SSAT Reading Practice Worksheet - 84

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 fog had barely lifted from the Thames when Amelia Hartwell slipped through the narrow gate behind her uncle’s printing shop. She carried a leather satchel bulging with pamphlets, their ink still wet enough to stain her fingers black. (5) In another hour, the shop would open and her uncle would discover the press had been used without his permission. By then, she intended to be halfway across London.     She had spent three weeks setting the type in secret, working by candlelight after her uncle retired. The pamphlet argued for the (10) expansion of educational opportunities for women, a cause her uncle deemed both impractical and dangerous. He had forbidden her from attending the meetings of the Ladies’ Educational Society, claiming such gatherings attracted radicals and damaged reputations. But Amelia had attended anyway, hiding her involvement behind (15) a series of careful lies.     Now, as she navigated the morning crowds near Cheapside, she felt the weight of her decision. Distribution of unsanctioned political literature could result in fines or worse. Yet the women she had met at the Society – schoolteachers, (20) writers, shopkeepers – had entrusted her with this task, and she would not fail them.

1. The passage is primarily concerned with

1. describing the physical layout of a nineteenth-century printing shop
2. illustrating a young woman’s act of defiance in support of her beliefs
3. explaining the legal consequences of distributing political pamphlets
4. contrasting urban and rural attitudes toward women’s education
5. depicting the relationship between a niece and her conservative uncle

2. As used in line 13, the word “deemed” most nearly means

1. suspected
2. considered
3. proved
4. announced
5. feared

3. The detail that the ink was “still wet enough to stain her fingers black” (lines 3-4) suggests that

1. Amelia lacked experience operating a printing press
2. the pamphlets had been printed very recently
3. her uncle used inferior quality ink in his shop
4. Amelia intentionally marked herself to show her commitment
5. the printing process in that era was particularly messy

4. It can be inferred from the passage that Amelia’s uncle would most likely respond to her actions with

1. pride in her printing skills
2. sympathy for her educational goals
3. anger at her disobedience
4. confusion about her motives
5. indifference to her political activities

5. The passage suggests that the Ladies’ Educational Society is composed primarily of

1. wealthy aristocrats with radical political views
2. women from various professional backgrounds
3. university students protesting government policies
4. relatives of prominent male reformers
5. schoolgirls seeking advanced education

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

1. skeptical and disapproving
2. tense and purposeful
3. lighthearted and whimsical
4. melancholy and regretful
5. detached and analytical

7. The author’s statement that Amelia “felt the weight of her decision” (line 17) implies that she

1. was physically exhausted from carrying the heavy satchel
2. recognized the serious risks associated with her actions
3. regretted lying to her uncle about her activities
4. doubted whether women truly deserved educational opportunities
5. worried that the pamphlets contained factual errors

Passage 2

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

    For decades, scholars believed that the elaborate urban centers of the Maya civilization collapsed suddenly around 900 CE due to environmental catastrophe or foreign invasion. Recent archaeological evidence, however, suggests a far more complex (5) picture. Rather than experiencing a single, dramatic collapse, Maya cities appear to have undergone a gradual transformation, with populations dispersing over several centuries in response to multiple interconnected pressures.     One significant factor was environmental strain. The Maya practiced intensive agriculture, (10) clearing forests to plant maize and constructing sophisticated terracing systems. While these techniques supported large populations during periods of adequate rainfall, they left communities vulnerable during droughts. Sediment cores extracted from lake beds reveal that the region experienced several severe droughts between (15) 800 and 1000 CE. These dry periods would have reduced crop yields dramatically, forcing populations to relocate to areas with more reliable water sources.     Political fragmentation also played a crucial role. As resources became scarce, the authority of traditional ruling dynasties weakened. (20) Smaller settlements gained autonomy, and long-distance trade networks fractured. Rather than a civilization disappearing, the Maya were adapting their social structures to new environmental and economic realities.

8. The primary purpose of the passage is to

1. argue that environmental catastrophe was the sole cause of Maya decline
2. challenge an oversimplified explanation of Maya urban transformation
3. describe the agricultural techniques used by ancient Maya farmers
4. prove that foreign invasion led to the collapse of Maya civilization
5. explain how sediment cores are extracted from lake beds

9. According to the passage, the older scholarly view held that Maya civilization

1. gradually adapted to changing environmental conditions
2. expanded continuously until European contact
3. collapsed suddenly due to a single cause
4. migrated northward to avoid drought
5. was destroyed by warfare among competing cities

10. As used in line 8, the word “dispersing” most nearly means

1. scattering
2. dissolving
3. disappearing
4. concentrating
5. organizing

11. The passage indicates that Maya agricultural practices

1. were sustainable under all weather conditions
2. relied primarily on hunting and gathering
3. proved effective during periods of normal rainfall but risky during droughts
4. were abandoned completely after 900 CE
5. focused exclusively on terracing without forest clearing

12. The author mentions sediment cores (line 13) primarily in order to

1. provide physical evidence supporting the drought hypothesis
2. demonstrate the superior technology of Maya engineers
3. explain how ancient agriculture was practiced
4. prove that lake levels remained constant over time
5. describe a new archaeological technique

13. It can be inferred from the passage that the weakening of ruling dynasties (lines 19-20) was

1. the primary cause of environmental degradation
2. unrelated to resource scarcity
3. a consequence of changing economic conditions
4. the result of foreign military conquest
5. reversed by improved agricultural techniques

14. The passage suggests that contemporary scholars view the Maya transformation as

1. a complete disappearance of Maya culture and people
2. an adaptation to changing circumstances rather than a total collapse
3. primarily the result of political rather than environmental factors
4. a mystery that will never be fully understood
5. less significant than previously believed

Passage 3

The following is excerpted from a letter written by Abigail Adams to her husband John Adams on March 31, 1776, while he attended the Continental Congress.

    I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous (5) and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold (10) ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.     That your sex are naturally tyrannical is a truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute; but such of you as wish to be happy willingly give up (15) the harsh title of master for the more tender and endearing one of friend. Why, then, not put it out of the power of the vicious and the lawless to use us with cruelty and indignity with impunity? Men of sense in all ages abhor those customs which treat us only as (20) the vassals of your sex.

15. The main purpose of this letter is to

1. request financial support for the Adams household
2. urge consideration of women’s rights in new American laws
3. criticize the Continental Congress for ineffectiveness
4. express opposition to declaring independence from Britain
5. describe daily life in Massachusetts during the Revolutionary period

16. As used in line 9, the word “foment” most nearly means

1. prevent
2. observe
3. incite
4. document
5. resist

17. Adams’ statement that “all men would be tyrants if they could” (line 7) suggests that she believes

1. most men are intentionally cruel to their wives
2. unchecked power tends to lead to abuse regardless of who holds it
3. only evil men seek positions of political authority
4. women are naturally more virtuous than men
5. the British monarchy is preferable to American independence

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

1. bitter and resentful
2. playful yet serious
3. formal and detached
4. anxious and uncertain
5. apologetic and submissive

19. Adams’ reference to “voice or representation” (line 11) draws a parallel between

1. marriage and slavery
2. women’s legal status and the colonies’ relationship with Britain
3. friendship and tyranny
4. ancient customs and modern laws
5. her husband’s character and that of other congressmen

20. The passage suggests that Adams believes legal protections for women would

1. be opposed by all men without exception
2. undermine the stability of American independence
3. prevent abuse by cruel or lawless individuals
4. eliminate all differences between men and women
5. be impossible to enforce in practice

■ ■ ■   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) – illustrating a young woman’s act of defiance in support of her beliefs
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage focuses on Amelia’s decision to secretly print and distribute pamphlets advocating for women’s education despite her uncle’s opposition and the legal risks (lines 1-20). Choice (A) is too narrow, focusing only on setting details rather than the central conflict. Choice (E) is too narrow as well, since the uncle-niece relationship is secondary to Amelia’s commitment to her cause.

2. Ans: (B) – considered
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In line 13, “deemed” describes how the uncle judged or regarded the cause of women’s education, making “considered” the best synonym. Choice (C) “proved” is incorrect because the uncle is expressing an opinion, not demonstrating a fact. Choice (E) “feared” distorts the meaning; he disapproves of the cause but the text does not indicate he fears it.

3. Ans: (B) – the pamphlets had been printed very recently
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The detail that the ink was still wet enough to stain (lines 3-4) indicates the printing occurred shortly before Amelia left the shop. Choice (A) is incorrect because nothing in the passage suggests she lacked skill. Choice (D) is wrong because the staining is presented as an incidental consequence, not an intentional act.

4. Ans: (C) – anger at her disobedience
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The passage states that her uncle had forbidden her involvement (line 14) and that she used his press without permission (line 6), making anger the most likely response. Choice (A) is incorrect because the uncle would disapprove of the unauthorized use regardless of skill. Choice (B) contradicts the information that he deemed the cause “impractical and dangerous” (line 13).

5. Ans: (B) – women from various professional backgrounds
Explanation: This is a Detail question. Lines 19-21 explicitly describe Society members as “schoolteachers, writers, shopkeepers,” indicating diverse professions. Choice (A) is incorrect because nothing indicates they are aristocrats. Choice (E) is wrong because the members listed are adult professionals, not schoolgirls.

6. Ans: (B) – tense and purposeful
Explanation: This is a Tone/Mood question. The passage creates tension through references to forbidden activities, legal risks, and time pressure (lines 5-6, 17-19), while Amelia’s determination reflects purposefulness (lines 20-21). Choice (C) “lighthearted and whimsical” contradicts the serious subject matter and risks involved. Choice (D) “melancholy and regretful” is incorrect because Amelia shows resolution, not regret.

7. Ans: (B) – recognized the serious risks associated with her actions
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The phrase “weight of her decision” (line 17) appears immediately after the passage mentions potential “fines or worse” (line 18), indicating awareness of consequences. Choice (A) misinterprets “weight” as literal rather than figurative. Choice (D) contradicts the passage, which shows her commitment to the cause throughout.

8. Ans: (B) – challenge an oversimplified explanation of Maya urban transformation
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The passage explicitly contrasts the old belief in sudden collapse (lines 2-3) with newer evidence of gradual, complex transformation (lines 4-8). Choice (A) is too narrow and contradicts the passage, which presents multiple factors, not a single cause. Choice (D) is wrong because the passage actually rejects the invasion theory mentioned in line 3.

9. Ans: (C) – collapsed suddenly due to a single cause
Explanation: This is a Detail question. Lines 2-4 state that scholars previously “believed that the elaborate urban centers of the Maya civilization collapsed suddenly around 900 CE due to environmental catastrophe or foreign invasion.” Choice (A) reverses the information, as gradual adaptation is the newer view, not the older one. Choice (E) is mentioned as one possible old theory but does not capture the key element of suddenness.

10. Ans: (A) – scattering
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In line 8, “dispersing” describes populations spreading out over time, making “scattering” the closest synonym. Choice (D) “concentrating” is the opposite of the intended meaning. Choice (C) “disappearing” is too extreme; the passage emphasizes transformation, not complete vanishing.

11. Ans: (C) – proved effective during periods of normal rainfall but risky during droughts
Explanation: This is a Detail question. Lines 10-13 explain that Maya agricultural techniques “supported large populations during periods of adequate rainfall” but “left communities vulnerable during droughts.” Choice (A) contradicts this vulnerability. Choice (E) is factually wrong, as the passage mentions both forest clearing and terracing (lines 9-11).

12. Ans: (A) – provide physical evidence supporting the drought hypothesis
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The sediment cores are introduced (lines 13-15) as evidence that “the region experienced several severe droughts,” supporting the environmental explanation. Choice (B) is incorrect because sediment cores are modern scientific tools, not Maya technology. Choice (E) is too narrow; while the technique is mentioned, the primary purpose is to establish the drought evidence.

13. Ans: (C) – a consequence of changing economic conditions
Explanation: This is an Inference question. Lines 18-20 state that “As resources became scarce, the authority of traditional ruling dynasties weakened,” establishing a causal relationship. Choice (A) reverses the cause and effect presented in the passage. Choice (B) directly contradicts the passage, which links dynasty weakening to resource scarcity.

14. Ans: (B) – an adaptation to changing circumstances rather than a total collapse
Explanation: This is an Extended Reasoning question. The final sentence (lines 21-23) explicitly states that “Rather than a civilization disappearing, the Maya were adapting their social structures to new environmental and economic realities.” Choice (A) directly contradicts this conclusion. Choice (C) is too narrow, as the passage presents both political and environmental factors as significant.

15. Ans: (B) – urge consideration of women’s rights in new American laws
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. Adams explicitly asks her husband to “remember the ladies” in the new legal code (lines 3-5) and argues against unlimited power for husbands (lines 5-7). Choice (D) contradicts line 1, where she expresses desire to hear of independence declared. Choice (A) is not mentioned anywhere in the passage.

16. Ans: (C) – incite
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In line 9, “foment a rebellion” means to stir up or provoke one, making “incite” the best match. Choice (A) “prevent” is the opposite of the intended meaning. Choice (E) “resist” is related to rebellion but does not fit the sense of actively starting or promoting one.

17. Ans: (B) – unchecked power tends to lead to abuse regardless of who holds it
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The statement (line 7) is part of Adams’ argument about the corrupting nature of unlimited power (lines 6-7), which she connects to the need for legal limitations (lines 15-17). Choice (A) is too extreme and personal; Adams speaks of structural power, not individual cruelty. Choice (D) is not supported; Adams does not claim women are inherently more virtuous.

18. Ans: (B) – playful yet serious
Explanation: This is a Tone/Mood question. Adams uses wit (the threat to “foment a rebellion” in lines 8-9, the half-joking address to her husband) while advancing serious arguments about legal reform (lines 15-20). Choice (E) “apologetic and submissive” contradicts the assertive, demanding nature of her requests. Choice (A) “bitter and resentful” is too harsh for the affectionate yet firm tone.

19. Ans: (B) – women’s legal status and the colonies’ relationship with Britain
Explanation: This is an Extended Reasoning question. Adams’ phrase “no voice or representation” (line 11) deliberately echoes the colonial complaint of taxation without representation, drawing a parallel between the two situations. Choice (A) is too extreme; while Adams critiques power imbalances, she does not equate marriage with slavery. Choice (C) misidentifies the parallel, which is about political representation, not personal relationships.

20. Ans: (C) – prevent abuse by cruel or lawless individuals
Explanation: This is an Inference question. Adams asks to limit the power of “the vicious and the lawless to use us with cruelty and indignity” (lines 16-18), indicating that legal protections would restrain such behavior. Choice (A) contradicts her acknowledgment that “men of sense” already oppose unfair customs (lines 18-20). Choice (B) is not supported; she advocates for women’s rights within the independence movement, not against it.