ISEE Reading Practice Test 84 Lower Level

Line (1) The Brooklyn Bridge in New York has been featured in
Line (2) movies, photographs, and media for over a hundred years, but
Line (3) the bridge is much more than just a pretty sight. It opened on
Line (4) May 24, 1883, and, at 3,460 feet, it was the longest suspension
Line (5) bridge in the world, measuring 50% longer than any previously
Line (6) built. The Brooklyn Bridge was a symbol of American strength
Line (7) and vitality, but its completion followed years of toil and
Line (8) sacrifice.
Line (9) John Augustus Roebling, a German immigrant, envisioned
Line (10) the bridge that would link Manhattan to Brooklyn over the
Line (11) East River. While in preparations for building, however, John
Line (12) Roebling was injured when a ferry pinned his foot to a pylon,
Line (13) and he died weeks later of tetanus. This first setback to the
Line (14) building of the bridge was indicative of the problems that would
Line (15) plague its construction as well as the harrowing tenacity that led
Line (16) to its completion.
Line (17) Washington Roebling took over the project upon his father's
Line (18) death. Washington persevered through many hurdles in the
Line (19) building of the bridge including fires, accidents, industrial
Line (20) corruption, and loss of public support. He continued, however,
Line (21) in his push to complete the bridge. In fact, it is said that he
Line (22) worked harder and longer than any worker he employed in
Line (23) even the most dangerous circumstances. While working in
Line (24) the caissons, underwater chambers that supported the bridge,
Line (25) he was stricken by the decompression sickness that led to his
Line (26) paralysis. Nothing could stop him, though, and he continued
Line (27) construction by sending messages to the site through his wife,
Line (28) Emily.
Line (29) Fourteen years after construction began, the Brooklyn
Line (30) Bridge celebrated its grand opening. The total cost to build the
Line (31) bridge was fifteen million dollars, and 27 people died in its
Line (32) construction, but it stood as a tribute to American invention and
Line (33) industry.

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

• A. convince the reader that the Brooklyn Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world
• B. describe Washington Roebling's rise to success
• C. show that Americans have an inborn talent for inventiveness
• D. describe how the Brooklyn Bridge was a great success despite the hardships faced in building it

2. It can be inferred from the third paragraph that Washington Roebling

• A. was injured by a ferry
• B. was determined to build the bridge despite many setbacks
• C. suffered from depression after his injury
• D. had a son who completed the building of the bridge

3. Which one of the following is given as a difficulty faced in building the Brooklyn Bridge?

• A. An excessive number of pylons in the East River
• B. An outbreak of tetanus among the workers
• C. The death of the man who envisioned the bridge
• D. A lack of funds to keep building

4. Washington Roebling can best be described as

• A. persistent
• B. weak
• C. clumsy
• D. dangerous

5. Which of the following is NOT stated about the Brooklyn Bridge?

• A. It was a sign of American power.
• B. It cost millions of dollars to build.
• C. It was not worth the money lost in building it.
• D. It has been seen in the movies.