Verbal Reasoning

UPPER LEVEL

Practice Test

Copyright © 2012 by Educational Records Bureau. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be
reproduced, redistributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, manual,
photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written
permission of the Educational Records Bureau.

1
VR 1
Section 1
Verbal Reasoning
40 Questions Time: 20 minutes

This section is divided into two parts that contain two different types of questions. As soon as you have
completed Part One, answer the questions in Part Two. You may write in your test booklet. For each
answer you select, fill in the corresponding circle on your answer document.
Part One — Synonyms
Each question in Part One consists of a word in capital letters followed by four answer choices. Select
the one word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.

SAMPLE QUESTION: Sample Answer

DISPERSE:
(A) conceal
(B) excuse
(C) scatter
(D) translate

Part Two — Sentence Completion

Each question in Part Two is made up of a sentence with one or two blanks. One blank indicates that one
word is missing. Two blanks indicate that two words are missing. Each sentence is followed by four
answer choices. Select the one word or pair of words that best completes the meaning of the sentence as a
whole.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS: Sample Answers

Never -------, the dishes Martha prepared were
always highly seasoned.
(A) bland
(B) durable
(C) plentiful
(D) spicy

When the young politician took office, she was -------,

but she felt ------- by the time her first term ended.
(A) disappointed . . . confused
(B) energetic . . . excited
(C) indifferent . . . idealistic
(D) inexperienced . . . knowledgeable

STOP. Do not go on
2 until told to do so.
 1 VR
Part One— Synonyms
Directions: Select the word that is most nearly the same in meaning as the word in capital letters.
1. FEINT 6. COMPELLED
(A) fool (A) calculated
(B) proclaim (B) combined
(C) penalize (C) collected
(D) scavenge (D) forced

2. PEER 7. ALLY
(A) officer (A) opponent
(B) beginner (B) passage
(C) equal (C) friend
(D) patient (D) preference

3. TRITE 8. SOLOCIT
(A) unskilled (A) consent
(B) common (B) comfort
(C) unlikely (C) request
(D) ignorant (D) help

4. AMIABLE 9. REFUTE
(A) forgetful (A) demolish
(B) friendly (B) postpone
(C) strange (C) disprove
(D) great (D) assist

5. GRIMACE 10. EXPLICIT

(A) sneer (A) ambiguous
(B) grindstone (B) clearly stated
(C) journal (C) give information about
(D) treasure (D) to blow out

3 Go on to the next page.

VR 1
11. RETAIN 16. HORIZONTAL
(A) pay out (A) marginal
(B) play (B) in a circle
(C) keep (C) left and right
(D) inquire (D) up and down

12. CORRESPONENCE 17. CONTROVERSY

(A) letters (A) publicity
(B) files (B) debate
(C) testimony (C) revolution
(D) response (D) revocation

13. LEGITIMATE 18. PREEMPT

(A) democratic (A) steal
(B) legal (B) empty
(C) genealogical (C) preview
(D) underworld (D) appropriate

14. DEDUCT 19. PER CAPITA

(A) conceal (A) for an entire population
(B) understand (B) by income
(C) subtract (C) for each person
(D) terminate (D) for every adult

15. EGRESS 20. OPTIONAL

(A) extreme (A) not required
(B) extra supply (B) infrequent
(C) exit (C) choosy
(D) high price (D) for sale

4 Go on to the next page.

 1 VR
Part Two— Sentence Completion
Directions: Select the word or word pair that best completes the sentence.

21. Custom has so --------- our language that we 25. A system of education should be---------
can ---------- only what has been said before. by the ---------- of students it turns out, for
(A) improved … repeat quality is preferred to quantity.
(B) changed … understand (A) controlled … intelligence
(C) enslaved … say (B) justified … number
(D) dominated … hear (C) examined … wealth
(D) judged
22. A few of the critics --------- the play, but in 26. We seldom feel---------when we are allowed to
general they either disregarded or ridiculed it. speak freely, but any----------
(A) disregarded of our free speech brings anger.
(B) criticized (A) angry … defense
(C) denounced (B) blessed … restriction
(D) appreciated (C) scholarly … understanding
(D) enslaved … misuse
23. Politicians are not the only ones who have
made ----------; being human, we have all 27. The worst team lost because it had many
blundered at some time in our lives. players who though not completely----------
(A) explanations were also not really----------.
(B) arguments (A) qualified … agile
(C) errors (B) clumsy … incompetent
(D) excuses (C) inept … proficient
(D) ungraceful … amateurish
24. Because of his --------- nature, he often acts
purely on impulse.
(A) stoic
(B) reflective
(C) passionate
(D) wistful

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 VR 1
28. Although the --------- of the legislature become 32. The spirit of science is always trying to lead
law, the exact --------- of the law is the result of people to the study of --------- and away from
judicial interpretation. the spinning of fanciful theories out of their
(A) ideas … enforcement own minds.
(B) bills … wording (A) tradition
(C) works … punishment (B) order
(D) words … meaning (C) legalities
(D) literature
29. Since movies have become more ----------,
many people believe television to be 33. The fame of the author does not --------- the
----------. quality of his or her works. We must avoid
(A) helpful … utilitarian equating success with infallibility.
(B) expensive … necessary (A) prejudice
(C) common … inadequate (B) assure
(D) costly … useless (C) dignify
(D) extol
30. Spores are a form of life that remain----------
until environmental conditions exist in which 34. The mechanisms that develop hatred in man
they can become-----------. are most potent, since there is more -------- than
(A) inactive … vibrant ---------- in the world.
(B) hidden … dangerous (A) tolerance … prejudice
(C) suppressed … visible (B) joy … rapture
(D) controlled … rampant (C) love … hatred
(D) strife … tranquility
31. The ---------- child thought old people should
be polite to him!
(A) submissive
(B) impertinent
(C) alternate
(D) classless

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 1 VR
35. Mining is often called the ---------- industry,
since it neither creates nor replenishes what it 38. The ---------- mob roamed through the streets of
takes. the city, shouting their ----------
(A) robber of law and order.
(B) ecology (A) influential … fear
(C) natural (B) indifferent … horror
(D) evil (C) disciplined … discarded
(D) explained … excused
36. The racial problem is of such --------- that it
makes going to the moon seem -----------. 39. Errors in existing theories are discovered, and
(A) complexity … helpful the theories are either ----------- or ----------.
(B) certainty … problematic (A) improved … obeyed
(C) magnitude … child’s play (B) removed … followed
(D) docility … effortless (C) altered … discarded
(D) explained … excused
37. To be ---------- a theatrical setting must
resemble -----------. 40. In observing the ---------- society of the ant, the
(A) believable … home scientist can learn much about the more
(B) effective … reality ---------- society of man.
(C) reasonable … beauty (A) hostile … evil
(D) respectable … ideas (B) elementary … complicated
(C) plain … homogeneous
(D) unadorned … unsophisticated

STOP. If there is time, you

may check your work in this
7 section only.
 Quantitative Reasoning

UPPER LEVEL

Practice Test

Copyright © 2012 by Educational Records Bureau. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be
reproduced, redistributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, manual,
photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written
permission of the Educational Records Bureau.
8
 2 QR
Section 2
Quantitative Reasoning
37 Questions Time: 35 minutes

This section is divided into two parts that contain two different types of questions. As soon as you have
completed Part One, answer the questions in Part Two. You may write in your test booklet. For each
answer you select, remember to fill in the corresponding circle on your answer document.

Any figures that accompany the questions in this section may be assumed to be drawn as accurately as
possible EXCEPT when it is stated that a particular figure is not drawn to scale. Letters such as x, y, and
n stand for real numbers.

Part One — Word Problems

Each question in Part One consists of a word problem followed by four answer choices. You may write in
your test booklet; however, you may be able to solve many of these problems in your head. Next, look at
the four answer choices given and select the best answer.

EXAMPLE 1: Sample Answer

What is the value of the expression 2 × (3 + 4) ÷ (2 + 5)?
(A) 0
(B) 2
(C) 7
(D) 14
The correct answer is 2, so circle B is darkened.

9 Go on to the next page.

QR 2
Part Two — Quantitative Comparisons
All questions in Part Two are quantitative comparisons between the quantities shown in Column A and
Column B. Using the information given in each question, compare the quantity in Column A to the
quantity in Column B, and choose one of these four answer choices:

(A) The quantity in Column A is greater.

(B) The quantity in Column B is greater.
(C) The two quantities are equal.
(D) The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

EXAMPLE 2: Column A Column B Sample Answer

50% of 80 40% of 100
The quantity in Column A (40) is the same as the quantity
in Column B (40), so circle C is darkened.

EXAMPLE 3: x is any real number

Column A Column B Sample Answer
x –x
Since x can be any real number (including 0 or negative
numbers), there is not enough information given to
determine the relationship, so circle D is darkened.

STOP. Do not go on
10 until told to do so.
 2 QR
Part One— Word Problems
Directions: Choose the best answer from the four choices given.

1. Which pair of values for 𝑥𝑥 and □ will make 5. If a − 2b = −7 , then which expression is
the following statement true? 2𝑥𝑥□8 equal to a?
(A) (6, <) (A) 2b − 7
(B) (4, >) (B) 2b + 7
(C) (0, <) (C) −2b + 7
(D) (−3, >) (D) −2b − 7

2. Complete the following statement: 7(3 × 6. A millimeter is what part of a meter?

1
) + 4 = 2104 (A)
10
(A) 10 1
(B)
100
(B) 10 + 2
1
(C)
(C) 102 1000
1
(D) 103 (D)
10,000

3. 0.5% is equal to 7. What is the least common denominator for

(A) 0.005 2 1 5 7
, , , and ?
3 2 6 9
(B) 0.05
1
(A) 36
(C)
2 (B) 32
(D) 0.5 (C) 24
(D) 18
4. A scalene triangle has
(A) two equal sides
(B) two equal sides and one right angle
(C) no equal sides
(D) three equal sides

11 Go on to the next page.

 QR 2
8. Find the area of a triangle whose dimensions
12.
are: 𝑏𝑏 = 14 inches, ℎ = 20 inches.
𝐴𝐴𝐶𝐶 ∩ 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 is equal to
(A) 140 square inches
(B) 208 square inches (A) 𝐴𝐴𝐶𝐶

(C) 280 square inches (B) 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴

(D) 288 square inches (C) 𝐴𝐴𝐶𝐶
(D) 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴
9. What is the difference between (4 × 103 ) + 6
and (2 × 103 ) + (3 × 10) + 8? 2(23 +22 )
13. What is the value of the expression ?
4(8+2)
(A) 168
3
(B) 1968 (A)
10
3
(C) 3756 (B)
5
(D) 55968 1
(C)
2
2
(D)
10. The set of common factors for 30 and 24 is 3

(A) {1, 2, 3, 6}
(B) {1, 2, 3, 4, 6} 14. One runner can run 𝑀 miles in 𝐻 hours.
(C) {1, 2, 4, 6} Another faster runner can run 𝑁 miles in 𝐿
(D) {1, 2, 4, 6, 12} hours. The difference in their rates can be
expressed as
𝑀−𝑁
11. The board shown below is 6 feet long, 4 inches (A)
𝐻
wide, and 2 inches thick. One-third of it will be (B) 𝑀𝐻 − 𝐻𝐿
driven into the ground. How much surface area 𝐻𝑁
(C)
𝑀−𝐿
remains above ground?
𝑁 𝑀
(D) −
𝐿 𝐻

15. A square has an area of 49 sq. in. The number

of inches in its perimeter is

(A) About 4 sq. ft. (A) 7.

(B) Slightly less than 5 sq. ft. (B) 14.

(C) Slightly more than 5 sq. ft. (C) 28.

(D) About 8 sq. ft. (D) 98.

12 Go on to the next page.

 2 QR
16. If Mary is 𝑥𝑥 years old now and her sister is 3 18. If an engine pumps 𝐺 gallons of water per
years younger, then 5 years from now her sister minute, then the number of gallons pumped in
will be what age? half an hour may be found by
(A) 𝑥𝑥 + 5 years (A) taking one half of 𝐺.
(B) 𝑥𝑥 + 3 years (B) dividing 60 by 𝐺.
(C) 𝑥𝑥 + 2 years (C) multiplying 𝐺 by 30.
(D) 8 years (D) dividing 30 by 𝐺.

17. In the figure below, the largest possible circle is 19. Two cars start from the same point at the same
cut out of a square piece of tin. The area of the time. One drives north at 20 miles per hour and
remaining piece of tin is approximately (in the other drives south on the same straight road
square inches) at 36 miles per hour. How many miles apart are
they after 30 minutes?
(A) Less than 10
(B) Between 10 and 20
(C) Between 20 and 30
(D) Between 30 and 40

(A) 0.14
(B) 0.75
(C) 0.86
(D) 3.14

13 Go on to the next page.

QR 2
Part Two— Quantitative Comparisons
Directions: Using the information given in each question, compare the quantity in Column A to the
quantity in Column B. All questions in Part Two have these answer choices:

(A) The quantity in Column A is greater.

(B) The quantity in Column B is greater.
(C) The two quantities are equal.
(D) The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

Column A Column B

𝑠𝑠 = 1
t=3
𝑎𝑎 = −2

20. [5𝑎𝑎(4𝑡𝑡)]3 [4𝑎𝑎(5𝑠𝑠)]2

4 > 𝑥𝑥 > −3
21. 𝑥𝑥 3
3 𝑥𝑥

a<b
22. 𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾 𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾

23.

14 Go on to the next page.

 2 QR
Answer choices for all questions on this page:
(A) The quantity in Column A is greater.
(B) The quantity in Column B is greater.
(C) The two quantities are equal.
(D) The relationship cannot be determined from the information given.

24. 2 3 6 3
+ −
3 7 21 7

𝑦𝑦 = an odd integer

25. The numerical value of 𝑦𝑦 2 The numerical value of 𝑦𝑦 3

26. (8 + 6) ÷ [3 − 7(2)] (6 + 8) ÷ [2 − 7(3)]

27.. 9 9 3
Three fourths of ∙
9 9 4

𝑁𝐶𝐶 = 𝑁𝐶𝐶
∠𝑁 > ∠𝐶𝐶

28. NC 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶

29. 1 1
√9 3

30. Parallelogram 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐶𝐶𝐴𝐴

𝐴𝐴 is a point on 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴
Area of ∆𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 Area of ∆𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 + Area of ∆𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸

15 Go on to the next page.

QR 2
2 5
31. 5( ) � �2
3 3

𝑥𝑥 = −1
32.
𝑥𝑥 3 + 𝑥𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑥 + 1 𝑥𝑥 3 − 𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑥 − 1

1 2 2
2+3 3
2 1 2
+
33.
3 2 3

34. The edge of a cube whose The edge of a cube whose

volume is 27 total surface area is 54

Area of a circle whose Area of a circle whose

35. radius is 𝑥𝑥 3 radius is 3𝑥𝑥

36. Radius of larger circle = 10

Radius of smaller circle = 7
Area of shaded portion Area of smaller circle

𝑎𝑎 < 0 < 𝑏𝑏

37. 𝑎𝑎2 𝑏𝑏
2

STOP. If there is time, you

may check your work in this
16 section only.
 Reading Comprehension

UPPER LEVEL

Practice Test

Copyright © 2012 by Educational Records Bureau. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be
reproduced, redistributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, manual,
photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written
permission of the Educational Records Bureau.

17
RC 3
Section 3
Reading Comprehension
36 Questions Time: 40 minutes

This section contains six short reading passages. Each passage is followed by six questions based on its
content. Answer the questions following each passage on the basis of what is stated or implied in that
passage. You may write in your test booklet.

STOP. Do not go on
18 until told to do so.
 3 RC
Questions 1–6

1 When we say a snake “glides,” we have already persuaded ourselves to shiver a little. If we say that it
2 “slithers,” we are as good as undone. To avoid unsettling ourselves, we should state the simple fact—a snake
3 walks.
4 A snake doesn’t have any breastbone. The tips of its ribs are free moving and amount, so to speak, to its
5 feet. A snake walks along on its rib tips, pushing forward its ventral scutes at each “step,” and it speeds up this
6 mode of progress by undulating from side to side ad by taking advantage of every rough “toehold” it can find
7 in the terrain.
8 Let’s look at it this way: A human or other animal going forward on all fours is using a sort of locomotion
9 that’s familiar enough to all of us and isn’t at all dismaying. Now: Suppose this walker is enclosed inside some
10 sort of pliable encasement like a sacking. The front “feet” will still step forward, the “hind legs” still hitch
11 along afterward. It will still be a standard enough sort of animal walking, only all we’ll see now is a sort of
12 wiggling of the sacking without visible feet. That’s the snake way. A snake has its covering outside its feet, as
13 an insect has its skeleton on its outside with no bones in the interior. There’s nothing more “horrid” about the
14 one arrangement than about the other.
15 Essentially, when snakes move on land, they use their muscles to push off of something on the ground.
16 They might push against a rock or piece of wood, or even against a rough terrain. This form of movement is
17 called serpentine movement, and it is common for snakes moving on land and even in the water. In the water,
18 snakes actually use the water itself as a point of resistance, pushing off the water to help them move.

19 Go on to the next page.

 RC 3
1. The title below that expression the main idea of 4. We may conclude that the author
this selection is (A) raises reptiles.
(A) “Snake’s Legs.” (B) dislikes snakes.
(B) “Comparing Snakes to People.” (C) is well informed about snakes.
(C) “The Movement of a Snake.” (D) thinks snakes move better than humans.
(D) “A Slimy Animal.”
5. The word locomotion (line 8) most nearly
2. A snake’s “feet” are its means
(A) toes (A) train.
(B) ribs (B) limit.
(C) side (C) fuel.
(D) breastbone (D) movement.

3. The word terrain (line 7) means 6. The author most likely believes that snake
(A) terraced. movement is
(B) rocky ledge. (A) naturally upsetting.
(C) vertical hole. (B) a great deal like flying.
(D) ground areas. (C) similar on land and water.
(D) more like gilding than walking.

20 Go on to the next page.

 3 RC
Questions 7–12

1 When a luxury liner or a cargo ship nudges into her slip after an ocean crossing, her first physical contact
2 with land is a heaving line. These streamers with a weight at the end called a “monkey fist” arch gracefully
3 from deck to pier. On board the ship the heaving lines are tied to heavy, golden yellow manila mooring lines.
4 Longshoremen quickly pull in the heaving lines until they can fasten the mooring lines to iron bollards (posts).
5 Soon the ship is strung to her pier by four, eight, or as many as twenty-one nine-inch or ten-inch manila lines
6 with perhaps a few wire ropes to stay motion fore and aft. The ship is secure against even the wrath of the
7 storm or hurricane. A ship could dock without the aid of tugboats—and may have in New York in maritime
8 strikes—but not without the lines to moor her to her berth.
9 The maritime and the related fishing industry find perhaps 250 applications for rope and cordage. There
10 are hundreds of different sizes, construction, tensile strengths, and weights in rope and twine. Rope is sold by
11 the pound but ordered by length, and it is measured by circumference rather than by the pound but diameter.
12 The maritime variety is made chiefly from fiber of the abaca, or manila plant, which is imported from the
13 Philippines and Central America. Henequen from Mexico and Cuba, and sisal from Africa, the Netherlands,
14 East Indies, and other areas are also used, but chiefly for twine.
15 Nylon is coming into increasing use, particularly by towing companies. It is much stronger, lighter in weight,
16 and longer-wearing than manila. It is less susceptible to mildew than ropes made from natural fibers, and it is
17 also more elastic and particularly adaptable for ocean towing. Its elasticity helps it to cushion well against
18 shock, but a disadvantage is that it can become too stretched out for use in certain applications

21 Go on to the next page.

 RC 3
7. In docking a ship, rope is 10. Which of the following are NOT correctly
(A) only a litter less important than a tugboat. paired?
(B) essential. (A) Sisal from the Philippines
(C) helpful but not necessary. (B) Henequen from Cuba
(D) seldom used. (C) Abaca from Central America
(D) Sisal from the Netherlands East Indies
8. A monkey fist (line 2) a
(A) device for weaving rope. 11. The word chiefly (line 14) most nearly means
(B) slang term for a longshoreman. (A) mainly.
(C) rope streamer. (B) initially.
(D) weight at the end of a rope. (C) only.
(D) wisely.
9. Mooring ropes are
(A) ten inches in diameter. 12. According to the selection, which of the
(B) twenty-one inches in circumference. following is a disadvantage of nylon?
(C) six times thicker than heaving ropes. (A) It cushions poorly against shock.
(D) nine inches in circumference. (B) It can become overstretched.
(C) It is not resistant to mildew.
(D) It lacks strength compared to manila.

22 Go on to the next page.

 3 RC
Questions 13–18

1 On a population map of the world, deserts are shown as great blank spaces. We often think of deserts as
2 vast expanses of nothingness—stretches of not, dry sand as far as the eye can see. And though deserts may
3 seem barren at first glance, in reality they are anything but empty and lifeless. In fact, these areas contribute
4 many things to our lives.
5 When you go to the market to buy a box of dates, you are buying a bit of sunshine and dry air from the
6 oases of the Sahara Desert or the Coachella Valley. Fresh peas or a lettuce salad for your winter dinner might
7 be the product of an irrigation farmer in the Salt River Valley or the Imperial Valley. That fine broadcloth shirt
8 you received for your birthday was made from silky, long-fibered cotton grown in Egypt. A half-woof,
9 half-cotton sweater might contain Australian wool and Peruvian cotton, which are steppe and desert products.
10 These products are only a few of the contributions these desert areas make to the quality of our lives. They
11 have also made important cultural contributions.
12 Our number system is derived from the system used by the ancient civilizations of Arabia. The use of
13 irrigation to make farming of dry areas possible was developed by the inhabitants of desert regions. The
14 necessity of the Nile River led to the development of mathematics and the practices of surveying and
15 engineering. The desert people were also our early astronomers. They studied the locations of the stars in order
16 to find their way across the limitless expanse of the desert at night.
17 The next time you gaze at a desert space on a map, then, you might reflect on the numerous contributions
18 that desert areas have made to our heritage. The common notion that desert hold little of interest is merely a
19 myth.

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 RC 3
13. The population of the word’s deserts is 16. Culturally, desert civilizations have
(A) scattered. (A) made no contributions.
(B) starving. (B) made important contributions.
(C) large. (C) not influenced western civilizations.
(D) small. (D) been blank spaces.

14. The Imperial Valley produces 17. Surveying was developed because people
(A) vegetables. needed to
(B) winter dinner. (A) study astronomy.
(C) shirts. (B) find their way across the deserts.
(D) irrigation. (C) determine land boundaries after floods.
(D) irrigate their crops.
15. According to this passage, broadcloth is made
of 18. According to the passage, the development of
(A) wool. mathematics was influenced by the area of the
(B) cotton. (A) Coachella Valley.
(C) silk. (B) Imperial Valley.
(D) Half wool, half cotton. (C) Nile Valley.
(D) Salt River Valley.

24 Go on to the next page.

 3 RC
Questions 19–24

1 Residents of Montana laughingly refer to the small, windblown settlement of Ekalaka in the Eastern
2 badlands as “Skeleton Flats,” but as curious as it may sound, the name is appropriate.
3 So many fossils have been dug up in this otherwise unremarkable town that it has become a paradise for
4 paleontologists, scientists who use fossils to study prehistoric life forms. In fact, dinosaur bones are so plentiful
5 in this area that ranchers have been known to use them as doorstops!
6 Ekalaka’s fame began to grow more than 50 years ago when Walter H. Peck, whose hobby was geology,
7 found the bones of a Stegosaurus, a huge, plant-eating dinosaur. The entire community soon became infected
8 with Peck’s enthusiasm for his find, and everyone began digging for dinosaur bones. Led by the local science
9 teacher, groups of people would go out looking for new finds each weekend, and they rarely returned
10 empty-handed. It would seem there is no end to the fossil riches to be found in Ekalaka.
11 Among the most prized finds were the remains of a Brontosaurus, an 80-foot-long monster that probably
12 weighed 40 tons. The skeleton of a Triceratops was also found. The head of this prehistoric giant alone
13 weighed more than 1,000 pounds. Careful searching also yielded small fossilized fish, complete with stony
14 scales, and the remains of a huge sea reptile.
15 The prize find was a Pachycephalosaurus, a dinosaur whose peculiar skull was several inches thick. When
16 descriptions of it reached scientific circles in the east, there was great excitement because this particular
17 prehistoric animal was then completely unknown to scientists.
18 Researchers have used the fossil remains in Ekalaka and the surrounding area to help piece together more
19 of what we know about the behaviors of dinosaurs. One well-studied finding is the fossil of a tyrannosaurus
20 rex known as Jane. Markings discovered on the left side of Jane’s face indicate that she most likely bitten by
21 another T. rex about her size. As Jane was only 11 or 12 when she died—a teenager have become involved in
22 ferocious fighting, a behavioral dynamic that the Montana fossil findings have helped to convey.

25 Go on to the next page.

 RC 3
19. In the first sentence, the author places “Sketeton 22. In the third paragraph, the author is describing
Flalts” in quotation marks to show that this the
phrase is (A) bones of a Stegoasurus.
(A) a nickname given to the town by Montana (B) discovery of the first fossil finds in Ekalaka.
residents, not the actual name of the town. (C) town of Ekalaka.
(B) spelled incorrectly. (D) people of Ekalaka.
(C) being spoken by someone other than the
author. 23. Discovery of the Pachycephalosaurus caused
(D) a scientific term. excitement because
(A) its skull was several inches thick.
20. This article is primarily about (B) it was the first evidence of this creature ever
(A) paleontology found and reported to scientists.
(B) products of the state of Montana. (C) news of it reached eastern scientific circles.
(C) fossil finds in Ekalaka. (D) it received a prize.
(D) the Pachycephalosaurus.
24. The discovery of the dinosaur known as Jane
21. According to this passage, a paleontologist is revealed that
(A) someone whose hobby is geology. (A) ancient fish most likely were covered in
(B) a paradise. scales.
(C) a plant-eating dinosaur. (B) the Triceratops had a extremely large head.
(D) someone who studies fossil. (C) dinosaurs were likely to be bitten by
crocodiles.
(D) teenage dinosaurs engaged in intense combat.

26 Go on to the next page.

 3 RC
Questions 25–30

1 Powdered zirconium is more fiery and violent than the magnesium powder that went into wartime
2 incendiary bombs. Under some conditions, it can be ignited with a kitchen match, and it cannot be
3 extinguished with water. Munitions makers once tried to incorporate it into explosives, but turned it down
4 as too dangerous for even them to handle.
5 But when this strange metal is transformed into a solid bar or sheet or tube, as lustrous as burnished
6 silver, its temper changes. It is so docile that it can be used by surgeons as a safe covering plate for
7 sensitive brain tissues. It is almost as strong as steel, and it can be exposed to hydrochloric acid or nitric
8 acid without corroding. It is even used in nuclear reactors because of its ability to withstand corrosion.
9 Zirconium is also safe and stable when it is bound up with other elements to form mineral compounds,
10 which occur in abundant deposits in North and South America, India, and Australia. Although it is
11 classified as a rare metal, it is more abundant in the earth’s crust than nickel, copper, tungsten, tin, or lead.
12 Until not long ago, scarcely a dozen people had ever seen zirconium in pure form, but today it is the
13 wonder metal of a fantastic new industry , an exciting structural material for chemical equipment and for
14 superrockets and jet engines, and a vital component of television, radar, and radio sets. It may be most
15 well-known for its role in jewelry making, as cubic zirconium gems resemble diamonds in appearance but
16 sell for a fraction of the piece.
17 Despite its widespread use in many different applications, some contemporary uses for zirconium have
18 been tried and discarded. Its irritating properties make it a poor choice for inclusion in skin products, as
19 manufacturers discovered when it was tried as a component in topical skin treatment and deodorants.

27 Go on to the next page.

 3 RC
25. Which title best expresses the main idea of this 28. Zirconium is not safe to handle when it is
selection? (A) lustrous.
(A) “A Vital Substance” (B) powdered.
(B) “A Safe, Stable Substance” (C) in tubes.
(C) “Zirconium’s Uses in Surgery” (D) in bar form.
(D) “Characteristics of Zirconium”
29. The selection tells us that zirconium
26. The word docile in line 7 means (A) is a metal.
(A) clam. (B) is fireproof.
(B) pliable. (C) dissolves in water.
(C) strong. (D) is stronger than steel.
(D) profuse.
30. Zirconium is likely to be useful in all of these
27. The selection emphasizes that fields EXCEPT
(A) zirconium rusts easily. (A) surgery.
(B) chemists have found many uses for (B) television.
zirconium. (C) atomic research
(C) keys are often made of zirconium nowadays. (D) the manufacture of fireworks.
(D) zirconium is less abundant in the earth’s crust
than lead.

28 Go on to the next page.

 3 RC
Questions 31—36

1 Between 1780 and 1790, in piecemeal fashion, a trial was established between Catskill on the Hudson and
2 the frontier outpost, Ithaca, in the Finger Lakes country. This path, by grace of following the valleys, managed
3 to thread its way through the mountains by what are on the whole surprisingly easy grades. Ultimately, this
4 route became the Susquehanna Turnpike, but in popular speech it was just the Ithaca Road. It was, along with
5 the Mohawk Turnpike and the Great Western Turnpike, one of the three great east-west highways of the state.
6 Eventually it was the route taken by thousands of Yankee farmers, more especially Connecticut Yankees,
7 seeking new fortunes in southwestern New York. Along it, the tide of pioneer immigration flowed at flood
8 crest for a full generation.
9 As the road left Catskill, there was no stream that might not be either forded or crossed on a crude bridge
10 until the traveler reached the Susquehanna, which was a considerable river and a real obstacle to his progress.
11 The road came down out of the Catskills via the valley of the Ouleout Creek and struck the Susquehanna just
12 above the present village of Unadilla. Hither about the year 1784 came a Connecticut man, Nathaniel Wattles,
13 who settled there and dedicated himself to baggage—and oftentimes a little caravan of livestock—might be set
14 across the river dry-shod and in safety. Wattles here established an inn where one might find lodging and
15 entertainment, and a general store where might be purchased such staples as were essential for the journey. He
16 also opened roads that enabled settlers to travel from the area in any direction. So it was that Wattles’ Ferry
17 became the best known landmark on the Ithaca Road.

28 Go on to the next page.

 RC 3
31. The author indicates that the Susquehanna 34. According to this selection, Nathaniel Wattles
Turnpike was prepared to offer travelers all of the
(A) Began as a narrow trail. following EXCEPT
(B) was the most important northsouth highway (A) guides.
in the state. (B) a place to sleep.
(C) furnished travelers with surprising (C) entertainment.
obstacles. (D) groceries.
(D) went out of use after a generation.
35. The word staples (line 22) most nearly means
32. The western end of the Susquehanna Turnpike (A) fasteners.
was located at (B) supplies.
(A) the Hudson River. (C) transportation.
(B) the Connecticut border. (D) experiences.
(C) Ithaca.
(D) Catskill. 36. The purpose of Wattles’ Ferry was to
(A) provide travelers with overnight lodging.
33. The Susquehanna Turnpike was also known as (B) help residents establish homes in Unadilla.
(A) the Ithaca Road. (C) help travelers cross the Susquehanna River.
(B) Wattles’ Ferry. (D) teach families the techniques of river
(C) the Catskill Trail. rafting.
(D) the Mohawk Turnpike.

STOP. If there is time, you

may check your work in this
30 section only.
 Mathematics Achievement

UPPER LEVEL

Practice Test

Copyright © 2012 by Educational Records Bureau. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be
reproduced, redistributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, manual,
photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written
permission of the Educational Records Bureau.

31
MA 4
Section 4
Mathematics Achievement
47 Questions Time: 40 minutes

Each question is followed by four suggested answers. Read each question and then decide which one of
the four suggested answers is best.

Find the row of spaces on your answer document that has the same number as the question. In this row,
mark the space having the same letter as the answer you have chosen. You may write in your test booklet.

SAMPLE QUESTION: Sample Answer

What is the area of a rectangle that has a length of 8 cm
and a width of 6 cm?
(A) 28 cm2
(B) 36 cm2
(C) 48 cm2
(D) 64 cm2
The correct answer is 48 cm2, so circle C is darkened.

STOP. Do not go on
32 until told to do so.
 4 MA
1. A square measures 8 inches on one side. By 5. Aluminum bronze consists of copper and
how much will the area be increased if its aluminum, usually in the ratio of 10:1 by
length is increased by 4 inches and its width weight. If an object made of this alloy weighs
decreased by 2 inches? 77 pounds, how many pounds of aluminum
(A) 14 sq. in. does it contain?
(B) 12 sq. in. (A) 7
(C) 10 sq. in. (B) 7.7
(D) 8 sq. in. (C) 10
(D) 70
2. r = 35 − (3 + 6)(−n)
n=2 6. How many boxes 2 inches × 3 inches × 4
r= inches can fit into a carton 2 feet × 3 feet ×
(A) 53 4 feet?
(B) 17 (A) 100
(C) −17 (B) 144
(D) −53 (C) 1000
(D) 1728
3. (3 + 4)3 =
(A) 21 7. A clerk can add 40 columns of figures an hour
(B) 91 by using an adding machine and 20 columns of
(C) 343 figures an hour without using an adding
(D) 490 machine. What is the total number of hours it
will take the clerk to add 200 columns of
4 3
4. Which value is NOT equal to ? figures if of the work is done by machine
9 5
2 and the rest without the machine?
(A)
4.5
(A) 6 hours
(B) 0.4444444
9
(B) 7 hours
(C)
18 (C) 8 hours
(D) 0.4� (D) 9 hours

33 Go on to the next page.

 MA 4
8. Mr. Lawson makes a weekly salary of $150 12. If a plane travels 1000 miles in 5 hours 30
plus 7% commission on his sales. What will his minutes, what is its average speed in miles per
income be for a week in which he makes sales hour?
9
totaling $945? (A) 181
11
(A) $196.15 1
(B) 191
2
(B) $206.15
(C) 200
(C) $216.15
(D) 215
(D) $226.15

13. Two years ago a company purchased 500 dozen

9. Solve for 𝑥𝑥: 𝑥𝑥 2 + 5 = 41
pencils at 40 cents per dozen. This year only 75
(A) ±6
percent as many pencils were purchased as
(B) ±7
were purchased two years ago, but the price
(C) ±8
was 20 percent higher than the old price. What
(D) ±9
was the total cost of pencils purchased by the
company this year?
10. Two rectangular boards each measuring 5 feet
(A) $180
by 3 feet are placed together to make one large
(B) $187.50
board. How much shorter will the perimeter be
(C) $240
if the two long sides are placed together than if
(D) $257.40
the two short sides are placed together?
(A) 2 feet
14. An adult’s ski lift ticket costs twice as much as
(B) 4 feet
a child’s. If a family of three children and two
(C) 6 feet
adults can ski $49, what is the cost of an adult
(D) 8 feet
ticket?

𝑥
(A) $7
11. Solve for 𝑥𝑥: + 36 = 37.25.
2 (B) $10
(A) 2.5 (C) $12
(B) 3.5 (D) $14
(C) 12.5
(D) 18.5

34 Go on to the next page.

 4 MA
1
15. A group of 6 people raised $690 for charity. 19. 63 ÷ =
9
One of the people raised 35% of the total. What
(A) 7
was the amount raised by the other 5 people?
(B) 56
(A) $448.50
(C) 67
(B) $241.50
(D) 567
(C) $89.70
(D) $74.75
20. With an 18% discount, John was able to save
$13.23 on a coat. What was the original price
16. Which expression is equivalent to the
of the coat?
expression (y + 5)(y − 1)?
(A) $69.75
2
(A) 𝑦𝑦 − 5 (B) $71.50
2
(B) 𝑦𝑦 + 4 (C) $73.50
2
(C) 𝑦𝑦 − 4𝑦𝑦 − 5 (D) $74.75
2
(D) 𝑦𝑦 + 4𝑦𝑦 − 5

21. If it takes three men 56 minutes to fill a trench

1
17. If the scale on a blueprint is
4
inch = 1 foot, 4′ × 6′ × 5′, and two of the men work twice as
give the blueprint dimensions of a room that is rapidly as the third, how many minutes will it
actually 29 feet long and 23 feet wide. take the two faster men alone to fill this trench?
3 (A) 70 minutes
(A) 6 " × 6"
4
1 1
(B) 60 minutes
(B) 7 " × 5 "
4 2 (C) 50 minutes
1 3
(C) 7 " × 5 " (D) 40 minutes
4 4
1 1
(D) 7 " × 5 "
2 2

18. Find the area of a rectangle with a length of

176 feet and a width of 79 feet.
(A) 13,904 sq. ft.
(B) 13,854 sq. ft.
(C) 13,804 sq. ft.
(D) 13,304 sq. ft.

35 Go on to the next page.

 MA 4
1
22. Population figures for a certain area show there 26. The scale on a map is " = 25 miles. If two
8
1
are 1 times as many single men as single 7
2 cities are 3 " apart on the map, what is the
8
women in the area. The total population is
actual distance between them?
18,000. There are 1122 married couples, with
(A) 31 miles
756 children. How many single men are there
(B) 56 miles
in the area?
(C) 675 miles
(A) 3000
(D) 775 miles
(B) 6000
(C) 9000
27. A house was valued at $83,000 and insured for
(D) It cannot be determine from the information
80% of that a amount. Find the yearly premium
given.
if it is figured at $0.45 per hundred dollars of
value.
23. If a vehicle is to complete a 20-mile trip at an
(A) $83.80
average rate of 30 miles per hour, it must
(B) $252.63
complete the trip in
(C) $298.80
(A) 20 minutes
(D) $664
(B) 30 minutes
(C) 40 minutes
28. If a certain job can be performed by 18 clerks
(D) 50 minutes
in 26 days, the number of clerks needed to
perform the job in 12 days is
2
24. Solve for 𝑥𝑥: 2x + 3 = 21
(A) 24 clerks.
(A) ±3 (B) 30 clerks.
(B) ±5 (C) 39 clerks.
(C) ±9 (D) 52 clerks.
(D) ±10

25. Find the area of a circle whose diameter is 6".

(A) 29.26
(B) 28.26
(C) 27.96
(D) 27.26

36 Go on to the next page.

 4 MA
29. 72.61 ÷ 0.05 = 32. One third of the number of people attending a
(A) 1.45220 football game were admitted at the normal
(B) 14.522 price of admission. How many people paid full
(C) 145.220 price, if the gate receipts were $42,000?
(D) 1452.20 (A) 2800 people
(B) 3500 people
30. A car dealer sold three different makes of cars. (C) 5000 people
The price of the first make was $4200, the (D) It cannot be determined by the information
second $4800, and the third $5400. The total given.
sales were $360,000. If three times as many of
the third car were sold as the first, and twice as 33. 7 days 3 hours 20 minutes – 4 days 9 hours 31
many of the second make were sold than the minutes =
first, how many cars of the third make were (A) 2 days 17 hours 49 minutes
sold? (B) 2 days 17 hours 69 minutes
(A) 15 (C) 3 days 10 hours 49 minutes
(B) 24 (D) 3 days 10 hours 69 minutes
(C) 36
(D) It cannot be determined by the information 34. Find the area of a triangle whose dimensions
given. are b = 12", h = 14".
(A) 168 sq. ft.
31. Increased by 150%, the number 72 becomes (B) 84 sq. ft.
(A) 108 (C) 42 sq. ft.
(B) 170 (D) 24 sq. ft.
(C) 180
(D) 188

37 Go on to the next page.

 MA 4
35. Which equation represents the statement four 38. Which is the longest time?
times a certain number divided by three, minus (A) 25 hours
six, equals two? (B) 1440 minutes
4𝑛
(A) −6=2 (C) 1 day
3
(D) 3600 seconds
(B) 4𝑛2 − 6 = 2
(C) 4𝑛2 ÷ 3 − 6 = 2
1
39. Two cars are 550 miles apart, both traveling on
(D) � 𝑛 ÷ 3� − 6 = 2
4 the same straight road toward each other. If one
travels at 50 miles per hour, the other at 60
36. If 14𝑥𝑥 − 2𝑦𝑦 = 32 and 𝑥𝑥 + 2𝑦𝑦 = 13, then miles per hour, and they both leave at 1 p.m.,
𝑥𝑥 = what time will they meet?
(A) 8 (A) 4 p.m.
(B) 5 (B) 4:30 p.m.
(C) 4 (C) 5:45 p.m.
(D) 3 (D) 6 p.m.

37. An ordinary die is thrown. What are the odds

that it will come up 1? 40. Write 493 in expanded form, using exponents.
1 (A) (4 × 103 ) + (9 × 102 ) + (3 × 10)
(A)
4
1
(B) (4 × 102 ) + (9 × 10) + 3
(B)
6 (C) (4 × 102 ) + (9 × 10) − 7
1
(C)
8 (D) (4 × 101 ) + (9 × 10) + 3
1
(D)
12

38 Go on to the next page.

 MA 4
41. If 10 workers earn $5400 in 12 days, how much 44. If ab + 4 = 52, and a = 6, b =
will 6 workers earn in 15 days? (A) 4
(A) $10,500 (B) 8
(B) $5400 (C) 21
(C) $4050 (D) 42
(D) $2025
2
45. If of a jar is filled with water in 1 minutes,
3
3
42. The scale of a particular map is " = 5 miles. how many minutes longer will it take to fill the
8
1
If the distance between points A and B is 4 " remainder of the jar?
2
1
on the map, what is the distance in actuality? (A)
4

(A) 12 miles 1
(B)
3
(B) 36 miles 1
(C)
2
(C) 48 miles
2
(D) 60 miles (D)
3

43. Find the diameter of a circle whose area is 78.5 46. A group left on a trip at 8:50 a.m. and reached
sq. in. its destination at 3:30 p.m. How long, in hours
(A) 25 feet and minutes, did the trip take?
(B) 10 feet (A) 3 hours 10 minutes
(C) 25 inches (B) 4 hours 40 minutes
(D) 10 inches (C) 5 hours 10 minutes
(D) 6 hours 40 minutes

STOP. If there is time, you

may check your work in this
39 section only.
 Essay

UPPER LEVEL

Practice Test

Copyright © 2012 by Educational Records Bureau. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be
reproduced, redistributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, manual,
photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written
permission of the Educational Records Bureau.

40
What to Expect on the ISEE Practice Test – Essay

Essay Topic Sheet

The directions for the Essay portion of the ISEE are printed in the box below. Use the pre-lined pages in
Appendix B (pages 141–142) for this part of the Practice Test.

Note: The page references in the directions below refer to the page numbers at the bottom of the answer
sheet, not to the page numbers of the What to Expect on the ISEE book.

You will have 30 minutes to plan and write an essay on the topic printed on the
other side of this page. Do not write on another topic. An essay on another
topic is not acceptable.

The essay is designed to give you an opportunity to show how well you can
write. You should try to express your thoughts clearly. How well you write is
much more important than how much you write, but you need to say enough
for a reader to understand what you mean.

You will probably want to write more than a short paragraph. You should also
be aware that a copy of your essay will be sent to each school that will be
receiving your test results. You are to write only in the appropriate section of
the answer sheet. Please write or print so that your writing may be read by
someone who is not familiar with your handwriting.

You may make notes and plan your essay on the reverse side of the page.
Allow enough time to copy the final form onto your answer sheet. You must
copy the essay topic onto your answer sheet, on page 3, in the box provided.

Please remember to write only the final draft of the essay on pages 3 and 4 of
your answer sheet and to write it in blue or black pen. Again, you may use
cursive writing or you may print. Only pages 3 and 4 will be sent to the schools.

Directions continue on the next page

41
What to Expect on the ISEE Practice Test – Essay

Notes

42