SSAT Reading Practice Worksheet - 65

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 lurched forward just as Amara settled into her seat, and she watched the platform slide away through rain-streaked glass. Across from her sat a man in a wool overcoat, his fingers drumming against a leather briefcase with (5) the mechanical precision of someone who had made this journey a thousand times before. Amara envied that certainty. She had left Nairobi with three suitcases and a scholarship letter folded in her pocket, bound for a university she had seen only in photographs.     Outside, (10) the landscape shifted from corrugated iron rooftops to open farmland, where maize stalks bent under the weight of the rain. Her mother had cried at the station, pressing a bundle of chapati into her hands. “You will forget us,” she had said, and Amara had (15) promised that she wouldn’t, though even then she felt the promise slipping through her fingers like water. The man across from her had fallen asleep, his head tilted back against the seat. Amara pulled out her notebook and began to write, but the words felt (20) hollow, as though she were recording someone else’s life.

1. The primary focus of the passage is on

1. the physical discomfort of a long train journey
2. a young woman’s mixed emotions as she leaves home
3. the contrast between urban and rural landscapes
4. a mother’s fear of being abandoned by her daughter
5. the development of a friendship between two travelers

2. As used in line 7, the word “certainty” most nearly means

1. confidence
2. accuracy
3. predictability
4. knowledge
5. truth

3. The description of the man’s fingers in lines 4–6 suggests that he is

1. anxious about an upcoming meeting
2. accustomed to making the same trip regularly
3. trying to get Amara’s attention
4. a professional musician practicing scales
5. annoyed by the delay on the platform

4. The passage suggests that Amara’s mother believes her daughter will

1. fail to complete her university studies
2. become emotionally distant from her family
3. return home within a few months
4. marry someone from a different culture
5. send money back to support the family

5. The phrase “slipping through her fingers like water” (lines 16–17) emphasizes

1. Amara’s difficulty in holding her mother’s hand
2. the impossibility of keeping her promise
3. the wet conditions on the train platform
4. Amara’s lack of sincerity when speaking to her mother
5. the physical distance between Nairobi and the university

6. The description of Amara’s words as “hollow” (line 20) suggests that she feels

1. physically exhausted from the journey
2. disconnected from her own experience
3. angry at her mother for crying
4. disappointed by the landscape outside
5. uninspired by her university studies

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

1. celebratory and optimistic
2. melancholy and reflective
3. bitter and resentful
4. humorous and ironic
5. anxious and fearful

Passage 2

The following passage is adapted from an article about archaeology and ancient civilizations.

    In 1974, farmers digging a well near Xi’an, China, unearthed fragments of terracotta that would prove to be part of one of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century. What they had stumbled upon was the tomb complex of Qin Shi Huang, (5) the first emperor of unified China, who died in 210 BCE. The site contains thousands of life-sized terracotta soldiers, horses, and chariots, each figure modeled with distinct facial features and arranged in military formation. Archaeologists believe the army was created to protect the emperor in the afterlife, (10) reflecting beliefs about death and immortality that pervaded ancient Chinese culture.     What makes the terracotta army particularly significant is not merely its scale but the manufacturing techniques employed in its creation. Rather than sculpting each figure individually, artisans used molds for the bodies and (15) legs, then added hand-crafted heads, hands, and accessories. This assembly-line approach allowed workers to produce thousands of figures in a relatively short period while still maintaining individualized features. Chemical analysis of the clay reveals that materials were sourced from multiple locations, suggesting (20) a sophisticated logistical network that coordinated resources across the empire.

8. The main idea of the passage is that the terracotta army

1. was discovered accidentally by farmers in 1974
2. represents an important archaeological and technological achievement
3. proves that ancient Chinese culture valued military strength
4. contains thousands of life-sized figures with distinct features
5. demonstrates beliefs about death common throughout Asia

9. According to the passage, Qin Shi Huang died in

1. 1974
2. the twentieth century
3. 210 BCE
4. ancient China
5. Xi’an

1. invaded
2. permeated
3. corrupted
4. challenged
5. originated

11. The passage suggests that the artisans who created the terracotta army

1. sculpted each figure entirely by hand from start to finish
2. imported clay from neighboring empires
3. combined mass production with individual customization
4. worked without any centralized coordination
5. based the soldiers’ faces on real members of the imperial guard

12. The author mentions “chemical analysis of the clay” (line 18) primarily to

1. explain why the figures have survived for over two thousand years
2. prove that the terracotta army is authentic rather than a forgery
3. demonstrate the empire’s ability to manage complex supply chains
4. identify the specific artisans who worked on each figure
5. show that modern science can solve ancient mysteries

13. The structure of the passage moves from

1. a personal anecdote to a scientific explanation
2. a description of a discovery to an analysis of its significance
3. a chronological narrative to a comparison with other cultures
4. a theoretical argument to supporting evidence
5. a general overview to a critique of previous research

14. Based on the passage, which of the following can be inferred about ancient Chinese beliefs?

1. They required all emperors to be buried with terracotta armies
2. They viewed the afterlife as requiring material provisions
3. They prioritized religious concerns over practical governance
4. They were identical to beliefs held in other ancient civilizations
5. They discouraged the creation of representational art

Passage 3

The following is excerpted from “Civil Disobedience,” an essay by Henry David Thoreau published in 1849.

    I heartily accept the motto, “That government is best which governs least”; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe — (5) “That government is best which governs not at all”; and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have. Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient. The objections which (10) have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government. The standing army is only an arm of the standing government. The government itself, which is only the mode which the people (15) have chosen to execute their will, is equally liable to be abused and perverted before the people can act through it. Witness the present Mexican war, the work of comparatively a few individuals using the standing government as their tool; for in the outset, the people would not have (20) consented to this measure.

15. The primary purpose of this passage is to

1. propose a specific alternative to democratic government
2. critique the power and function of government institutions
3. defend the necessity of maintaining a standing army
4. describe the causes of the Mexican-American War
5. celebrate the wisdom of the American people

1. a quick solution
2. a practical means
3. an efficient system
4. a temporary measure
5. a convenient excuse

17. According to Thoreau, the ideal form of government is one that

1. governs with systematic efficiency
2. maintains a strong military presence
3. exercises minimal or no control
4. reflects the will of a few powerful individuals
5. prevents wars through diplomatic means

18. Thoreau’s comparison between a standing army and a standing government (lines 10–13) suggests that both

1. are necessary for national security
2. represent the democratic will of the people
3. can be turned against the public interest
4. were created during the Mexican-American War
5. require significant financial resources to maintain

19. Thoreau uses the example of the Mexican war (lines 16–20) to illustrate

1. the difficulty of conducting military operations in foreign territory
2. how government can be manipulated against popular will
3. the benefits of having a standing army
4. why the American people supported military expansion
5. the importance of executive leadership in times of crisis

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

1. detached and objective
2. sarcastic and mocking
3. earnest and critical
4. resigned and defeated
5. celebratory and patriotic

■ ■ ■   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) – a young woman’s mixed emotions as she leaves home
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage focuses on Amara’s internal experience as she departs for university, including her envy of the man’s certainty (line 7), her mother’s emotional farewell (lines 12–14), and her feeling that her words are hollow (lines 19–20). Choice (A) is too narrow, as physical discomfort is not discussed. Choice (D) reverses the focus, making the mother rather than Amara the central subject.

2. Ans: (C) – predictability
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In context, Amara envies the “certainty” associated with someone who has made the journey many times, suggesting she envies the predictability and routine of his experience. Choice (A) is incorrect because “confidence” refers to self-assurance rather than the quality of routine. Choice (D) is wrong because “knowledge” does not capture the sense of established routine that Amara lacks.

3. Ans: (B) – accustomed to making the same trip regularly
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The passage describes the man’s drumming as having “the mechanical precision of someone who had made this journey a thousand times before” (lines 5–6), directly supporting this inference. Choice (A) incorrectly interprets the drumming as anxiety rather than habit. Choice (D) makes an unsupported leap to a specific profession not mentioned in the passage.

4. Ans: (B) – become emotionally distant from her family
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The mother’s statement “You will forget us” (line 14) suggests she fears emotional rather than physical separation. Choice (A) is not supported by any evidence in the passage. Choice (C) contradicts the implication of permanent departure suggested by the mother’s tears and words.

5. Ans: (B) – the impossibility of keeping her promise
Explanation: This is an Extended Reasoning question. The simile emphasizes that even as Amara makes the promise not to forget, she feels unable to hold onto it, suggesting its impossibility (lines 15–17). Choice (A) takes the metaphor literally rather than figuratively. Choice (D) is too broad, as the simile refers specifically to the promise, not the physical distance.

6. Ans: (B) – disconnected from her own experience
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The passage states the words felt “as though she were recording someone else’s life” (lines 19–20), indicating disconnection from her experience. Choice (A) confuses emotional hollowness with physical exhaustion. Choice (C) introduces anger not present in the passage.

7. Ans: (B) – melancholy and reflective
Explanation: This is a Tone/Mood question. The passage’s focus on departure, tears, broken promises, and hollow words creates a melancholy mood, while Amara’s observations and attempts to write suggest reflection (lines 1–20). Choice (A) is contradicted by the sadness throughout. Choice (C) is too strong, as there is no bitterness or resentment expressed.

8. Ans: (B) – represents an important archaeological and technological achievement
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage discusses both the archaeological significance of the discovery (lines 1–10) and the sophisticated manufacturing techniques employed (lines 11–20). Choice (A) is a detail, not the main idea. Choice (D) is too narrow, focusing only on description rather than significance.

9. Ans: (C) – 210 BCE
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage explicitly states that Qin Shi Huang “died in 210 BCE” (line 6). Choice (A) refers to when the tomb was discovered, not when the emperor died. Choice (E) names the location near the discovery, not a date.

10. Ans: (B) – permeated
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. The passage describes beliefs that “pervaded ancient Chinese culture” (line 10), meaning they spread throughout or permeated the culture. Choice (A) is incorrect because “invaded” suggests hostile entry rather than cultural presence. Choice (C) is wrong because “pervaded” carries no negative connotation of corruption.

11. Ans: (C) – combined mass production with individual customization
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The passage describes molds used for bodies while heads and accessories were hand-crafted, allowing mass production with individualized features (lines 13–17). Choice (A) contradicts the passage’s description of the mold system. Choice (E) is not stated or supported in the passage.

12. Ans: (C) – demonstrate the empire’s ability to manage complex supply chains
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The chemical analysis revealing multiple clay sources is cited to show “a sophisticated logistical network that coordinated resources across the empire” (lines 18–20). Choice (A) shifts to preservation, which is not discussed. Choice (D) claims a level of specific identification not supported by the passage.

13. Ans: (B) – a description of a discovery to an analysis of its significance
Explanation: This is a Structure/Organization question. The first paragraph describes the discovery and the site (lines 1–10), while the second analyzes the manufacturing significance (lines 11–20). Choice (A) is incorrect because there is no personal anecdote. Choice (C) is wrong because there is no comparison with other cultures.

14. Ans: (B) – They viewed the afterlife as requiring material provisions
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The passage states the army was created “to protect the emperor in the afterlife” (lines 8–9), suggesting belief that material objects were needed after death. Choice (A) is too broad, claiming all emperors received such treatment without evidence. Choice (D) contradicts the passage’s focus on specifically Chinese beliefs.

15. Ans: (B) – critique the power and function of government institutions
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. Thoreau criticizes government as “inexpedient” (line 8), compares it unfavorably to a standing army (lines 9–13), and shows how it can be abused (lines 13–20). Choice (A) is incorrect because Thoreau does not propose a specific alternative system. Choice (C) reverses Thoreau’s position, as he criticizes the standing army.

16. Ans: (B) – a practical means
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. Thoreau describes government as “at best but an expedient” (line 7), meaning a practical means to an end rather than something valuable in itself. Choice (A) is too narrow, emphasizing speed rather than practicality. Choice (E) adds a negative connotation of dishonesty not present in the neutral term “expedient.”

17. Ans: (C) – exercises minimal or no control
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. Thoreau states he believes “That government is best which governs not at all” (lines 4–5) and supports the motto about governing least (lines 1–2). Choice (D) contradicts Thoreau’s critique of the few using government as a tool (lines 17–19). Choice (B) is incorrect as Thoreau criticizes the standing army.

18. Ans: (C) – can be turned against the public interest
Explanation: This is an Inference question. Thoreau applies objections to the standing army to the standing government (lines 9–13), and describes how government is “liable to be abused and perverted” (line 15). Choice (A) is contradicted by Thoreau’s critique of both institutions. Choice (D) distorts the passage, as the war is an example, not the origin of these institutions.

19. Ans: (B) – how government can be manipulated against popular will
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. Thoreau presents the Mexican war as “the work of comparatively a few individuals using the standing government as their tool” when “the people would not have consented” (lines 16–20). Choice (A) focuses on military operations rather than government manipulation. Choice (D) reverses the passage’s claim that people did not initially support the war.

20. Ans: (C) – earnest and critical
Explanation: This is a Tone/Mood question. Thoreau writes seriously and sincerely (“I heartily accept,” line 1; “I believe,” line 4) while criticizing government institutions throughout (lines 7–20). Choice (A) is incorrect because Thoreau is not detached but deeply engaged. Choice (E) contradicts the critical stance toward American government and war.