Practice Test 9 - ISEE Upper Level Reading Comprehension

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

Read the passage, then answer the question. The mansion's dining room was set for guests who would never arrive. Plates sat beneath a film of dust, and silverware lay in careful lines, dull as pewter. Sloane stepped around the long table, her flashlight painting the walls in trembling arcs. A mouse skittered somewhere, and the sound made her jump. She exhaled slowly, annoyed at herself, but the annoyance did not last. The air felt heavy, as if it had been stored for years. At the far end of the room, a grandfather clock stood with its face cracked. Its hands were frozen, but the pendulum still swung, whispering back and forth in the silence. Sloane's pulse quickened. She stared, unable to decide whether the motion was comforting or wrong. When the pendulum suddenly stopped, the quiet became enormous. Sloane backed away, and the beam of her flashlight shook. Question: What mood is created by the author's use of imagery in the passage?
As used in the passage, the word "profligate" most nearly means...
How does the author achieve their purpose in this text? An expository science text explains photosynthesis in a clear sequence. It begins by stating that plants make their own food using light energy, water, and carbon dioxide. Next, it describes how roots absorb water, which travels upward through tubes called xylem. The author then explains that tiny openings on leaves, called stomata, take in carbon dioxide from the air. In the chloroplasts, chlorophyll captures sunlight and uses that energy to rearrange molecules. The text presents the overall equation in words: water plus carbon dioxide, with light, produces glucose and oxygen. The author pauses to clarify that glucose is stored chemical energy, not "sugar sprinkled inside the leaf." The passage also notes why oxygen is released as a byproduct, connecting the process to the air humans breathe. To prevent misconceptions, the author contrasts photosynthesis with respiration, explaining that plants do both, but at different rates depending on light. The tone is patient and instructional, using signal words such as "first," "then," and "as a result." The conclusion restates the main idea: photosynthesis powers most food chains by turning sunlight into usable energy.
What is the key difference between the passages in their assessment of the urgency and approach to addressing climate change?
The author's descriptive language establishes which overall mood in this corporate setting?
Read the passage, then answer the question. In 1928, Alexander Fleming, a bacteriologist working in London, observed an unusual result while studying bacteria in petri dishes. One dish had been contaminated by a mold, and around the mold the bacteria failed to grow. Fleming identified the mold as belonging to the genus Penicillium and concluded that it released a substance that killed or inhibited bacteria. He named this substance penicillin, and he published his findings in 1929. Although Fleming had identified penicillin's antibacterial effect, he did not have the equipment to purify it into a stable medicine. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, a team at the University of Oxford, including Howard Florey and Ernst Chain, developed methods to isolate and concentrate penicillin. Their work required careful chemical processing and repeated testing to confirm that the substance could treat infections in living organisms. During World War II, large-scale production expanded, because governments and manufacturers recognized its value for treating wounded soldiers. Penicillin represented a major shift in medicine because it provided an effective treatment for many bacterial diseases that had previously been difficult to manage. The passage states that penicillin does not treat viral infections, because viruses and bacteria are biologically different. It also states that widespread antibiotic use can contribute to antibiotic resistance, which occurs when some bacteria survive and adapt. For this reason, physicians later emphasized using antibiotics appropriately rather than indiscriminately. Question: What information is directly provided about Fleming's initial observation?
Read the passage, then answer: Identify the statement that provides the strongest support for the author's argument. Scientists have long argued that regular sleep is not merely restful but essential for learning. The central conclusion of many classroom-focused studies is that sleep helps the brain stabilize new memories, making information easier to retrieve later. This claim matters for students because it suggests that studying without adequate sleep can reduce the benefits of practice. Researchers describe memory formation as a multi-step process. First, new information is encoded while a person is awake, often during reading, discussion, or problem solving. Next, the brain reorganizes and strengthens those patterns, a process linked to specific stages of sleep. Consequently, sleep is sometimes compared to "saving" a document after writing it. Laboratory experiments provide concrete evidence for this conclusion. In one common design, participants learn a list of word pairs or a sequence of finger taps. Then, one group sleeps normally while another group stays awake for an equivalent period. When tested the next day, the sleep group typically performs better, even though both groups had the same original learning time. Importantly, the benefit is not limited to adults. Several school-based studies report that adolescents who maintain consistent bedtimes show stronger attention and improved recall on quizzes. Although these studies cannot control every variable, they often adjust for factors such as prior grades and total study time. Sleep researchers also warn that irregular schedules can interfere with learning. When students alternate between very late nights and early mornings, they may reduce time spent in deeper sleep stages. As a result, the brain may have fewer opportunities to consolidate what was studied. Taken together, these findings support a clear argument: for most students, a steady sleep routine is a practical learning strategy. Rather than treating sleep as optional, students can view it as part of effective preparation, similar to reviewing notes or completing practice problems.
What can be inferred about the challenges facing this growing company?
In this passage, a "quisling" is best understood to be...
Based on the passage, what makes DNA fingerprinting patterns unique enough to identify specific individuals?
The primary purpose of this passage is to
Which assumption about financial systems underlies the author's treatment of cryptocurrency?
The author's primary purpose in this passage is to
Which statement best encapsulates the central argument of this passage?
What is the primary thesis of this passage regarding cryptocurrency regulation?
Read the passage and answer: How does the third paragraph transition the reader from one idea to the next? Paragraph 1: Many students think creativity appears only in art or music, but it also shapes scientific discovery. A chemist designing a safer battery must imagine new materials before testing them. Likewise, an engineer building a bridge considers multiple forms before selecting one. Creativity, in this sense, is disciplined experimentation. Paragraph 2: One useful strategy is "divergent thinking," which means generating many possible solutions without judging them too quickly. Brainstorming sessions, sketching, and mind maps can help people explore options. The goal is to widen the range of ideas so that unusual combinations become possible. Only later does careful evaluation narrow the choices. Paragraph 3: After ideas multiply, they must be tested against reality. Constraints such as cost, safety, time, and available tools force a designer to refine or discard proposals. This stage can feel less exciting than brainstorming, yet it prevents imaginative plans from becoming impractical. In effect, limits act as a filter that strengthens the final result. Paragraph 4: When students understand both stages, they can work more effectively on projects. They can first allow themselves to propose bold options, and then apply criteria to choose the best one. Over time, this cycle builds confidence and skill. Creativity becomes not a mysterious gift, but a method anyone can practice.
Read the passage and answer: In what way does the fourth paragraph support the author's purpose? Paragraph 1: When a new technology appears, it can reshape how people learn. Audiobooks, for example, allow students to "read" while commuting or doing chores. Some educators once worried that listening was a weaker skill than decoding printed words. Yet research on comprehension suggests the comparison is more nuanced. Paragraph 2: Listening and reading share important mental processes. In both cases, the brain must track vocabulary, follow sentence structure, and connect ideas across a passage. If a listener is attentive, an audiobook can convey complex plots and arguments. For many students, hearing expressive narration also clarifies tone. Paragraph 3: However, printed reading offers advantages in certain situations. A student can easily reread a confusing paragraph, pause to annotate, or scan for a specific detail. Print also makes spelling and punctuation visible, which supports writing development. These strengths explain why many teachers still assign physical or digital texts. Paragraph 4: The most sensible approach is to match the format to the goal. Audiobooks can expand access to literature and help busy students practice sustained attention. Print reading can be prioritized when close analysis or citation is required. By using both tools thoughtfully, students gain flexibility without treating one format as automatically superior.
Read the passage, then answer the question. The novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley was first published in 1818, and it tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who assembles a living being from dead matter. The passage states that Victor succeeds in animating his creation, yet he immediately recoils in horror at its appearance. The creature, intelligent and sensitive, is not given a personal name in the novel. Instead, the text often refers to it as the creature or the monster. The passage explicitly notes that the novel explores themes of responsibility, isolation, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Victor's decision to abandon his creation leads to suffering for both creator and created. The creature learns language by observing a family, and it later confronts Victor to demand companionship. When Victor refuses to complete a second creature, the original creature seeks revenge. The narrative is framed through letters written by an explorer named Robert Walton. Walton records Victor's story after rescuing him in the Arctic region, and these letters form the outer structure of the novel. The passage states that the setting moves across Europe and into icy northern landscapes. Shelley's work is presented as both a Gothic tale and an early example of science fiction. Question: What does the passage state about the creature's name in Frankenstein?
Read the passage, then answer: How does the author achieve their purpose in this text? In an informative article, the author explains how renewable energy can influence economic development in small communities. The author begins with a straightforward definition of "economic development" as growth in jobs, income, and local services. Then the author describes how a new solar farm can bring temporary construction work and ongoing maintenance positions. A regional planning agency is quoted as saying that even modest projects can attract related businesses, such as electricians, equipment suppliers, and training programs. The author includes statistics to support the explanation. For example, one county report showed that property tax revenue from a solar installation increased the school budget by 4 percent over two years. The author also points out that benefits are not automatic, because communities must negotiate fair contracts and plan for land use. The tone remains practical and balanced, and the author uses a comparison to make the idea clearer: "A renewable project is like a seed; it can grow economic benefits, but only with careful tending." The article ends by encouraging readers to evaluate local data and ask questions about costs, timelines, and workforce training.
The author's framing of the police reform debate most clearly reflects which approach to controversial social issues?

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