peak demand often occurs during the hottest afternoons, when grids are most stressed. By reducing demand at those times, trees can indirectly decrease the likelihood of power outages. Critics sometimes claim that tree planting is too slow to address immediate heat threats. However, the author responds that cities can prioritize fast-growing species and protect existing mature trees, which provide the strongest cooling. Moreover, targeted planting in the hottest neighborhoods can improve equity by directing benefits to communities that face the greatest heat exposure. Therefore, while trees are not the only solution, the author concludes they are an essential component of a comprehensive heat strategy.
What conclusion can be drawn about the scientific team's restraint based on their statement that results are "*suggestive, not definitive*"?
Read the passage, then answer the question. In Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet is introduced as intelligent, observant, and willing to challenge social expectations. The novel is set in rural England, where marriage and property laws strongly influence family decisions. The passage states that the Bennet family estate, Longbourn, is entailed away from the daughters, meaning it will pass to a male relative. Because of this entailment, Mrs. Bennet is anxious to see her daughters married advantageously. Mr. Darcy first appears as wealthy and reserved, and Elizabeth initially judges him as proud. Mr. Bingley, Darcy's friend, is described as sociable and quickly interested in Jane Bennet. The passage explicitly notes that Darcy later writes a letter to Elizabeth explaining his actions, including his role in separating Bingley and Jane. This letter becomes a crucial moment in Elizabeth's understanding of Darcy's character. As the story progresses, Elizabeth learns about George Wickham's dishonesty and about Darcy's efforts to address Lydia Bennet's scandal. The passage states that Darcy arranges a marriage between Lydia and Wickham to reduce the family's public disgrace. By the novel's conclusion, Elizabeth and Darcy marry, and the passage presents their relationship as based on mutual respect rather than superficial attraction. Austen's narrative voice is described as ironic, especially when discussing class and manners. Question: What information is directly provided about the entailment of Longbourn?
<div style="font-size:12pt; line-height:1.5;"> <p>Passage: A recent breakthrough in ocean research has made it easier to study coral reefs without disturbing them. Instead of relying only on divers, scientists now use small underwater drones equipped with cameras and gentle sensors. These drones can glide through narrow spaces, capturing detailed images that help researchers measure coral health over time. The real value of this method is consistency. A diver's observations can vary depending on visibility, fatigue, or the angle of the sunlight, but drones can follow the same route again and again. In one study, a team programmed a drone to repeat a path every month, creating a "photo timeline" that revealed when algae began to spread after a heat wave. Another group used drones to identify areas where young coral was successfully growing, allowing conservation workers to focus their efforts where reefs were most likely to recover. While drones cannot replace every form of fieldwork, they offer a practical way to gather more reliable information. By improving how data is collected, the technology helps scientists respond faster to threats like warming water and pollution. Ultimately, the breakthrough is not just the drone itself, but the new ability to monitor fragile ecosystems more carefully and more often.</p> <p>Question: What is the main idea of the passage?</p> </div>
The author's language choices in this passage work together to create which overall mood?
Read the passage, then answer: How is the term evolution used in the context of the passage? On a remote island, researchers found a population of lizards with unusually long toes. At first, the trait seemed like a minor curiosity. Yet the island's steep, slippery rocks suggested that toe length might affect survival. The scientists formed a hypothesis that lizards with longer toes could cling more effectively and escape predators. Over several years, they documented which lizards survived storms and which ones fell from exposed ledges. They also tracked offspring traits, noting that toe length tended to resemble that of parents. The pattern pointed to evolution. The lizards were not choosing to change their bodies, nor were they improving because they "wanted" to. Instead, individuals with traits that fit the environment survived more often and reproduced more successfully, so those traits became more common. The team emphasized that evolution can be gradual. A small advantage, repeated over many generations, can reshape a population. The discovery offered a vivid reminder that nature is not static, even when change is difficult to see day by day.
What can be reasonably inferred about why student patronage declined during exam periods?

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