ISEE Reading Comprehension 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage states: 'The old lighthouse, though long abandoned, still drew curious visitors each summer.' What can the reader infer about the lighthouse?
- It is still operational
- It has historical or sentimental appeal (Correct answer)
- It is dangerous to enter
- It was recently rebuilt
Correct answer: It has historical or sentimental appeal
Visitors keep coming despite abandonment, implying it holds appeal beyond function.
Question 2: Which of these is the BEST definition of an author's 'tone' in a reading passage?
- The main events of the story
- The author's attitude toward the subject (Correct answer)
- The number of paragraphs used
- The setting of the passage
Correct answer: The author's attitude toward the subject
Tone reflects the writer's attitude or feeling toward the topic.
Question 3: In the sentence 'The scientist's findings were groundbreaking,' the word 'groundbreaking' most nearly means:
- Confusing
- Innovative (Correct answer)
- Forgotten
- Ordinary
Correct answer: Innovative
'Groundbreaking' means pioneering or highly innovative.
Question 4: A passage describes a character who 'clenched her fists and spoke through gritted teeth.' This detail mainly conveys the character's:
- Joy
- Anger (Correct answer)
- Boredom
- Confusion
Correct answer: Anger
Clenched fists and gritted teeth are physical signs of anger.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a topic sentence in a paragraph?
- To conclude the passage
- To state the main idea of the paragraph (Correct answer)
- To provide a counterargument
- To list the author's sources
Correct answer: To state the main idea of the paragraph
A topic sentence introduces the central idea of its paragraph.
Question 6: If a passage about ocean currents is followed by the heading 'Effects on Climate,' the next section most likely explains:
- How to swim in currents
- How currents influence weather and temperature (Correct answer)
- The history of ship navigation
- How fish migrate
Correct answer: How currents influence weather and temperature
The heading signals a discussion of how currents affect climate.
Question 7: Which question would BEST help a reader identify the main idea of a passage?
- What color is mentioned?
- What is this passage mostly about? (Correct answer)
- How many sentences are there?
- Who is the author?
Correct answer: What is this passage mostly about?
Asking what the passage is mostly about targets the central idea.
ISEE Reading Comprehension 2
A passage states: 'The old lighthouse, though long abandoned, still drew curious visitors each summer.' What can the reader infer about the lighthouse?