SSAT Reading Practice Worksheet - 80

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 auction house smelled of dust and varnish, and Clara stood at the back, trying to appear casual as lot after lot was called. She had come for one thing only: her grandfather’s pocket watch, (5) which her uncle had sold off without consulting the family. The auctioneer, a thin man with wire-rimmed spectacles, droned through descriptions of furniture and paintings, his voice a monotonous hum that made the air feel heavier.     When the watch finally appeared, Clara’s breath caught. (10) It gleamed under the lights, its brass case engraved with the initials J.R.M.-Jacob Richard Moss, her grandfather, who had carried it through two wars and across three continents. The auctioneer opened the bidding at fifty dollars. Clara raised her paddle immediately, (15) her heart pounding. A man in a gray suit countered. She bid again. The price climbed steadily, past one hundred, past two. Clara knew she should stop-her savings account could not sustain this-but the thought of losing the watch to a stranger (20) was unbearable. At two hundred and fifty dollars, the man in gray shook his head and sat down. The auctioneer’s gavel fell, and Clara felt a surge of relief mixed with panic at what she had just done.

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

1. describe the atmosphere of an auction house in detail
2. portray a character’s emotional conflict during a significant event
3. criticize the practice of selling family heirlooms without permission
4. explain the historical significance of a pocket watch
5. compare Clara’s values with those of other auction attendees

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

1. soothing
2. repetitive
3. hostile
4. incomprehensible
5. melodious

3. According to the passage, Clara’s uncle

1. accompanied her to the auction
2. sold the watch without consulting family members
3. had inherited the watch from Jacob Richard Moss
4. was the man in the gray suit bidding against Clara
5. advised Clara to stop bidding when the price became too high

4. The passage suggests that the pocket watch is important to Clara primarily because

1. it is made of valuable materials worth a significant sum
2. it represents a personal connection to her grandfather
3. she plans to resell it at a higher price
4. it is a rare antique sought by collectors
5. her uncle encouraged her to retrieve it

5. The detail that the watch was carried “through two wars and across three continents” (lines 11-12) primarily serves to

1. establish the watch’s monetary value
2. emphasize the grandfather’s adventurous spirit and the watch’s history
3. explain why the auctioneer set the opening bid at fifty dollars
4. suggest that Clara has traveled extensively herself
5. indicate that the watch is in poor condition from heavy use

6. Clara’s reaction after winning the auction can best be described as

1. unqualified joy
2. quiet satisfaction
3. relief combined with anxiety
4. regret and disappointment
5. indifference and detachment

7. The passage implies that Clara continued bidding beyond what she could comfortably afford because

1. she was confident she could resell the watch for a profit
2. the auctioneer pressured her to raise her bid
3. the man in gray was a known rival of her family
4. the emotional value of the watch outweighed financial prudence
5. her savings account contained more money than she had initially thought

Passage 2

The following passage is adapted from an article about archaeology and cultural history.

    The terra-cotta warriors of Xi’an, discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well, represent one of the most astonishing archaeological finds of the twentieth century. More than eight thousand life-sized figures, each with distinct facial features, (5) stand in battle formation, guarding the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of unified China. Created over two millennia ago, the army was designed to protect the emperor in the afterlife, reflecting the ancient Chinese belief in a mirror world beyond death where the deceased would need the same (10) resources and protections as in life.     What makes the warriors particularly remarkable is not merely their number but the extraordinary level of craftsmanship involved. Artisans sculpted individual faces, hairstyles, and expressions, suggesting that real soldiers may have served as models. (15) The figures were originally painted in bright pigments-reds, blues, greens-that have largely flaked away upon exposure to air, leaving the bare clay we see today. Recent conservation efforts have focused on preserving the remaining traces of paint, using advanced chemical stabilizers to prevent further degradation. (20) These efforts reveal details invisible to earlier excavators: decorative patterns on armor, insignia indicating military rank, and even the textures of fabric rendered in mineral dyes.

8. The main purpose of this passage is to

1. compare ancient Chinese burial practices with those of other civilizations
2. argue for increased funding for archaeological conservation
3. describe the significance and distinctive qualities of the terra-cotta warriors
4. explain the techniques used by farmers to discover the warriors
5. criticize the damage done to the warriors by exposure to air

9. According to the passage, the terra-cotta army was created in order to

1. commemorate a military victory
2. serve as models for training real soldiers
3. protect the emperor in the afterlife
4. demonstrate the skill of Chinese artisans
5. intimidate enemies of the Qin dynasty

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

1. natural materials
2. financial assets
3. provisions and necessities
4. military intelligence
5. educational tools

11. The passage indicates that the facial features of the terra-cotta warriors

1. were all identical to simplify the manufacturing process
2. were painted to resemble the emperor himself
3. show individual variation suggesting real models
4. have been completely restored by modern conservators
5. were damaged beyond recognition during excavation

12. The author mentions “advanced chemical stabilizers” (line 18) in order to

1. illustrate modern techniques used to preserve ancient artifacts
2. explain why the warriors were originally painted
3. criticize earlier archaeologists for failing to protect the paint
4. describe how the warriors were originally constructed
5. argue that chemical treatments can restore flaked paint

13. The passage suggests that earlier excavators were unable to observe certain details because

1. the warriors were buried too deeply underground
2. they lacked the technology to prevent paint degradation
3. the emperor had deliberately concealed military secrets
4. farmers had damaged the figures during discovery
5. the terra-cotta clay was too fragile to examine closely

14. Which of the following best describes the organizational structure of the passage?

1. A historical narrative followed by a personal anecdote
2. A general introduction followed by specific details about craftsmanship and conservation
3. A series of arguments supporting a controversial claim
4. A comparison of two different archaeological sites
5. A chronological account of the excavation process

Passage 3

The following is excerpted from Chief Seattle’s speech delivered in 1854 in response to the U.S. government’s offer to purchase tribal lands in the Pacific Northwest.

    How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land? The idea is strange to us. If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can you buy them? (5) Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing and humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people. The sap which courses through the trees carries the memories (10) of the red man.     The white man’s dead forget the country of their birth when they go to walk among the stars. Our dead never forget this beautiful earth, for it is the mother of the red man. We are part of the earth and it is part of us. (15) The perfumed flowers are our sisters; the deer, the horse, the great eagle, these are our brothers. The rocky crests, the juices in the meadows, the body heat of the pony, and man-all belong to the same family.

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

1. negotiate a higher price for the tribal lands
2. express a worldview fundamentally different from that of the land purchasers
3. provide a detailed history of his people’s customs
4. threaten military resistance if the land is taken
5. request more time to consider the government’s offer

16. As used in line 7, the word “sacred” most nearly means

1. profitable
2. mysterious
3. holy
4. attractive
5. useful

17. According to the passage, Chief Seattle believes that his people’s dead differ from the white man’s dead in that

1. they are buried in more elaborate ceremonies
2. they maintain a connection to the earth after death
3. they are reborn as animals and plants
4. they travel farther to reach the afterlife
5. they are commemorated with physical monuments

18. The rhetorical questions in lines 1-4 primarily serve to

1. request specific information about the purchase terms
2. highlight the speaker’s confusion about legal procedures
3. emphasize the fundamental incompatibility between two worldviews
4. delay giving a direct answer to the government’s proposal
5. mock the intelligence of the white negotiators

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

1. angry and vengeful
2. reverent and mournful
3. indifferent and detached
4. humorous and lighthearted
5. scholarly and analytical

20. Chief Seattle’s statement that “we are part of the earth and it is part of us” (lines 14-15) suggests that he views the relationship between people and nature as

1. based on economic utility
2. one of mutual interdependence and unity
3. contentious and competitive
4. temporary and easily dissolved
5. hierarchical, with humans superior to nature

■ ■ ■   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 conflict during a significant event
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage focuses on Clara’s internal struggle as she bids on her grandfather’s watch, experiencing conflicting emotions of desire, financial anxiety, and determination (lines 15-21). Choice (A) is too narrow, as atmospheric details serve to frame Clara’s conflict rather than constitute the main purpose. Choice (D) is incorrect because the watch’s history is mentioned briefly to establish its emotional value to Clara, not to explain its historical significance in detail.

2. Ans: (B) – repetitive
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. The auctioneer’s voice is described as “a monotonous hum” (line 6), suggesting tedious sameness and repetition. Choice (A) is incorrect because “soothing” has a positive connotation that contradicts the oppressive atmosphere created by the monotonous droning. Choice (E) is wrong because “melodious” suggests pleasant musical quality, which contradicts the negative characterization of the auctioneer’s voice.

3. Ans: (B) – sold the watch without consulting family members
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage explicitly states that Clara’s uncle “had sold off” the watch “without consulting the family” (lines 4-5). Choice (A) is incorrect because there is no mention of the uncle attending the auction with Clara. Choice (D) is wrong because the man in gray is described as a stranger competing against Clara, with no indication he is her uncle.

4. Ans: (B) – it represents a personal connection to her grandfather
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The passage indicates Clara’s emotional attachment through her reaction when the watch appears and her description of it as belonging to her grandfather who carried it “through two wars and across three continents” (lines 11-12). Choice (A) is incorrect because Clara’s motivation is emotional rather than financial; she bids beyond what she can afford. Choice (C) contradicts the passage, as Clara struggles with having spent too much, suggesting no resale plan.

5. Ans: (B) – emphasize the grandfather’s adventurous spirit and the watch’s history
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The detail about wars and continents (lines 11-12) establishes the watch as a witness to significant experiences, deepening its sentimental value. Choice (A) is incorrect because the detail emphasizes emotional and historical value rather than monetary worth. Choice (E) is wrong because there is no indication the watch is damaged; it “gleamed under the lights” (line 9).

6. Ans: (C) – relief combined with anxiety
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage explicitly states that Clara “felt a surge of relief mixed with panic at what she had just done” (lines 21-22). Choice (A) is too extreme and overlooks the “panic” element mentioned. Choice (D) reverses the emotional tenor; Clara feels relief at winning, not regret, though she is anxious about the cost.

7. Ans: (D) – the emotional value of the watch outweighed financial prudence
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The passage states that Clara knew she should stop because “her savings account could not sustain this,” but “the thought of losing the watch to a stranger was unbearable” (lines 17-20), indicating emotion overrode financial sense. Choice (A) is incorrect because there is no mention of reselling for profit. Choice (E) contradicts the passage, which explicitly states her savings could not sustain the expense.

8. Ans: (C) – describe the significance and distinctive qualities of the terra-cotta warriors
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage discusses both the historical importance of the discovery and the unique features of the warriors, including individual craftsmanship and painted details (lines 1-20). Choice (A) is too broad; no comparison with other civilizations is made. Choice (B) is incorrect because while conservation is mentioned, the passage does not argue for funding but rather describes conservation techniques.

9. Ans: (C) – protect the emperor in the afterlife
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage explicitly states the army “was designed to protect the emperor in the afterlife” (lines 7-8). Choice (A) is incorrect because the warriors were for burial, not to commemorate a specific battle. Choice (D) may be a result but was not the purpose; the passage indicates protection in the afterlife was the intended function.

10. Ans: (C) – provisions and necessities
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In context, “resources and protections” (lines 9-10) refers to what the deceased would need in the afterlife, meaning supplies and necessities. Choice (A) is too narrow, referring only to raw materials rather than the broader concept of what one needs. Choice (B) is incorrect because the context is about general needs in the afterlife, not specifically money.

11. Ans: (C) – show individual variation suggesting real models
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage states that artisans “sculpted individual faces, hairstyles, and expressions, suggesting that real soldiers may have served as models” (lines 13-14). Choice (A) directly contradicts this information about individual variation. Choice (B) is not mentioned; there is no indication the faces resembled the emperor.

12. Ans: (A) – illustrate modern techniques used to preserve ancient artifacts
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The mention of chemical stabilizers (line 18) exemplifies “recent conservation efforts” and their methods. Choice (C) is incorrect because the passage does not criticize earlier archaeologists but simply notes what modern technology reveals. Choice (D) is wrong because stabilizers are used for conservation, not construction.

13. Ans: (B) – they lacked the technology to prevent paint degradation
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The passage indicates that conservation efforts using advanced stabilizers “reveal details invisible to earlier excavators” (lines 19-20), implying earlier archaeologists could not preserve the paint that would have made these details visible. Choice (A) is incorrect; burial depth is not mentioned as limiting observation. Choice (D) contradicts the passage, which credits farmers with discovery but not with damage.

14. Ans: (B) – A general introduction followed by specific details about craftsmanship and conservation
Explanation: This is a Structure/Organization question. The first paragraph introduces the warriors and their significance (lines 1-10), while the second paragraph examines specific details about their construction and modern preservation (lines 11-20). Choice (A) is incorrect because there is no personal anecdote in the passage. Choice (E) is wrong because the passage does not follow the excavation chronologically but rather discusses features and conservation thematically.

15. Ans: (B) – express a worldview fundamentally different from that of the land purchasers
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. Chief Seattle articulates a conception of land and nature as sacred and interconnected, contrasting with the concept of land as property that can be bought and sold (lines 1-18). Choice (A) is incorrect because he questions the very premise of buying and selling land, not the price. Choice (D) is wrong because no military threat is mentioned or implied.

16. Ans: (C) – holy
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. “Sacred” in line 7 is used in a religious or spiritual sense, describing the earth’s spiritual significance to Chief Seattle’s people. Choice (A) is incorrect because the passage emphasizes spiritual rather than economic value. Choice (D) is too weak; “attractive” does not capture the spiritual reverence implied by “sacred.”

17. Ans: (B) – they maintain a connection to the earth after death
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. Chief Seattle states that while “the white man’s dead forget the country of their birth,” “our dead never forget this beautiful earth” (lines 11-13). Choice (A) is incorrect because burial ceremonies are not discussed. Choice (C) goes beyond what is stated; ongoing connection is mentioned, not literal rebirth as other beings.

18. Ans: (C) – emphasize the fundamental incompatibility between two worldviews
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The rhetorical questions (lines 1-4) highlight how alien the concept of buying and selling nature is to Chief Seattle’s understanding. Choice (A) is incorrect because these are rhetorical questions, not genuine requests for information. Choice (E) is wrong because the tone is serious and philosophical, not mocking.

19. Ans: (B) – reverent and mournful
Explanation: This is a Tone/Mood question. Chief Seattle speaks with deep respect for the earth (“sacred,” “holy”) and sadness at the prospect of losing it (lines 1-18). Choice (A) is incorrect because while the speech is passionate, it is not angry or vengeful in tone. Choice (C) is wrong because the speech is deeply emotional and engaged, not detached.

20. Ans: (B) – one of mutual interdependence and unity
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The statement that people and earth are parts of each other (lines 14-15), combined with the description of natural elements as family members (lines 15-18), suggests complete interconnection. Choice (A) is incorrect because the relationship described is spiritual and familial, not economic. Choice (E) contradicts the passage, which presents humans and nature as equal family members, not in a hierarchy.