SSAT Reading Practice Worksheet - 82

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, and Camila pressed her palm against the cold window, watching the sprawl of São Paulo dissolve into scrubland. She had left at dawn without telling her father, carrying only a canvas bag stuffed with two dresses, a notebook, and the (5) letter from her aunt in Minas Gerais. The letter promised work at a textile factory and a room in a boarding house where the other girls were kind. Camila doubted the second part but believed the first. She needed to believe it.     Across from her sat an elderly woman (10) cradling a basket of mangoes, their sweet smell filling the compartment. The woman smiled at Camila, revealing a gap where her front tooth should have been, and offered her a piece of fruit. Camila accepted it, murmuring her thanks, and bit into the flesh. Juice ran (15) down her chin, and for a moment she felt like a child again, summers at her grandmother’s farm before the drought came and everything changed.     Outside, the landscape shifted to low hills covered in coffee plants. Camila tried to picture the factory, the rows (20) of machines, her hands learning their rhythm. She wondered if her father had woken yet, if he had found the note she left on the kitchen table. She had written only four words: I will send money.

1. The passage is primarily concerned with

1. describing the agricultural landscape of rural Brazil
2. exploring a young woman’s thoughts as she leaves home
3. criticizing the working conditions in textile factories
4. recounting a family argument between father and daughter
5. celebrating the kindness of strangers on a train journey

2. The detail that Camila left “at dawn without telling her father” (line 2) suggests that she

1. feared her father would try to prevent her departure
2. had a distant relationship with her extended family
3. planned to return home before her father noticed her absence
4. enjoyed traveling alone on trains through the countryside
5. wanted to surprise her father with money from the factory

3. As used in line 7, the word “doubted” most nearly means

1. questioned
2. challenged
3. rejected
4. feared
5. disbelieved

4. The description of the elderly woman in lines 9-12 serves primarily to

1. illustrate the diversity of passengers on Brazilian trains
2. introduce a moment of human warmth during Camila’s journey
3. emphasize the poverty common in rural areas
4. foreshadow Camila’s future friendship with factory workers
5. contrast urban and rural attitudes toward sharing food

5. The passage suggests that Camila’s childhood memories are associated with

1. the textile factory where her aunt works
2. a time of happiness before economic hardship
3. her father’s successful coffee plantation
4. the boarding house described in the letter
5. her first train journey away from São Paulo

6. The tone of the final paragraph (lines 17-23) can best be described as

1. bitterly resentful
2. cautiously hopeful
3. wholly optimistic
4. deeply fearful
5. quietly determined

7. Which of the following best describes the narrative technique used in the passage?

1. An omniscient narrator reveals the thoughts of multiple characters
2. A first-person narrator reflects on past events from many years later
3. A third-person narrator follows one character’s immediate experience and thoughts
4. A detached observer describes only external actions without internal reflection
5. Multiple narrators present conflicting perspectives on the same journey

Passage 2

The following passage is adapted from an article about geology and ecology.

    For centuries, naturalists assumed that caves were biologically inert – dark refuges visited by bats and bears, perhaps, but otherwise devoid of permanent residents. This misconception persisted until scientists began systematically exploring deep cave systems (5) in the twentieth century. What they discovered revolutionized our understanding of subterranean life: caves harbor entire ecosystems adapted to perpetual darkness, stable temperatures, and near-complete absence of photosynthesis-derived energy.     The foundation of most cave ecosystems rests not on sunlight (10) but on organic matter transported from the surface world. Bat guano, for instance, provides nutrient-rich deposits that support complex food webs. In some caves, fungi and bacteria break down this material, which in turn feeds invertebrates such as millipedes, springtails, and beetles. These creatures have (15) undergone remarkable evolutionary changes: many cave-dwelling species have lost pigmentation and functional eyes, adaptations that reflect the selective pressures of an environment where vision confers no advantage and metabolic efficiency is paramount.     Yet some cave ecosystems operate on even stranger principles. In certain (20) limestone caves of Romania, scientists have identified ecosystems powered entirely by chemosynthesis, a process in which bacteria derive energy from hydrogen sulfide and other chemicals rather than sunlight. These caves, effectively sealed from the surface for millions of years, represent evolutionary (25) laboratories where life has pursued radically different strategies for survival.

8. The primary purpose of the passage is to

1. argue that caves should receive greater protection from human disturbance
2. explain how cave-dwelling organisms have adapted to unique environmental conditions
3. compare the biodiversity of caves to that of tropical rainforests
4. trace the historical development of speleology as a scientific discipline
5. describe the geological processes that form limestone cave systems

9. According to the passage, the “misconception” mentioned in line 3 was based on

1. inadequate exploration of deep cave systems
2. religious beliefs about subterranean spaces
3. the difficulty of transporting scientific equipment underground
4. false reports from early twentieth-century naturalists
5. the absence of plant life in most caves

10. As used in line 12, the word “harbor” most nearly means

1. conceal
2. shelter
3. contain
4. protect
5. navigate

11. The passage indicates that bat guano is important to cave ecosystems because it

1. provides the only source of moisture in dry cave environments
2. supplies nutrients that support various organisms
3. creates the chemical conditions necessary for chemosynthesis
4. attracts surface-dwelling predators into cave systems
5. prevents the growth of bacteria that would harm other species

12. The author mentions that many cave-dwelling species have “lost pigmentation and functional eyes” (line 16) in order to

1. illustrate how environmental conditions shape evolutionary adaptations
2. prove that cave organisms are more primitive than surface organisms
3. explain why cave exploration requires specialized equipment
4. support the claim that caves are biologically inert
5. demonstrate that all cave species evolved from the same ancestor

13. The Romanian caves described in lines 20-25 are notable primarily because they

1. contain the oldest known cave-dwelling species
2. have remained isolated from the surface for an exceptionally long time
3. depend on a chemical energy source rather than organic matter from above
4. support a greater diversity of species than any other cave system
5. were the first caves to be systematically explored by scientists

14. The passage suggests that the study of cave ecosystems has revealed that

1. photosynthesis can occur in complete darkness under certain conditions
2. life can thrive using energy sources beyond those typically associated with surface ecosystems
3. most cave organisms originated from marine environments rather than terrestrial ones
4. caves contain more biodiversity than previously thought but still less than most surface habitats
5. evolutionary adaptation occurs more slowly in caves than in environments exposed to sunlight

Passage 3

The following is excerpted 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 the sun now stands (15) I will fight no more forever.

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

1. negotiate favorable terms for a temporary ceasefire
2. announce his decision to end armed resistance
3. request medical supplies for wounded warriors
4. criticize General Howard’s military tactics
5. inspire his people to continue fighting despite hardship

16. Chief Joseph’s statement “I know his heart” (line 1) suggests that he

1. believes General Howard to be dishonest and untrustworthy
2. has developed a personal friendship with General Howard
3. understands General Howard’s character and intentions
4. plans to appeal to General Howard’s emotions
5. expects General Howard to reject his surrender

17. As used in line 4, the word “say” most nearly means

1. speak
2. decide
3. command
4. announce
5. declare

18. The repeated references to death in lines 3-6 serve primarily to

1. emphasize the devastating losses the Nez Perce have suffered
2. justify Chief Joseph’s claim to leadership of his people
3. demonstrate the superior military strength of the U.S. Army
4. explain why the young men now make decisions for the tribe
5. memorialize specific warriors who died in recent battles

19. Chief Joseph’s concern for “the little children” (line 7) and his desire to “look for my children” (line 11) together suggest that

1. he has lost track of his own family during the fighting
2. the welfare of the young is a central motivation for his surrender
3. most of the adult members of his tribe have already been killed
4. he believes General Howard will provide food and blankets
5. children played an important role in Nez Perce military strategy

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

1. defiant and threatening
2. hopeful and optimistic
3. resigned and sorrowful
4. bitter and accusatory
5. uncertain and hesitant

■ ■ ■   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) – exploring a young woman’s thoughts as she leaves home
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage follows Camila’s internal reflections and observations as she rides the train away from São Paulo, revealing her motivations, fears, and memories (lines 1-23). Choice (A) is too narrow, as the landscape description is incidental rather than the primary focus. Choice (D) is wrong because no argument between father and daughter is recounted; we only learn she left without telling him.

2. Ans: (A) – feared her father would try to prevent her departure
Explanation: This is an Inference question. Leaving secretly at dawn suggests Camila anticipated opposition from her father and chose to avoid confrontation (lines 2-3). Choice (C) is incorrect because there is no indication she plans to return quickly; in fact, she writes about sending money, suggesting a longer absence. Choice (E) is wrong because the note suggests obligation, not celebratory surprise.

3. Ans: (E) – disbelieved
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In line 7, Camila “doubted the second part but believed the first,” indicating she did not believe the claim about kind girls at the boarding house. Choice (B) is wrong because “challenged” implies active opposition rather than internal skepticism. Choice (D) is incorrect because “feared” relates to emotion, not belief.

4. Ans: (B) – introduce a moment of human warmth during Camila’s journey
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The elderly woman’s smile and offer of fruit (lines 10-12) provide a brief moment of kindness amid Camila’s uncertain journey. Choice (A) is too broad; the passage does not emphasize passenger diversity. Choice (D) is incorrect because the woman does not foreshadow factory relationships; she is a stranger on a train.

5. Ans: (B) – a time of happiness before economic hardship
Explanation: This is an Inference question. Camila’s memory of “summers at her grandmother’s farm before the drought came and everything changed” (lines 15-17) links happy childhood memories to a time before economic difficulty. Choice (A) is wrong because the factory is part of her future, not her childhood. Choice (C) is incorrect because no coffee plantation belonging to her father is mentioned.

6. Ans: (E) – quietly determined
Explanation: This is a Tone/Mood question. The final paragraph shows Camila imagining her future work and considering her father’s reaction, closing with her simple, resolute note: “I will send money” (lines 17-23). Choice (A) is incorrect because there is no bitterness or resentment expressed. Choice (C) is too strong; Camila is not “wholly optimistic” given her doubts about the boarding house.

7. Ans: (C) – A third-person narrator follows one character’s immediate experience and thoughts
Explanation: This is a Structure/Organization question. The passage uses third-person narration (“Camila pressed,” “She wondered”) while staying closely focused on Camila’s perceptions and reflections throughout (lines 1-23). Choice (A) is wrong because we access only Camila’s thoughts, not multiple characters’ thoughts. Choice (B) is incorrect because the narrative is in third person, not first person, and describes present action, not retrospection.

8. Ans: (B) – explain how cave-dwelling organisms have adapted to unique environmental conditions
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage describes cave ecosystems and emphasizes the remarkable adaptations organisms have developed, such as loss of eyes and pigmentation (lines 14-17) and chemosynthetic energy use (lines 20-25). Choice (A) is wrong because the passage makes no argument about protection or conservation. Choice (E) is too narrow; geological formation is not discussed.

9. Ans: (A) – inadequate exploration of deep cave systems
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage states that the misconception “persisted until scientists began systematically exploring deep cave systems in the twentieth century” (lines 3-5), indicating prior exploration was insufficient. Choice (B) is not mentioned anywhere in the passage. Choice (D) reverses the facts; twentieth-century exploration corrected rather than caused the misconception.

10. Ans: (C) – contain
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In line 12, “caves harbor entire ecosystems” means caves contain or house these ecosystems. Choice (B), “shelter,” suggests protective action, which is not the primary meaning here. Choice (E), “navigate,” makes no sense in this context.

11. Ans: (B) – supplies nutrients that support various organisms
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage states that bat guano “provides nutrient-rich deposits that support complex food webs” (lines 11-13). Choice (A) is not mentioned; moisture is not discussed. Choice (C) confuses two separate systems; chemosynthesis in Romanian caves does not depend on guano (lines 20-23).

12. Ans: (A) – illustrate how environmental conditions shape evolutionary adaptations
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The passage presents loss of eyes and pigmentation as “adaptations that reflect the selective pressures” of the dark cave environment (lines 15-18). Choice (B) is wrong because the passage does not suggest cave organisms are “primitive.” Choice (D) contradicts the passage, which argues against caves being biologically inert.

13. Ans: (C) – depend on a chemical energy source rather than organic matter from above
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The Romanian caves are described as “powered entirely by chemosynthesis” in which bacteria derive energy from chemicals rather than sunlight or surface organic matter (lines 20-23). Choice (A) is not stated in the passage. Choice (B) is mentioned but is not the primary point; the chemosynthesis-based ecosystem is what makes them notable.

14. Ans: (B) – life can thrive using energy sources beyond those typically associated with surface ecosystems
Explanation: This is an Extended Reasoning question. The passage describes cave ecosystems based on bat guano (lines 10-14) and chemosynthesis (lines 20-23), both alternatives to photosynthesis-based energy, demonstrating diverse life strategies. Choice (A) is incorrect; the passage states caves have “near-complete absence of photosynthesis-derived energy” (line 8), not that photosynthesis occurs in darkness. Choice (C) is not mentioned anywhere in the passage.

15. Ans: (B) – announce his decision to end armed resistance
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. Chief Joseph states “I am tired of fighting” (line 3) and concludes “I will fight no more forever” (lines 15-16), clearly announcing his surrender. Choice (A) is too narrow; he is not negotiating terms but declaring an end. Choice (E) contradicts the entire speech, which expresses exhaustion and surrender.

16. Ans: (C) – understands General Howard’s character and intentions
Explanation: This is an Inference question. “I know his heart” (line 1) is an idiomatic expression indicating Chief Joseph understands General Howard’s nature or intentions. Choice (A) reverses the meaning; the phrase suggests understanding, not distrust. Choice (B) overstates the relationship; understanding does not necessarily indicate friendship.

17. Ans: (B) – decide
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In context, “It is the young men who say yes or no” (lines 4-5) means they make decisions about whether to fight or surrender. Choice (A), “speak,” is too literal and misses the decision-making implication. Choice (C), “command,” suggests authority they may not possess.

18. Ans: (A) – emphasize the devastating losses the Nez Perce have suffered
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. Chief Joseph lists multiple dead chiefs by name and notes “The old men are all dead” (lines 3-6), emphasizing catastrophic losses. Choice (D) is too narrow; while the deaths explain why young men now decide, the primary function is to show the scale of loss. Choice (C) may be true but is not the purpose of these references in the speech.

19. Ans: (B) – the welfare of the young is a central motivation for his surrender
Explanation: This is an Inference question. Chief Joseph’s references to freezing children (line 7) and his desire to find them (line 11) indicate concern for the young drives his decision to surrender. Choice (A) is too literal; “my children” likely refers to his people’s children generally, not just his own offspring. Choice (C) is contradicted by his references to young men (line 4) and people who ran to the hills (lines 8-9).

20. Ans: (C) – resigned and sorrowful
Explanation: This is a Tone/Mood question. The final sentence combines acceptance of defeat (“From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever”) with the emotional statement “my heart is sick and sad” (lines 13-16). Choice (A) is wrong because “defiant” contradicts the surrender. Choice (B) is incorrect because there is no hopefulness or optimism expressed in this conclusion.