SSAT Reading Practice Worksheet - 79

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 to a stop at the platform, and Mei pressed her forehead against the cool window glass. Outside, vendors hawked steamed buns and newspapers in the morning drizzle. She had not been back to Guangzhou in three years, not since her mother’s funeral, and the city (5) had changed in ways both startling and mundane. The old dumpling shop was gone, replaced by a shop selling mobile phones. But the banyan tree near the station entrance still spread its roots across the (10) cracked pavement, indifferent to human commerce.     Her brother waited on the platform, older than she remembered, his hair showing gray at the temples. He raised one hand in greeting but did not smile. They had argued (15) bitterly about the apartment, about selling it or keeping it, and the quarrel had persisted through a dozen terse phone calls over the past six months. Now, standing face to face, Mei realized that her anger had evaporated somewhere over the Pacific. What remained was only (20) exhaustion and a strange, aching curiosity about whether they could speak to one another as they once had, years ago, before ambition and distance had rewritten the terms of kinship.

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

1. describe the economic transformation of a Chinese city
2. portray a character’s emotional state upon returning home
3. explain the reasons for a family dispute over property
4. contrast traditional and modern commercial establishments
5. criticize the effects of globalization on local communities

2. As used in line 6, the word “mundane” most nearly means

1. ordinary
2. trivial
3. worldly
4. depressing
5. incomprehensible

3. The description of the banyan tree (lines 8-10) primarily serves to

1. illustrate the environmental damage caused by urban development
2. suggest a contrast between natural permanence and human change
3. emphasize the poor maintenance of public infrastructure
4. foreshadow the resolution of the conflict between Mei and her brother
5. demonstrate Mei’s nostalgia for her childhood

4. According to the passage, Mei and her brother have been in conflict over

1. the management of their mother’s estate
2. whether to sell or keep an apartment
3. Mei’s decision to move across the Pacific
4. the timing of Mei’s return to Guangzhou
5. the care their mother received before her death

5. The detail that Mei’s brother “did not smile” (line 14) suggests that he

1. has forgotten the source of their disagreement
2. remains upset about their unresolved dispute
3. is surprised by Mei’s unexpected arrival
4. disapproves of Mei’s life choices
5. suffers from a naturally stern disposition

6. The passage suggests that Mei’s feelings toward her brother have changed from

1. affection to indifference
2. resentment to hostility
3. anger to tentative hope
4. curiosity to disappointment
5. admiration to envy

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

1. bitterly accusatory
2. quietly reflective
3. darkly humorous
4. sentimentally optimistic
5. clinically detached

Passage 2

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

    Spider silk has fascinated scientists for decades, not merely because of its impressive tensile strength but because it combines properties rarely found together in a single material: extreme elasticity and remarkable toughness. A strand of (5) dragline silk – the type spiders use to construct the outer frame of their webs – can stretch up to forty percent beyond its original length before breaking, and gram for gram, it is stronger than steel. Yet it remains flexible enough (10) to absorb the impact of a flying insect without snapping.     The secret lies in the silk’s molecular architecture. Spider silk proteins, called spidroins, contain regions of tightly packed, crystalline structures alternating with sections of disordered, amorphous chains. The crystalline regions provide strength, (15) while the amorphous sections confer elasticity. When the silk is stretched, the amorphous regions uncoil first, allowing the material to extend without breaking. Only when these sections are fully extended do the crystalline regions begin to bear the load, providing a final reserve of strength. (20)     Attempts to replicate spider silk artificially have met with limited success. Researchers have inserted spider genes into bacteria, yeast, and even goats, coaxing these organisms to produce spidroin proteins. But the proteins must be spun into fibers under precise conditions of temperature, (25) acidity, and shear force – conditions that spiders achieve effortlessly in specialized glands but that remain difficult to reproduce in industrial settings. Despite these challenges, the potential applications of synthetic spider silk, from biodegradable sutures to lightweight armor, continue to drive research forward.

8. The primary purpose of the passage is to

1. argue for increased funding for spider silk research
2. explain the unique properties and structure of spider silk
3. compare natural and synthetic materials used in manufacturing
4. describe the process by which spiders construct their webs
5. criticize current methods of producing artificial silk

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

1. capture flying insects
2. build the frame of their webs
3. protect themselves from predators
4. line their nests
5. communicate with other spiders

10. As used in line 11, the word “absorb” most nearly means

1. soak up
2. understand
3. withstand
4. consume
5. incorporate

11. The passage indicates that the crystalline regions of spider silk

1. provide elasticity by uncoiling when stretched
2. are weaker than the amorphous sections
3. contribute to the material’s strength
4. prevent the silk from stretching beyond ten percent
5. make the silk vulnerable to impact

12. The author’s description of the molecular architecture of spider silk (lines 12-19) primarily serves to

1. demonstrate why spider silk cannot be replicated synthetically
2. explain how the material achieves both strength and flexibility
3. illustrate the superiority of natural materials over manufactured ones
4. provide evidence that spiders are highly evolved organisms
5. challenge previous theories about protein structure

13. According to the passage, which of the following has been used in attempts to produce spidroin proteins?

1. Silkworms
2. Synthetic polymers
3. Bacteria
4. Chemical synthesis
5. Cotton plants

14. The passage suggests that the main challenge in producing synthetic spider silk is

1. extracting sufficient quantities of spidroin proteins
2. identifying the correct amino acid sequences
3. replicating the spinning conditions found in spider glands
4. obtaining funding for large-scale production facilities
5. overcoming public skepticism about genetically modified organisms

Passage 3

The following is excerpted from Rachel Carson’s testimony before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Reorganization and International Organizations, June 4, 1963.

    The problem that I have attempted to bring to public attention is not a problem of the future. It is a problem of the present, here and now. We are already (5) experiencing the consequences of using powerful chemicals carelessly and on a scale that would have been unimaginable a generation ago. These chemicals have entered the environment in such quantities that they now contaminate our water supplies, our soil, and the bodies of wildlife and of human beings. (10) The evidence is overwhelming that these substances are responsible for serious and sometimes irreversible damage.     I am not suggesting that chemical pesticides should never be used. I am saying that we have put poisonous and biologically potent chemicals (15) indiscriminately into the hands of persons largely ignorant of their potential for harm. We have subjected enormous numbers of people to contact with these substances without their consent and often without their knowledge. I contend that the public has a right to know what is being done and (20) a right to decide whether it wishes to continue on the present road or whether it wishes to choose another course. The choice, after all, is still ours to make, though if we delay much longer, the damage to our world may become irreversible.

15. The main purpose of Carson’s testimony is to

1. call for a complete ban on all chemical pesticides
2. urge greater public awareness and control over pesticide use
3. defend her book against criticism from the chemical industry
4. propose specific legislation to regulate agricultural practices
5. describe the scientific process by which pesticides cause harm

16. As used in line 15, the word “indiscriminately” most nearly means

1. illegally
2. without careful judgment
3. in large quantities
4. secretly
5. internationally

17. According to the passage, chemical pesticides have contaminated all of the following EXCEPT

1. water supplies
2. soil
3. wildlife
4. human beings
5. the atmosphere

18. Carson suggests that many people have been exposed to pesticides

1. through deliberate government experimentation
2. only in agricultural regions
3. without their knowledge or consent
4. as a result of industrial accidents
5. because they work in chemical manufacturing

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

1. apologetic and uncertain
2. detached and scientific
3. urgent and admonitory
4. bitter and accusatory
5. resigned and pessimistic

20. Carson’s statement that “the choice, after all, is still ours to make” (lines 21-22) implies that

1. the damage from pesticides can be easily reversed
2. individuals must take personal responsibility for avoiding chemicals
3. society still has the opportunity to change its approach to pesticides
4. the Senate has already decided to regulate pesticide use
5. chemical companies will voluntarily reform their practices

■ ■ ■   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) – portray a character’s emotional state upon returning home
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage focuses primarily on Mei’s internal feelings as she returns to Guangzhou and sees her brother, particularly her shift from anger to exhaustion and curiosity (lines 17-22). Choice (A) is too narrow, as the economic changes are merely backdrop details. Choice (C) is wrong because while the dispute is mentioned, explaining its reasons is not the primary purpose.

2. Ans: (A) – ordinary
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In line 6, “mundane” is paired with “startling,” suggesting it means something like everyday or ordinary. Choice (C) uses a secondary dictionary meaning of “mundane” (worldly, as opposed to spiritual) that does not fit this context. Choice (D) is wrong because “mundane” carries no negative emotional connotation here.

3. Ans: (B) – suggest a contrast between natural permanence and human change
Explanation: This is a Structure/Organization question. The banyan tree “still spread its roots” and remains “indifferent to human commerce” (lines 8-10), contrasting with the changing shops around it. Choice (A) is wrong because there is no mention of environmental damage. Choice (D) is incorrect because the tree does not foreshadow any resolution between Mei and her brother.

4. Ans: (B) – whether to sell or keep an apartment
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage explicitly states they “had argued bitterly about the apartment, about selling it or keeping it” (lines 13-15). Choice (A) is too broad, as the passage mentions only the apartment, not the entire estate. Choice (C) reverses cause and effect, as Mei’s move is not stated to be the subject of their conflict.

5. Ans: (B) – remains upset about their unresolved dispute
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The brother’s lack of a smile, combined with the context that they “had argued bitterly” (line 14), suggests he has not forgiven or forgotten the quarrel. Choice (A) contradicts the passage, which indicates the dispute has “persisted” (line 15). Choice (C) is wrong because there is no indication the arrival was unexpected.

6. Ans: (C) – anger to tentative hope
Explanation: This is an Inference question. Mei’s anger “had evaporated” and was replaced by “a strange, aching curiosity about whether they could speak to one another as they once had” (lines 17-22), suggesting tentative hope. Choice (A) is wrong because “indifference” does not match her “aching curiosity.” Choice (B) reverses the direction of change, as her anger has diminished rather than intensified.

7. Ans: (B) – quietly reflective
Explanation: This is a Tone/Mood question. The passage’s measured, introspective narration of Mei’s observations and feelings creates a quietly reflective tone. Choice (A) is wrong because while conflict exists, the tone is not accusatory. Choice (D) is incorrect because the tone is neither sentimental nor optimistic; it is cautious and uncertain.

8. Ans: (B) – explain the unique properties and structure of spider silk
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage describes spider silk’s combination of strength and elasticity (lines 1-10), explains its molecular structure (lines 12-19), and discusses replication challenges (lines 21-29). Choice (A) is wrong because the passage makes no funding arguments. Choice (E) is incorrect because the passage does not criticize current methods but rather notes their difficulty.

9. Ans: (B) – build the frame of their webs
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage states that dragline silk is “the type spiders use to construct the outer frame of their webs” (lines 5-6). Choice (A) uses a detail from the passage (flying insects, line 11) but distorts its context, as the silk absorbs impact rather than actively capturing prey. Choice (C) is not mentioned anywhere in the passage.

10. Ans: (C) – withstand
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In line 11, “absorb the impact” means to withstand or endure the force without breaking. Choice (A) uses the most common meaning of “absorb” (soak up liquid) which does not fit this context. Choice (D) is wrong because “consume” does not capture the sense of enduring force.

11. Ans: (C) – contribute to the material’s strength
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage states that “the crystalline regions provide strength” (line 14) and “provide a final reserve of strength” (line 19). Choice (A) reverses the roles, as it is the amorphous sections, not crystalline regions, that uncoil when stretched (lines 16-17). Choice (B) directly contradicts the passage.

12. Ans: (B) – explain how the material achieves both strength and flexibility
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The molecular description shows how crystalline regions provide strength while amorphous sections provide elasticity (lines 13-19), explaining the combination of properties. Choice (A) is too extreme, as the passage indicates replication is difficult but not impossible. Choice (E) is wrong because the passage does not mention challenging previous theories.

13. Ans: (C) – Bacteria
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage states that “researchers have inserted spider genes into bacteria, yeast, and even goats” (lines 22-23). Choice (A) is not mentioned in the passage. Choice (B) is wrong because the passage discusses producing proteins, not using synthetic polymers.

14. Ans: (C) – replicating the spinning conditions found in spider glands
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The passage states that proteins “must be spun into fibers under precise conditions” that “remain difficult to reproduce in industrial settings” (lines 24-27). Choice (A) is wrong because the challenge is spinning the proteins, not extracting them. Choice (D) is not mentioned in the passage.

15. Ans: (B) – urge greater public awareness and control over pesticide use
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. Carson states that “the public has a right to know” and “a right to decide” (lines 18-20) about pesticide use, emphasizing awareness and choice. Choice (A) is too extreme, as Carson says she is “not suggesting that chemical pesticides should never be used” (line 12). Choice (D) is wrong because she does not propose specific legislation in this excerpt.

16. Ans: (B) – without careful judgment
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In line 15, “indiscriminately” describes putting chemicals “into the hands of persons largely ignorant of their potential for harm,” meaning without careful judgment or discrimination. Choice (A) is wrong because “indiscriminately” does not mean illegally. Choice (C) uses a detail from the passage (large scale, line 4) but does not capture the meaning of this specific word.

17. Ans: (E) – the atmosphere
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage lists “water supplies, our soil, and the bodies of wildlife and of human beings” (lines 7-9) as contaminated, but does not mention the atmosphere. Choices (A), (B), (C), and (D) are all explicitly mentioned in lines 7-9.

18. Ans: (C) – without their knowledge or consent
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. Carson states that “we have subjected enormous numbers of people to contact with these substances without their consent and often without their knowledge” (lines 16-18). Choice (A) is not stated in the passage. Choice (B) is too narrow, as Carson refers to “enormous numbers of people,” not just those in agricultural regions.

19. Ans: (C) – urgent and admonitory
Explanation: This is a Tone/Mood question. Carson’s language (“here and now,” line 4; “irreversible damage,” line 10; “if we delay much longer,” line 22) creates an urgent, warning tone. Choice (A) is wrong because Carson shows no uncertainty or apology. Choice (E) is incorrect because while she warns of danger, she maintains that choice is still possible, not resigned.

20. Ans: (C) – society still has the opportunity to change its approach to pesticides
Explanation: This is an Inference question. Carson states the choice “is still ours to make” (lines 21-22), implying that society can still decide to take a different course. Choice (A) contradicts Carson’s warning that damage “may become irreversible” (line 23). Choice (D) is not stated; Carson is urging action, not reporting a decision already made.