SSAT Practice Test (Upper Level: Reading) 2

Question 1

A passage describes a glacier as "a patient sculptor, carving valleys over millennia." What literary device is used?

Accepted Answer

Metaphor

Answer

Calling the glacier a sculptor compares two unlike things without 'like' or 'as,' a metaphor.

Question 2

An author writes, "Despite the storm, the lighthouse keeper never abandoned his post." The word 'despite' signals what relationship?

Accepted Answer

Contrast

Answer

'Despite' introduces a contrast between the storm and the keeper staying.

Question 3

A reading passage's main purpose is to convince readers to recycle more. The passage is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Persuasive

Answer

Text written to convince readers of a viewpoint is persuasive.

Question 4

In context, which word best replaces 'meticulous' in "a meticulous record-keeper"?

Accepted Answer

Careful

Answer

'Meticulous' means showing great attention to detail, so 'careful' fits.

Question 5

A narrator says, "I should have known better, but hindsight is a cruel teacher." What tone does this convey?

Accepted Answer

Regretful

Answer

The narrator expresses regret about a past mistake.