SSAT Reading Practice Worksheet - 88

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 just as Mei pressed her forehead against the window, leaving a small oval of condensation on the glass. Outside, the paddies stretched in every direction, emerald rectangles separated by thin (5) ribbons of water that caught the late afternoon sun. She had made this journey twice before, but never alone, and never with such a peculiar weight in her chest. In her lap sat a wooden box, no larger than a dictionary, its corners worn (10) smooth by her grandfather’s hands over forty years of opening and closing.     Her mother had pressed it into her arms at the station with instructions Mei only half-understood. “Your uncle will know what to do with it,” she had said, her (15) eyes avoiding Mei’s own. That was unlike her mother, who met everything directly, from storm damage to the tax collector’s visits. The evasion troubled Mei more than the errand itself.     She lifted the lid a fraction of an inch. Inside, (20) nestled in faded blue cloth, lay a single jade pendant on a silver chain, and beneath it, three letters tied with string. The pendant was cool and smooth when she touched it, and for a moment she forgot the rocking of the train.

1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

1. describe the landscape of rural farmland as seen from a moving train
2. introduce a character undertaking a journey with an air of mystery
3. explain the historical significance of jade pendants in Asian culture
4. contrast the personalities of a mother and daughter
5. celebrate the bond between a grandfather and his granddaughter

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

1. strange
2. ordinary
3. uncomfortable
4. familiar
5. oppressive

3. The description of the wooden box’s corners as “worn smooth” (lines 8-9) suggests that

1. the box was poorly constructed from inferior materials
2. Mei’s grandfather handled the box frequently over many years
3. the box had been damaged during previous train journeys
4. Mei values the box more than her grandfather did
5. the contents of the box are of little monetary value

4. The passage suggests that Mei finds her mother’s behavior at the station troubling because

1. her mother refused to explain the purpose of the errand
2. her mother typically confronts situations directly rather than avoiding them
3. her mother had never before asked Mei to visit her uncle
4. her mother seemed angry about the contents of the wooden box
5. her mother was sending her on a dangerous journey alone

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

1. anxious and foreboding
2. reflective and somewhat uncertain
3. celebratory and nostalgic
4. detached and analytical
5. bitter and resentful

6. Which of the following best describes the narrative structure of the passage?

1. A chronological account of a full day’s events
2. A present-moment scene interwoven with recent memory
3. A series of flashbacks to childhood experiences
4. A contrast between two different geographical settings
5. An argument supporting a particular course of action

7. The detail that Mei “forgot the rocking of the train” (line 22) most nearly suggests that

1. the train had come to a complete stop at a station
2. Mei had become drowsy and was falling asleep
3. the pendant captured her attention so fully that she was momentarily unaware of her surroundings
4. Mei was no longer concerned about her mysterious errand
5. the train’s movement had become smoother and less noticeable

Passage 2

The following passage is adapted from an article about astronomy and space exploration.

    For decades, astronomers believed that rogue planets – worlds that drift through space untethered to any star – were rare cosmic oddities, perhaps the result of violent ejections from (5) their home solar systems. Recent data from gravitational microlensing surveys has upended that assumption entirely. These observations suggest that rogue planets may actually outnumber stars in our galaxy, drifting silently through the darkness in quantities that (10) exceed even the most liberal earlier estimates.     Gravitational microlensing occurs when a massive object passes between Earth and a distant star, briefly magnifying the star’s light in a way that reveals the intervening object’s presence. Unlike traditional telescopic observation, which (15) requires a planet to reflect or emit light, microlensing can detect completely dark bodies, making it ideal for finding rogues. Between 2012 and 2019, surveys in New Zealand and Chile recorded dozens of these brief brightening events that could (20) only be explained by planetary-mass objects traveling alone.     The implications extend beyond mere census-taking. If rogue planets are truly abundant, they may serve as laboratories for studying planetary formation in isolation, free from the complicating influence of stellar (25) radiation. Some researchers have even speculated that a subset of these worlds might retain enough internal heat to support subsurface oceans, raising tantalizing questions about the potential for life in the galaxy’s darkest corners.

8. The main idea of the passage is that

1. gravitational microlensing is superior to all other methods of detecting planets
2. rogue planets may be far more common than previously thought, with significant scientific implications
3. violent ejections from solar systems are the primary cause of rogue planet formation
4. life is likely to exist on rogue planets with subsurface oceans
5. astronomers in New Zealand and Chile have made the most important discoveries in modern astronomy

9. As used in line 4, the word “ejections” most nearly means

1. explosions
2. expulsions
3. rotations
4. collisions
5. formations

10. According to the passage, gravitational microlensing is particularly useful for detecting rogue planets because

1. it can identify objects that do not emit or reflect light
2. it is less expensive than building traditional telescopes
3. it was developed specifically for finding rogue planets
4. it works best in the Southern Hemisphere
5. it can measure the internal heat of distant planets

11. The passage suggests that studying rogue planets could be valuable because they

1. are closer to Earth than most star-orbiting planets
2. represent the most common type of celestial body in the universe
3. can be observed without the interfering effects of a nearby star
4. are more likely to harbor life than planets that orbit stars
5. provide evidence that our solar system once contained more planets

12. The author’s tone when discussing the possibility of life on rogue planets (lines 25-28) can best be described as

1. dismissive and skeptical
2. cautiously speculative
3. enthusiastically convinced
4. scientifically neutral
5. philosophically troubled

13. The passage indicates that prior to recent microlensing surveys, astronomers believed rogue planets were

1. completely nonexistent
2. more numerous than stars
3. uncommon phenomena
4. impossible to detect
5. located only in distant galaxies

14. The author’s primary purpose in the second paragraph (lines 11-20) is to

1. argue that gravitational microlensing should replace all other astronomical techniques
2. explain the scientific method used to detect rogue planets
3. describe the geographical locations where the most important telescopes are located
4. prove that rogue planets outnumber stars in our galaxy
5. criticize traditional telescopic observation as outdated

Passage 3

The following is excerpted from Chief Seattle’s 1854 speech, delivered 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 (10) the trees carries the memories 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 (15) earth and it is part of us. 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. (20)     So, when the Great Chief in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land, he asks much of us.

15. The primary purpose of this speech is to

1. accept the government’s offer to purchase the land
2. express a worldview that challenges the premise of the government’s proposal
3. describe the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest
4. compare the religious beliefs of Native Americans and white settlers
5. threaten military resistance to American expansion

16. As used in line 8, the word “holy” most nearly means

1. religious
2. sacred
3. pure
4. ancient
5. mysterious

17. Chief Seattle’s opening question (lines 1-2) serves primarily to

1. request information about the terms of the government’s offer
2. highlight a fundamental difference in how his people and the government view the land
3. express confusion about legal property ownership
4. suggest that the price being offered is too low
5. introduce a detailed economic argument

18. According to the passage, Chief Seattle’s people believe that after death

1. they will walk among the stars like white men
2. they will be reborn as animals or plants
3. they will remain connected to the earth
4. they will forget their earthly existence
5. they will join the Great Chief in Washington

19. The phrase “The sap which courses through the trees carries the memories of the red man” (lines 8-10) is best understood as

1. a literal claim that trees contain human memories
2. a metaphor expressing the deep spiritual connection between his people and the natural world
3. a scientific observation about how trees grow
4. an explanation of Native American burial practices
5. a prediction that the trees will die if the land is sold

20. The tone of the final paragraph (lines 21-22) can best be described as

1. enthusiastic and eager
2. neutral and businesslike
3. grave and quietly reproachful
4. angry and defiant
5. confused and uncertain

■ ■ ■   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 undertaking a journey with an air of mystery
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage focuses on Mei as she travels alone by train carrying a mysterious box whose purpose she does not fully understand (lines 13-15), establishing both the journey and the sense of mystery as central elements. Choice (A) is too narrow, as the landscape description is only one detail supporting the larger narrative purpose. Choice (E) is incorrect because while the grandfather is mentioned, he does not appear in the passage and the focus is on Mei’s present journey, not their relationship.

2. Ans: (C) – uncomfortable
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. The “peculiar weight in her chest” (line 6) describes Mei’s emotional state during this unusual solo journey, suggesting an uncomfortable or uneasy feeling. Choice (A) “strange” is a common dictionary definition of peculiar but does not fit the emotional context of a weight in one’s chest. Choice (D) “familiar” contradicts the meaning, as peculiar indicates something out of the ordinary.

3. Ans: (B) – Mei’s grandfather handled the box frequently over many years
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The passage states the corners were “worn smooth by her grandfather’s hands over forty years of opening and closing” (lines 8-10), directly supporting this answer. Choice (A) is incorrect because worn corners indicate use, not poor construction. Choice (D) reverses the information given; the passage tells us about the grandfather’s use of the box, not Mei’s relative valuation of it.

4. Ans: (B) – her mother typically confronts situations directly rather than avoiding them
Explanation: This is a Detail question. Lines 15-17 explicitly state that the mother’s avoidance was “unlike her” because she “met everything directly, from storm damage to the tax collector’s visits.” Choice (A) is too broad; while the mother’s explanation was incomplete, what troubles Mei specifically is the uncharacteristic evasion. Choice (D) is not supported; the passage gives no indication the mother seemed angry.

5. Ans: (B) – reflective and somewhat uncertain
Explanation: This is a Tone/Mood question. The passage presents Mei thinking about her journey, her mother’s behavior, and the mysterious box with phrases like “instructions Mei only half-understood” (line 13) and “troubled Mei” (line 17), indicating reflection and uncertainty. Choice (A) is too strong; while there is some unease, the passage is not anxious or foreboding. Choice (C) is incorrect as there is no celebratory mood, and the nostalgia is minimal.

6. Ans: (B) – A present-moment scene interwoven with recent memory
Explanation: This is a Structure/Organization question. The passage begins with Mei on the train (present moment in lines 1-10), then shifts to her mother’s words at the station (recent memory in lines 11-17), then returns to Mei on the train (present moment in lines 18-22). Choice (A) is incorrect because the passage covers only a train journey and a recent memory, not a full day. Choice (C) is wrong because the only memory described is recent (the station), not from childhood.

7. Ans: (C) – the pendant captured her attention so fully that she was momentarily unaware of her surroundings
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The passage states that after touching the pendant, which “was cool and smooth,” Mei “forgot the rocking of the train” (lines 20-22), suggesting her complete absorption in examining the object. Choice (A) is not supported; nothing indicates the train stopped. Choice (E) is incorrect because forgetting the rocking suggests mental absorption, not an actual change in the train’s movement.

8. Ans: (B) – rogue planets may be far more common than previously thought, with significant scientific implications
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage presents new data suggesting rogue planets “may actually outnumber stars” (line 8) and discusses implications for studying planetary formation and potential life (lines 21-28). Choice (A) is too narrow and overstated; the passage praises microlensing for one specific purpose but does not claim it is superior for all astronomical work. Choice (D) goes too far; the passage says some researchers have “speculated” about this possibility (line 26), not that life is likely.

9. Ans: (B) – expulsions
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. The passage refers to “violent ejections from their home solar systems” (lines 3-5), meaning planets being forcefully expelled or thrown out. Choice (A) “explosions” is too extreme and does not capture the sense of being thrown out of a system. Choice (C) “rotations” is completely unrelated to the context of planets leaving their solar systems.

10. Ans: (A) – it can identify objects that do not emit or reflect light
Explanation: This is a Detail question. Lines 14-16 state that “Unlike traditional telescopic observation, which requires a planet to reflect or emit light, microlensing can detect completely dark bodies.” Choice (B) is not mentioned in the passage. Choice (C) is incorrect; the passage does not state microlensing was developed specifically for finding rogue planets, only that it is ideal for this purpose.

11. Ans: (C) – can be observed without the interfering effects of a nearby star
Explanation: This is an Inference question. Lines 22-25 indicate rogue planets could serve as “laboratories for studying planetary formation in isolation, free from the complicating influence of stellar radiation,” meaning without a nearby star’s interference. Choice (A) is not stated anywhere in the passage. Choice (D) goes too far; the passage mentions speculation about life (lines 25-28) but does not claim rogues are more likely to harbor life than other planets.

12. Ans: (B) – cautiously speculative
Explanation: This is a Tone question. The author writes that “Some researchers have even speculated” (line 26) about subsurface oceans, “raising tantalizing questions” (line 27), indicating interest but caution about unproven possibilities. Choice (A) is incorrect; the author presents the speculation as worth considering, not dismissing it. Choice (C) is too strong; the author reports speculation but does not express conviction.

13. Ans: (C) – uncommon phenomena
Explanation: This is a Detail question. Lines 1-4 state that “astronomers believed that rogue planets...were rare cosmic oddities,” meaning uncommon. Choice (A) is too extreme; the passage says they were thought rare, not nonexistent. Choice (B) reverses the information; this is what recent data suggests, not what astronomers previously believed.

14. Ans: (B) – explain the scientific method used to detect rogue planets
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The second paragraph describes how gravitational microlensing works (lines 11-16) and reports specific survey results (lines 16-20), explaining the detection method. Choice (A) is too strong; the passage praises microlensing for this specific application but does not argue it should replace all other techniques. Choice (D) overstates the case; the surveys provide evidence but the passage does not claim they “prove” the abundance of rogues.

15. Ans: (B) – express a worldview that challenges the premise of the government’s proposal
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. Chief Seattle questions the very concept of buying and selling land (lines 1-4) and explains his people’s spiritual connection to the earth (lines 4-20), fundamentally challenging the idea that land can be property. Choice (A) contradicts the passage; the speech questions the offer rather than accepting it. Choice (C) is too narrow; while natural beauty is described, it serves the larger purpose of explaining a different worldview.

16. Ans: (B) – sacred
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. Line 5 states “Every part of this earth is sacred to my people,” and line 8 continues this thought with “every clearing and humming insect is holy,” making sacred and holy synonymous in this context. Choice (A) “religious” is related but less precise; holy here means sacred in a spiritual sense connected to the earth. Choice (E) “mysterious” does not fit the context of reverence being described.

17. Ans: (B) – highlight a fundamental difference in how his people and the government view the land
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The rhetorical question “How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land?” (lines 1-2) followed by “The idea is strange to us” (line 3) emphasizes the conceptual gap between the two worldviews. Choice (A) misreads the rhetorical nature of the question; Chief Seattle is not requesting information. Choice (D) is incorrect; he is not negotiating price but questioning the entire premise of the transaction.

18. Ans: (C) – they will remain connected to the earth
Explanation: This is a Detail question. Lines 11-14 state “Our dead never forget this beautiful earth, for it is the mother of the red man,” indicating continued connection after death. Choice (A) contradicts the passage, which states this is what “the white man’s dead” do (lines 11-12), contrasting with Chief Seattle’s people. Choice (D) reverses the relationship; it is the white man’s dead who forget, not Chief Seattle’s people.

19. Ans: (B) – a metaphor expressing the deep spiritual connection between his people and the natural world
Explanation: This is an Extended Reasoning question. The statement is part of a larger passage filled with metaphorical language about the relationship between people and nature (lines 5-19), using poetic imagery to express spiritual interconnection. Choice (A) takes the statement too literally; it is clearly figurative language. Choice (C) misreads the purpose entirely; this is not a scientific observation but a spiritual expression.

20. Ans: (C) – grave and quietly reproachful
Explanation: This is a Tone question. The statement “he asks much of us” (lines 21-22) following the profound explanation of spiritual connection to the land conveys serious concern and gentle criticism of the request. Choice (A) contradicts the passage entirely; there is nothing enthusiastic about the response to the government’s offer. Choice (D) is too strong; the tone is restrained rather than angry and defiant.