Question 1
Read the essay. Then answer: What is the purpose of the example in paragraph 2?
Paragraph 1: A bicycle needs regular care to work well. I believe simple maintenance keeps riders safe. It also helps a bike last longer.
Paragraph 2: For example, my chain once squeaked loudly on the way home. I stopped, wiped off dirt, and added a few drops of oil. The next ride felt smooth, and pedaling was easier.
Paragraph 3: Another helpful habit is checking tire pressure each week. Soft tires make riding harder and can cause flats. A quick pump saves time later.
Paragraph 4: Finally, I test the brakes before every ride. If the pads feel loose, I tell an adult. These small steps make every trip safer and more enjoyable.
- To show that oiling the chain can improve bike performance.
- To explain why bicycles are faster than walking to school.
- To prove that squeaky chains mean a bike is broken forever.
- To describe how to win a race by pedaling harder.
Explanation: This question tests ISEE Lower Level skills: Using supporting details and examples to develop ideas. Supporting details enhance the main idea by providing evidence, examples, and elaborations that clarify and strengthen the argument. In this passage, the author uses examples such as cleaning and oiling a squeaky chain to illustrate how simple maintenance keeps bikes working well. Choice A is correct because it directly identifies how the example supports the main idea, showing comprehension of the passage's structure - the specific example demonstrates that basic care (oiling) improves performance (smooth riding). Choice B is incorrect because it introduces an unrelated comparison; Choice C misinterprets the example as permanent damage; Choice D focuses on racing, which isn't mentioned. To help students: Teach them to identify key examples and details that align directly with the thesis. Encourage practice in summarizing paragraphs to understand detail relevance.