Reading Passage for HSPT - 17

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 Margot stepped into the third-class carriage, nearly sending her sprawling into the lap of an elderly woman clutching a wicker basket. She caught herself on the brass rail and mumbled an apology, though the woman had already turned her gaze back to the window. Outside, the platform at Lyon receded into (5) a blur of grey stone and iron. Margot found a seat near the rear, wedging her single valise between her knees. Six months ago, she would have traveled first class with her father, the compartment smelling of leather and pipe tobacco. Now she was alone, bound for Marseille with thirty francs sewn into the hem of her coat and a letter of introduction to a (10) milliner she had never met.     Across from her sat a young man in a threadbare jacket, his fingers stained with ink. He glanced up from the pamphlet he was reading, met her eyes for a brief moment, then returned to his text. Margot noticed the title: “The Rights of Labor.” Her father would have sneered. But her father was (15) gone now, his shipping business dissolved by creditors, the house on Rue de la République sold to a banker from Paris. What would he think of her now, running toward the coast like a common shop girl? She pressed her forehead against the cool glass and watched the countryside roll past, vineyards giving way to rocky (20) hills dotted with cypress trees.

1. The passage is primarily concerned with

1. Margot’s memories of her father’s business practices
2. a young woman’s journey during a period of personal upheaval
3. the differences between first-class and third-class train travel
4. the political tensions in France during the early twentieth century

2. As used in line 8, the word bound most nearly means

1. tied
2. required
3. headed
4. confined

3. The detail about Margot’s father traveling first class (lines 6-7) serves primarily to

1. emphasize the contrast between her past and present circumstances
2. suggest that her father was a cruel and neglectful parent
3. explain why Margot prefers third-class travel
4. illustrate the luxury of European train travel in that era

4. It can be inferred from the passage that Margot’s father

1. encouraged her to pursue work as a milliner
2. recently passed away after a long illness
3. held conservative views and enjoyed financial success
4. personally introduced her to the milliner in Marseille

5. The young man reading the pamphlet is described in order to

1. provide a romantic interest for Margot
2. contrast his political beliefs with those Margot’s father would have held
3. show that third-class passengers were more educated than first-class travelers
4. demonstrate that Margot is afraid of strangers

6. According to the passage, Margot is carrying

1. a letter of introduction and money hidden in her coat
2. several pieces of expensive luggage from her former life
3. political pamphlets similar to those the young man is reading
4. personal belongings that once belonged to her father

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

1. cheerful and optimistic
2. reflective and uncertain
3. angry and defiant
4. peaceful and content

Passage 2

The following passage is adapted from a general-audience science article.

    For decades, scientists believed that the deep ocean floor was a barren wasteland, devoid of the energy sources necessary to support complex ecosystems. This assumption was shattered in 1977 when researchers aboard the submersible Alvin discovered hydrothermal vents along the Galápagos Rift. These underwater geysers, which spew (5) superheated water rich in minerals and chemicals, sustain thriving communities of organisms in complete darkness, thousands of meters below the ocean surface.     The key to these ecosystems lies in chemosynthesis, a process fundamentally different from the photosynthesis that powers most life on Earth. Instead of using sunlight to convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds, chemosynthetic bacteria derive energy from (10) the oxidation of chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide, which pours from the vents in abundance. These bacteria form the base of the food web, much as photosynthetic plants do in terrestrial environments. Tubeworms, some growing to lengths of two meters, lack mouths and digestive systems entirely; instead, they host chemosynthetic bacteria within specialized organs called trophi, exchanging (15) nutrients in a symbiotic relationship that benefits both organisms.     The discovery of hydrothermal vent communities has profound implications for astrobiology. If life can flourish in Earth’s deep ocean without sunlight, perhaps similar ecosystems exist in the subsurface oceans of icy moons like Europa or Enceladus, where tidal forces generate heat that could drive comparable chemical reactions. The vents also (20) challenge our understanding of life’s origins, suggesting that the first organisms may have emerged not in sunlit tidal pools, but in the mineral-rich waters of ancient submarine vents.

8. The primary purpose of the passage is to

1. describe the technology used in deep-sea exploration
2. explain the discovery and significance of hydrothermal vent ecosystems
3. argue that life on Earth originated near hydrothermal vents
4. compare photosynthesis and chemosynthesis in detail

9. According to the passage, chemosynthetic bacteria obtain energy by

1. converting sunlight into chemical compounds
2. consuming organic matter that drifts down from the ocean surface
3. oxidizing chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide
4. forming symbiotic relationships with tubeworms

10. As used in line 11, the word base most nearly means

1. bottom layer
2. foundation
3. military installation
4. alkaline substance

11. The passage indicates that tubeworms

1. consume bacteria directly through their mouths
2. depend on bacteria housed within their bodies for nutrition
3. grow to lengths exceeding three meters
4. are the only organisms found near hydrothermal vents

12. The author mentions Europa and Enceladus (line 18) in order to

1. prove that life exists elsewhere in the solar system
2. illustrate the potential relevance of vent ecosystems to extraterrestrial life
3. describe where scientists first discovered chemosynthetic bacteria
4. explain how tidal forces create hydrothermal vents on Earth

13. It can be inferred from the passage that before 1977, scientists

1. had extensively studied hydrothermal vents using submersibles
2. believed complex life could not exist in the deep ocean
3. understood the process of chemosynthesis in great detail
4. had already discovered life on Europa and Enceladus

14. The structure of the passage can best be described as

1. a chronological narrative of deep-sea exploration
2. a description of a discovery followed by explanation and broader implications
3. a comparison of two competing scientific theories
4. an argument advocating for increased funding of ocean research

Passage 3

The following passage is adapted from Chief Joseph’s surrender speech, delivered in 1877.

    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 who say yes or no. He who led on the young men (5) 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 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 (10) the dead. Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.     We had good times with the white people. They taught us many things. But they wanted our land. They made a treaty, and we were to have a reservation and be allowed to stay in our (15) own country. But the white men found gold in our mountains and they wanted our mountains. We fought to keep them, but we were whipped. The old men, the women, and the children were cold and hungry. We gave up, and the white people promised we could go back to our mountains. But they lied. Now we are sent (20) to a place we do not know.

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

1. announce his surrender and express his grief over his people’s suffering
2. threaten General Howard with renewed conflict
3. request immediate military supplies for his tribe
4. celebrate the victories his people achieved in battle

16. As used in line 2, the phrase I have it in my heart most nearly means

1. I have memorized it
2. I remember and value it
3. I disagree with it
4. I am suffering from it

17. According to the passage, Chief Joseph wants time to

1. negotiate a new treaty with General Howard
2. search for his children who may be lost or dead
3. gather supplies for the coming winter
4. organize a new military strategy

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

1. defiant and hopeful
2. resigned and mournful
3. angry and vengeful
4. cheerful and forgiving

19. Chief Joseph suggests that the primary reason for conflict between his people and the white settlers was

1. religious differences
2. misunderstandings about treaty language
3. the discovery of gold in tribal territory
4. attacks initiated by young warriors

20. It can be inferred from the passage that Chief Joseph

1. believes the white people honored their promises
2. feels betrayed by broken promises regarding his people’s land
3. plans to continue fighting from the hills
4. has never trusted General Howard

Answer Key

1. Ans: (B) – a young woman’s journey during a period of personal upheaval
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage focuses on Margot traveling alone to Marseille after her father’s business failed and she lost her former life of comfort (lines 6-10). Choice (A) is too narrow, as the father’s business is mentioned only as context for Margot’s changed circumstances. Choice (C) focuses on a supporting detail rather than the primary concern of the passage.

2. Ans: (C) – headed
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In line 8, “bound for Marseille” means Margot is traveling toward or headed to that destination. Choice (A) “tied” is another meaning of “bound” but does not fit the context of travel. Choice (D) “confined” suggests restriction, which contradicts the sense of movement in the passage.

3. Ans: (A) – emphasize the contrast between her past and present circumstances
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The detail about first-class travel with her father (lines 6-7) is immediately contrasted with her current third-class travel alone, highlighting her fall from privilege. Choice (B) makes an unsupported claim about the father being cruel. Choice (C) reverses the passage’s meaning, as Margot clearly does not prefer third-class travel.

4. Ans: (C) – held conservative views and enjoyed financial success
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The passage indicates the father would have “sneered” at labor rights (line 14), suggesting conservative views, and that he traveled first class and owned a shipping business (lines 6-7, 14-15), indicating former wealth. Choice (A) is contradicted by the passage, which suggests he would disapprove of her working. Choice (D) is false, as Margot has never met the milliner (line 9).

5. Ans: (B) – contrast his political beliefs with those Margot’s father would have held
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The young man reads “The Rights of Labor” and Margot immediately thinks “Her father would have sneered” (lines 13-14), creating a deliberate contrast. Choice (A) is unsupported, as there is no romantic element in the brief encounter. Choice (C) makes a broad generalization not supported by the passage.

6. Ans: (A) – a letter of introduction and money hidden in her coat
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage explicitly states Margot has “thirty francs sewn into the hem of her coat and a letter of introduction to a milliner” (lines 8-9). Choice (B) contradicts the detail that she has only “a single valise” (line 6). Choice (C) is false, as the young man, not Margot, reads the pamphlet.

7. Ans: (B) – reflective and uncertain
Explanation: This is a Tone/Mood question. Margot reflects on her past life and uncertain future throughout the passage, particularly in lines 15-19 when she questions what her father would think and presses her forehead against the window. Choice (A) is contradicted by the somber tone. Choice (C) is too extreme, as Margot shows sadness and uncertainty rather than anger.

8. Ans: (B) – explain the discovery and significance of hydrothermal vent ecosystems
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage describes the 1977 discovery (lines 3-5), explains how the ecosystems function (lines 6-15), and discusses their broader implications (lines 16-21). Choice (C) is too strong, as the passage suggests this possibility but does not argue it definitively. Choice (D) is too narrow, focusing on only one aspect of the passage.

9. Ans: (C) – oxidizing chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage explicitly states that chemosynthetic bacteria “derive energy from the oxidation of chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide” (lines 9-10). Choice (A) describes photosynthesis, not chemosynthesis. Choice (D) reverses the relationship, as bacteria provide nutrition to tubeworms, not the other way around.

10. Ans: (B) – foundation
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In line 11, bacteria form “the base of the food web,” meaning they are the foundation upon which the ecosystem depends. Choice (A) “bottom layer” is partially correct but less precise than “foundation” in this biological context. Choice (C) refers to an entirely different meaning of “base” unrelated to the passage.

11. Ans: (B) – depend on bacteria housed within their bodies for nutrition
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage states that tubeworms “lack mouths and digestive systems entirely” and instead “host chemosynthetic bacteria within specialized organs” (lines 12-14) in a symbiotic exchange. Choice (A) contradicts the statement that tubeworms lack mouths. Choice (C) misstates the detail, as the passage says “two meters,” not exceeding three.

12. Ans: (B) – illustrate the potential relevance of vent ecosystems to extraterrestrial life
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The author mentions these moons to suggest that “similar ecosystems” might exist there (lines 17-19), connecting vent discoveries to astrobiology. Choice (A) is too strong, as the passage suggests possibility, not proof. Choice (C) reverses the facts, as the bacteria were discovered on Earth, not on moons.

13. Ans: (B) – believed complex life could not exist in the deep ocean
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The passage states that before the 1977 discovery, “scientists believed that the deep ocean floor was a barren wasteland, devoid of the energy sources necessary to support complex ecosystems” (lines 1-3). Choice (A) contradicts the passage, as the discovery in 1977 was a surprise. Choice (D) is false, as no life has been discovered on those moons.

14. Ans: (B) – a description of a discovery followed by explanation and broader implications
Explanation: This is a Structure/Organization question. The first paragraph describes the 1977 discovery, the second explains how the ecosystems work, and the third discusses implications for astrobiology and the origins of life. Choice (A) is incorrect because the passage is not primarily chronological. Choice (C) is wrong because no competing theories are presented.

15. Ans: (A) – announce his surrender and express his grief over his people’s suffering
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. Chief Joseph declares “I will fight no more forever” (line 11) while describing the deaths of leaders, freezing children, and his exhaustion (lines 1-10). Choice (B) contradicts the entire passage, as he is surrendering, not threatening. Choice (D) is completely false, as the speech describes defeat, not victory.

16. Ans: (B) – I remember and value it
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In line 2, Chief Joseph says he knows General Howard’s heart and has what Howard told him “in my heart,” suggesting he remembers and values those words. Choice (A) is too narrow, suggesting only memorization without the emotional dimension. Choice (C) reverses the meaning entirely.

17. Ans: (B) – search for his children who may be lost or dead
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. Chief Joseph explicitly states “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” (lines 8-10). Choice (A) is not mentioned in the passage. Choice (D) contradicts his declaration that he will fight no more.

18. Ans: (B) – resigned and mournful
Explanation: This is a Tone/Mood question. Chief Joseph repeatedly expresses exhaustion (“I am tired,” line 3), sadness (“my heart is sick and sad,” line 11), and acceptance of defeat, creating a resigned and mournful tone. Choice (A) is contradicted by his surrender. Choice (C) is too extreme, as the tone is sad rather than vengeful.

19. Ans: (C) – the discovery of gold in tribal territory
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. Chief Joseph states “the white men found gold in our mountains and they wanted our mountains. We fought to keep them” (lines 16-17). Choice (A) is not mentioned anywhere in the passage. Choice (B) is too narrow, as the passage emphasizes the desire for gold-rich land as the primary cause.

20. Ans: (B) – feels betrayed by broken promises regarding his people’s land
Explanation: This is an Inference question. Chief Joseph describes how white people promised his people could “go back to our mountains. But they lied” (lines 18-19), clearly indicating a sense of betrayal. Choice (A) directly contradicts line 19. Choice (C) contradicts his surrender statement in line 11.