Supporting Evidence
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ISEE Lower Level: Reading Comprehension › Supporting Evidence
The idea that creating light is an energy-efficient action for these creatures is best supported by which detail?
Sunlight cannot reach the deepest parts of the ocean where these animals live.
Many deep-sea animals use their unique light patterns to communicate.
It is a 'cold light' because it produces very little heat, making it a very efficient process.
The light is the result of a chemical reaction inside the animal’s body.
Explanation
The correct answer is B because it directly connects the concept of 'cold light' (producing little heat) to the idea of efficiency. Wasting less energy as heat means the process is more efficient. Choice A explains how the light is made, not its efficiency. Choice C describes a use for the light. Choice D describes the environment but says nothing about the energy used to create the light.
The passage claims that community gardens help build relationships among neighbors. Which sentence provides the best evidence for this claim?
Gardeners often share planting advice, celebrate their harvests, and work together on tasks.
The garden provides access to fresh, healthy produce like tomatoes and lettuce.
An empty, forgotten lot in a city neighborhood can be transformed into a vibrant community garden.
To start one, neighbors must work together to find a suitable piece of land.
Explanation
The correct answer is C because it gives specific examples of social interactions ('share planting advice, celebrate their harvests, and work together') that directly lead to building relationships. Choice B mentions neighbors working together on one initial task, but C describes ongoing interactions that foster community. Choices A and D describe other aspects of the garden, not the social connections.
Read the passage.
A student named Cara tried to find out which paper towel brand absorbed the most water. She made a hypothesis that thicker towels would absorb more. Cara cut each brand into equal squares. She used the same size cup to pour water each time.
She placed one square in a shallow tray and poured 30 milliliters of water onto it. After one minute, she lifted the towel and measured the water left in the tray. Brand X left 6 milliliters, Brand Y left 12 milliliters, and Brand Z left 9 milliliters. She repeated the test twice and got nearly the same numbers.
Cara concluded that Brand X absorbed the most water. She wrote her results in a table for her science notebook. Then she shared her method with a classmate so it could be checked. Cara felt confident because her test was fair.
Which detail from the passage confirms the statement that Cara controlled her experiment?
She wrote her results in a table for her science notebook.
Brand Y left 12 milliliters in the tray.
Cara concluded that Brand X absorbed the most water.
She cut each brand into equal squares.
Explanation
This question tests ISEE Lower Level reading comprehension skills, specifically selecting evidence that supports an answer. Understanding how to identify supporting evidence is key to developing critical reading skills. It involves recognizing details that directly relate to the question's assertion. In the passage provided, specific lines such as 'She cut each brand into equal squares' and 'She used the same size cup to pour water each time' illustrate the type of supportive evidence students should identify. The correct choice, A, is correct because it directly substantiates the statement by demonstrating control of variables for fairness. A common distractor, B, fails because it either misinterprets the passage or provides irrelevant information that does not support the claim about controlling the experiment. To help students: Encourage looking for keywords in the question that match phrases in the passage. Practice distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant details. Teach students to verify that the evidence aligns precisely with the statement being evaluated.
What evidence does the author provide to show that the Pony Express was faster than the mail service it replaced?
Riders would grab a new horse at relay stations every 10 to 15 miles.
It reduced mail delivery time from several weeks to about ten days.
The Pony Express covered a nearly 2,000-mile route.
The service ended abruptly in 1861 with the completion of the telegraph.
Explanation
The correct answer is C because it directly compares the delivery times of the two services, showing a clear improvement from 'several weeks' to 'about ten days'. This is the strongest piece of evidence proving it was faster. Choice A describes the distance, not the speed. Choice B describes a part of the system that enabled the speed but is not the evidence of the result itself. Choice D is about why the service ended, not its speed compared to previous services.
Read the passage.
In 1905, a city decided to build a new bridge across a wide river. The old ferry took too long, especially in winter. The mayor said the bridge would help workers reach factories faster. Engineers studied the riverbanks and chose a spot near the busiest market.
Construction began in April 1906. Workers drove thick wooden piles into the riverbed and poured concrete around them. By September, the first metal beams rose above the water. A newspaper reported that 300 workers were on the project each day.
The bridge opened on June 2, 1907. On the first week, the city counted 18,000 crossings by foot and wagon. The ferry company reported fewer customers right away. Shops near the bridge stayed open later because more people passed by.
Which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that the bridge changed daily travel?
Construction began in April 1906.
Engineers studied the riverbanks and chose a spot near the market.
Workers drove thick wooden piles into the riverbed.
On the first week, the city counted 18,000 crossings by foot and wagon.
Explanation
This question tests ISEE Lower Level reading comprehension skills, specifically selecting evidence that supports an answer. Understanding how to identify supporting evidence is key to developing critical reading skills. It involves recognizing details that directly relate to the question's assertion. In the passage provided, specific lines such as 'On the first week, the city counted 18,000 crossings by foot and wagon' and 'The ferry company reported fewer customers right away' illustrate the type of supportive evidence students should identify. The correct choice, B, is correct because it directly substantiates the statement by demonstrating increased usage and impact on travel patterns. A common distractor, A, fails because it either misinterprets the passage or provides irrelevant information that does not support the claim about changing daily travel. To help students: Encourage looking for keywords in the question that match phrases in the passage. Practice distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant details. Teach students to verify that the evidence aligns precisely with the statement being evaluated.
The author suggests that creating a community garden is a complex process. Which sentence best supports this suggestion?
Neighbors must work together to find land, test the soil, and arrange for a water source.
These green spaces can improve the local environment and provide needed habitat.
Once established, the garden becomes a place of connection and sharing.
An empty, forgotten lot can be transformed into a vibrant community garden.
Explanation
The correct answer is A because it lists several distinct and necessary steps that must be taken before the garden can even begin. This list of tasks ('find land, test soil, arrange for water') provides evidence that the process is complex and requires significant planning and effort. The other choices describe the benefits or outcome of the garden, not the process of creating it.
Read the passage.
In 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter searched for a tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Many people believed the tomb had already been lost. Carter kept working because he thought one ruler’s tomb remained hidden. He asked his team to clear a new area near old stone huts.
On November 4, 1922, workers found steps leading down into the ground. Carter sent a message to his sponsor, Lord Carnarvon, to come quickly. When Carnarvon arrived, they opened a doorway and saw a sealed entrance. Carter wrote that he could see “wonderful things” inside.
The team carefully recorded what they found. They listed objects and drew where each item lay in the room. This careful work helped protect the discovery and helped other scientists study it later. The tomb became one of the most famous finds in archaeology.
Which detail from the passage confirms the statement that Carter’s team worked carefully?
Workers found steps leading down into the ground on November 4, 1922.
Carter asked his team to clear a new area near old stone huts.
The tomb became one of the most famous finds in archaeology.
They listed objects and drew where each item lay in the room.
Explanation
This question tests ISEE Lower Level reading comprehension skills, specifically selecting evidence that supports an answer. Understanding how to identify supporting evidence is key to developing critical reading skills. It involves recognizing details that directly relate to the question's assertion. In the passage provided, specific lines such as 'They listed objects and drew where each item lay in the room' and 'This careful work helped protect the discovery' illustrate the type of supportive evidence students should identify. The correct choice, B, is correct because it directly substantiates the statement by demonstrating meticulous recording and documentation methods. A common distractor, A, fails because it either misinterprets the passage or provides irrelevant information that does not support the claim about careful work. To help students: Encourage looking for keywords in the question that match phrases in the passage. Practice distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant details. Teach students to verify that the evidence aligns precisely with the statement being evaluated.
Read the passage.
A class wanted to learn whether music helped students focus during quiet work time. Their teacher asked them to try two different days. On Day One, the room stayed silent. On Day Two, soft music played at a low volume.
The teacher timed how long it took the class to finish the same type of math page. On the silent day, the average time was 18 minutes. On the music day, the average time was 15 minutes. The teacher also counted how many times students asked for directions: 12 times on Day One and 7 times on Day Two.
The class discussed the results. Some students said the music helped them stay calm. Others said silence worked better for them. The teacher concluded that soft music helped many students, but not everyone.
According to the passage, which fact best illustrates improved focus with music?
The average time was 15 minutes on the music day.
Some students said the music helped them stay calm.
Others said silence worked better for them.
The room stayed silent on Day One.
Explanation
This question tests ISEE Lower Level reading comprehension skills, specifically selecting evidence that supports an answer. Understanding how to identify supporting evidence is key to developing critical reading skills. It involves recognizing details that directly relate to the question's assertion. In the passage provided, specific lines such as 'The average time was 15 minutes on the music day' and 'On the silent day, the average time was 18 minutes' illustrate the type of supportive evidence students should identify. The correct choice, B, is correct because it directly substantiates the statement by demonstrating faster completion times with music, indicating better focus. A common distractor, A, fails because it either misinterprets the passage or provides irrelevant information that does not support the claim about improved focus. To help students: Encourage looking for keywords in the question that match phrases in the passage. Practice distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant details. Teach students to verify that the evidence aligns precisely with the statement being evaluated.
Read the passage.
Elena planned to build a birdhouse with her older brother, Marco. Elena wanted to paint it bright red, but Marco said, “Let’s think about what the birds need.” Elena noticed their backyard got very hot in the afternoon. She also saw that squirrels often climbed the fence near the big oak tree.
Marco suggested placing the birdhouse on a pole away from the fence. Elena agreed and said, “That might keep squirrels from reaching it.” They also chose a light tan paint instead of red. Marco explained that a lighter color might stay cooler in the sun.
After they finished, they watched from the window. A small bird visited the entrance and hopped onto the roof. Elena whispered, “I’m glad we planned this.” Marco smiled and said the best projects start with careful thinking.
Which part of the passage shows that Elena changed her plan based on the environment?
Marco smiled and said the best projects start with careful thinking.
A small bird visited the entrance and hopped onto the roof.
Elena wanted to paint it bright red at first.
They chose a light tan paint instead of red.
Explanation
This question tests ISEE Lower Level reading comprehension skills, specifically selecting evidence that supports an answer. Understanding how to identify supporting evidence is key to developing critical reading skills. It involves recognizing details that directly relate to the question's assertion. In the passage provided, specific lines such as 'They chose a light tan paint instead of red' and 'Marco explained that a lighter color might stay cooler in the sun' illustrate the type of supportive evidence students should identify. The correct choice, B, is correct because it directly substantiates the statement by demonstrating adaptation to environmental factors like heat. A common distractor, A, fails because it either misinterprets the passage or provides irrelevant information that does not support the claim about changing plans based on environment. To help students: Encourage looking for keywords in the question that match phrases in the passage. Practice distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant details. Teach students to verify that the evidence aligns precisely with the statement being evaluated.
Read the passage.
In 1776, a group of leaders met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They wanted to decide how the colonies should respond to British rule. After many discussions, they approved a document called the Declaration of Independence. The document explained why they believed they should govern themselves.
The final version was approved on July 4, 1776. The meeting took place in a building now called Independence Hall. Some leaders worried about the risks of signing their names. Still, they signed because they believed the decision mattered.
News traveled slowly at that time. Riders carried copies to other towns, and people read the words aloud in public squares. In some places, bells rang after the reading. The document later became a symbol of the new nation.
Which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that the decision required courage?
Some leaders worried about the risks of signing their names.
News traveled slowly at that time.
Riders carried copies to other towns.
They approved a document called the Declaration of Independence.
Explanation
This question tests ISEE Lower Level reading comprehension skills, specifically selecting evidence that supports an answer. Understanding how to identify supporting evidence is key to developing critical reading skills. It involves recognizing details that directly relate to the question's assertion. In the passage provided, specific lines such as 'Some leaders worried about the risks of signing their names' and 'Still, they signed because they believed the decision mattered' illustrate the type of supportive evidence students should identify. The correct choice, C, is correct because it directly substantiates the statement by demonstrating the perceived dangers involved in the decision. A common distractor, A, fails because it either misinterprets the passage or provides irrelevant information that does not support the claim about requiring courage. To help students: Encourage looking for keywords in the question that match phrases in the passage. Practice distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant details. Teach students to verify that the evidence aligns precisely with the statement being evaluated.