ISEE Reading Practice Test 83 Lower Level

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Line (1) The term "tides" has come to represent the cyclical rising
Line (2) and falling of ocean waters, most notably evident along the
Line (3) shoreline as the border between land and sea moves in and out
Line (4) with the passing of the day. The primary reason for this constant
Line (5) redefinition of the boundaries of the sea is the gravitational
Line (6) force of the Moon.
Line (7) This force of lunar gravity is not as strong as Earth's own
Line (8) gravitational pull, which keeps our bodies and our homes from
Line (9) being pulled off the ground, through the sky, and into space
Line (10) toward the Moon. It is a strong enough force, however, to exert
Line (11) a certain gravitational pull as the Moon passes over Earth's
Line (12) surface. This pull causes the water level to rise (as the water is
Line (13) literally pulled, ever so slightly, toward the Moon) in those parts
Line (14) of the ocean that are exposed to the Moon and its gravitational
Line (15) forces. When the water level in one part of the ocean rises, it
Line (16) must naturally fall in another, and this is what causes water
Line (17) level to change, dramatically at times, along any given piece of
Line (18) coastline.

1. Which one of the following is the most obvious effect of the tides?

  • A. A part of the beach that was once dry is now under water.
  • B. Floods cause great damage during heavy rainstorms.
  • C. The Moon is not visible.
  • D. Water falls from the ocean.

2. The word "lunar" most nearly means

  • A. weak
  • B. strong
  • C. destructive
  • D. related to the Moon

3. It can be inferred from the passage that if one were to travel to the Moon

  • A. that water would be found on its surface
  • B. that an object, if dropped, would float away from the surface of the Moon
  • C. that tides are more dramatic during the day than during the night
  • D. that an object, if dropped, would fall to the Moon's surface

4. The author's primary purpose in writing this passage is to

  • A. prove the existence of water on the Moon
  • B. refute claims that tides are caused by the Moon
  • C. explain the main cause of the ocean's tides
  • D. argue that humans should not interfere with the processes of nature