SSAT Practice Test (Middle Level: Reading) 4

Question 1

A passage describes thunder rumbling, dark clouds gathering, and birds flying for cover. The author creates a mood that is:

Accepted Answer

Tense and ominous

Answer

Dark clouds and rumbling thunder build a tense, ominous mood.

Question 2

"The classroom was a zoo after the bell rang." This sentence uses a:

Accepted Answer

Metaphor

Answer

Calling the classroom a zoo directly compares without "like" or "as," making it a metaphor.

Question 3

A character says, "I would love nothing more than to do extra chores," while rolling her eyes. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Verbal irony

Answer

Saying the opposite of what she means, shown by eye-rolling, is verbal irony.

Question 4

The best summary of a passage should include:

Accepted Answer

The main idea and key supporting points

Answer

A good summary captures the main idea and its most important details.

Question 5

In "The detective examined the clue with a skeptical eye," "skeptical" most nearly means:

Accepted Answer

Doubtful

Answer

A skeptical attitude is one of doubt or questioning.