SSAT Practice Test (Middle Level: Reading) 1

Question 1

The Trojan War, according to the passage, is rooted in:

Accepted Answer

vanity and pride

Answer

unfulfilled promises

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poor decisions

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wealth and power

Question 2

Which title best captures the essence of the passage's ideas?

Accepted Answer

“Recognizing Colors”

Answer

“Artists vs. Farmers”

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“The Summer Sky”

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“Blue Hills”

Question 3

The basic goal of the speaker is to

Accepted Answer

advocate for better arts education

Answer

reminisce over his previous theatrical endeavors

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caution listeners against subpar theater practices

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congratulate the performance of a children's play

Question 4

What does the underlined word "natty" mean based on how it is used in the passage?

Accepted Answer

Dapper

Answer

Waterproof

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Cheap

Answer

Heavy

Question 5

The passage's underlined section is most likely intended to _______.

Accepted Answer

help the reader empathize with Tom and his experience

Answer

distinguish the author from the narrator

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foreshadow something exciting that will happen to Tom

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encourage the reader to wonder about Tom's behavior

Question 6

Which of the following does the passage's first paragraph's last sentence appear to suggest?

Accepted Answer

Tom is likely happier than an astronomer who has discovered a new planet.

Answer

Tom is likely not quite as happy as an astronomer who has discovered a new planet.

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Tom is upset for the same reasons as an astronomer might be.

Answer

Astronomers often learn to whistle.

Question 7

What is the most reasonable conclusion you can draw about the author?

Accepted Answer

He is an avid bird watcher.

Answer

He has never written professionally before.

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He is a natural woodsman.

Answer

He is not religious.

Question 8

Which of the following could be the point of view of the passage?

Accepted Answer

a devoted patron of the arts

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an enthusiastic producer

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a perceptive critic

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an exuberant stage manager

Question 9

The sky is normally _________ at the zenith.

Accepted Answer

violet-blue.

Answer

yellow-orange.

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greenish-blue.

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violet-red.

Question 10

The major goal of the author is to:

Accepted Answer

summarize the events most believed to have led to the Trojan War

Answer

justify Paris' decision to choose Aphrodite as 'the Fairest'

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honour the soldiers that lost their lives in the ten year battle

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reveal the underlying causes of the goddess' dispute