Reading Passage for HSPT - 56

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 copper kettle whistled its familiar warning just as Mrs. Kowalski pushed through the kitchen door, her arms laden with parcels wrapped in brown paper and twine. Outside, the January wind howled down Pulaski Street, rattling (5) the windowpanes and sending eddies of snow across the alley where the neighbor’s cat huddled beneath a rusted fire escape. She set the parcels on the worn wooden table and unwound the gray scarf from her neck, her fingers stiff from the cold.

    “Mama, did you get the fabric?” Anna called from the front room, where she sat surrounded by (10) pattern pieces and chalk marks on newspaper. At seventeen, Anna had developed an eye for design that surprised even the seamstresses at Goldberg’s shop, though her mother remained skeptical that such talent could provide a living.

    “I got it,” Mrs. Kowalski replied, her voice weary but not unkind. She lifted the kettle from the stove and poured (15) the steaming water into the chipped teapot, watching the leaves unfurl in the heat. “But Mr. Lieberman says this is the last time he extends credit. Your father’s paycheck barely covers the rent.”

    Anna appeared in the doorway, her face flushed with excitement that dimmed only slightly at her mother’s words. She (20) had learned long ago that practicality governed their household, that dreams were luxuries reserved for families whose cupboards stayed full through winter.

1. The primary purpose of this passage is to

1. describe the challenges of immigrant life in an American city
2. introduce characters and establish their economic circumstances
3. explain the process of becoming a professional seamstress
4. illustrate the conflict between traditional and modern values

2. As used in line 5, the word eddies most nearly means

1. swirling currents
2. frozen patches
3. sharp gusts
4. gentle breezes

3. The details in lines 1-7 primarily serve to

1. establish the historical time period of the narrative
2. create a contrast between indoor warmth and outdoor harshness
3. suggest that Mrs. Kowalski is careless with household duties
4. foreshadow a tragic event that will occur later

4. It can be inferred from the passage that Anna’s mother is skeptical about her daughter’s talent because

1. she does not believe Anna possesses genuine skill
2. she doubts that artistic ability can provide financial security
3. the seamstresses at Goldberg’s shop have criticized Anna’s work
4. she wants Anna to pursue a career in teaching instead

5. The passage suggests that Mr. Lieberman is

1. Anna’s employer at a fabric shop
2. a merchant who has allowed the family to buy on credit
3. Mrs. Kowalski’s landlord
4. a neighbor who lives on Pulaski Street

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

1. bitterly resentful
2. cautiously optimistic
3. quietly realistic
4. darkly humorous

7. The final sentence (lines 19-21) suggests that Anna

1. has abandoned her ambitions to become a designer
2. resents her family’s financial situation
3. understands the limitations imposed by poverty
4. plans to leave home to pursue her career

Passage 2

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

    Beneath the surface of Antarctica’s ice sheets lies a network of lakes that have remained liquid for millions of years, sealed off from the atmosphere and from sunlight. These subglacial lakes, more than four hundred of which have been identified through (5) radar and satellite imaging, exist under extreme pressure from the ice above-in some cases, more than two miles of it. The largest, Lake Vostok, stretches across an area roughly the size of Lake Ontario and reaches depths exceeding three thousand feet.

    The persistence of liquid water beneath such massive ice sheets puzzled scientists until they recognized (10) two key factors at work. First, the immense weight of the overlying ice creates pressure that lowers the freezing point of water, allowing it to remain liquid at temperatures well below zero degrees Celsius. Second, geothermal heat rising from Earth’s interior provides a steady source of warmth that prevents the lake bottoms from freezing solid. Together, these forces maintain (15) stable aquatic environments in one of the planet’s most inhospitable regions.

    The discovery of life in these lakes has profound implications for astrobiology. Microorganisms recovered from ice cores drilled near Lake Vostok have adapted to conditions of permanent darkness, intense pressure, and complete isolation from the (20) surface ecosystem. If life can thrive in such extreme environments on Earth, scientists reason, then similar organisms might exist in the subsurface oceans of Jupiter’s moon Europa or Saturn’s moon Enceladus, both of which harbor liquid water beneath thick shells of ice.

8. The main idea of the passage is that

1. Antarctica contains more fresh water than any other continent
2. subglacial lakes demonstrate how life can exist in extreme conditions
3. geothermal heat is the primary cause of global ice sheet melting
4. Lake Vostok is the deepest lake ever discovered on Earth

9. According to the passage, scientists initially found the existence of liquid water beneath Antarctic ice puzzling because

1. the lakes had no connection to ocean water
2. the extreme cold should have frozen all water solid
3. radar imaging had detected no signs of water
4. the ice sheets were not heavy enough to create pressure

10. As used in line 9, the word persistence most nearly means

1. continued existence
2. stubborn refusal
3. repeated occurrence
4. gradual expansion

11. The passage indicates that the freezing point of water under the Antarctic ice is lowered by

1. the absence of atmospheric oxygen
2. geothermal heat from Earth’s core
3. pressure from the overlying ice
4. chemical properties of ancient water

12. The author mentions Europa and Enceladus (lines 21-22) in order to

1. prove that life exists elsewhere in the solar system
2. illustrate how subglacial lake research may inform the search for extraterrestrial life
3. argue that space exploration should focus on moons rather than planets
4. contrast the ice composition of different celestial bodies

13. Based on the passage, which of the following can be inferred about the microorganisms found near Lake Vostok?

1. They require sunlight to produce energy through photosynthesis
2. They have evolved independently from all other life on Earth
3. They have developed adaptations to survive without light
4. They are identical to organisms found in Earth’s oceans

14. The organizational structure of the passage is best described as

1. a chronological account of Antarctic exploration
2. a comparison of multiple scientific theories
3. a description of a phenomenon followed by its causes and implications
4. an argument against a commonly held misconception

Passage 3

The following passage is adapted from Booker T. Washington’s address at the opening of the Atlanta Cotton States and International Exposition in 1895.

    One-third of the population of the South is of the Negro race. No enterprise seeking the material, civil, or moral welfare of this section can disregard this element of our population and reach the highest success. I but convey to you, Mr. President and Directors, (5) the sentiment of the masses of my race when I say that in no way have the value and manhood of the American Negro been more fittingly and generously recognized than by the managers of this magnificent Exposition at every stage of its progress. It is a recognition that will do more to cement the friendship of the two races than (10) any occurrence since the dawn of our freedom.

    Ignorant and inexperienced, it is not strange that in the first years of our new life we began at the top instead of at the bottom; that a seat in Congress or the state legislature was more sought than real estate or industrial skill; that the political (15) convention or stump speaking had more attractions than starting a dairy farm or truck garden. Cast down your bucket where you are-cast it down in making friends in every manly way of the people of all races by whom we are surrounded. Cast it down in agriculture, mechanics, in commerce, in domestic service, and in the professions.

15. The primary purpose of this passage is to

1. demand immediate political equality for African Americans
2. encourage African Americans to pursue economic development and practical skills
3. criticize the managers of the Atlanta Exposition for racial discrimination
4. argue that African Americans should abandon the South entirely

16. As used in line 8, the word cement most nearly means

1. construct
2. harden
3. strengthen
4. cover

17. Washington suggests that in the early years after emancipation, many African Americans mistakenly

1. refused to participate in any form of political activity
2. prioritized political positions over economic foundations
3. focused exclusively on agricultural work
4. rejected opportunities for industrial education

18. The phrase “Cast down your bucket where you are” (lines 15-16) is used to advise African Americans to

1. seek opportunities in their current surroundings rather than elsewhere
2. abandon hope of economic advancement
3. dig wells to secure fresh water for their communities
4. avoid forming friendships with people of other races

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

1. angry and confrontational
2. apologetic and submissive
3. diplomatic and pragmatic
4. cynical and detached

20. Washington’s reference to “the sentiment of the masses of my race” (line 4) serves to

1. suggest that he speaks with the authority of the African American community
2. indicate that his views are rejected by most African Americans
3. prove that all African Americans supported the Atlanta Exposition
4. criticize African American leaders who disagree with him

Answer Key

1. Ans: (B) – introduce characters and establish their economic circumstances
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage focuses on introducing Mrs. Kowalski and Anna while establishing their financial struggles through details about credit extensions, barely covering rent, and limited resources (lines 15-17). Answer (A) is too broad, as the passage focuses on individual characters rather than immigrant life generally. Answer (C) is too narrow, as the passage does not explain the process of becoming a seamstress.

2. Ans: (A) – swirling currents
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In line 5, “eddies of snow” describes the swirling, circular patterns created by wind, which matches the meaning of swirling currents. Answer (D) contradicts the passage, which describes a howling wind, not gentle breezes. Answer (B) distorts the meaning, as “eddies” refers to motion patterns, not frozen patches.

3. Ans: (B) – create a contrast between indoor warmth and outdoor harshness
Explanation: This is a Structure/Organization question. The opening lines contrast the whistling kettle and kitchen interior with the howling wind, rattling windows, and snow outside (lines 1-6), establishing a warm-versus-cold opposition. Answer (C) reverses the passage’s meaning, as Mrs. Kowalski is shown actively managing household tasks. Answer (D) is not supported, as nothing in these lines foreshadows tragedy.

4. Ans: (B) – she doubts that artistic ability can provide financial security
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The passage states Mrs. Kowalski “remained skeptical that such talent could provide a living” (lines 11-12), indicating doubt about financial viability rather than Anna’s skill itself. Answer (A) contradicts the passage, which notes Anna’s talent surprised professional seamstresses. Answer (D) is not stated anywhere in the passage.

5. Ans: (B) – a merchant who has allowed the family to buy on credit
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. Mrs. Kowalski mentions that “Mr. Lieberman says this is the last time he extends credit” (lines 15-16), identifying him as someone who has provided goods on credit. Answer (C) confuses roles, as the passage mentions rent but does not identify Mr. Lieberman as the landlord. Answer (A) is incorrect, as there is no indication he employs Anna.

6. Ans: (C) – quietly realistic
Explanation: This is a Tone/Mood question. The passage presents hardship without melodrama, using details like “weary but not unkind” (line 13) and practical concerns about rent and credit (lines 16-17) to create a tone of understated acceptance. Answer (A) is too extreme, as neither character expresses bitterness. Answer (B) overstates the optimism, as the passage emphasizes limitations more than hope.

7. Ans: (C) – understands the limitations imposed by poverty
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The final sentence states Anna “had learned long ago that practicality governed their household, that dreams were luxuries” for wealthier families (lines 19-21), showing her awareness of economic constraints. Answer (A) is too extreme, as understanding limitations does not mean abandoning ambitions. Answer (B) distorts the tone, as Anna shows excitement rather than resentment (line 18).

8. Ans: (B) – subglacial lakes demonstrate how life can exist in extreme conditions
Explanation: This is a Main Idea question. The passage describes Antarctic subglacial lakes and emphasizes their significance for understanding life in extreme environments and implications for astrobiology (lines 16-22). Answer (D) uses a detail from the passage but is too narrow to be the main idea. Answer (C) reverses the passage’s focus, as geothermal heat keeps lakes liquid rather than causing melting.

9. Ans: (B) – the extreme cold should have frozen all water solid
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage states the persistence of liquid water “puzzled scientists” (line 9) because of the extreme cold, until they understood pressure and geothermal factors. Answer (D) contradicts the passage, which describes ice more than two miles thick creating immense pressure (lines 5-6). Answer (C) contradicts the passage, which states lakes were identified through radar imaging (lines 4-5).

10. Ans: (A) – continued existence
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In line 9, “persistence of liquid water” refers to water remaining liquid over millions of years, which matches continued existence. Answer (B) applies a different meaning of persistence (stubbornness) that does not fit the scientific context. Answer (D) is not supported, as the passage discusses lakes remaining stable, not expanding.

11. Ans: (C) – pressure from the overlying ice
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. The passage explicitly states that “the immense weight of the overlying ice creates pressure that lowers the freezing point of water” (lines 10-12). Answer (B) confuses the two factors mentioned: pressure lowers the freezing point while geothermal heat provides warmth. Answer (A) is not mentioned in the passage as a factor.

12. Ans: (B) – illustrate how subglacial lake research may inform the search for extraterrestrial life
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. The passage mentions Europa and Enceladus to show how Antarctic lake discoveries support the possibility of life in similar environments elsewhere (lines 18-22). Answer (A) is too extreme, as the passage discusses possibility, not proof. Answer (C) is not stated in the passage.

13. Ans: (C) – They have developed adaptations to survive without light
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The passage states microorganisms have “adapted to conditions of permanent darkness” (lines 18-19), supporting the inference about light-independent survival. Answer (A) contradicts the passage, which describes permanent darkness incompatible with photosynthesis. Answer (D) is too extreme, as adaptation to unique conditions suggests differences from ocean organisms.

14. Ans: (C) – a description of a phenomenon followed by its causes and implications
Explanation: This is a Structure/Organization question. The passage describes subglacial lakes (lines 1-7), explains their causes through pressure and geothermal heat (lines 9-15), then discusses implications for astrobiology (lines 16-22). Answer (A) is incorrect, as the passage does not follow a chronological narrative of exploration. Answer (B) is wrong, as only one explanation is provided, not multiple competing theories.

15. Ans: (B) – encourage African Americans to pursue economic development and practical skills
Explanation: This is an Author’s Purpose question. Washington advocates for practical pursuits like agriculture, mechanics, and commerce rather than political positions (lines 14-18), emphasizing economic foundations. Answer (A) contradicts the passage, which downplays political seats in favor of economic activity. Answer (D) reverses Washington’s message to “cast down your bucket where you are” (lines 15-16), meaning to stay and build locally.

16. Ans: (C) – strengthen
Explanation: This is a Vocabulary in Context question. In line 8, “cement the friendship” means to strengthen or solidify bonds between races, making strengthen the best match. Answer (B) uses the literal meaning of cement (harden) but does not fit the metaphorical context. Answer (D) applies an unrelated meaning that makes no sense in context.

17. Ans: (B) – prioritized political positions over economic foundations
Explanation: This is a Detail/Fact question. Washington states that “a seat in Congress or the state legislature was more sought than real estate or industrial skill” (lines 13-15), showing misplaced priorities. Answer (A) contradicts the passage, which indicates too much political focus, not refusal to participate. Answer (C) reverses the criticism, as Washington faults neglect of agriculture, not excessive focus on it.

18. Ans: (A) – seek opportunities in their current surroundings rather than elsewhere
Explanation: This is an Inference question. The metaphor “cast down your bucket where you are” (lines 15-16) is followed by advice to pursue opportunities “by whom we are surrounded” (line 17), meaning to work locally. Answer (C) takes the bucket metaphor literally rather than understanding its figurative meaning. Answer (D) contradicts Washington’s advice to make “friends in every manly way of the people of all races” (lines 16-17).

19. Ans: (C) – diplomatic and pragmatic
Explanation: This is a Tone/Mood question. Washington balances appreciation for the Exposition managers (lines 6-9) with practical advice about economic development (lines 14-18), creating a diplomatic, practical tone. Answer (A) is incorrect, as the passage expresses gratitude rather than anger. Answer (B) is too extreme, as pragmatic advice differs from apologetic submission.

20. Ans: (A) – suggest that he speaks with the authority of the African American community
Explanation: This is an Extended Reasoning question. By claiming to “convey to you...the sentiment of the masses of my race” (lines 3-4), Washington positions himself as a representative voice with community backing. Answer (B) reverses the meaning, as claiming to represent the masses implies support, not rejection. Answer (C) is too extreme, as representing general sentiment does not mean universal agreement.