ISEE Reading Practice Test 52 All Levels

1. It can be inferred from the second paragraph that English vocabulary

• A. is easy to learn for speakers of other languages
• B. can claim many sources
• C. has a longer history than that of many other languages
• D. affects American politics

2. The author mentions the words "kindergarten," "croissant," and "cheetah" most likely because

• A. they are words with unknown origins
• B. etymologists dispute words like these
• C. they represent words that are similarly spelled and spoken in two languages
• D. English speakers find them difficult to pronounce

3. According to the passage, etymologists are

• A. investigators of word history
• B. lovers of vocabulary words
• C. scientists of the five senses
• D. archeologists of extinct languages

4. Which of the following best states the purpose of the fourth and fifth paragraphs?

• A. To illustrate another non-English word
• B. To define the phrase "OK"
• C. To show an interesting aspect of etymology
• D. To compare American phrases

5. The primary purpose of the passage is to

• A. provide information about the English language
• B. discuss enjoyable aspects of the study of words
• C. show that language plays an important role in politics
• D. describe the origin of the phrase "OK"