SSAT Upper Reading Mock Test 2

Section 2
Time: 40min; 40 Questions
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
Human longing for social participation leads to a fear of being alone, and the desire for occasional
solitude tends to be overcome by this fear. Thus the need for privacy may eventually be completely
submerged in the overpowering need to be with. When such an annihilation of privacy is achieved, a
person is, indeed, in danger of self-annihilation, of becoming a living automaton at the mercy of anyone
who knows how to make him or her tick. In such a society one becomes grateful to "Big Brother" for
assuming the task of directing the life one is no longer capable of directing oneself. In this way does the
annihilation of privacy lead to the annihilation of the person, and of society; for the healthy society
depends upon the ability of individuals to think and reflect upon what a true society is—and without the
privacy to think and reflect, people and society are lost.

1. The author's primary purpose in this passage is 3. The author suggests that all of the following
to present his views about could be in danger of annihilation EXCEPT
(A) the value of social participation to the (A) the individual personality
individual (B) human longing for social participation
(B) the importance of social responsibility in a (C) society as it now exists
democracy (D) a person's ability to think independently
(C) the dangers of a lack of individual privacy (E) the individual's need for privacy
(D) several characteristics of a healthy society
(E) techniques for ensuring privacy 4. In the sentence beginning "When such an
annihilation" (line 3), a human being is compared
2. According to the author, why is the privacy of to a
individuals so important to society? (A) time bomb
(A) society depends on social participation (B) guinea pig
(B) privacy fosters the development of democratic (C) martyr
values (D) statue
(C) without privacy the individual personality (E) robot
cannot respond to "Big Brother"
(D) privacy enables individuals to reflect on the 5. "Big Brother" in line 5 most probably refers to a
nature of society (A) loving relative
(E) group effort is impossible without privacy (B) programmed automaton
(C) democratic society
(D) reflective individual
(E) manipulative force
Passage 2
It was no accident that nineteenth-century
naturalist Charles Darwin strove to connect the
mentality and emotionality of people with that of
dogs, rather than, say, doves or horses. Neither
his theory of evolution nor any general
understanding of biology demanded that he
preferentially underline our similarity to dogs over
other species. But politically and emotionally, the
choice was inevitable for an English gentleman
who had set himself the task of making the idea of
evolutionary continuity palatable.
Darwin wrote that "dogs possess something
very similar to a conscience. They certainly
possess some power of self-command... Dogs
have long been accepted as the very type of
fidelity and obedience."
Darwin was not alone in his beliefs that dogs
possess human virtues. The characteristics of
loyalty and obedience, coupled with an expressive
face and body, can account for why dogs are such
popular and valued pets in many cultures.
Depending on the breed and the individual,
dogs can be noble, charming, affectionate, and
6. The phrase "It was no accident" (line 1) implies
that the author of the passage believes that
Darwin
(A) knew that the resemblance between dogs and
humans could not be accounted for by his theory
(B) exploited the sympathies of his audience to
gain support for his theory
(C) considered intelligence to be largely a matter
of luck
(D) believed that the way previous authors had
written about dogs was inaccurate
(E) wished to convince the public to celebrate the
virtues of dogs
7. The underlined "type" most nearly means
(A) model
(B) classification
(C) designation
(D) role
reliable. But while all dog owners should rightly
appreciate these and other endearing traits in their
pets, nothing says that the cleverness of a highly
intelligent primate such as a chimpanzee is part of
the package. Scientists generally believe the
reasoning abilities of chimps to be considerably
greater than that of dogs. But many people
nonetheless believe that dogs are smarter than
chimps precisely because of our familiarity and
emotional ties with the dogs that we love.
We apply the same secret rules to our fellow
humans: the old in-group, out-group story. People
in your in-group are those who are similar to you,
either because they belong to the same
organizations as you, or enjoy the same activities,
or, and this is the kicker, because they are simply
around more often. Dogs, because of their
proximity to their owners, are definitely in. The
intensity of our relationship with dogs causes us,
quite naturally, to imbue them with high-level
mental abilities, whether they have earned those
extra intelligence points or not. We like them, so
we think well of them.
(E) figure
8. According to Darwin's article, which of the
following is NOT a character of dog?
(A) loyalty
(B) conscience
(C) powerful
(D) self-discipline
(E) submission
9. Which of the following statements of
chimpanzee is mentioned by the author?
(A) The public has a distorted view of chimpanzee
intelligence.
(B) There is no emotion of primates.
(C) Dogs are more similar to human beings than
chimpanzee.
(D) Dogs are smarter than chimps precisely.
(E) Chimpanzee is highly intelligent.
Passage 3
American politics are often marked by contentious fighting and strong adherence to party platforms.
There are two main parties—the Democrats andthe Republicans. Increasingly, elected officials vote
strictly along party lines leaving our legislature in gridlock.
Some of the most famous partisans of all time have actually been party switchers, however. Ronald
Reagan, one of the most widely recognized Republican presidents of all time, was actually registered as a
Democrat until 1962. He once commented that he did not feel that he had left the Democratic Party, but
rather that the Democratic Party had changed so that he no longer shared its views. On the other side,
one of the standard bearers of the Democratic Party is Hilary Clinton. She has served as a Democratic
senator. Secretary of State in a Democratic administration, and is the wife of Bill Clinton, one of the most
famous Democratic presidents of all time. As a teenager, however, she had campaigned for Republican
candidates and was even elected president of Wellesley College's Young Republicans Club. However,
policy issues such as the Vietnam War caused her to become a Democrat. While they eventually came to
represent two very different political parties, Ronald Reagan and Hilary Clinton had one thing in common
—the ability to adapt to changing political views.

10. The primary purpose of this passage is to
(A) give the history of American political parties
(B) argue that more politicians should switch
parties
(C) describe how two people changed their party
loyalty
(D) explain the popularity of Ronald Reagan
(E) provide the reason why the two parties are
contentious
11. What does the author mean by the phrase
"vote strictly along party lines" in line 2-3?
(A) Politicians only support laws brought forward
by someone in their own party.
(B) Before big votes, there is a party.
(C) Politicians don't consider which party has
proposed a law.
(D) Political parties have become less important.
(E) Political parties are often divided on which
laws to support.
12. The author's attitude toward Ronald Reagan
and Hilary Clinton can best be described as one of
(A) contempt
(B) frustration
(C) amazement
(D) indifference
(E) respect
13. Which statement would the author most likely
agree with about current elected officials?
(A) They often switch parties.
(B) Their disagreements prevent laws from being
passed.
(C) They are productive.
(D) They belong to many political parties.
(E) They are likely to be reelected.
14. The author suggests that Ronald Reagan left
the Democratic Party for what reason?
(A) His own political views changed.
(B) He was asked to leave.
(C) The Democratic Party changed and he no
longer agreed with its views.
(D) A new party was formed.
(E) He was running against Hilary Clinton.
Passage 4
For the next eight or ten months, Oliver was the victim of a systematic course of treachery and
deception. He was brought up by hand. The hungry and destitute situation of the infant orphan was duly
reported by the workhouse authorities to the parish authorities. The parish authorities inquired with dignity
of the workhouse authorities, whether there was no female then established in "the house" who was in a
situation to impart to Oliver Twist, the consolation and nourishment of which he stood in need. The
workhouse authorities replied with humility, that there was not. Upon this, the parish authorities
magnanimously and humanely resolved, that Oliver should be "farmed", or, in other words, that he should
be dispatched to a branch-workhouse some three miles off, where twenty or thirty other juvenile offenders
against the poor-laws, rolled about the floor all day, without the inconvenience of too much food or too
much clothing, under the parental superintendence of an elderly female, who received the culprits at and
for the consideration of sevenpence-halfpenny per small head per week. Sevenpence-halfpenny's worth
per week is a good round diet for a child; a great deal may be got for sevenpence-halfpenny, quite enough
to overload its stomach, and make it uncomfortable. The elderly female was a woman of wisdom and
experience; she knew what was good for children; and she had a very accurate perception of what was
good for herself. So, she appropriated the greater part of the weekly stipend to her own use, and
consigned the rising parochial generation to even a shorter allowance than was originally provided for
them. Thereby finding in the lowest depth a deeper still; and proving herself a very great experimental
philosopher. —Charles Dickens
15. This selection is primarily about (A) was too young to handle the raising of
(A) the living conditions of a specific children.
branch-workhouse. (B) had a poor relationship with parish authorities.
(B) the early childhood and education of Oliver (C) secretly stole money that was meant for child
Twist. care.
(C) the history of young orphans in the 19th (D) was trying to quit her job as a caregiver of
century. children.
(D) the circumstances of a young child's (E) had a particular dislike for young Oliver Twist.
relocation.
(E) the philosophy of a workhouse superintendent. 18. The style of the passage is most like that
found in a
16. It can be inferred from the passage that (A) personal letter
"sevenpence-halfpenny" was (B) diary of an orphan
(A) enough money to take care of a child for a (C) history textbook
week. (D) philosopher's manual
(B) the weekly pay of the branch-workhouse (E) novel about an orphan
overseer.
(C) the cost of ownership of Oliver Twist. 19. In the last sentence, "finding in the lowest
(D) just enough money to pay for food for one day. depth a deeper still" refers to the
(E) used specifically to buy clothing for infant (A) great difficulty of adjusting to a
orphans. branch-workhouse.
(B) highly immoral nature of a woman's actions.
17. According to the passage, the overseer of the (C) amount of experience of an overseer of
branch-workhouse orphans.
(D) experimental aspect of a woman's philosophy.
(E) extent to which orphaned children must suffer.
Passage 5
Dance Theater of Harlem is one of the great success of our time. The survival of the company and
the way it has found a secure place in an increasingly crowded dance world are considerable
accomplishments. Of greater significance, though, are the consistently high level of the company's
dancing and the unfailing enthusiasm of each performer. Of all the ballet companies that regularly appear
in New York it shows the least danger of succumbing to routine.
Arthur Mitchell's Dance Theater of Harlem is animated by a sense of purpose that is largely moral in
nature. In the midst of the depair that followed the assassination of Dr.Martin Luther King, Jn, in 1968,
Mitchell was determined to give Black people a place in ballet. He sought to help other Black dancers so
that they would not have to face the difficulties he had faced.
Nobody was better qualified than Mitchell to understand what Black dancers could do in ballet if given
the incentive and the opportunity, and time has proved his faith well-founded. But Mitchell is too shrewd
an artistic administrator and too serious an artist not to know that the only standard he and his company
can in the long run be guided by is artistic. As he said in an interview, "... maybe, eventually, we'll get to
the day when Dance Theater of Harlem is no longer thought of as a good Black company, but a good
ballet company." That day, so far as I am concerned, has already arrived.

20. The author's primary purpose is to companies that gave them their start
(A) encouraged the establishment of more Black (D) most ballet companies regularly appear in
ballet companies New York City
(B) clarify the motives underlying the formation of (E) most ballet companies maintain high levels of
ballet companies performance
(C) contrast the artistic qualities of various ballet
companies 23. The author's attitude toward Dance Theater of
(D) discuss the success of one ballet company Harlem can best be described as one of
(E) describe how a bellet company is formed (A) enthusiastic approval
(B) cautious optimism
21. Which of the following could best be used in (C) perplexed bewilderment
place of "a secure" in first paragraph without (D) theoretical justification
changing the author's meaning? (E) impulsive criticism
(A) a shielded
(B) a profitable 24. The author indicates that Mitchell's attitude
(C) an overconfident toward the artistic standards that should be used
(D) an orderly in judging the Dance Theater of Harlem (last
(E) an assured paragraph) is
(A) regrettable
22. The author implies which of the following (B) simplistic
about ballet companies? (C) noncommittal
(A) at present it is not possible to form new ballet (D) unselfish
companies (E) objective
(B) not all ballet companies survive against their
competitors
(C) the best dancers do not remain with the
 Harlem?

25. The passage provides information to answer

all of the following questions EXCEPT:
(A) Can black ballet companies compete
successfully with other companies in the United
States?
(B) How do the dancers in the company view
Dance Theater of Harlem?
(C) When did Dance Theater of Harlem begin to
be fully accepted by ballet audiences?
(D) Has Dance Theater of Harlem justified the
faith of its founder?
(E) Why did Mitchell establish Dance Theater of
Passage 6
Chopin's own playing was the counterpart of his personality. Every characteristic that could be
distinguished in the man was apparent in the pianist—the same precision; the horror of excess and all
that is careless and uncontrolled; the same good manners and high tone of character, combined with
poetic warmth and a romantic fervor of expression. No one had ever heard such polished playing,
although others could make a more overwhelming impression by their rush and violence. It is a mistake,
encouraged by sentimental legend, to believe that Chopin's playing was limited by a delicacy which was
equivalent to weakness. Even in the last stages of tuberculosis, he could rally and play with an energy
that surprised the audience, who saw in front of them "a slight, frail-looking person." At his final public
appearance in November 1848, less than a year before the end, he managed to play "with his usual
brilliance."

26. The "end" mentioned most likely refers to 29. Which of the following questions is answered
(A) Chopin's retirement from public life by the passage?
(B) the decline of Chopin's genius (A) When did Chopin's genius reach its peak?
(C) the invalidism caused by his illness (B) Did Chopin's compose much of the music he
(D) Chopin's death in 1849 played?
(E) the end of the concert tour (C) How does Chopin's music mirror the times in
which he lived?
27. Performing while seriously ill with tuberculosis, (D) How long was Chopin ill with tuberculosis?
Chopin surprised the audience with his (E) How did Chopin compare with other pianists of
(A) frail appearance his day?
(B) polish
(C) loss of control 30. When discussing Chopin, the author's tone in
(D) violence this passage could best be described as
(E) energetic playing (A) admiring
(B) brusque
28. The author would most likely agree that (C) ironic
(A) Chopin was made seriously ill by widespread (D) hesitant
misinterpretation of his music (E) anguished
(B) Chopin's behavior alternated between extreme
self-control and violent outbursts 31. This passage deals primarily with Chopin's
(C) Chopin's character was a commendable blend (A) musical compositions
of sensitivity and restraint (B) musical performance
(D) the delicacy of Chopin's playing was due in (C) debilitating illness
large part ot his health problems (D) aristocratic personality
(E) Chopin prolonged his life in spite of his illness (E) romantic fervor
by keeping active
Passage 7
It hung in Napoleon's bedroom until moving to the Louvre in 1804. It caused traffic jams in New York
for seven weeks as 1.6 million people jostled to see it. In Tokyo viewers were allowed ten seconds each.
The object of all this attention was the world's most famous portrait, the Mona Lisa.
Historically, its subject was nobody special, probably the wife of a Florentine merchant named
Giocondo. But her portrait set the standard for High Renaissance paintings in many important ways. The
use of perspective, which created the illusion of depth behind Mona Lisa's head, and triangular
composition established the importance of geometry in painting. It diverged from the stiff, profile portraits
that had been the norm by displaying the subject in a relaxed, natural, three-quarter pose.
One of the first easel paintings intended to be framed and hung on a wall, the Mona Lisa fully realized
the potential of the new oil medium. Instead of proceeding from outlined figures, as painters did before,
Leonardo modeled features through light and shadow. Starting with dark undertones, he built the illusion
of three-dimensional features through layers and layers of thin, transparent glazes. This technique
rendered the whole, as Leonardo said, "without lines of borders, in the manner of smoke." His colors
ranged from light to dark in a continuous gradation of subtle tones, without crisp separating edges. The
forms seemed to emerge from, and melt into, shadows.

32. The main purpose of this passage is to 34. By mentioning the identity of Giocondo, the
(A) illustrate the characteristics and the value of a model of Mona Lisa, the author contrasts
well-known masterpiece Giocondo's
(B) introduce the painting technique of an (A) humble origins and her portrait's monetary
important genre value
(C) describe the contribution of a distinguished (B) uncomely appearance and her portrait's
artist beauty
(D) discuss the influence of an artistic reform (C) ordinary status and her portrait's artistic
(E) refute the norm of an aesthetic practice importance
(D) immoral habit and her portrait's fame
33. The author cites Napoleon's bedroom to (E) early death and her portrait's eternity
illustrate the
(A) ambition of Napoleon 35. According to the passage, the traditional
(B) fame of the Mona Lisa principle on displaying subject is characterized as
(C) mystery of the Mona Lisa (A) romantic
(D) long history of the Mona Lisa (B) rigid
(E) political use of the Mona Lisa (C) loose
(D) free
(E) illusive
Passage 8
First Song
Then it was dusk in Illinois, the small boy
After an afternoon of carting dung
Hung on the rail fence, a sapped thing
Weary to crying. Dark was growing tall
And he began to hear the pond frogs all
Calling on his ear with what seemed their joy.
Soon their sound was pleasant for a boy
Listening in the smoky dusk and the nightfall
Of Illinois, and from the fields two small
Boys came bearing cornstalk violins
And they rubbed the cornstalk bows with resins
And the three sat there scraping of their joy.
It was now fine music the frogs and the boys
Did in the towering Illinois twilight make
And into dark in spite of a shoulder's ache
A boy's hunched body loved out of a stalk
The first song of his happiness, and the song woke
His heart to the darkness and into the sadness of joy.
—Galway Kinnell
36. The boy in the poem does all of the following EXCEPT
A. meet with two other boys.
B. play a musical instrument.
C. experience physical discomfort.
D. work hard during the day.
E. chase frogs with cornstalks.

37. What causes the boy to be a "sapped thing" (line 3) and "weary to crying" (line 4)?
A. His two friends do not meet with him as scheduled
B. Not having musical instruments of his own
C. The exhaustion brought on by a hard day's work
D. Having to mend the rail fence all afternoon
E. There is very little time to play before going home

38. Which of the following is a kind of contradiction mentioned in the poem?

A. the end of the afternoon and the start of nightfall
B. the sadness of tiring work and the joy of first song
C. the biting of tiny bugs and the music of pond frogs
D. the uproar of the city and the peace of the country
E. the harvesting of corn and the consuming of corn

39. The "small boy" (line 1) experiences happiness because of which of the following?
I. His musical abilities
II. The sounds made by frogs
III. The music of the night
A. III only
B. I and II only
C. I and in only
D. II and III only
E. I, II and III

40. It can be inferred from the poem that the boys

A. made the violins themselves.
B. take pride in working hard.
C. work together on the farm.
D. will be leaving Illinois soon.
E. fear that it is getting too dark.

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