SSAT Reading Practice Worksheet - 77

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 morning Aunt Clara arrived from Montreal, the entire household shifted into a different rhythm. She swept through the front door with three leather cases and a hatbox, trailing the scent of lavender and something sharper – camphor, perhaps, or the mustiness of train compartment air. My mother, who had been anxious all week, suddenly (5) became girlish, laughing at jokes I didn’t understand and speaking too quickly. My father retreated to his study with unusual haste.     I was twelve that summer, old enough to be curious but too young to ask direct questions. Aunt Clara noticed me hovering near the parlor doorway and beckoned me inside with one gloved finger. “You must be (10) Charlotte,” she said, though of course she knew perfectly well who I was. “I have brought you something from the city.” From her largest case she produced a book bound in green morocco leather, its pages edged in gold. The title, embossed in French, meant nothing to me then.     “Your mother tells me you are a great reader,” Aunt Clara continued, settling into the (15) wing chair as though she had lived in our house all her life. “But she worries you read only what is safe and proper.” She smiled, and I saw in her face a resemblance to my mother that was somehow both obvious and utterly transformed. They had the same eyes, the same slope of cheekbone, but where my mother’s features (20) suggested caution and care, Aunt Clara’s spoke of appetite and motion. I took the book, unsure whether I was being offered a gift or a challenge.

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

1. describe the physical appearance of a relative visiting from another city
2. introduce a character whose arrival disrupts the narrator’s familiar world
3. explain why the narrator’s mother feels anxious about her sister’s visit
4. contrast life in Montreal with life in the narrator’s hometown
5. criticize the narrator’s parents for their reaction to an unexpected guest

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

1. following behind
2. bringing with her
3. losing gradually
4. tracking carefully
5. dragging along the floor

3. The narrator’s description of her mother’s behavior in lines 4–6 suggests that

1. her mother is younger than Aunt Clara
2. her mother rarely laughs or tells jokes
3. Aunt Clara’s presence affects her mother’s usual composure
4. her mother is angry about the unexpected visit
5. her mother has not seen Aunt Clara in many years

4. The father’s retreat to his study (line 6) can best be described as

1. an act of rudeness toward a visiting family member
2. a deliberate avoidance of Aunt Clara’s arrival
3. a routine part of his daily schedule
4. a response to his wife’s request for privacy
5. an indication of his disapproval of reading

5. The narrator characterizes herself in lines 8–9 as being

1. interested but constrained by her age and position
2. uninterested in her aunt’s arrival from Montreal
3. eager to ask her aunt about life in the city
4. resentful of adult secrets being kept from her
5. afraid of her aunt’s intimidating presence

6. Aunt Clara’s remark “You must be Charlotte” (lines 9–10) is best understood as

1. evidence that she has never met her niece before
2. a formal greeting typical of visitors from Montreal
3. a playful or ironic way of beginning a conversation
4. proof that she has forgotten the narrator’s name
5. an expression of surprise at how much Charlotte has grown

7. The contrast the narrator draws between her mother and Aunt Clara in lines 17–21 emphasizes

1. the age difference between the two sisters
2. Aunt Clara’s superior beauty and fashion sense
3. the physical resemblance that disguises a fundamental difference in character
4. the narrator’s preference for her aunt over her mother
5. the fact that Aunt Clara is more educated than her sister

Passage 2

The following passage is adapted from an article about the history of cartography.

For centuries, mapmakers faced a problem that seemed insoluble: how to represent the three-dimensional surface of a sphere on a two-dimensional plane without distortion. Every solution required compromise. The Mercator projection, introduced in 1569 by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator, became the most influential of these compromises, shaping not only navigation but (5) the way generations of people visualized the world.     Mercator’s innovation was mathematical rather than artistic. By progressively expanding the spacing between parallels of latitude as they moved away from the equator, he created a map on which any straight line represented a constant compass bearing – a property called a rhumb line or loxodrome. For sailors (10) crossing open ocean, this was revolutionary. They could plot a course by simply drawing a straight line between two points and reading the angle it made with the meridians. Prior to Mercator’s projection, navigating required continual recalculation as the ship’s direction relative to true north changed with longitude.     The cost of this navigational convenience was geometric distortion. Because Mercator’s projection (15) preserves angles but not areas, regions near the poles appear vastly larger than they are in reality. Greenland, for instance, appears similar in size to Africa on a Mercator map, though Africa is actually fourteen times larger. This distortion is not an error or flaw in Mercator’s work – it is an inherent mathematical consequence of the projection method.     Despite (20) this limitation, the Mercator projection dominated world maps for centuries, long after its navigational purpose had become less relevant to the general public. Critics argue that its continued use in classrooms and atlases perpetuated a Eurocentric worldview by inflating the apparent size of northern continents.

8. The main idea of the passage is that

1. Gerardus Mercator was the greatest cartographer in history
2. the Mercator projection solved a navigational problem but created geographic distortions
3. all map projections are equally accurate representations of Earth
4. sailors in the sixteenth century lacked the tools for accurate navigation
5. the Mercator projection should no longer be used for any purpose

9. As used in line 2, the word “compromise” most nearly means

1. negotiated settlement
2. trade-off among competing factors
3. surrender of principles
4. diplomatic agreement
5. reduction in quality

10. According to the passage, Mercator’s primary innovation involved

1. discovering new lands in the polar regions
2. inventing the compass for maritime navigation
3. manipulating the spacing between latitude lines to preserve compass bearings
4. creating the first accurate measurement of Africa’s size
5. eliminating all distortion from world maps

11. The passage indicates that before Mercator’s projection, sailors faced the difficulty of

1. drawing straight lines on curved surfaces
2. constantly adjusting calculations as their direction relative to north changed
3. finding maps that showed Greenland and Africa
4. understanding the mathematics behind map projections
5. measuring the distance between parallels of latitude

12. The author includes the example of Greenland and Africa (lines 16–18) primarily to

1. illustrate the specific nature of the Mercator projection’s area distortion
2. argue that Mercator made mathematical errors in his calculations
3. show that Greenland is more important than previously believed
4. demonstrate the superiority of other map projections
5. prove that sailors should not use Mercator maps for navigation

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

1. harshly critical of Mercator’s methods
2. enthusiastically promoting the Mercator projection
3. balanced and explanatory
4. confused about the technical details
5. nostalgic for earlier forms of navigation

14. The author’s statement that the distortion “is not an error or flaw” (line 18) implies that

1. Mercator intended to make northern continents appear larger
2. the distortion results necessarily from the projection’s mathematical properties
3. modern cartographers have found ways to eliminate all distortion
4. no one noticed the distortion until critics pointed it out
5. navigational maps do not need to be accurate

Passage 3

The following is adapted from Chief Joseph’s surrender speech, delivered in 1877 at the conclusion of the Nez Perce War.

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 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 I shall find them among (10) 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 the speech is to

1. declare the end of Chief Joseph’s resistance and express his grief
2. request additional blankets and food from General Howard
3. celebrate the victories won by the young men of his tribe
4. explain the military strategy that led to the Nez Perce defeat
5. criticize General Howard for his treatment of the Nez Perce people

16. As used in line 1, the phrase “know his heart” most nearly means

1. understand his medical condition
2. recognize his intentions and character
3. measure his physical courage
4. predict his future actions
5. share his emotional suffering

17. Chief Joseph mentions the deaths of Looking Glass and Too-hul-hul-sote (lines 2–3) in order to

1. blame General Howard for killing them in battle
2. emphasize the devastating losses his people have suffered
3. suggest that younger leaders are more capable
4. prove that he is the only remaining chief
5. explain why he personally is too tired to continue fighting

18. The passage suggests that the immediate suffering of Chief Joseph’s people includes

1. lack of shelter, warmth, and food in winter conditions
2. betrayal by General Howard after peace negotiations
3. an epidemic of disease among the young men
4. forced relocation to reservations in the hills
5. the complete destruction of their traditional homeland

19. Chief Joseph’s statement “Maybe I shall find them among the dead” (lines 9–10) conveys a tone of

1. anger and defiance
2. resigned despair
3. hopeful anticipation
4. bitter sarcasm
5. detached indifference

20. The final sentence (lines 10–11) is notable primarily for its

1. use of a metaphor to mark a definitive end to conflict
2. criticism of the chiefs who advised surrender
3. promise to resume fighting in the future
4. technical description of military tactics
5. celebration of the Nez Perce warriors’ courage

■ ■ ■   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) – introduce a character whose arrival disrupts the narrator’s familiar world
Explanation: This is a Main Idea/Author’s Purpose question. The passage focuses primarily on Aunt Clara’s arrival and the immediate changes it brings: the household shifts “into a different rhythm” (line 1), the mother becomes girlish, and the father retreats to his study. The narrator observes these disruptions with curiosity. Choice (A) is too narrow, focusing only on physical description rather than the broader narrative purpose. Choice (C) is not supported, as the passage does not explain the reason for the mother’s anxiety.

2. Ans: (B) – bringing with her
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In line 2, Aunt Clara is described as “trailing the scent of lavender,” meaning the scent accompanies her as she enters. In this context, “trailing” means carrying or bringing with her. Choice (A) uses the most common meaning of “trailing” but does not fit the context, as the scent is not literally following behind her. Choice (E) is incorrect because nothing in the passage suggests anything is dragging on the floor.

3. Ans: (C) – Aunt Clara’s presence affects her mother’s usual composure
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The narrator describes her mother as becoming “girlish, laughing at jokes I didn’t understand and speaking too quickly” (lines 5–6), which suggests a change from her normal behavior. The phrase “anxious all week” (line 4) also implies anticipation of this change. Choice (E) may be true but is not directly supported by these specific lines. Choice (B) reverses the implication – the mother laughs specifically in response to Aunt Clara’s arrival, not that she rarely laughs in general.

4. Ans: (B) – a deliberate avoidance of Aunt Clara’s arrival
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The father’s retreat is described as happening “with unusual haste” (line 6), suggesting this is not his normal routine and is specifically triggered by Aunt Clara’s arrival. The word “unusual” rules out choice (C). Choice (A) goes too far in characterizing the action as rude, when it is simply avoidance. Choice (D) is not supported anywhere in the passage.

5. Ans: (A) – interested but constrained by her age and position
Explanation: This is a Detail/Inference question. The narrator explicitly states she is “old enough to be curious but too young to ask direct questions” (lines 8–9), which directly supports this answer. She describes herself as hovering near the doorway, indicating interest. Choice (B) contradicts the stated curiosity. Choice (D) attributes an emotion (resentment) that is not present in the passage.

6. Ans: (C) – a playful or ironic way of beginning a conversation
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The narrator tells us that Aunt Clara “knew perfectly well who I was” (line 10), which indicates the remark is not literal but rather a form of social play or irony. Choice (A) directly contradicts what the narrator tells us. Choice (D) is also contradicted by the narrator’s statement. Choice (B) is not supported by any evidence in the passage.

7. Ans: (C) – the physical resemblance that disguises a fundamental difference in character
Explanation: This is a Structure/Extended Reasoning question. The narrator describes the resemblance as “both obvious and utterly transformed” (line 19) and contrasts the mother’s features that “suggested caution and care” with Aunt Clara’s that “spoke of appetite and motion” (lines 19–21). This emphasizes similar features but different character. Choice (A) is not mentioned – no age difference is discussed. Choice (B) is too narrow, focusing only on beauty when the passage emphasizes character traits.

8. Ans: (B) – the Mercator projection solved a navigational problem but created geographic distortions
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage explains how Mercator’s innovation made navigation easier (lines 7–13) but also describes the “cost” as “geometric distortion” (lines 14–18). This dual focus on benefits and drawbacks is the passage’s central point. Choice (A) goes too far – the passage never makes this comparative claim. Choice (E) is too extreme and contradicts the passage’s acknowledgment of the projection’s historical utility.

9. Ans: (B) – trade-off among competing factors
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In line 2, the passage states “Every solution required compromise,” meaning each map projection method involved giving up one quality (like accurate area) to gain another (like accurate angles). This is a trade-off. Choice (A) uses the political/interpersonal meaning of compromise rather than the technical meaning. Choice (C) has negative connotations not present in the neutral, technical context of the passage.

10. Ans: (C) – manipulating the spacing between latitude lines to preserve compass bearings
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage explicitly states that Mercator’s innovation involved “progressively expanding the spacing between parallels of latitude” (line 7) to create a map where “any straight line represented a constant compass bearing” (lines 8–9). Choice (A) is not mentioned anywhere in the passage. Choice (E) directly contradicts the passage, which explains that distortion was inevitable.

11. Ans: (B) – constantly adjusting calculations as their direction relative to north changed
Explanation: This is a Detail question. The passage states that prior to Mercator’s projection, “navigating required continual recalculation as the ship’s direction relative to true north changed with longitude” (lines 12–13). Choice (A) may seem plausible but is not what the passage states about pre-Mercator difficulties. Choice (D) is not mentioned as a problem sailors faced.

12. Ans: (A) – illustrate the specific nature of the Mercator projection’s area distortion
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The passage uses the concrete example of Greenland appearing similar in size to Africa despite being fourteen times smaller (lines 16–18) to make the abstract concept of area distortion vivid and understandable. Choice (B) contradicts the passage, which states the distortion is “not an error or flaw” (line 18). Choice (E) is not suggested – the passage notes the projection’s navigational usefulness.

13. Ans: (C) – balanced and explanatory
Explanation: This is a Tone question. The passage objectively explains both the benefits of Mercator’s projection (navigational convenience, lines 7–13) and its costs (geographic distortion, lines 14–18) without strongly advocating for either position. Choice (A) is incorrect because while the passage mentions critics (line 22), the overall tone is not harsh. Choice (B) is wrong because the passage also discusses significant drawbacks.

14. Ans: (B) – the distortion results necessarily from the projection’s mathematical properties
Explanation: This is an Inference question. By stating the distortion is “not an error or flaw” but rather “an inherent mathematical consequence of the projection method” (lines 18–19), the author implies it is unavoidable given the mathematical approach Mercator used. Choice (A) reverses the causation – the passage suggests the distortion was a consequence, not an intention. Choice (C) contradicts the passage’s opening statement that all projections require compromise (line 2).

15. Ans: (A) – declare the end of Chief Joseph’s resistance and express his grief
Explanation: This is a Main Idea/Author’s Purpose question. The speech culminates in the declaration “I will fight no more forever” (line 11) and expresses grief through references to dead chiefs (lines 2–3), freezing children (line 6), and a heart that is “sick and sad” (line 10). Choice (B) is too narrow – while he mentions the need for blankets and food, this is not the primary purpose. Choice (C) contradicts the speech, which mourns the death of the leader of the young men (lines 4–5).

16. Ans: (B) – recognize his intentions and character
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. To “know his heart” (line 1) is an idiomatic expression meaning to understand someone’s true nature or intentions, particularly in the context of what General Howard “told me before” (line 1). Choice (A) takes the word “heart” literally rather than idiomatically. Choice (E) is too narrow – the phrase suggests understanding rather than sharing emotions.

17. Ans: (B) – emphasize the devastating losses his people have suffered
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. Chief Joseph lists specific dead chiefs and then states “The old men are all dead” (line 3) to convey the magnitude of leadership losses, supporting his explanation for why he is surrendering. Choice (A) attributes blame that is not present in the passage. Choice (D) is contradicted by his address to “my chiefs” (line 10), indicating others remain.

18. Ans: (A) – lack of shelter, warmth, and food in winter conditions
Explanation: This is a Detail/Inference question. Chief Joseph explicitly mentions “we have no blankets” (line 6), “the little children are freezing to death” (line 6), “no blankets, no food” (line 7), and “It is cold” (line 5). Choice (B) is not suggested – Chief Joseph speaks respectfully of General Howard. Choice (C) is not mentioned in the passage.

19. Ans: (B) – resigned despair
Explanation: This is a Tone question. The statement that he may find his children among the dead (lines 9–10) expresses the grim expectation that they have likely died, combined with the resignation evident in “I am tired; my heart is sick and sad” (line 10). Choice (A) is incorrect because there is no anger or defiance in this statement. Choice (C) reverses the tone – finding children among the dead would not be hopeful.

20. Ans: (A) – use of a metaphor to mark a definitive end to conflict
Explanation: This is a Structure/Literary Device question. The phrase “From where the sun now stands” (line 11) is a metaphorical way of saying “from this moment” and emphasizes the finality of “I will fight no more forever.” Choice (B) is incorrect – Chief Joseph does not criticize other chiefs in this sentence. Choice (C) directly contradicts the word “forever,” which indicates no future fighting.