ISEE Upper Level Reading Comprehension Practice Test 45

1. The first paragraph of the passage establishes a mood of

• A. awe and disbelief
• B. desperate longing
• C. cautious optimism
• D. heartfelt pity

2. The author describes the effects of the earthquake by relying on

• A. scientific knowledge
• B. comparisons to similar events in history
• C. vivid images appealing primarily to the sense of sight
• D. confirmed statistical data

3. In line 20, "nabobs" most nearly means

• A. elected officials
• B. wealthy persons
• C. native sons
• D. descendants of royalty

4. The statement that "All the cunning adjustments of a twentieth century city had been smashed by the earthquake" (lines 41–43) suggests primarily that

• A. the city had been reduced to a primitive existence
• B. the earthquake destroyed many of the city's newest buildings
• C. numerous irreplaceable mechanisms were lost during the earthquake
• D. only necessities such as plumbing and electricity remained intact

5. Which best describes the overall organization of the passage?

• A. a description of events in spatial order
• B. a description of events in chronological order
• C. an enumeration of facts supported by statistical data
• D. a statement of opinion backed up by reasons

6. The primary purpose of the passage is to

• A. present a scientific explanation of the San Francisco earthquake
• B. convey the despair of San Francisco residents as they watched the destruction of their city
• C. provide an eyewitness report of the San Francisco earthquake
• D. describe the conditions that allowed the fires to spread