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ISEE Primary 3 study materials
ISEE Primary 3 study resources

ISEE Primary 3 practice questions

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Question 1Reading

A story says: 'Mia opened the box slowly. Inside was a tiny, shining key.' What does Mia find in the box?

  1. a tiny, shining key Correct answer.
  2. an old coin
  3. a broken watch
  4. a folded map

Explanation

The second sentence states directly that a tiny, shining key was inside the box. A detail question like this is answered by finding the exact words in the text rather than guessing.

Question 2Reading

Read: 'The puppy chased the ball across the yard. Then he flopped down in the shade, panting.' How does the puppy most likely feel at the end?

  1. bored
  2. scared
  3. angry
  4. tired Correct answer.

Explanation

Flopping down and panting after running show that the puppy is worn out. Readers combine the action with the body clue to infer a feeling, which is different from a fact stated outright.

Question 3Reading

Which word in this sentence is a naming word for a person? 'The teacher handed a bright sticker to Ben.'

  1. bright
  2. teacher Correct answer.
  3. handed
  4. to

Explanation

A noun names a person, place, or thing, and 'teacher' names a person. The other words are an action verb, a describing word, and a small connecting word.

Question 4Reading

A book has a page at the front that lists 'Chapter 1 ..... 3, Chapter 2 ..... 12.' What is this page called?

  1. the table of contents Correct answer.
  2. the glossary
  3. the index
  4. the title page

Explanation

A table of contents lists chapters in order with the page where each one starts, so readers can jump to a section. It appears near the front of a book and follows the book's own order.

Question 5Reading

Read: 'Sam packed a towel, sunscreen, and goggles.' Where is Sam most likely going?

  1. to a library
  2. to a swimming pool Correct answer.
  3. to a snow hill
  4. to a bakery

Explanation

A towel, sunscreen, and goggles are all items used for swimming, so the list points to a pool. Good readers use a group of clues together to infer a setting the text does not name.

Question 6Reading

Which sentence tells about something happening right now?

  1. We built a sand castle.
  2. We had built a sand castle.
  3. We are building a sand castle. Correct answer.
  4. We will build a sand castle.

Explanation

The words 'are building' show an action in progress at this moment. Past forms like 'built' and future forms like 'will build' place the action at other times.

Question 7Reading

A story is mostly about a girl who loses her tooth and waits for a surprise under her pillow. What is the main idea of the story?

  1. A girl waits to find out what happens after losing a tooth. Correct answer.
  2. A girl buys a new pillow for her bed.
  3. A girl visits a dentist for the first time.
  4. A girl learns to brush her teeth every night.

Explanation

The main idea sums up what most of the story is about, and here that is the lost tooth and the waiting. Details such as the pillow support that idea rather than becoming the main idea themselves.

Question 8Reading

Which pair of words rhyme?

  1. lamp, dark
  2. light, night Correct answer.
  3. light, lamp
  4. night, dark

Explanation

Rhyming words end with the same sound, and 'light' and 'night' both end with the sound -ite. Words that are related in meaning, like lamp and light, do not rhyme.

Question 9Reading

Read: 'The wind pushed the kite higher and higher until it was a speck in the sky.' What does 'speck' mean here?

  1. a loud sound
  2. a very small spot Correct answer.
  3. a long string
  4. a strong gust

Explanation

Because the kite is far away and high up, it looks tiny, so 'speck' means a very small spot. Using the words around an unknown word is the best way to work out its meaning.

Question 10Reading

Read: 'Leo studied his spelling words every night. On Friday he earned a perfect score.' What is the cause of Leo's perfect score?

  1. He forgot his list at home.
  2. He practiced his words each night. Correct answer.
  3. He ate a big breakfast.
  4. He sat near the window.

Explanation

A cause makes something else happen, and Leo's nightly studying leads to his perfect score. The other choices are details that the passage does not connect to the result.

Question 11Reading

Read: 'Nia tiptoed to the window. She peeked through the curtain and held her breath.' What does Nia's behavior suggest?

  1. She is cleaning the curtains.
  2. She is angry at someone outside.
  3. She is trying not to be noticed. Correct answer.
  4. She is getting ready for bed.

Explanation

Tiptoeing, peeking, and holding her breath are all actions of someone who wants to stay quiet and unseen. Readers infer a character's purpose from a cluster of actions rather than one word.

Question 12Reading

Which sentence uses the word 'bat' to mean something used in a sport?

  1. The bat slept all day in the attic.
  2. A bat flew out of the cave.
  3. She saw a bat hanging upside down.
  4. He swung the bat and hit the ball. Correct answer.

Explanation

Many words have more than one meaning, and the words around 'bat' decide which one fits. Swinging and hitting a ball show the sports meaning rather than the animal meaning.

Question 13Reading

Read: 'First, Maya mixed the flour and water. Next, she rolled the dough flat. Finally, she cut it into shapes.' Which word signals the last step?

  1. Finally Correct answer.
  2. mixed
  3. First
  4. Next

Explanation

Sequence words such as first, next, and finally show the order of steps. 'Finally' introduces the step that comes last in the list.

Question 14Reading

A passage says: 'Some deserts are not sandy at all. They are made of rocks and gravel.' What is the author mainly explaining?

  1. Gravel is heavier than sand.
  2. Deserts can be made of different materials. Correct answer.
  3. Cactus plants store water.
  4. All deserts are hot and sandy.

Explanation

The author corrects the common idea that deserts are sandy by pointing out rocky deserts. The main point is that deserts differ in what they are made of.

Question 15Reading

Read: 'The soup was so spicy that tears filled Jonah's eyes.' What does the sentence tell us about the soup?

  1. It had a very strong hot flavor. Correct answer.
  2. It was Jonah's favorite food.
  3. It was too salty to eat.
  4. It was served cold.

Explanation

Spicy food can bring tears to a person's eyes, so the sentence shows the soup had a strong hot flavor. The reaction of the character helps the reader understand the description.

Question 16Reading

Which sentence is a complete sentence about a character in a story?

  1. Rode a gray horse quickly.
  2. A gray horse and a knight.
  3. Because the brave knight.
  4. The brave knight rode a gray horse. Correct answer.

Explanation

A complete sentence needs a subject telling who or what, plus a verb telling what happens. 'The brave knight rode a gray horse' has both parts and expresses a full idea.

Question 17Reading

Read: 'The library was silent except for the soft rustle of pages.' Which sense does the sentence mainly describe?

  1. sight
  2. smell
  3. hearing Correct answer.
  4. taste

Explanation

Words like 'silent' and 'rustle' describe sound, which we experience through hearing. Sensory details help readers imagine a scene by appealing to one of the five senses.

Question 18Reading

Read: 'Ben wanted to play outside, but the rain poured down all morning. He sighed and put his ball back in the closet.' How does Ben feel?

  1. excited
  2. proud
  3. disappointed Correct answer.
  4. confused

Explanation

Ben's plan is blocked by rain, and sighing while putting the ball away shows he is let down. When a character's wish is stopped by a problem, the feeling is usually disappointment.

Question 19Reading

Read: 'The museum was huge. Kim walked for hours and still had not seen every room.' Which word best describes the museum?

  1. enormous Correct answer.
  2. old
  3. crowded
  4. noisy

Explanation

Walking for hours without seeing every room shows the museum is very large, which is what 'enormous' means. The details support the meaning of the describing word.

Question 20Reading

Read: 'The seeds sat in dry soil for days. Then the sky grew dark, and rain fell. Soon tiny green shoots pushed up.' What made the shoots appear?

  1. the soil drying out
  2. the sky turning dark
  3. the rain soaking the soil Correct answer.
  4. the seeds sitting still

Explanation

The shoots appear right after the rain falls, so the water is the cause of the change. Good readers track the order of events to link a cause with its effect.

Question 21Reading

Read: 'Maya checked her list twice. She packed her bag the night before. She arrived at the bus stop early.' What do these details show about Maya?

  1. She is shy around others.
  2. She is careful and organized. Correct answer.
  3. She is forgetful and rushed.
  4. She is unkind to her friends.

Explanation

Checking a list, packing ahead, and arriving early all point to a careful, organized person. When several details show the same pattern, readers can name a character trait.

Question 22Reading

Read: 'The old bridge groaned as the truck rolled over it.' Why does the author use the word 'groaned'?

  1. to show that the truck was very fast
  2. to tell the reader the weather was bad
  3. to explain how bridges are built
  4. to make the bridge seem strained and tired Correct answer.

Explanation

'Groaned' is a word usually used for people or animals in discomfort, so it makes the bridge seem old and strained under the load. Authors choose words that create a feeling, not just report facts.

Question 23Reading

An article says: 'Recycling one can saves enough energy to power a television for three hours.' Why does the author include this fact?

  1. to teach readers how televisions work
  2. to warn readers about watching too much television
  3. to persuade readers that recycling really matters Correct answer.
  4. to describe how cans are made in factories

Explanation

The fact shows a surprising benefit of one small action, which encourages readers to recycle. Authors choose facts that support the point they want readers to accept.

Question 24Reading

Read: 'Lena frowned at the empty canvas. She picked up her brush, set it down, and stared out the window.' Which sentence best describes Lena's problem?

  1. She has run out of paint and brushes.
  2. She cannot decide how to begin her painting. Correct answer.
  3. She has finished her painting too early.
  4. She does not like the view from her window.

Explanation

An empty canvas and a brush that is picked up and set down show that Lena is stuck at the start. Naming a character's problem means describing the obstacle, not just repeating the actions.

Question 25Reading

Two books are about volcanoes. Book A tells a story about a girl living near one. Book B explains how volcanoes form. How do the two books differ?

  1. Book B has more pictures than Book A.
  2. Book A is fiction, while Book B gives facts. Correct answer.
  3. Book A is longer than Book B.
  4. Book B is written for younger readers.

Explanation

A story with characters is fiction, while an explanation of how something forms is informational text. Readers compare books by their purpose and type, not by size or pictures unless those details are given.

Question 26Reading

Read: 'The puppy chased its tail in circles and barked at a leaf.' Which word in the sentence is an action word?

  1. circles
  2. chased Correct answer.
  3. puppy
  4. leaf

Explanation

An action word (verb) tells what someone or something does. In this sentence, 'chased' tells what the puppy did, while 'puppy' and 'leaf' name things and 'circles' names a shape or path.

Question 27Reading

Read: 'The cake smelled warm and sweet as it cooled on the counter.' Which sense does the sentence mainly describe?

  1. smell Correct answer.
  2. hearing
  3. touch
  4. sight

Explanation

The sentence uses the words 'smelled,' 'warm,' and 'sweet' to focus on the cake's scent. 'Smelled' is the sense word doing the most work here, which points to the sense of smell.

Question 28Reading

Read: 'Tom put on his boots and grabbed his umbrella before he left.' What does this tell you about the weather outside?

  1. It was windy and clear.
  2. It was probably rainy. Correct answer.
  3. It was snowing heavily.
  4. It was very hot.

Explanation

Boots and an umbrella are things people use when it is wet outside. A reader can use these clues to infer that rain is likely, even though the sentence never says the word 'rain.'

Question 29Reading

Read: 'Sam ran to the door. He waved at the bus and shouted, "Wait for me!"' What is Sam trying to do?

  1. Catch the bus before it leaves Correct answer.
  2. Say hello to a friend
  3. Clean the front door
  4. Find his lost shoes

Explanation

Sam runs, waves, and shouts for the bus to wait, which shows he wants to get on it before it goes. The clues together point to catching the bus.

Question 30Reading

In a story, what does the setting tell the reader?

  1. What lesson the story teaches
  2. How many pages the story has
  3. Where and when the story happens Correct answer.
  4. Who the author is

Explanation

The setting is the time and place of a story, such as a beach at sunset or a school in winter. It helps readers picture where the events happen.

Question 31Reading

Read: 'The rain stopped. A bright band of colors stretched across the sky.' Which word best describes what the character saw?

  1. a cloud
  2. a puddle
  3. a rainbow Correct answer.
  4. a shadow

Explanation

A band of colors in the sky right after rain is a rainbow. The clues 'after rain' and 'colors across the sky' point to that one answer.

Question 32Reading

Read: 'Mia's little brother grabbed her drawing and crumpled it. Mia's face turned red and she stomped her foot.' How does Mia most likely feel?

  1. sleepy
  2. angry Correct answer.
  3. calm
  4. proud

Explanation

A red face and stomping a foot are clues that someone is upset or angry. The cause, a ruined drawing, also supports that feeling.

Question 33Reading

Read: 'The turtle moved slowly across the path. The rabbit zoomed past in a flash.' Which words are opposites?

  1. moved and past
  2. path and flash
  3. turtle and rabbit
  4. slowly and zoomed Correct answer.

Explanation

'Slowly' and 'zoomed' describe opposite speeds, so they are opposites in meaning. The other pairs name things or actions that are not opposite.

Question 34Reading

Read: 'The kids built a fort out of pillows and blankets. They crawled inside and told ghost stories until dark.' What is this passage mostly about?

  1. Why ghost stories are scary
  2. A fun time in a pillow fort Correct answer.
  3. How to clean a bedroom
  4. How to sew a blanket

Explanation

The main idea is what the whole passage is about. Building a fort and telling stories inside it are the events that tie the sentences together.

Question 35Reading

Read: 'Kim packed her swimsuit, towel, and goggles. She checked the time of the bus to the pool.' What is Kim getting ready to do?

  1. Go swimming Correct answer.
  2. Read a book
  3. Go to a birthday party
  4. Cook dinner

Explanation

A swimsuit, towel, goggles, and a bus to the pool are all clues about swimming. Readers add the clues together to figure out Kim's plan.

Question 36Reading

Read: 'The wind howled. Branches scraped the window. Anna pulled her blanket up to her chin.' Which word best describes the mood of the passage?

  1. cheerful
  2. peaceful
  3. silly
  4. spooky Correct answer.

Explanation

Howling wind, scraping branches, and hiding under a blanket create a spooky or scary mood. The mood is the feeling the author builds with word choices.

Question 37Reading

Read: 'The soup was piping hot, so Ella blew on each spoonful before she ate it.' What does 'piping hot' mean here?

  1. Very hot Correct answer.
  2. Very sweet
  3. Very thick
  4. Very cold

Explanation

The clue 'blew on each spoonful' shows the soup was too hot to eat right away. 'Piping hot' is a phrase meaning very hot.

Question 38Reading

A book has a page that lists chapter names with page numbers. What is this page called?

  1. the table of contents Correct answer.
  2. the glossary
  3. the index
  4. the title page

Explanation

A table of contents lists the chapters and where each one begins. It helps readers find a chapter quickly.

Question 39Reading

Read: 'The class planted seeds in small cups. Every day they watered them and set the cups by the sunny window. In two weeks, green stems stood tall.' What is the main idea?

  1. Windows are hard to clean.
  2. The class likes to paint.
  3. Cups are good for drinking.
  4. Caring for seeds helps them grow. Correct answer.

Explanation

Every sentence supports the idea that watering and sunlight helped the seeds grow. The main idea ties all the steps together.

Question 40Reading

Read: 'Nora's kite stuck in a tree. She tried to reach it but was too short. Her big sister came outside.' What will most likely happen next?

  1. Her sister will help get the kite. Correct answer.
  2. Nora will climb the tree.
  3. The kite will fly away.
  4. Nora will buy a new kite.

Explanation

A prediction should follow the clues in the story. Nora is too short to reach the kite, and her tall sister just arrived, so the sister will likely help.

Question 41Reading

Read: 'The bear shuffled to the river. It scooped a fish with one paw and ambled back into the woods.' What does 'ambled' mean?

  1. ran fast
  2. jumped high
  3. swam deep
  4. walked slowly Correct answer.

Explanation

'Shuffled' and 'scooped' describe slow, heavy movements, which tells the reader that 'ambled' means walked slowly. The other clues in the sentence support this meaning.

Question 42Reading

Read: 'Rosa read the recipe twice before she began. She lined up every ingredient on the counter. She measured each spoonful carefully.' What do Rosa's actions show about her?

  1. She is careful and organized. Correct answer.
  2. She is careless.
  3. She does not like cooking.
  4. She is in a big hurry.

Explanation

Reading the recipe twice, lining up ingredients, and measuring carefully all show that Rosa is careful and organized. Readers infer character traits from what characters do.

Question 43Reading

Read: 'The sky darkened. A cool wind blew. Then the first drop hit the sidewalk.' What is the order of events?

  1. The sky darkened, wind blew, then rain fell. Correct answer.
  2. Wind blew, rain fell, then the sky darkened.
  3. Rain fell, wind blew, then the sky darkened.
  4. Rain fell, then the sky darkened, then wind blew.

Explanation

Sequence words like 'then' show the order. First the sky darkened, next the wind blew, and last the first raindrop fell.

Question 44Reading

Read: 'The ant carried a crumb ten times its size. It pulled and pushed until the crumb reached the hole.' Which word best describes the ant?

  1. forgetful
  2. strong-willed Correct answer.
  3. lazy
  4. sleepy

Explanation

Pulling and pushing a huge crumb until it reaches the hole shows the ant does not give up. That makes 'strong-willed' the best description among the choices.

Question 45Reading

An article about frogs says: 'A frog's tongue can flick out in less than a second.' Why does the author most likely include this fact?

  1. To explain where frogs sleep
  2. To show how fast a frog catches food Correct answer.
  3. To tell readers what frogs eat for lunch
  4. To describe the color of a frog

Explanation

The fact is about speed, so the author includes it to show how quickly a frog can catch food. Facts in an article are chosen to support a point.

Question 46Reading

Read: 'The old clock ticked loudly in the empty hall. Dust covered the chairs. No one had visited in years.' Which sentence best states the main idea?

  1. The hall was busy.
  2. The chairs were new.
  3. The clock was broken.
  4. The hall was forgotten and quiet. Correct answer.

Explanation

Loud ticking in an empty hall, dust, and no visitors all point to a forgotten, quiet place. The main idea must fit every detail.

Question 47Reading

Read: 'The hikers followed the trail until it split in two. One path was wide and sunny. The other was narrow and dark. The map showed the dark path was a shortcut to camp.' Which path will they most likely take?

  1. The wide, sunny path
  2. They will wait for help.
  3. The narrow, dark shortcut Correct answer.
  4. They will turn around.

Explanation

A prediction should weigh the clues. The map shows the dark path is a shortcut to camp, which gives the hikers a strong reason to choose it despite the dark.

Question 48Reading

Read: 'The coach blew the whistle. The players froze. Then the referee raised a red card.' What does the red card most likely mean?

  1. The team won the game.
  2. The game is about to start.
  3. A player must leave the game. Correct answer.
  4. A player scored a point.

Explanation

A whistle, frozen players, and a raised red card are signs of a rule being enforced. Readers can infer that the red card means a player is being sent off.

Question 49Reading

Read these two sentences: 'The lake was glassy and still.' 'A dragonfly skimmed the surface, and rings spread outward.' How does the second sentence change the reader's picture of the lake?

  1. It adds movement to a still scene. Correct answer.
  2. It proves the lake was very deep.
  3. It shows the lake was actually frozen.
  4. It shows the lake was drying up.

Explanation

The first sentence shows a calm lake, and the second adds a dragonfly and spreading rings, which brings motion into the scene. Comparing the two sentences shows how the picture changes.

Question 50Reading

Read: 'The seed lay in the dark soil all winter. When spring rain came, it cracked open and reached for the sun.' What is the author mainly describing?

  1. The start of a plant's growth Correct answer.
  2. Why winter is cold
  3. How soil is made
  4. How rain is measured

Explanation

The seed waiting in soil, then cracking open and reaching for the sun, describes a plant beginning to grow. Every detail supports that single idea.