ISEE Upper Level Reading Comprehension

A comprehensive guide to mastering reading comprehension skills for the ISEE Upper Level exam.

Understanding Passage TypesMain Idea and Supporting DetailsInference and Drawing Conclusions
Author’s Purpose and ToneVocabulary in ContextAnalyzing Structure and Organization
Applying Comprehension in SchoolComprehension Beyond the ClassroomPreparing for Group Discussions
Active Reading TechniquesTime Management on Test DayElimination and Guessing Strategies
Understanding Passag...Main Idea and Suppor...Inference and Drawin...Author’s Purpose and...Vocabulary in Contex...Analyzing Structure ...Applying Comprehensi...Comprehension Beyond...Preparing for Group ...Active Reading Techn...Time Management on T...Elimination and Gues...
Advanced Topics

Vocabulary in Context

Unlocking Words Using Clues

Sometimes, you’ll see unfamiliar words in passages. Instead of skipping them, use context clues—words or phrases around the tricky word—to figure out the meaning.

Types of Context Clues

  • Definition: The word is explained nearby.
  • Synonym/Antonym: Similar or opposite words are used.
  • Example/Explanation: The sentence gives more information.

How to Use Them

  • Reread the sentence with the difficult word.
  • Look for clues that hint at the meaning.
  • Substitute a possible meaning and see if it fits.

Why This Helps

Vocabulary-in-context questions test your ability to understand words without memorizing the whole dictionary!

Quick Steps

  1. Identify the unknown word.
  2. Gather clues from the sentence and paragraph.
  3. Make your best guess and check if it makes sense.

Examples

  • The sentence 'The arid desert lacked water'—'arid' means dry.

  • If 'gregarious' is used near 'loves being with friends,' it likely means sociable.

In a Nutshell

Use clues in the passage to figure out the meaning of unknown words.

Key Terms

Context Clue
Information in the text that helps define a word.
Synonym
A word with a similar meaning.
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Analyzing Structure and Organization