Basic Concepts
In a nutshell: Recognize the main types of passages to tailor your reading strategy.
## Discovering the Variety of Passages
The ISEE Upper Level Reading Comprehension section features a range of passage types. These can include literary fiction, history, science, and contemporary life. Each type brings its own style and focus, so it's helpful to be familiar with what you might encounter.
### Types of Passages
- **Literary Fiction**: Stories with characters, settings, and plots.
- **Historical**: Texts about events or people from the past.
- **Science**: Articles explaining natural phenomena, discoveries, or experiments.
- **Contemporary Life**: Passages about daily life, social issues, or current trends.
### Tips to Recognize Them
- Look for clues in the first paragraph. Is it setting a scene, telling a story, or presenting facts?
- Notice the tone—storytelling is often more descriptive, while science is usually more straightforward.
## Why It Matters
Knowing the passage type can help you predict the kinds of questions you'll be asked and the best way to approach the text.
### Quick Checklist
- Identify the passage type before reading the questions.
- Adjust your reading strategy based on the text's purpose.
Examples
- A story about a young inventor overcoming challenges is likely literary fiction.
- A text about how volcanoes erupt is a science passage.
Key terms
- Passage
- A section of text to be read and understood.
- Literary Fiction
- A story with characters and plot, not based on real events.