ISEE Upper Level Reading Comprehension

ISEE Upper Level Reading Comprehension focuses on developing critical reading skills through diverse texts and comprehension strategies.

Understanding Main Ideas and DetailsMaking Inferences and Drawing ConclusionsUnderstanding Vocabulary in Context
Analyzing Author’s Purpose and ToneIdentifying Organizational StructureEvaluating Arguments and Evidence
Applying Critical Reading to Everyday LifeEffective Note-Taking for ReadingReading for Research and Projects
Previewing the PassageProcess of Elimination
Understanding Main I...Making Inferences an...Understanding Vocabu...Analyzing Author’s P...Identifying Organiza...Evaluating Arguments...Applying Critical Re...Effective Note-Takin...Reading for Research...Previewing the Passa...Process of Eliminati...
Advanced Topics

Identifying Organizational Structure

How Is the Passage Organized?

Authors use different structures to organize their writing. Recognizing these structures can help you understand the passage better and answer questions more quickly.

Common Structures

  • Cause and Effect: Shows how one event leads to another.
  • Compare and Contrast: Shows similarities and differences.
  • Problem and Solution: Explains a problem and then offers a solution.
  • Chronological Order: Events are told in the order they happened.
  • Description: Gives details about a topic.

Why Structure Matters

Knowing the structure makes it easier to find information and see the relationships between ideas.

Examples

  • A passage lists events in order, showing chronological structure.

  • A paragraph explains a city’s traffic problem and then suggests using public transport, showing problem and solution.

In a Nutshell

Recognize how a passage is organized to help understand it better.

Next
Evaluating Arguments and Evidence