SSAT Reading Practice Worksheet - 22

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 set in rural Japan.

The morning Kenji left for Tokyo, his father did not come down from the orchard. Kenji stood at the gate with his single suitcase, watching the hill where the persimmon trees grew in crooked rows, their branches still bare in the March cold. His mother pressed a cloth bundle (5) into his hands-rice balls wrapped in kelp-and said nothing. She had said everything the night before, her voice tight with worry about the city, about the expense, about his returning or not returning. Now she only adjusted his collar and stepped back.     The bus (10) would not come for another half hour, but Kenji had risen early, too restless to remain in the house. In the valley below, mist clung to the river, and he could hear the faint clatter of Mrs. Ono’s shop shutters opening. He thought of his father among the trees, (15) pruning in silence, refusing this farewell as he had refused to discuss the scholarship, the opportunity, the life that Kenji might build away from this village of two hundred souls. His father trusted only what his hands could cultivate. Words, his father believed, were (20) a kind of crop failure.

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

1. describe the agricultural traditions of a Japanese village
2. depict a moment of departure and the tensions surrounding it
3. criticize a father’s inability to communicate with his son
4. celebrate a young man’s achievement in winning a scholarship
5. contrast urban and rural lifestyles in modern Japan

2. The fact that Kenji’s father “did not come down from the orchard” (line 1) suggests that he

1. was unaware that Kenji was leaving that morning
2. had urgent work to complete before the harvest season
3. was avoiding a direct goodbye with his son
4. preferred working alone to working with family members
5. lived separately from the rest of the family

3. As used in line 6, the word “tight” most nearly means

1. constricted
2. strained
3. secure
4. miserly
5. rigorous

4. The description of the persimmon trees as growing “in crooked rows” (line 3) primarily serves to

1. indicate that the orchard has been poorly maintained
2. suggest the irregular, organic nature of the family’s rural life
3. demonstrate the father’s lack of skill as a farmer
4. symbolize the twisted relationship between father and son
5. explain why the farm has not been economically successful

5. The passage suggests that Kenji’s mother’s silence on the morning of his departure is

1. a sign that she is angry about his decision to leave
2. characteristic of her usual manner of communication
3. a contrast to her more expressive behavior the previous night
4. evidence that she agrees with her husband’s disapproval
5. an indication that she has forgotten what she wanted to say

6. The statement that Kenji’s father “trusted only what his hands could cultivate” (lines 18-19) implies that the father

1. values tangible, physical work over abstract pursuits
2. has never learned to read or write
3. believes that farming is morally superior to other occupations
4. thinks his son is incapable of physical labor
5. refuses to use modern farming equipment

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

1. nostalgic and sentimental
2. bitter and resentful
3. detached and observational
4. quiet and elegiac
5. anxious and uncertain

Passage 2

The following passage is adapted from an article about materials science.

Spider silk has captivated scientists for decades, and with good reason: weight for weight, the dragline silk that orb-weaver spiders use to construct the radiating spokes of their webs is stronger than steel and tougher than Kevlar. This extraordinary material combines high tensile strength with remarkable (5) elasticity, able to stretch to nearly twice its original length before breaking. Yet for all the research devoted to understanding and replicating spider silk, scientists have struggled to produce synthetic versions that match the natural fiber’s properties.     The challenge lies not in the silk’s chemical composition-which (10) consists mainly of proteins called spidroins-but in the spinning process itself. Inside the spider’s abdomen, liquid spidroin exists in an aqueous solution at a near-neutral pH. As the spider extrudes this solution through its spinnerets, a series of chemical and physical changes occur. The pH drops, (15) water is removed, and the proteins align and crystallize into a solid fiber, all within milliseconds. This transformation happens at ambient temperature and pressure, with no harsh chemicals or high energy input-an efficiency that industrial manufacturing processes cannot approach.     Recent advances in synthetic biology (20) have enabled researchers to produce spidroin proteins in bacteria, yeast, and even goats’ milk, but engineering an artificial spinning process remains the critical bottleneck. Laboratory attempts to spin these proteins into fibers have yielded materials with only a fraction of natural silk’s strength and toughness.

8. The primary purpose of this passage is to

1. argue that spider silk research should receive more funding
2. explain why spider silk is difficult to replicate synthetically
3. describe the chemical composition of spidroin proteins
4. compare the strength of various natural and synthetic materials
5. trace the history of scientific research on spider webs

9. According to the passage, dragline spider silk is used by spiders to

1. capture and immobilize prey
2. form the radiating spokes of webs
3. protect egg sacs from predators
4. anchor webs to surrounding structures
5. create the sticky spiral of the web

10. As used in line 6, the word “match” most nearly means

1. ignite
2. correspond to
3. equal
4. pair with
5. compete against

11. The passage indicates that the main obstacle to producing synthetic spider silk is

1. the difficulty of identifying the proteins in natural silk
2. the inability to produce spidroin proteins in the laboratory
3. the challenge of replicating the natural spinning process
4. the high cost of the chemical components required
5. the lack of scientific interest in biomimetic materials

12. The passage suggests that the spider’s spinning process is particularly remarkable because it

1. produces a material stronger than any known metal
2. occurs efficiently under ordinary environmental conditions
3. involves proteins not found in any other organisms
4. can be controlled consciously by the spider
5. transforms solid material into liquid form

13. Which of the following does the passage mention as occurring during the spider’s spinning process?

1. An increase in temperature
2. The addition of chemical catalysts
3. A decrease in pH
4. The separation of different protein types
5. An increase in water content

14. The author’s attitude toward recent advances in synthetic biology (lines 19-23) can best be described as

1. enthusiastic but acknowledging that significant challenges remain
2. skeptical that such research will lead to practical applications
3. impressed by the complete success of protein production
4. critical of the resources devoted to this line of research
5. indifferent to developments outside the core problem

Passage 3

The following is adapted from Chief Joseph’s surrender speech, delivered in 1877 in the Bear Paw Mountains of Montana.

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, Too-hul-hul-sote is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men (5) who say yes or no. He who led on the young men 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 (10) 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 I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where (15) the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.

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

1. announce his surrender and explain his reasons
2. request assistance in locating his missing people
3. honor the memory of the chiefs who have died
4. negotiate the terms of a peace agreement
5. justify the decisions made during the conflict

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

1. I feel emotional pain
2. I remember and hold it dear
3. I disagree strongly
4. I am suffering physically
5. I have kept it secret

17. Chief Joseph’s statement that “It is the young men who say yes or no” (lines 4-5) suggests that

1. the traditional leadership structure has broken down due to deaths
2. young warriors have always made military decisions for the tribe
3. he blames the young men for the tribe’s current situation
4. General Howard should negotiate with the younger generation
5. his own authority as a leader has been permanently rejected

18. The repetition of the phrase “is dead” and “are dead” (lines 3-5) primarily serves to

1. emphasize the devastating losses the tribe has suffered
2. create a rhythmic pattern characteristic of oral storytelling
3. show disrespect for the chiefs who were killed
4. prove that the tribe is incapable of continuing to fight
5. contrast the old men with the surviving young men

19. The speech suggests that Chief Joseph’s most immediate concern is

1. negotiating favorable surrender terms with General Howard
2. preserving his own life and safety
3. finding and protecting the children and people who have fled
4. ensuring that the dead chiefs receive proper burials
5. explaining his military strategy to the remaining warriors

20. The tone of the final sentence (lines 14-16) can best be described as

1. defiant and unrepentant
2. resigned and sorrowful
3. hopeful and optimistic
4. angry and accusatory
5. formal and detached

■ ■ ■   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) – depict a moment of departure and the tensions surrounding it
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage centers on Kenji’s departure for Tokyo and the unspoken conflicts within his family about this decision, particularly his father’s absence and his mother’s anxiety (lines 1-7). Choice (A) is too narrow, focusing only on agricultural details rather than the emotional core of the passage. Choice (C) is too harsh, turning observation into criticism in a way the passage’s tone does not support.

2. Ans: (C) – was avoiding a direct goodbye with his son
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The father’s deliberate choice to remain in the orchard on the morning of Kenji’s departure, combined with his refusal “to discuss the scholarship” (line 16), suggests avoidance of the farewell. Choice (A) contradicts the passage since the father clearly knows about the departure but chooses not to acknowledge it. Choice (E) is contradicted by the mother’s presence in the house and the family structure described.

3. Ans: (B) – strained
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. The phrase “tight with worry” (line 6) describes the mother’s voice as constricted by anxiety, which is best captured by “strained.” Choice (A), while literally similar, does not fit the emotional context as precisely. Choice (C) means firmly fastened, which does not capture the emotional tension conveyed in the passage.

4. Ans: (B) – suggest the irregular, organic nature of the family’s rural life
Explanation: This is a Structure/Organization question. The “crooked rows” (line 3) evoke the natural, imperfect character of traditional farming, contrasting with the structured urban life Kenji is entering. Choice (A) is too negative; nothing suggests poor maintenance. Choice (D) overreads the image as heavy-handed symbolism not supported by the passage’s subtle tone.

5. Ans: (C) – a contrast to her more expressive behavior the previous night
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage explicitly states that “She had said everything the night before” (line 5), indicating that her morning silence contrasts with her previous night’s expressiveness. Choice (A) misreads her silence as anger when the passage indicates she has already expressed her feelings. Choice (E) invents a detail about forgetting that has no textual support.

6. Ans: (A) – values tangible, physical work over abstract pursuits
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The statement about trusting “what his hands could cultivate” (lines 18-19) and the immediately following reference to words as “a kind of crop failure” (lines 19-20) indicate the father values concrete physical work over intangible pursuits like education. Choice (B) makes an unsupported assumption about literacy. Choice (D) reverses the passage’s meaning; the father doubts the value of non-physical work, not his son’s capability.

7. Ans: (D) – quiet and elegiac
Explanation: This is a Tone/Mood question. The passage’s restrained emotional register, focus on a moment of leave-taking, and details like mist and silence (lines 10-13) create a quiet, mournful atmosphere characteristic of elegy. Choice (A) is too sentimental; the passage maintains emotional restraint. Choice (B) is too harsh; there is sadness but not bitterness in the portrayal.

8. Ans: (B) – explain why spider silk is difficult to replicate synthetically
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage introduces spider silk’s remarkable properties (lines 1-7) then focuses on why replication has been challenging (lines 7-24), particularly the spinning process. Choice (A) makes an argument about funding not present in the passage. Choice (C) is too narrow, as chemical composition is mentioned but identified as not being the main challenge (lines 9-10).

9. Ans: (B) – form the radiating spokes of webs
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage explicitly states that dragline silk is used “to construct the radiating spokes of their webs” (lines 2-3). Choice (A) is a function of spider webs generally but is not stated in the passage as the specific purpose of dragline silk. Choice (E) confuses dragline silk with the sticky spiral component, which is not mentioned as being made from dragline silk.

10. Ans: (C) – equal
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In the phrase “synthetic versions that match the natural fiber’s properties” (lines 6-7), “match” means to equal or replicate the same level of performance. Choice (B), “correspond to,” is too weak, suggesting similarity rather than equivalence. Choice (D) refers to pairing items together, which does not fit the context of replicating properties.

11. Ans: (C) – the challenge of replicating the natural spinning process
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage states that the challenge lies “in the spinning process itself” (line 10) and later identifies “engineering an artificial spinning process” as “the critical bottleneck” (lines 21-22). Choice (B) contradicts lines 19-21, which state that researchers have successfully produced spidroin proteins. Choice (D) invents a cost factor not mentioned anywhere in the passage.

12. Ans: (B) – occurs efficiently under ordinary environmental conditions
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The passage emphasizes that the transformation happens “at ambient temperature and pressure, with no harsh chemicals or high energy input” (lines 16-18), an “efficiency that industrial manufacturing processes cannot approach” (lines 18-19). Choice (A) distorts the passage; while silk is compared to steel, the passage does not claim it is stronger than any metal. Choice (E) reverses the actual transformation, which goes from liquid to solid (lines 12-17).

13. Ans: (C) – A decrease in pH
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage explicitly states that during spinning, “The pH drops” (line 14). Choice (A) contradicts the passage, which specifies the process occurs “at ambient temperature” (line 17). Choice (E) contradicts line 15, which states that “water is removed” during the spinning process.

14. Ans: (A) – enthusiastic but acknowledging that significant challenges remain
Explanation: This is a Tone/Mood question. The author calls the advances “recent” and notes they have “enabled researchers to produce spidroin proteins” in various organisms (lines 19-21), showing positive recognition, but immediately notes that “engineering an artificial spinning process remains the critical bottleneck” (lines 21-22). Choice (C) is contradicted by the final sentence (lines 22-24), which states that laboratory attempts have yielded inferior materials. Choice (B) is too negative given the acknowledgment of progress in protein production.

15. Ans: (A) – announce his surrender and explain his reasons
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The speech culminates in the declaration “I will fight no more forever” (lines 15-16) and provides multiple reasons including dead leaders, suffering children, and exhaustion (lines 2-14). Choice (B) is too narrow; while he mentions wanting to find his children (lines 10-12), this is part of his explanation for surrendering, not the primary purpose. Choice (D) is incorrect because the speech announces a completed decision rather than negotiating terms.

16. Ans: (B) – I remember and hold it dear
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. The phrase “What he told me before, I have it in my heart” (lines 1-2) indicates that Chief Joseph remembers and treasures General Howard’s earlier words, establishing trust before announcing surrender. Choice (A) focuses only on pain, missing the sense of treasuring and remembering. Choice (C) reverses the meaning; having something “in my heart” suggests agreement and value, not disagreement.

17. Ans: (A) – the traditional leadership structure has broken down due to deaths
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The statement follows the listing of dead chiefs (lines 3-4) and the observation that “The old men are all dead” (lines 4-5), suggesting that with traditional leaders gone, young men must now make decisions. Choice (B) contradicts the implication that this is a new, abnormal situation caused by the deaths. Choice (C) misreads the tone; the statement is explanatory, not accusatory.

18. Ans: (A) – emphasize the devastating losses the tribe has suffered
Explanation: This is a Structure/Organization question. The repetition of “is dead” and “are dead” (lines 3-5) creates emphasis through anaphora, stressing the magnitude of leadership losses as a key reason for surrender. Choice (C) reverses the intent; the repetition shows respect and grief, not disrespect. Choice (D) is too broad; while the deaths contribute to the decision to stop fighting, the repetition’s primary function is emphasis, not logical proof.

19. Ans: (C) – finding and protecting the children and people who have fled
Explanation: This is an Inference question. Chief Joseph states “I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find” (lines 10-12) and worries they may be “freezing to death” (lines 8-10), indicating this is his most pressing concern. Choice (A) is not supported; he announces surrender but does not discuss negotiating terms. Choice (B) contradicts the speech’s focus on the welfare of others, particularly children, rather than himself.

20. Ans: (B) – resigned and sorrowful
Explanation: This is a Tone/Mood question. The final sentence “I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever” (lines 14-16) conveys exhausted acceptance and deep grief. Choice (A) contradicts the tone of weariness and surrender. Choice (C) is contradicted by the explicitly stated sadness and the finality of ending resistance.