ISEE (Independent School Entrance Examination) Reading Comprehension Syllabus

What are common types of context clues?

Definition/restatement, synonym, antonym/contrast, example, and inference from the general sense of the sentence.

What is 'tone' in a passage?

The author's attitude toward the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice (e.g., serious, playful, critical, admiring).

What is 'mood' in a passage?

The feeling or atmosphere the text creates in the reader (e.g., tense, cheerful, gloomy, peaceful).

How do tone and mood differ?

Tone is the author's attitude toward the subject; mood is the emotional effect the writing has on the reader.

How do you identify an author's tone?

Examine connotation of word choices and details—positive, negative, or neutral wording reveals the attitude (e.g., 'stubborn' vs. 'determined').

What is text structure (organizational pattern)?

The way ideas in a passage are arranged, such as chronological/sequence, cause and effect, compare and contrast, problem and solution, or description.

What signal words indicate a CAUSE-AND-EFFECT structure?

Because, since, therefore, as a result, consequently, due to, so, thus.

What signal words indicate a COMPARE-AND-CONTRAST structure?

Similarly, likewise, both, in contrast, however, on the other hand, unlike, whereas.

What signal words indicate CHRONOLOGICAL/SEQUENCE structure?

First, next, then, before, after, finally, meanwhile, and specific dates or times.

What is point of view in reading comprehension?

The perspective from which a text is told or argued, including narrative person (first/third) and the writer's stance or bias toward the subject.

Distinguish first-person from third-person narration.

First person uses 'I/we' and tells the story from inside a character; third person uses 'he/she/they' and tells it from outside, sometimes knowing all characters' thoughts (omniscient).

What characterizes a Nonfiction/Informational passage on the ISEE?

Fact-based writing about real topics (science, history, current events) whose purpose is usually to inform or explain, with main ideas supported by facts and details.

What characterizes a Literary/Narrative passage?

A story or excerpt with characters, setting, and plot, where questions focus on theme, character, tone, figurative language, and inference.

What characterizes a Humanities and Arts passage?

Text about art, music, literature, culture, or history, often blending information with interpretation and an evaluative tone.

Why should you read the passage before the questions on the ISEE Reading section?

To grasp the main idea and structure first, so you can answer big-picture questions immediately and know where to look for detail questions.

What is active reading?

Engaging with a text while reading—asking questions, predicting, summarizing, and marking key ideas—rather than passively running your eyes over the words.

What is annotation and why is it useful under time limits?

Briefly marking main ideas, transitions, and key details while reading so you can relocate information quickly instead of rereading the whole passage.

What is an efficient way to annotate each paragraph during timed reading?

Jot a 2-4 word note or mental summary of each paragraph's main point so you can map where each idea lives.

What does it mean to 'map' a passage by paragraph?

Tracking the one main job each paragraph does so you can navigate directly to the relevant paragraph for a given question.

How do you answer a question with a specific line reference efficiently?

Go to the cited line, but read a sentence or two before and after it for context, since meaning often depends on the surrounding text.

What is the best pacing strategy across multiple ISEE reading passages?

Give each passage a roughly equal time budget, don't get stuck on one hard question, and answer easier passages/questions first to secure points.

If you run low on time on the ISEE Reading section, what should you do?

Answer every question, even by guessing—there is no penalty for wrong answers, so a blank scores the same as a wrong answer but a guess might be right.

What strategy helps with 'main idea' questions when answer choices are close?

Eliminate choices that are too narrow (one detail only) or too broad/outside the passage; the right answer covers the whole passage and nothing more.

What is a 'detail' or 'fact' question asking you to do?

Locate and report information explicitly stated in the passage; the correct answer can be matched to specific text, often paraphrased.

How can word connotation reveal an author's attitude?

Words carry positive, negative, or neutral associations; an author choosing loaded words (e.g., 'cramped' vs. 'cozy') signals approval or disapproval.

What is the difference between denotation and connotation?

Denotation is a word's literal dictionary meaning; connotation is the emotional or implied association the word carries.

What does a 'purpose of a paragraph' question ask?

Why the author included that specific paragraph—its role in the passage (e.g., to give an example, introduce a counterargument, provide background, or summarize).

How do you find the function of a transition word like 'however'?

Recognize it signals contrast—the idea after it opposes or qualifies the idea before it, marking a shift in the argument.

What makes a good one-sentence summary of a passage?

It states the main idea in your own words, includes only the most important point(s), and leaves out minor details and examples.

When choosing the best summary answer, what trap should you avoid?

Avoid choices that are accurate but cover only part of the passage, or that add information not in the text; the best summary reflects the whole passage faithfully.