ISEE Upper Level Reading Comprehension

A comprehensive guide to mastering reading comprehension skills for the ISEE Upper Level exam.

Understanding Passage TypesMain Idea and Supporting DetailsInference and Drawing Conclusions
Author’s Purpose and ToneVocabulary in ContextAnalyzing Structure and Organization
Applying Comprehension in SchoolComprehension Beyond the ClassroomPreparing for Group Discussions
Active Reading TechniquesTime Management on Test DayElimination and Guessing Strategies
Understanding Passag...Main Idea and Suppor...Inference and Drawin...Author’s Purpose and...Vocabulary in Contex...Analyzing Structure ...Applying Comprehensi...Comprehension Beyond...Preparing for Group ...Active Reading Techn...Time Management on T...Elimination and Gues...
Basic Concepts

Inference and Drawing Conclusions

Reading Between the Lines

Inference is the skill of figuring out things the author doesn't say directly but hints at. Drawing conclusions means using clues from the text and your own knowledge to understand what is really going on.

How to Make Inferences

  • Look for hints in the language or actions described.
  • Think about what the author is implying, not just stating.

Drawing Conclusions

  • Combine the information from the passage with what you already know.
  • Ask: "What does this information add up to?"

Why Inference Matters

The ISEE often asks you to infer the meaning of a word, a character’s feelings, or the outcome of a situation.

Pro Tips

  • Never assume too much; stick to clues in the passage.
  • Practice by asking, "What can I guess based on what I've read?"

Examples

  • If a character shivers and pulls their jacket tighter, you can infer it’s cold.

  • A passage describes someone smiling after a test, so you can conclude they did well.

In a Nutshell

Use clues from the text to understand what’s not directly stated.

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Author’s Purpose and Tone