ISEE Upper Level Reading Comprehension Practice Test: Practice Test 9

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen. This process occurs in two main stages: the light-dependent reactions and the light-independent reactions (also called the Calvin cycle). During the light-dependent reactions, which take place in the thylakoids of chloroplasts, chlorophyll absorbs light energy and uses it to split water molecules, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. The energy captured during this stage is stored in molecules called ATP and NADPH. In the light-independent reactions, which occur in the stroma of chloroplasts, the ATP and NADPH produced in the first stage are used to convert carbon dioxide into glucose through a series of chemical reactions. This glucose serves as food for the plant and forms the base of most food chains on Earth.

According to the passage, what specific role do ATP and NADPH molecules play in connecting the two main stages of photosynthesis?

Attention shoppers! The most spectacular sale event of the year has arrived at Mega-Mart! We're slashing prices on everything from electronics to home goods, with savings so incredible you'll need to see them to believe them! Our 70-inch smart TVs are now 60% off—that's right, sixty percent! Kitchen appliances are flying off the shelves at unbelievable discounts, and our clothing department is offering buy-one-get-two-free deals that will revolutionize your wardrobe. But hurry—these amazing prices won't last forever! Doors open at 6 AM sharp, and with deals this good, supplies are guaranteed to sell out fast. Don't miss your chance to save big!

The tone of this retail advertisement is

The committee's decision to postpone the vote was prudent given the lack of sufficient information about the proposal's long-term consequences. Several members argued that rushing to judgment without proper analysis would be reckless.

In this context, "prudent" most nearly means

Passage A: Artificial intelligence in healthcare promises revolutionary improvements in diagnostic accuracy and treatment personalization. Machine learning algorithms can analyze medical images faster than radiologists, while predictive models help identify patients at risk for complications. AI-powered drug discovery accelerates the development of new treatments, potentially saving millions of lives through earlier intervention and more effective therapies.

Passage B: The integration of AI into medical practice raises serious ethical and practical concerns. Algorithmic bias can perpetuate healthcare disparities, while overreliance on automated systems may diminish physicians' clinical reasoning skills. Patient privacy faces new threats as vast amounts of medical data are collected and analyzed, and liability questions arise when AI systems make incorrect diagnoses or treatment recommendations.

Synthesizing both passages, what fundamental dilemma characterizes the current state of AI implementation in healthcare?

Read the passage, then answer the question.

The abandoned mansion crouched at the end of the lane, its iron gate tilted like a loose tooth. Ivy stitched the stonework in dark seams, and the windows stared blankly, as if they had forgotten what light was. Mara paused on the porch. The air smelled of wet wood and old leaves, and the wind slid through the broken eaves with a thin, whistling note.

She pushed the door. It yielded with a reluctant groan, as though protesting her entry. Inside, dust floated in the gray daylight, turning the hall into a shallow, underwater world. Her footsteps landed softly at first, then louder, because the floorboards answered back—creak, creak—each sound a warning that traveled ahead of her.

A narrow staircase rose into shadow. The banister felt cold and slightly tacky beneath her palm. Somewhere above, a slow drip kept time: plink…plink…plink. Mara’s throat tightened. She tried to laugh, but the sound came out small, like a coin dropped into a well. When a draft brushed her neck, she flinched and hugged her jacket closer, suddenly certain she was not alone.

In the parlor, a chandelier hung crookedly, its crystals dulled to the color of cloudy ice. A torn curtain breathed in and out at the window, even though the room was sealed. Mara stood still, listening. The house seemed to hold its breath with her, waiting for her next move.

Question: Which words or phrases best establish the mood in the passage?

The emergency room had been unusually quiet for a Thursday night when the call came in: multiple casualties from a highway accident, ETA five minutes. Dr. Sarah Chen felt the familiar surge of adrenaline as she mentally ran through protocols and procedures. This was what she had trained for, what drove her through medical school and residency. As the first ambulance arrived, she stepped forward with calm confidence, her hands steady and her mind focused. In moments like these, surrounded by chaos and urgency, Dr. Chen felt most alive. Each patient represented not just a medical challenge, but a human life depending on her skills and experience.

Dr. Chen's attitude toward the emergency situation can be characterized as

The concert hall held its breath as the young pianist's fingers hovered above the keys. Every seat was filled, yet the silence was so complete that the rustle of a program seemed to echo like thunder. Her hands trembled slightly as she closed her eyes, drawing upon years of preparation for this moment. The stage lights painted her in gold, while beyond the footlights, hundreds of expectant faces waited to be transported by the music she was about to create.

What mood does the author establish through the language choices in this performance scene?

Passage A: Urban planning in the 21st century must prioritize sustainability and livability. Green spaces reduce air pollution and provide recreational opportunities, while efficient public transportation systems decrease traffic congestion and carbon emissions. Mixed-use developments that combine residential, commercial, and office spaces create vibrant neighborhoods where people can live, work, and shop within walking distance.

Passage B: Modern cities face unprecedented challenges as populations continue to urbanize rapidly. Housing shortages drive up costs, straining middle-class families and displacing low-income residents. Infrastructure systems designed decades ago struggle to support current populations, leading to frequent service disruptions and maintenance crises that threaten economic stability.

When synthesizing information from both passages, what emerges as the central tension in contemporary urban development?

Welcome to the Grand Opening of Murphy's Family Diner! We're absolutely thrilled to bring you the finest comfort food this side of the Mississippi, prepared with love and served with a smile. Our menu features time-honored recipes passed down through three generations of the Murphy family, using only the freshest local ingredients and traditional cooking methods. From our famous buttermilk pancakes that are fluffier than clouds to our hearty meatloaf that tastes just like grandma used to make, every dish is crafted to warm your heart and satisfy your soul. Come join our family—we can't wait to welcome you home!

The tone of this restaurant advertisement is

Passage A: Advances in medical technology and pharmaceutical research have dramatically extended human lifespan and improved quality of life for aging populations. Modern treatments for heart disease, cancer, and other conditions that once meant certain death now allow people to live productive lives well into their eighties and nineties. This longevity revolution creates opportunities for multiple careers, extended family relationships, and the accumulation of wisdom and experience that benefits society. As healthcare continues to improve, longer lifespans will become the norm, requiring adaptations in retirement planning and social structures.

Passage B: The aging of global populations creates unprecedented economic and social challenges that threaten the sustainability of healthcare systems, pension programs, and economic growth. As birth rates decline and lifespans extend, fewer working-age people must support growing numbers of retirees, creating unsustainable financial burdens. Healthcare costs skyrocket as populations age, while age-related diseases like dementia strain families and social services. Rather than celebrating longer lifespans, societies must confront the reality that current systems cannot accommodate rapidly aging populations without fundamental restructuring.

How do the passages differ in their assessment of the societal implications of increasing human longevity?

Read the embedded passage: Climate change is often described as a chain reaction with identifiable causes and measurable effects. When societies burn coal, oil, and natural gas, they emit greenhouse gases; as a result, the atmosphere traps more heat. Consequently, average temperatures increase, and heat extremes become more common in many regions. The author then shows how this warming alters precipitation patterns. A warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture; as a result, some storms deliver heavier downpours that can flood basements and delay buses. At the same time, higher evaporation can dry soils; consequently, droughts may intensify, stressing crops and increasing wildfire risk. The passage uses data to ground its claims, noting that carbon dioxide has risen from about 280 parts per million in preindustrial times to over 420 parts per million recently. The final sentences mention emission reductions and adaptation planning, but the overall structure remains causal rather than argumentative. Which phrase indicates a cause and effect relationship in the passage?

Read the passage, then answer the question.

The court was silent in a way that felt loud. Rina stood at the service line, ball in hand. The air was still. Even the trees beyond the fence seemed to pause.

She bounced the ball. Once. Twice. Her opponent shifted on the other side, quick and watchful. Rina’s grip tightened. She could feel the rough fuzz against her fingertips.

“Match point,” the umpire said, calm as if announcing the weather. Rina swallowed. Her heart did not race; it hammered. She tossed the ball. It rose. It hung. For a split second, she thought about missing.

Then she swung. The racket met the ball with a sharp pop, and the sound snapped the silence in two.

Question: How does the author’s language in paragraph 3 contribute to the overall mood?

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, my client stands before you today not as the monster the prosecution would have you believe, but as a man whose life was irrevocably altered by circumstances beyond his control. Yes, he was present at the scene that fateful evening. Yes, he made choices that he deeply regrets. But consider the evidence—or rather, the lack thereof. Where is the physical proof of premeditation? Where are the witnesses who can testify to malicious intent? The prosecution asks you to convict based on speculation and circumstance, to destroy a man's future on a foundation of sand. I ask you instead to remember that in our great nation, the burden of proof lies with the accusers, and that proof must be beyond a reasonable doubt.

The defense attorney's tone throughout this closing argument is:

Despite the gravity of the accusations, the senator maintained a sanguine demeanor throughout the inquiry. He smiled readily, joked with reporters, and spoke of his exoneration not as a possibility but as a foregone conclusion, a confidence that many observers found either admirable or deeply unsettling.

In this context, "sanguine" is best defined as...

Read the passage, then answer the question.

The Panama Canal is a man-made waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Isthmus of Panama. It opened in 1914 and significantly reduced travel distance for ships that otherwise would have sailed around South America. The canal uses a lock system, which raises and lowers ships to different water levels, rather than a sea-level channel. Gatun Lake, an artificial lake created by damming the Chagres River, supplies much of the water used in the locks.

The passage states that France first attempted to build a canal in the 1880s, but the project failed because of engineering challenges, financial problems, and widespread disease. Later, the United States took over the effort, and improved sanitation reduced yellow fever and malaria among workers. The canal’s construction required massive excavation, especially through the Culebra Cut, where workers removed large quantities of rock and soil. When the canal opened, it became an important route for global trade and naval movement.

In 1999, control of the canal was transferred from the United States to Panama under the terms of earlier treaties. In the twenty-first century, Panama completed a major expansion that added larger locks, allowing bigger ships to pass. The passage explicitly notes that the canal remains economically significant because it serves as a key corridor for international shipping.

Question: Which statement is directly supported by the passage?

The general’s strategy was not one of grand, sweeping offensives but of a more desultory nature, designed to harass and exhaust the enemy. He ordered small, seemingly disconnected raids on supply lines, followed by periods of inactivity, creating a pattern of unpredictable pressure that ultimately shattered the morale of the opposing army, which was accustomed to more conventional warfare.

In the context of the passage, "desultory" most nearly means...

The lighthouse keeper climbed the spiral staircase for what he knew would be the final time, his weathered hands trailing along the familiar iron railing. Automated systems would soon replace his nightly vigil, rendering obsolete a tradition that had guided sailors safely to shore for over a century. The beam swept across the dark waters with mechanical precision, but tonight it seemed to carry an extra weight of farewell, as if the lighthouse itself mourned the end of an era.

What mood do the author's language choices create in this passage about the lighthouse keeper?

Read the embedded passage: Many discussions of climate change rely on cause and effect to connect human choices with environmental shifts. When forests are cleared for agriculture, carbon stored in trees is released through decay or burning; as a result, atmospheric carbon dioxide increases. In addition, the loss of tree cover reduces local cooling from shade and transpiration, which can raise regional temperatures. Consequently, warmer conditions can lengthen wildfire seasons, and fires then emit more greenhouse gases, reinforcing the original warming. The passage uses data-driven examples to show that these links are not abstract. Satellite records demonstrate that some regions have experienced more frequent large fires during unusually hot and dry years, while air-quality measurements show spikes in fine particles during smoke events. These particles can aggravate asthma and reduce outdoor activity for students. Another effect involves oceans: as seawater absorbs carbon dioxide, it becomes more acidic, which can stress shell-forming organisms and alter food webs. As a result, fisheries may see shifting catch locations, affecting coastal economies and the availability of certain foods. Although solutions such as reforestation and cleaner energy are mentioned, the central structure explains how one factor produces multiple downstream outcomes. How does the author structure the information in the passage?

Renewable energy adoption faces significant obstacles despite growing environmental awareness and technological advances. Initial installation costs remain prohibitively high for many consumers and businesses, even when long-term savings are substantial. Intermittency problems plague solar and wind power, requiring expensive storage solutions or backup systems that increase overall costs. Existing electrical grids were designed for centralized fossil fuel generation and need extensive modifications to accommodate distributed renewable sources. Political resistance from fossil fuel industries and their supporters creates regulatory barriers and reduces government incentives. Additionally, public skepticism about renewable reliability persists despite improving technology and successful implementation in many regions.

The author organizes this passage using which structural pattern?

Read the passage, then answer: Why did the author write this text?

This narrative story follows Amir on his first day at a new school after moving to a different city. The morning begins with Amir rehearsing his name in front of the bathroom mirror, worried it will be mispronounced again. At the front office, he receives a schedule printed on pale blue paper, and the numbers feel like a code he has not learned. When he steps into the first classroom, the desks are arranged in groups, and the room buzzes with conversations that stop for a second when he enters.

Amir’s teacher introduces him and invites him to share one interest. He mentions basketball, and a student named Tessa nods, explaining that the school has an intramural league. Later, Amir opens his locker and realizes he has forgotten the combination. His face heats up, but the student at the next locker calmly shows him a trick for remembering the turns. In the cafeteria, Amir studies the seating patterns like a map of invisible borders. He chooses a quiet table, then hears someone ask, “Mind if I sit?” By dismissal, Amir still feels new, but the day has collected small moments of kindness, like coins in a pocket.

In 1967, engineers at the Kestrel Dam installed a new set of gates designed to “moderate seasonal surges,” according to a plaque that emphasized safety and modernity. Yet the maintenance logs, kept in a narrow ledger room that smelled of oil and damp concrete, recorded a different preoccupation: repeated notes about “unexpected silt load,” “turbidity spikes,” and “downstream complaints.” A supervisor’s memo dated 14 June instructed crews to schedule gate tests “only after dusk,” and to notify the local radio station using the phrase “routine calibration,” regardless of actual discharge volume. In late July, fishermen gathered near the spillway reported that the river ran “the color of tea” for two days, after which the water cleared and the fish returned, but smaller than before. The town council minutes from 2 August mentioned a “temporary reduction in reservoir recreation permits,” though no explanation was provided, and the same meeting approved funds for repainting picnic tables. A visiting hydrologist, asked about the dam’s performance, remarked that “systems are often judged by what they hide, not what they release,” and declined to be quoted by name. The passage suggests that the dam’s new gates were used in part to address what issue?

Times New Roman, 12-point, double-spaced.

[Historical Speech]

Students, you will be told that leadership belongs to the loudest voice in the room. That is a tempting idea, because loudness is easy to notice. But leadership is not volume. Leadership is direction.

A leader is the student who invites the new classmate to sit down, even when the table is full. A leader is the one who admits a mistake before it becomes a rumor. A leader is the one who studies for the test, not because it is assigned, but because learning matters. These actions do not earn applause every time. They do something better. They build trust.

Do not wait for a title to act with responsibility. Titles can be handed out quickly, and they can be taken away just as fast. Character is earned slowly, in small choices that seem invisible. When you return a lost wallet, when you include someone in a group, when you refuse to laugh at a cruel joke, you are practicing leadership.

Some days you will fail. You will say the wrong thing, or stay silent when you should speak. Learn from it. Apologize. Try again. The point is not to become perfect. The point is to become dependable.

If we want a stronger school, we need fewer speeches about greatness and more students willing to do the ordinary work of kindness.

The tone of the passage can best be described as...?

The online book club's membership grew rapidly to over 500 participants within three months. However, analysis of discussion forum activity revealed that only 12% of members regularly contributed to conversations, while 23% occasionally posted comments, and the remaining 65% never wrote anything at all. Despite this participation pattern, membership retention remained high, with very few people leaving the group.

What can be inferred about the value different members derive from the online book club?

Read the passage, then answer: Which piece of evidence best supports the author's main argument?

 Many educators argue that arts education should be treated as a core part of schooling, not an optional enrichment. The author’s central argument is that sustained participation in music, visual arts, or theater can strengthen skills that transfer to other subjects, including attention, collaboration, and persistence. Although arts classes are sometimes reduced during budget cuts, the author contends that doing so overlooks measurable benefits.

 The passage first explains that arts learning requires focused practice. A student rehearsing an instrument must monitor mistakes, adjust technique, and repeat difficult sections. Similarly, a student revising a drawing must evaluate proportions and refine details over time. These habits resemble the careful revision expected in writing and science labs.

 Next, the author cites research on classroom behavior. Several studies comparing students who take multi-year arts courses with similar peers report higher attendance and fewer disciplinary incidents among arts participants. While the author admits that motivated students may be more likely to enroll, the studies attempt to account for prior records.

 The author also highlights collaboration. Theater productions and ensemble performances demand listening, timing, and shared responsibility. When one performer misses a cue, the whole group must adapt, which teaches students to respond calmly under pressure.

 Finally, the passage acknowledges that arts programs cost money for materials and instructors. However, the author concludes that the broader academic and social gains justify steady funding, especially when schools aim to develop well-rounded learners.

 Overall, the author argues that arts education supports transferable skills and should remain consistently available. The evidence emphasizes both individual discipline and group cooperation, linking arts practice to broader student success.

The government’s official statement on the crisis was a masterpiece of equivocation. It managed to sound supportive of both sides of the conflict without making any concrete commitments, leaving diplomats to parse its sentences for any hint of a genuine policy.

As used in the passage, "equivocation" means...