SSAT Reading Practice Worksheet - 16

Read each passage carefully and then answer the questions about it. For each question, decide on the basis of the passage which one of the choices best answers the question.

Passage 1

The following passage is adapted from a work of narrative fiction.

    The train rattled through the darkness, and Clara pressed her forehead against the cold window, watching the scattered lights of farmhouses blink past like dying stars. She had left Toronto at dawn, and now, twelve hours later, the prairie stretched endlessly (5) before her, a black void punctuated only by the occasional glow of a distant town. In her lap sat the telegram, its words already memorized: “Father passed Tuesday stop funeral Saturday stop come home stop.”     Home. The word felt foreign now, after six years in the city. She had built (10) a life there – a secretarial position at the publishing house, a small apartment with a view of the harbor, friends who met for tea on Sundays. Her father had never visited, not once, though she had sent him her address in every letter. His replies, when they came at all, were terse and factual: the (15) wheat yield, the cost of a new thresher, the health of the horses.     Clara pulled her coat tighter. She wondered if anyone in the town would recognize her. She had been nineteen when she left, her hair still long and her hands still rough from helping with the harvest. Now she wore (20) it short, in the modern style, and her hands were soft, accustomed only to typewriter keys. Would they see her as a stranger, a city woman with unfamiliar airs? Or would they see only what she had been – Thomas Hartwell’s daughter, the one who had fled?

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

1. describe the historical development of prairie towns in Canada
2. convey a character’s conflicted emotions as she returns to her childhood home
3. explain the reasons why young people left rural areas in the early twentieth century
4. celebrate the independence a woman achieves by moving to a city
5. criticize the difficult relationship between fathers and daughters

2. As used in line 14, the word “terse” most nearly means

1. affectionate
2. lengthy
3. brief
4. angry
5. complicated

3. The description of farmhouse lights as “dying stars” (line 4) suggests that Clara views the prairie landscape as

1. romantic and inviting
2. desolate and fading
3. scientifically interesting
4. brightly illuminated
5. familiar and comforting

4. According to the passage, Clara’s father communicated with her primarily about

1. his feelings of abandonment after she left
2. practical matters related to farm life
3. his plans to visit her in Toronto
4. his pride in her professional accomplishments
5. family members who still lived on the prairie

5. The passage suggests that Clara’s physical appearance has changed in all of the following ways EXCEPT

1. her hairstyle has become more fashionable
2. her hands have become softer
3. her clothing has become more sophisticated
4. her posture has become more upright
5. her hair has become shorter

6. Clara’s question about whether townspeople will “see her as a stranger” (line 21) suggests that she

1. hopes they will not remember her at all
2. feels uncertain about how she will be received
3. plans to introduce herself with a false name
4. believes she is superior to her former neighbors
5. expects them to welcome her warmly

7. The tone of the passage can best be described as

1. celebratory and joyful
2. anxious and reflective
3. bitter and resentful
4. detached and objective
5. humorous and lighthearted

Passage 2

The following passage is adapted from an article on marine biology.

    For centuries, sailors reported sightings of enormous squid, creatures large enough to drag a man overboard or even capsize a small boat. Marine biologists dismissed these accounts as exaggerations born of maritime superstition. But in 2004, Japanese researchers Tsunemi Kubodera and Kyoichi Mori succeeded in (5) capturing the first photographs of a living giant squid in its natural habitat, nearly 900 meters below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. The images confirmed what fishermen had long insisted: Architeuthis dux, the giant squid, is not merely a creature of legend.     The giant squid remains one of the ocean’s most enigmatic inhabitants. Adults are believed to (10) reach lengths of thirteen meters or more, with eyes the size of dinner plates – the largest in the animal kingdom. These enormous eyes gather light in the perpetual darkness of the deep sea, allowing the squid to detect the silhouettes of prey and predators alike. The squid’s eight arms and two longer feeding tentacles are lined with (15) hundreds of suction cups, each ringed with sharp, tooth-like structures that grip struggling prey.     Despite their size, giant squid are agile hunters. Analysis of stomach contents reveals a diet consisting primarily of deep-sea fish and smaller squid. Their primary predator, however, is the sperm whale. Examination of whale (20) skin often reveals circular scars left by squid suction cups, evidence of fierce battles waged in the lightless depths. Scientists estimate that sperm whales may consume hundreds of giant squid annually, suggesting that these elusive cephalopods are far more numerous than their rare appearances would indicate.

8. The main idea of the passage is that the giant squid

1. poses a significant danger to ships and sailors
2. is a real and fascinating creature that has only recently been photographed alive
3. should be protected from hunting by sperm whales
4. has been thoroughly studied by marine biologists for many decades
5. lives exclusively in the Pacific Ocean near Japan

9. As used in line 9, the word “enigmatic” most nearly means

1. dangerous
2. beautiful
3. mysterious
4. extinct
5. common

10. According to the passage, the giant squid’s eyes are adapted to

1. see colors in shallow tropical waters
2. detect movement in near-total darkness
3. locate prey on the ocean surface
4. communicate with other squid
5. blind attacking sperm whales

11. The author mentions “circular scars” on whale skin (line 20) in order to

1. prove that giant squid are dangerous to humans
2. provide evidence of predator-prey interactions between whales and squid
3. explain how scientists measure the size of giant squid
4. suggest that whales are injured by the squid’s eyes
5. demonstrate that squid are more aggressive than previously thought

12. The passage suggests that before 2004, marine biologists

1. had frequently photographed giant squid in aquariums
2. believed sailor reports about giant squid were unreliable
3. had proven that giant squid were extinct
4. were certain that giant squid did not exist
5. had captured several living specimens for study

13. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about the population size of giant squid?

1. It is smaller than the population of sperm whales.
2. It has decreased significantly since 2004.
3. It is larger than scientists once believed.
4. It is limited to fewer than one hundred individuals.
5. It can be measured by counting scars on whales.

14. The structure of the passage can best be described as

1. a chronological narrative of a scientific expedition
2. an introduction to a mysterious creature followed by details about its physical characteristics and ecological relationships
3. a comparison between giant squid and other deep-sea animals
4. an argument in favor of increased funding for marine research
5. a refutation of common myths about ocean life

Passage 3

The following is adapted from Chief Joseph’s surrender speech, delivered in 1877.

    Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before, I have it in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed; Looking Glass is dead, Ta Hool Hool Shute is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led on the young men (5) is dead. It is cold, and we have no blankets; the little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are – perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe (10) I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.

15. The primary purpose of Chief Joseph’s speech is to

1. announce his decision to end armed resistance
2. request additional supplies for the coming winter
3. praise General Howard for his military strategy
4. celebrate the victories his people have won
5. encourage the young men to continue fighting

16. As used in line 2, the phrase “I have it in my heart” most nearly means

1. I have memorized it
2. I deeply remember and value it
3. I feel pain because of it
4. I have written it down
5. I have shared it with others

17. Chief Joseph mentions that “the old men are all dead” (line 4) most likely to emphasize

1. the advanced age of the tribal leaders
2. the devastating losses his people have suffered
3. his respect for traditional leadership structures
4. the cowardice of those who fled to the hills
5. the superior strength of the young warriors

18. The tone of the speech can best be described as

1. defiant and vengeful
2. weary and mournful
3. optimistic and hopeful
4. angry and accusatory
5. indifferent and detached

19. Chief Joseph’s statement that he wants to “look for my children” (line 9) suggests that

1. he has lost track of his family members during the conflict
2. all of the children in his tribe have been captured
3. he plans to send his children to live with General Howard
4. his children have deliberately run away from him
5. he believes all of his children are dead

20. Which of the following best describes the effect of the final sentence of the speech?

1. It provides a detailed plan for future negotiations.
2. It offers a poetic and definitive declaration of surrender.
3. It threatens renewed violence if conditions do not improve.
4. It requests that General Howard visit the tribe’s camp.
5. It apologizes for the actions of the young warriors.

■ ■ ■   STOP   ■ ■ ■

IF YOU FINISH BEFORE TIME IS CALLED, YOU MAY CHECK YOUR WORK ON THIS SECTION ONLY. DO NOT TURN TO ANY OTHER SECTION OF THE TEST.

Answer Key

1. Ans: (B) – convey a character’s conflicted emotions as she returns to her childhood home
Explanation: This is a Main Idea/Author’s Purpose question. The passage focuses on Clara’s internal experience as she travels back to the prairie, describing her memories, her changed identity, and her anxiety about how she will be received (lines 16-23). Choice (A) is incorrect because the passage is a work of fiction focused on one character’s personal experience, not a historical analysis. Choice (E) is too narrow, as the father-daughter relationship is only one element of Clara’s complex feelings about returning home.

2. Ans: (C) – brief
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. The passage describes the father’s letters as “terse and factual,” listing only practical details like wheat yield and equipment costs (lines 14-16), indicating they were short and concise. Choice (B) is incorrect because “lengthy” is the opposite of what the context suggests. Choice (D) is incorrect because while the letters may reflect emotional distance, “terse” refers to brevity, not anger.

3. Ans: (B) – desolate and fading
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The metaphor of “dying stars” (line 4) paired with descriptions of “darkness” and “black void” (lines 1, 5) creates an image of emptiness and decline. Choice (A) is incorrect because nothing in the description suggests romance or invitation. Choice (E) is incorrect because Clara explicitly feels the word “home” is now “foreign” (line 9), indicating discomfort rather than comfort.

4. Ans: (B) – practical matters related to farm life
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage explicitly states that the father’s letters mentioned “the wheat yield, the cost of a new thresher, the health of the horses” (lines 14-16). Choice (A) is incorrect because the passage provides no evidence that the father expressed feelings of abandonment. Choice (D) is incorrect because there is no mention of the father expressing pride in Clara’s work.

5. Ans: (D) – her posture has become more upright
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage mentions Clara’s short, modern hairstyle (lines 19-20), her soft hands (lines 20-21), and implies more sophisticated clothing through references to her city life, but never mentions any change in posture. Choice (A) is incorrect because the passage explicitly states she wears her hair “in the modern style” (line 20). Choice (B) is incorrect because the passage directly contrasts her current “soft” hands with her formerly “rough” ones (lines 19-21).

6. Ans: (B) – feels uncertain about how she will be received
Explanation: This is an Inference question. Clara wonders whether people will see her as “a stranger, a city woman with unfamiliar airs” or as “the one who had fled” (lines 21-23), revealing her anxiety about their judgment. Choice (A) is incorrect because she clearly expects to be recognized, just unsure how. Choice (D) is incorrect because her worry about being seen as having “unfamiliar airs” suggests self-consciousness, not a sense of superiority.

7. Ans: (B) – anxious and reflective
Explanation: This is a Tone/Mood question. The passage is filled with Clara’s worried thoughts about recognition (lines 18-23) and reflections on her past life versus her present identity (lines 9-16). Choice (C) is incorrect because while Clara experiences some discomfort, the tone is contemplative rather than bitter. Choice (D) is incorrect because the close third-person narration reveals Clara’s intimate thoughts and feelings, making it subjective rather than detached.

8. Ans: (B) – is a real and fascinating creature that has only recently been photographed alive
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage opens with the 2004 photographs that confirmed the giant squid’s existence (lines 3-8), then provides details about its remarkable characteristics. Choice (A) is incorrect because the passage mentions historical sailor reports but does not emphasize ongoing danger to ships. Choice (D) is incorrect because the passage emphasizes how little is known and how recent the first photographs are, contradicting the idea of thorough, decades-long study.

9. Ans: (C) – mysterious
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. The passage describes the giant squid as enigmatic immediately after discussing how it was only recently photographed and remains poorly understood (lines 8-10). Choice (A) is incorrect because “enigmatic” refers to mysteriousness, not danger. Choice (E) is incorrect because the passage emphasizes the squid’s rarity and elusiveness, making “common” the opposite of the intended meaning.

10. Ans: (B) – detect movement in near-total darkness
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage states that the enormous eyes “gather light in the perpetual darkness of the deep sea, allowing the squid to detect the silhouettes of prey and predators” (lines 11-13). Choice (A) is incorrect because the squid lives in deep water, not shallow tropical environments. Choice (C) is incorrect because the passage locates the squid nearly 900 meters below the surface (line 5), far from the ocean surface.

11. Ans: (B) – provide evidence of predator-prey interactions between whales and squid
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The scars are presented as “evidence of fierce battles waged in the lightless depths” (lines 20-21), demonstrating the predatory relationship described in the previous sentence. Choice (A) is incorrect because the scars are on whales, not humans, and do not address human safety. Choice (D) is incorrect because the scars come from suction cups on the squid’s arms and tentacles (line 20), not from its eyes.

12. Ans: (B) – believed sailor reports about giant squid were unreliable
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The passage states that marine biologists “dismissed these accounts as exaggerations born of maritime superstition” (lines 2-3) before the 2004 photographs. Choice (D) is too extreme; biologists were skeptical of reports but did not necessarily deny the creature’s existence entirely. Choice (A) is incorrect because the 2004 photos were specifically the “first photographs of a living giant squid” (line 4), indicating no prior photographic evidence existed.

13. Ans: (C) – It is larger than scientists once believed.
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The passage concludes that the consumption rate by sperm whales “suggesting that these elusive cephalopods are far more numerous than their rare appearances would indicate” (lines 22-23). Choice (A) is not supported because the passage provides no comparative population data. Choice (D) contradicts the passage, which suggests hundreds are consumed annually by whales (line 22), indicating a much larger population.

14. Ans: (B) – an introduction to a mysterious creature followed by details about its physical characteristics and ecological relationships
Explanation: This is a Structure/Organization question. The first paragraph introduces the giant squid and its recent photographic confirmation (lines 1-8), the second describes physical features (lines 9-16), and the third discusses its ecological role as prey and predator (lines 17-23). Choice (A) is incorrect because the passage is not a chronological narrative but rather a topical organization. Choice (C) is incorrect because no other deep-sea animals are compared to the giant squid in detail.

15. Ans: (A) – announce his decision to end armed resistance
Explanation: This is a Main Idea/Author’s Purpose question. The speech builds to the declaration “I will fight no more forever” (lines 11-12), with preceding sentences explaining the reasons for surrender. Choice (D) is incorrect because Chief Joseph describes devastating losses and deaths, not victories. Choice (E) is incorrect because Chief Joseph explicitly states he is “tired of fighting” (line 3), contradicting any encouragement to continue.

16. Ans: (B) – I deeply remember and value it
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. Chief Joseph uses “in my heart” to indicate that he holds General Howard’s previous words with emotional significance and has not forgotten them (lines 1-2). Choice (A) is too literal and misses the emotional dimension the phrase conveys. Choice (C) is incorrect because the phrase indicates treasuring or valuing, not experiencing pain from the memory.

17. Ans: (B) – the devastating losses his people have suffered
Explanation: This is an Inference/Extended Reasoning question. Chief Joseph lists the deaths of chiefs and leaders (lines 3-5) as part of a catalog of losses that includes freezing children and scattered people, emphasizing the catastrophic toll of the conflict. Choice (A) is too literal and misses the rhetorical purpose. Choice (D) is incorrect because Chief Joseph expresses concern for those in the hills (lines 6-8), not contempt.

18. Ans: (B) – weary and mournful
Explanation: This is a Tone/Mood question. Chief Joseph repeatedly uses words like “tired” (lines 2, 11), describes his heart as “sick and sad” (line 11), and catalogs deaths and suffering throughout. Choice (A) is incorrect because the speech expresses exhaustion and surrender, not defiance. Choice (C) is incorrect because the speech contains no expressions of hope, only grief and resignation.

19. Ans: (A) – he has lost track of his family members during the conflict
Explanation: This is an Inference question. Chief Joseph says people “have run away to the hills” and “No one knows where they are” (lines 6-8), indicating he needs time to search for separated family members. Choice (E) is too extreme; while he says he may find them “among the dead” (line 10), this expresses fear, not certainty. Choice (B) is incorrect because he describes people scattered in the hills, not captured.

20. Ans: (B) – It offers a poetic and definitive declaration of surrender.
Explanation: This is an Extended Reasoning question about rhetorical effect. The phrase “From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever” (lines 11-12) uses natural imagery and absolute language to make the surrender memorable and final. Choice (C) is incorrect because the sentence declares an end to fighting, not a threat of future violence. Choice (E) is incorrect because the sentence makes no apology, only a statement of decision.