ISEE Reading Comprehension

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of identifying the main idea in a reading passage?

Accepted Answer

To understand the central message or argument the author is communicating

Answer

To memorize every detail in the passage

Answer

To find the longest sentence in the text

Answer

To count the number of paragraphs

Question 2

When an author uses the phrase 'on the other hand,' what type of text structure is being employed?

Accepted Answer

Compare and contrast

Answer

Cause and effect

Answer

Chronological order

Answer

Problem and solution

Question 3

What does it mean to 'read between the lines'?

Accepted Answer

To understand implied meanings that are not directly stated in the text

Answer

To read every other line of the text

Answer

To focus only on the text printed between paragraph breaks

Answer

To read the footnotes at the bottom of the page

Question 4

In a persuasive passage, what is the difference between a fact and an opinion?

Accepted Answer

A fact can be verified as true or false; an opinion expresses a personal belief or judgment

Answer

Facts are always true; opinions are always false

Answer

Facts appear in newspapers; opinions appear in books

Answer

There is no meaningful difference between them

Question 5

What is an author's tone in a passage?

Accepted Answer

The attitude or feeling the author conveys toward the subject matter

Answer

The volume at which the passage should be read aloud

Answer

The number of exclamation points used in the text

Answer

The length of the author's sentences

Question 6

What is the purpose of supporting details in a passage?

Accepted Answer

To provide evidence, examples, or elaboration that strengthen the main idea

Answer

To distract the reader from the main point

Answer

To increase the word count of the passage

Answer

To introduce topics unrelated to the thesis