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QRAnswer choices for all questions on this page.(A)(B)(C)(D)The quantity in Column A is greater.The quantity in Column B is greater.The two quantities are equal.The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.The original price of a shirt now on salewas 50.Column AColumn B36.34.Column AColumn BThe fractional partof the figure that isshaded320The price of theThe price of theshirt after two 20% shirt after a singlediscounts40% discountColumn A37.The slope of theline with points(3, 8) and (5, 2)Column BThe slope of theline 6x – 2y –8Melvin brought home a large pizza with12 slices.Column AColumn B35.The number ofslices left if Melvineats 50% of thepizzaThe number ofslices left if Melvineats one-third ofthe pizzaSTOP. If there is time,you may check yourwork in this section only.6 14 Cracking the SSAT & ISEE

RCSection 3Reading Comprehension36 QuestionsTime: 40 MinutesThis section contains six short reading passages. Each passage is followed by six questions based on itscontent. Answer the questions following each passage on the basis of what is stated or implied in that passage. You may write in the test booklet.STOP. Do not go onuntil told to do so.Middle Level ISEE Practice Test 6 15

RCQuestions 1-6Line123456789101112131415When most people think of the historyof transportation, they think of the inventionof the wheel as the starting point. Thewheel was invented around 3500 b.c.,more than 5,000 years ago. Before then,transportation was a difficult process,especially for those who had anything tocarry. During prehistoric times, the onlyway to get around was to walk. Childrenand possessions were strapped to someone’sback if they needed to be carried. If theload was too heavy for one person, it couldbe strapped to a pole and carried by two.The sledge was developed as a way todrag a heavy load. Sledges were originally1617181920212223242526272829just logs or pieces of animal skin uponwhich a load was strapped and dragged.In time, runners were put on the sledge,and it evolved to what is now called a sled.Around 5000 b.c., the first animals weredomesticated, or tamed. Then, donkeys andoxen were used to carry heavy loads andpull sledges. It wasn’t until almost 1,500years later that wheeled vehicles appeared.It is believed that the wheel was inventedin Mesopotamia, in the Middle East. About300 years later, the Egyptians invented thesailboat. These two inventions changedtransportation forever.Go on to the next page.616 Cracking the SSAT & ISEE

RC1. The primary purpose of the passage is to(A)(B)(C)(D)describe some of the things peopleused for transportation long agodescribe the reasons that led totransportation discoveriesexplain the evolution of the sledgive a detailed history of transportation2. The passage suggests that prehistoricman used all of the following for carryingthings EXCEPT(A)(B)(C)(D)animalschildrenpolesprimitive sleds3. The passage implies that early man(A)(B)(C)(D)was incapable of inventing thewheel any earlier than 3500 b.c.was interested in farmingwas interested in finding ways tohelp carry thingswas outgoing and friendly4. It can be inferred from the passage thatthe reason animals were domesticatedwas(A)(B)(C)(D)to help carry large loadsto move people and possessionsaround quicklyto provide family petsto ward off danger5. Which of the following describes the author’s attitude toward the invention of Regret6. The passage suggests that the sledge was(A)(B)(C)(D)a precursor to the sledinvented in conjunction with thewheelmade exclusively of animal skinthe only tool used for transportationat the timeGo on to the next page.Middle Level ISEE Practice Test 6 17

RCQuestions 7-12Line12345678910111213Bison and buffalo are not the sameanimal. For years, American bison weremistakenly referred to as buffalo. Due tothis confusion there are many referencesto buffalo in the United States. There is thecity of Buffalo in northwestern New Yorkstate. In addition, the buffalo appearedon the U.S. nickel for many years at thebeginning of the twentieth century. This isoften referred to as the “Buffalo Nickel” todistinguish it from the current nickel withThomas Jefferson on the front. Buffalo areactually found in Asia, Africa, and South14151617181920212223242526America. Bison roamed the North Americanwestern plains by the millions just a coupleof centuries ago. Because the bison were sowidely hunted, however, their numbers fellgreatly. In fact, as of a century ago, therewere only about 500 left. They were deemednear extinction, but due to conservationefforts, their numbers have increased. Thereare approximately 50,000 bison living todayin protected parks. Though they may neverbe as abundant as they once were, they arenot in danger of extinction as long as theyremain protected.Go on to the next page.618 Cracking the SSAT & ISEE

RC7. The primary purpose of the passage is to(A)(B)(C)(D)applaud conservation effortsexplain the genetic differencebetween the bison and the buffaloexplain why people confuse thebuffalo and the bisongive some background on theAmerican bison8. The passage implies that the primarydifference between the buffalo and thebison is(A)(B)(C)(D)their geographic locationtheir numbertheir sizewhen they existed9. As used in line 19, the word “deemed”most closely means(A)(B)(C)(D)11. According to the passage, the primaryreason that the American bison is nolonger near extinction is(A)(B)(C)(D)conservation effortslack of interest in hunting themloss of value of their furthe migration of the animals12. In line 6, the author mentions the city ofBuffalo in order to(A)(B)(C)(D)criticize a hunting practiceestablish the reason for a particularcurrencyillustrate a commonmisunderstandingpinpoint the first sighting of buffaloin New Yorkfoundhuntedruledeaten10. According to the passage, what can behoped for as long as the American bisonis protected?(A)(B)(C)(D)They will be as plentiful as theyonce were.They will disturb the delicate ecological balance in the plains.They will face even greater dangers.They will probably not die out.Go on to the next page.Middle Level ISEE Practice Test 619

RCQuestions 13-18Line1234567891011The Greek philosopher Aristotlehad many students, but perhaps none sofamous as Alexander the Great. As a child,Alexander was known for his intelligenceand bravery. The lessons he learned fromAristotle left him with a lifelong love ofbooks and learning. But it was not his loveof books that made him famous. Alexander,in 336 b.c., became the king of a smallGreek kingdom called Macedonia. He wasonly twenty at the time. He went on to12131415161718192021invade country after country: Persia (nowknown as Iran), Egypt, and all the wayto parts of India and Pakistan. Alexanderconquered most of what was then the“civilized world.” He brought with him theGreek way of thinking and doing things. Heis considered one of the great generals andkings of history and is responsible for thespread of Greek culture throughout much ofthe world.Go on to the next page.620 Cracking the SSAT & ISEE

RC13. Which of the following would be the besttitle for the passage?(A)(B)(C)(D)“Alexander the Great: King andConqueror”“Aristotle: Teacher of the Kings”“Greek Culture”“The History of Macedonia”14. As used in line 16, the word “civilized”most closely ered15. The tone of the passage is most like thatfound in(A)(B)(C)(D)a diary entry from an historiana letter from an archeologista philosophy journala reference book16. According to the passage, one of thethings that was so impressive aboutAlexander was(A)(B)(C)(D)his ability to teachhis great integrityhis handsome featureshis intelligence and culture17. The passage suggests that Aristotle(A)(B)(C)(D)encouraged Alexander to spreadculturehelped foster Alexander’s love ofbookssupported Alexander’s militarycareertaught Alexander military strategy18. According to the passage, whenAlexander invaded a country, he(A)(B)(C)(D)enslaved citizensfreed oppressed peoplespread Greek ideastoppled monumentsGo on to the next page.Middle Level ISEE Practice Test 621

RCQuestions 19-24Line12345678910111213141516Everyone has had attacks of thehiccups, or hiccoughs, at one point in his orher life. Few people, however, think aboutwhat is happening to them and how hiccupsbegin and end.The diaphragm is a large muscle,shaped like a dome, that sits at the baseof the chest cavity. As one breathes, thediaphragm gently contracts and relaxesto help the process. Occasionally, anirritation near the diaphragm or a diseasemay cause the muscle to spasm, or contractsuddenly. The spasm will suck air into thelungs past the vocal cords. A small flapcalled the epiglottis tops the vocal cords sothat food will not accidentally enter into1718192021222324252627282930the windpipe. The sudden spasm of thediaphragm causes the epiglottis to closequickly. Imagine the pull of air into thevocal cords from the spastic diaphragmhitting the closed epiglottis. This movesthe vocal cords, causing the “hic” soundof the hiccup. Although most people don’treally worry about the hiccups, attacks maylast for days. The exhaustion of hiccupingfor days on end has been fatal in certainrare cases. Home remedies abound—frombreathing into paper bags to squeezing onpressure points that supposedly relax thediaphragm.Go on to the next page.622 Cracking the SSAT & ISEE

RC19. The primary purpose of the passage is to(A)(B)(C)(D)describe a common occurrenceprescribe a treatmentsettle a disputewarn about a danger20. According to the passage, one possiblecause of hiccups is(A)(B)(C)(D)a sudden rush of airan irritant near the diaphragmbreathing in and out of a paper bagthe closing of the epiglottis21. As used in line 24, “attacks” most ts22. The passage suggests that which of thefollowing makes the “hic” sound of thehiccup?(A)(B)(C)(D)The diaphragmThe lungsThe stomachThe vocal cords23. According to the passage, the hiccups canbe fatal due to(A)(B)(C)(D)fatigue from days of hiccupinghome remedies that are toxicthe humiliation of hiccuping fordays on endthe irritant to the diaphragm24. The author mentions “hiccoughs” in line2 in order to(A)(B)(C)(D)correct an improper usagedefine a technical termindicate an alternate spellingweaken a misguided argumentGo on to the next page.Middle Level ISEE Practice Test 623

RCQuestions 25-30Line12345678910111213141516During the winter months in manyregions, food can be extremely scarce. Forthe wildlife of these areas, this can be agreat problem unless animals have somemechanism that allows them to adapt. Someanimals migrate to warmer climates. Othershibernate to conserve energy and decreasethe need for food. Prior to hibernation, ananimal will generally eat a lot to build up astore of fat. The animal’s system will “feed”off the fat stores throughout the long coldwinter months. When the animal hibernates,its body temperature decreases and its bodyfunctions slow down considerably. Thedormouse’s heartbeat, for example, slowsdown to just a beat every few minutes. Its171819202122232425262728293031breathing also becomes slow and its bodytemperature drops to just a few degreesabove the temperature of the ground aroundit. All these changes decrease the need forfuel and allow the animal to survive longperiods without any food. It is a mistaketo think that all hibernating animals sleepfor the whole winter. In fact, many animalshibernate for short spurts during the winter.They may wake for an interval of mildweather. Scientists have now discoveredthe chemical that triggers hibernation. Ifthis chemical is injected in an animal in thesummer months, it can cause the animal togo into summer hibernation.Go on to the next page.624 Cracking the SSAT & ISEE

RC25. The primary purpose of the passage is to(A)(B)(C)(D)compare the hibernating dormouseto other hibernating animalsdebunk some common myths abouthibernationdiscuss the discovery of the chemical that causes hibernationexplore some basic informationabout hibernation26. As used in line 7, the word “conserve”most closely means(A)(B)(C)(D)expendhelpreservewaste27. According to the author, each of the following happens to a hibernating animalEXCEPT(A)(B)(C)(D)it goes into a dream stateits body temperature dropsits breathing slowsits heartbeat slows28. Which of the following can be inferred asa reason a hibernating animal may interrupt its hibernation?(A)(B)(C)(D)A day or two of stormy weatherAn overabundance of foodA week in which there was no snowA week in which the temperaturewas well above freezing29. According to the author, if the chemicalthat triggers hibernation is injected intoan animal when it would not normallyhibernate, the chemical may(A)(B)(C)(D)allow the animal to shed extra fatstorescause an out-of-season hibernationcause body functions to slow to ahaltdecrease an animal’s need for food30. The tone of the passage is best nformativeGo on to the next page.Middle Level ISEE Practice Test 625

RCQuestions 31-36Line123456789101112131415161718192021The theater is one of the richest artforms. The excitement of opening nightcan be felt by the people waiting to watcha performance and by the performers andworkers backstage waiting for the curtainto go up. Live theater is thrilling becauseno one really knows how well the playwill go until it is performed. Many peoplecollaborate to bring a play to life. Thereare playwrights, directors, set designers,costumers, lighting technicians, and,of course, actors. If the performance isa musical, the skills of a songwriter, achoreographer (the person who composesthe dances), and musicians are alsorequired. The word theater comes from theGreek theatron, which means “a place forseeing.” One concept from Greek theaterthat is still seen in some plays today is the“Greek Chorus.” This consists of severalactors/characters watching the action of the22232425262728293031323334353637383940play (almost like the audience) and thencommenting on what they just saw witheither reactions or dialogue. Although mostpeople think of the theater in terms of a playperformed on the stage, theater has takenon a much broader meaning in the modernworld. You may find yourself walking intoa theater with no seats in the rows. Instead,you are seated among the set pieces, whichmakes you part of the setting. Sometimestheater may come to life on a street corner,or in a classroom. The excitement of theateris in its very nature—it is an art form thatchanges as it is interpreted in differentways by different people. That is probablywhy the works of the greatest playwrightof all time, William Shakespeare, are stillperformed and enjoyed today, both inclassic and new interpretations.Go on to the next page.626 Cracking the SSAT & ISEE

RC31. The best title for the passage might be(A)(B)(C)(D)“A Brief History of TheatricalProductions”“Modern Theater: Adventures inActing”“Shakespeare: Our GreatestPlaywright”“The Excitement of Theater”32. According to the passage, the primaryreason that theater is so exciting is that(A)(B)(C)(D)it derives from a Greek customit is performed liveplays are often well writtenthere are so many people workingon it33. The passage suggests which of thefollowing about modern theater?(A)(B)(C)(D)It always draws great attention fromthe audience.It has been interpreted in a morevaried fashion.It is less exciting than classictheater.There are mostly Shakespeareanplays performed.34. The author’s attitude toward theater canbest be described . In line

Middle Level ISEE Practice Test 599 VR Part Two - Sentence Completion Each question in Part Two is made up of a sentence with one blank. Each blank indicates that a word is missing. The sentence is followed by four answer choices. Select the word that best completes the meaning of the sentence as a whole. SAMPLE QUESTIONS: Sample Answer