ISEE Reading Comprehension
The goal of the ISEE Reading Comprehension section is to test students’ ability to read and analyze information found in a given passage within a limited timeframe. The thought of reading with a time limit can be intimidating, so we’re here to summarize the format and question types you can expect to see on the Reading Comprehension section of the ISEE.
Fast Facts
- Third section of the ISEE
- Lower Level: 25 minutes with 25 questions
- 5 reading passages with 5 questions each
- Middle and Upper Levels: 35 minutes with 36 questions
- 6 reading passages with 6 questions each
- Lower Level: 25 minutes with 25 questions
- Six question types
- Main Idea
- Supporting Idea
- Inference
- Vocabulary in Context
- Tone/Style/Figurative Language
- Organization/Logic
Question Types
Students read a short passage before answering questions based on the information that they just read. There are a wide variety of question types that students can expect to see in the Reading Comprehension section, so we’ve included examples for each question type.
Main Idea
- The primary purpose of the passage is to…
- The passage is primarily concerned with…
Supporting Idea
- According to the passage, medieval pageants and festivals for the poor were appealing because they…
Inference
- The passage suggests that loyalty to a king rather than to a lord had which advantage?
- What probably led the author to experiment with garden peas?
Vocabulary in Context
- In line 4, “minute” probably means…
- In line 6, “pundits” probably means…
Tone/Style/Figurative Language
- The author’s tone when discussing the media can best be described as…
- The mood of the first paragraph (lines 1-10) can best be described as…
Organization/Logic
- Which best describes the organization of lines 8-17?
- The sentence “I so admired Rosie’s courage and resourcefulness that we became friends of the heart,” (lines 24-26) is included in order to…
Test-Taking Strategies
Find your evidence. It is crucial to remember that the answer to every question can be found within the passage. Try to view reading comprehension like a mystery; as a detective, it’s your job to pick up on the clues that will lead you to the right answer.
Come up with your own answer first. After you read the question, try to think of your own answer before looking at the answer choices. This will prevent you from being swayed by incorrect options.
Focus on the passage’s main idea. Try to take notes and underline important information while reading the passage. You can save yourself valuable time by summarizing what you’re reading as you go.
Interested in learning about the other sections of the ISEE? Check out our section-specific blog posts!
Originally published on August 18th, 2014. Updated on September 5th, 2024.
