ISEE Lower Level Quiz: Explicit Information Retrieval

Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, has a history as rich and complex as its intricate designs. The name itself comes from two Japanese words: ori, meaning "to fold," and kami, meaning "paper." While paper was invented in China, it was introduced to Japan by Buddhist monks in the sixth century. At first, paper was a rare and expensive luxury, so folded paper objects were used primarily for religious ceremonies and as special gifts. Traditionally, origami is made from a single square sheet of paper without any cuts or glue. As paper became more affordable, origami evolved from a ceremonial art into a popular recreational activity. The crane is perhaps the most famous origami design, believed to grant a wish to anyone who folds one thousand of them. In modern times, the principles of origami have been applied in surprising ways. Scientists and engineers use origami techniques to solve complex problems. For instance, these folding patterns have inspired the design of car airbags that deploy quickly and safely, solar panels for satellites that can be folded compactly for launch and then expanded in space, and tiny surgical instruments that can be inserted into the body and then unfolded to perform delicate operations.

The passage states that in its earliest days in Japan, origami was mainly used for

Bessie Coleman dreamed of flying when few women, and no African American women at all, were pilots. Born in Texas in 1892, she moved to Chicago as a young woman and heard exciting stories from pilots returning from World War I. Inspired, she decided she wanted to soar through the clouds, too. However, because she was both a woman and African American, no flight school in the United States would accept her. Determined, Bessie did not give up. She saved her money, learned to speak French, and in 1920, she sailed to France. There, she was accepted into a well-known aviation school. In just seven months, she earned her international pilot's license, becoming the first woman of African American and Native American descent to do so. Returning to the United States as a celebrity, "Queen Bess," as she was known, became a famous stunt pilot in airshows. She was known for her daring loops and dives. Yet, she used her fame for a purpose. She refused to perform anywhere that segregated Black and white audiences and dreamed of opening her own flight school to give other African Americans the chance to fly. Though her life was tragically cut short in a plane crash, her legacy of courage continues to inspire people today.

The passage states that Bessie Coleman made a rule for her airshow performances that she would not

Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, has a history as rich and complex as its intricate designs. The name itself comes from two Japanese words: ori, meaning "to fold," and kami, meaning "paper." While paper was invented in China, it was introduced to Japan by Buddhist monks in the sixth century. At first, paper was a rare and expensive luxury, so folded paper objects were used primarily for religious ceremonies and as special gifts. Traditionally, origami is made from a single square sheet of paper without any cuts or glue. As paper became more affordable, origami evolved from a ceremonial art into a popular recreational activity. The crane is perhaps the most famous origami design, believed to grant a wish to anyone who folds one thousand of them. In modern times, the principles of origami have been applied in surprising ways. Scientists and engineers use origami techniques to solve complex problems. For instance, these folding patterns have inspired the design of car airbags that deploy quickly and safely, solar panels for satellites that can be folded compactly for launch and then expanded in space, and tiny surgical instruments that can be inserted into the body and then unfolded to perform delicate operations.

The passage provides an example of modern origami principles being used to design

A student tests which paper towel absorbs more water. She pours 50 milliliters of water into a cup. She dips Towel A into the water for 10 seconds. Then she repeats the same step with Towel B. Next, she measures the water left in the cup each time. Towel A leaves 20 milliliters, so it absorbs 30 milliliters.

What process is described in the text?

A student watches how salt affects ice melting. She places two equal ice cubes on separate plates. She sprinkles one teaspoon of salt on one cube. The other cube gets no salt at all. After five minutes, the salted cube has a larger puddle. The student records that salt speeds up melting.

What does the passage say about the salted ice cube?

In 1889, the Eiffel Tower opened in Paris, France. It was built for the World's Fair that year. The engineer Gustave Eiffel's company designed and constructed it. The tower is made of iron and stands about 1,063 feet tall. At first, some people disliked its look. Later, it became a famous symbol of Paris.

What is the name of the engineer in the passage?

Mount Everest is in the Himalaya Mountains in Asia. It sits on the border between Nepal and China. Everest is 29,032 feet tall. The air near the top has less oxygen. Many climbers use bottled oxygen to breathe. The climbing season is often in May, when winds are calmer.

Where is Mount Everest located, according to the passage?

In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led the March on Washington in Washington, D.C. The march happened on August 28, 1963, near the Lincoln Memorial. About 250,000 people attended to support civil rights. Dr. King gave his "I Have a Dream" speech that day. The march asked for equal rights and better jobs. It became a key moment in the civil rights movement.

Who is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. mentioned in the passage?

Honeybees live together in a hive with different jobs. One queen bee lays nearly all the eggs. Worker bees collect nectar and pollen from flowers. They also fan their wings to cool the hive. Drones are male bees that mate with the queen. A healthy hive can hold about 50,000 bees.

Based on the passage, how many bee types are named?

In 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright tested a flying machine at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. They chose this place because steady winds helped lift the plane. On December 17, 1903, their airplane made four short flights. The longest flight lasted 59 seconds and covered 852 feet. Five local men watched and helped move the plane between flights. The Wright brothers proved that powered flight could work.

According to the text, when did the flights happen?

The Great Wall of China is not a single, continuous wall but a system of fortifications built over centuries. Construction began more than 2,000 years ago. The earliest sections were built by smaller states and were made of rammed earth—soil and gravel packed tightly between wooden frames. When Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, united the country in 221 BC, he had many of these existing walls connected to form a more unified defense against invasions from the north. Later dynasties, especially the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), did the most extensive building and repair work. The Ming-era sections are the most famous today, constructed with more durable materials like brick and stone. Along the wall, watchtowers were built at regular intervals. These towers served as barracks for soldiers and storage for supplies, but their most important function was as part of a signal system. Using smoke by day and fire by night, guards in the towers could quickly relay messages about enemy movements along the wall's length.

The passage states that the main purpose of the watchtowers along the wall was to

Deep in the ocean, where sunlight cannot reach, many creatures create their own light. This phenomenon is called bioluminescence, and it is the result of a chemical reaction inside an organism's body. Unlike a light bulb, this process produces light with very little heat, which is why it is often called "cold light." Animals in the deep sea use bioluminescence for many reasons. The anglerfish, for example, has a fleshy growth on its head that dangles a glowing lure in front of its mouth. Smaller fish are attracted to the light, swimming straight into the anglerfish's waiting jaws. Other creatures use bioluminescence for defense. Some types of squid and shrimp can release a cloud of glowing liquid to confuse a predator, allowing them to make a quick escape. Still others use patterns of light to communicate with each other, helping them find mates or warn others of danger in the pitch-black darkness.

The passage explains that the anglerfish uses its glowing lure for what purpose?

Deep in the ocean, where sunlight cannot reach, many creatures create their own light. This phenomenon is called bioluminescence, and it is the result of a chemical reaction inside an organism's body. Unlike a light bulb, this process produces light with very little heat, which is why it is often called "cold light." Animals in the deep sea use bioluminescence for many reasons. The anglerfish, for example, has a fleshy growth on its head that dangles a glowing lure in front of its mouth. Smaller fish are attracted to the light, swimming straight into the anglerfish's waiting jaws. Other creatures use bioluminescence for defense. Some types of squid and shrimp can release a cloud of glowing liquid to confuse a predator, allowing them to make a quick escape. Still others use patterns of light to communicate with each other, helping them find mates or warn others of danger in the pitch-black darkness.

According to the passage, what is one way some sea creatures use bioluminescence for defense?

The Great Wall of China is not a single, continuous wall but a system of fortifications built over centuries. Construction began more than 2,000 years ago. The earliest sections were built by smaller states and were made of rammed earth—soil and gravel packed tightly between wooden frames. When Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, united the country in 221 BC, he had many of these existing walls connected to form a more unified defense against invasions from the north. Later dynasties, especially the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), did the most extensive building and repair work. The Ming-era sections are the most famous today, constructed with more durable materials like brick and stone. Along the wall, watchtowers were built at regular intervals. These towers served as barracks for soldiers and storage for supplies, but their most important function was as part of a signal system. Using smoke by day and fire by night, guards in the towers could quickly relay messages about enemy movements along the wall's length.

According to the passage, the earliest parts of the wall were made primarily from what material?

The Great Wall of China is not a single, continuous wall but a system of fortifications built over centuries. Construction began more than 2,000 years ago. The earliest sections were built by smaller states and were made of rammed earth—soil and gravel packed tightly between wooden frames. When Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, united the country in 221 BC, he had many of these existing walls connected to form a more unified defense against invasions from the north. Later dynasties, especially the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), did the most extensive building and repair work. The Ming-era sections are the most famous today, constructed with more durable materials like brick and stone. Along the wall, watchtowers were built at regular intervals. These towers served as barracks for soldiers and storage for supplies, but their most important function was as part of a signal system. Using smoke by day and fire by night, guards in the towers could quickly relay messages about enemy movements along the wall's length.

Which leader, according to the passage, was responsible for connecting many of the earlier walls?

A dog's tail is much more than just an appendage; it is a vital tool for balance and communication. When a dog runs and needs to make a sudden, sharp turn, its tail acts as a counterbalance, much like a tightrope walker's pole. By throwing its tail in the opposite direction of the turn, the dog can maintain its stability and prevent itself from spinning out. In the water, a dog's tail functions like a rudder on a boat, helping it to steer as it paddles. Beyond its physical uses, the tail is a key part of a dog's language. The speed and position of its wag can signal different emotions. A high, gently wagging tail often shows a dog is relaxed and happy. A tail held high and stiff might indicate alertness or aggression. In contrast, a low tail tucked between the legs is a clear sign of fear or submission. By observing a dog's tail, we can get a better understanding of what it is feeling.

What does the passage identify as a sign of fear communicated by a dog's tail?

In 79 AD, the bustling Roman city of Pompeii was frozen in time. The nearby volcano, Mount Vesuvius, erupted violently, burying the city and its inhabitants under a thick blanket of volcanic ash and pumice. The eruption was so sudden that most people were caught in the middle of their daily lives. For nearly 1,700 years, the city lay hidden and forgotten. When archaeologists began to excavate Pompeii in the 18th century, they found a remarkably preserved city. Buildings, artwork, and everyday objects were all intact, providing a unique snapshot of Roman life. One of the most fascinating discoveries was made by noticing voids in the hardened ash layers. As the bodies of victims decomposed over time, they left hollow spaces. Archaeologists carefully poured liquid plaster into these cavities. Once the plaster hardened, they chipped away the surrounding ash to reveal detailed casts of the people of Pompeii, capturing their final moments.

The passage states that Pompeii was preserved for centuries under layers of what material?

In 79 AD, the bustling Roman city of Pompeii was frozen in time. The nearby volcano, Mount Vesuvius, erupted violently, burying the city and its inhabitants under a thick blanket of volcanic ash and pumice. The eruption was so sudden that most people were caught in the middle of their daily lives. For nearly 1,700 years, the city lay hidden and forgotten. When archaeologists began to excavate Pompeii in the 18th century, they found a remarkably preserved city. Buildings, artwork, and everyday objects were all intact, providing a unique snapshot of Roman life. One of the most fascinating discoveries was made by noticing voids in the hardened ash layers. As the bodies of victims decomposed over time, they left hollow spaces. Archaeologists carefully poured liquid plaster into these cavities. Once the plaster hardened, they chipped away the surrounding ash to reveal detailed casts of the people of Pompeii, capturing their final moments.

What did archaeologists pour into the hollow voids in the ash, according to the passage?

The Atacama Desert in Chile is one of the most extreme environments on Earth. It is known as the driest non-polar desert in the world. Scientific evidence suggests that some weather stations in the Atacama have never recorded rainfall, and certain riverbeds appear to have been dry for 120,000 years. This extreme dryness is caused by two main factors: it sits in the "rain shadow" of the Andes Mountains to the east, which blocks moisture from the Amazon basin, and a cold ocean current offshore creates conditions that prevent rain from forming. Despite these harsh conditions, life finds a way. Some plants and animals have adapted to get moisture from a thick coastal fog, known as the camanchaca, that rolls in from the Pacific Ocean. Hardy microorganisms also live in the soil, surviving on the smallest traces of water. The Atacama's unique environment makes it valuable for scientists. Its clear, unpolluted skies and high altitude provide perfect conditions for astronomy. Major observatories with some of the world's most powerful telescopes are located there, allowing astronomers to peer deep into the universe.

According to the passage, the Atacama's suitability for astronomy is due to its

A dog's tail is much more than just an appendage; it is a vital tool for balance and communication. When a dog runs and needs to make a sudden, sharp turn, its tail acts as a counterbalance, much like a tightrope walker's pole. By throwing its tail in the opposite direction of the turn, the dog can maintain its stability and prevent itself from spinning out. In the water, a dog's tail functions like a rudder on a boat, helping it to steer as it paddles. Beyond its physical uses, the tail is a key part of a dog's language. The speed and position of its wag can signal different emotions. A high, gently wagging tail often shows a dog is relaxed and happy. A tail held high and stiff might indicate alertness or aggression. In contrast, a low tail tucked between the legs is a clear sign of fear or submission. By observing a dog's tail, we can get a better understanding of what it is feeling.

The passage mentions that a dog's tail helps with balance particularly when the dog is