SSAT 阅读真题1

SSAT阅读练习题分享想在SSAT阅读考试中取得好成绩，就要在平时多做练习积累经验。

下面小编为大家分享了一篇SSAT阅读练习题，大家可以测试一下自己的水平。

In the sixteenth century, an age of great marine and terrestrial exploration, Ferdinand Magellan led the first expedition to sail around the world. As a young Portuguese noble, he served the king of Portugal, but he became involved in the quagmire of political intrigue at court and lost the king's favor. After he was dismissed from service to the king of Portugal, he offered to serve the future Emperor Charles V of Spain.A papal decree of 1493 had assigned all land in the New World west of 50 degrees W longitude to Spain and all the land east of that line to Portugal. Magellan offered to prove that the East Indies fell under Spanish authority. On September 20, 1519, Magellan set sail from Spain with five ships. More than a year later, one of these ships was exploring the topography of South America in search of a water route across the continent. This ship sank, but the remaining four ships searched along the southern peninsula of South America. Finally they found the passage they sought near a latitude of 50 degrees S. Magellan named this passage the Strait of All Saints, but today we know it as the Strait of Magellan.One ship deserted while in this passage and returned to Spain, so fewer sailors were privileged to gaze at that first panorama of the Pacific Ocean. Those who remained crossed the meridian we now call the International Date Line in the early spring of 1521 after ninety-eight days on the Pacific Ocean. During those long days at sea, many of Magellan's men died of starvation and disease.Later Magellan became involved in an insular conflict in the Philippines and was killed in a tribal battle. Only one ship and seventeen sailors under the command of the Basque navigator Elcano survived tocomplete the westward journey to Spain and thus prove once and for all that the world is round, with no precipice at the edge.1.The sixteenth century was an age of great ___exploration.A. cosmicB. landC. mentalD. common manE. none of the above2. Magellan lost the favor of the king of Portugal when he became involved in a political ___.A. entanglementB. discussionC. negotiationD. problemsE. none of the above3. The Pope divided New World lands between Spain and Portugal according to their location on one side or the other of an imaginary geographical line 50 degrees west of Greenwich that extends in a ___ direction.A. north and southB. crosswiseC. easterlyD. south eastE. north and west4. One of Magellan's ships explored the ___ of South America for a passage across the continent.A. coastlineB. mountain rangeC. physical featuresD. islandsE. none of the above5. Four of the ships sought a passage along a southern ___.A. coastB. inlandC. body of land with water on three sidesD. borderE. answer not available6. The passage was found near 50 degrees S of ___.A. GreenwichB. The equatorC. SpainD. PortugalE. Madrid7. In the spring of 1521, the ships crossed the ___ now called the International Date Line.A. imaginary circle passing through the polesB. Imaginary line parallel to the equatorC. areaD. land massE. answer not found in article参考答案:BAACCBA以上就是SSAT阅读练习题的分享。

ssat阅读真题测试附带答案SECTION 3 READING COMPREHENSION SKILLSEver wonder why we have wisdom teeth? If you're like most people, you’ll have your wisdom teeth removed before they even start to surface.How can we just throw away teeth without their absence having someimpact on the state of our mouths? The science of dentistry studiesquestions like this.5Although it dates back to 3700 B.C.in Egypt, dentistry as we know it did not emerge until the 19th century, when people began to studysystematically the mouth, gums, jaw, and teeth. Modern dentistry is anintrinsic part of our lives. Nowadays, we cannot go a day withouthearing something about teeth care, if only through our television sets.10If we have gingivitis, we can use mouthwash. If we have cavities, we canget fillings in a variety of colors and material types. If we have yellowteeth, we can make them white again in seven short days.And, if we have crooked teeth, we can get braces. In fact, people routinely get braces, so much so that we consider it an oddity if someone 15goes through their entire childhood without the experience of going to the orthodontist every month. Chances are that if someone does not getbraces, they lack money or time, not interest in having work done.The evolution of dentistry shows how medical science is changing the human being. Because of i ncreasingly good dental care, we don’t lose20our teeth and rely on our wisdom teeth coming in to give us a new set.To answer the question with which we began: We simply don’t needthose teeth anymore. Indeed, nowadays we have to pay to get ourredundant teeth taken out.1. The article says that we pull our wisdom teeth because______.(A) we have gingivitis(B) they cause crooked teeth(C) we don't need them anymore(D) we listen to information about teeth care daily on TV(E) they make our teeth yellow2. Which of the following statements is true based on the reading?(A) Braces are a common solution to yellowing teeth.(B) Egyptian dentists conducted dentistry much as we do today.(C) If we have gingivitis, we can treat it with fillings.(D) We don’t expect to lose our teeth because we havebeen taught how to care for them.(E) Braces are a rare experience while growing up.3. When did dentists pull the first tooth?(A) 3700 B.C.(B) 17th century(C) 18th century(D) 19th century(E) The article does not say.4. The writer’s main purpose is apparently______.(A) to answer frequently asked questions about teeth .(B) to talk a little about the history of dentistry(C) to explain dreams about teeth(D) to write the section on dentistry for a medical school text(E) to encourage people to cut down on sweets5. All but which of the following problems, according to the article, can dentists fix?(A) bad breath(B) yellowing teeth(C) crooked teeth(D) root canals(E) cavitiesI t’s easy, nowadays, to blame others for bad things that happen to us.We complain that we don’t have enough money because thegovernment takes our taxes. We blame carbohydrates for our fat count.We blame society for our embarrassingly low educational scores.Well, I disagree. I say we could save money by skippingMcDonald’s5and buying the non-name-brand food items at the grocery.I say we’re fat beca use we don't exercise. I say we’re stupid because we watch toomuch TV and never read anything more difficult than sixth gradereading material.I say that it’s in our own hands if we are operating at less than our10potential.So, sometime, when yo u’re at a loss for something to do, change your life for the better. Crack open the dictionary at a random page and see what’s inside.Seriously.15Chances are you’ll find something interesting you didn’t know before. Reading the dictionary is like reading a thousand mininovels, for each word has a story.For example, we often hear someone referred to as a “spinster.” Most of us know that we use this term to describe an old, unmarried woman, 20but few of us know that the name originally had more meaning. Thereason that “spinster” came to refer to all old, unmarried women isbecause in earlier times old, unmarried women had to spin to earn their livings; old, unmarried women who could not spin nevertheless gotlumped in with the rest. Consider, also, the word “whirling dervish.”25We know that this word is used to refer to dancers or tornadoes.Originally, however, the word referred to Muslim priests who wandered the land as beggars; In addition to whirling dervishes, there existed also howling and dancing dervishes, too.So, take five minutes and re ad the dictionary next time you’re bored.30Seriously.6. What is the best title for this passage?(A) Unexpected Discoveries(B) Through the Eye of a Needle(C) A Thousand and One Words(D) Boring Facts and Trivia(E) On the Origin of the Word “Dervish”7. How would you describe the authors tone in this piece?(A) humorous and trivial(B) adamant and angry(C) friendly yet tired(D) amusing yet serious(E) sulky and sullen8. Who does the author say is responsible for the state of our lives?(A) the government(B) McDonald s(C) television(D) educators(E) we, ourselves9. Why does the author give the word seriously in line 12 its own paragraph?(A) The author thinks the reader will take his/her advice seriously; therefore s/he usesseriously to indicate s/he has made a joke.(B) The author must include nine paragraphs in the article and is cheating.(C) The author wishes the reader to look up the word seriously in a dictionary.(D) The author anticipates that the reader will scoff at the author's advice; the authorwishes to convey serious intent of his/her advice.(E) The author desires to confuse the reader at all costs.10. Which of the following words best defines the phrase lumped in?(A) left out(B) copied(C) combined with(D) evolved(E) destroyedPieter Brueghel, 16th century Flemish painter, has left for us a series of great paintings. One of his best works depicts the Greek myth ofIcarus.To understand Brueghel’s treatment of the piece, you m ust first recall the facts of the Icarus story. Icarus was the son of Deadalus, the most5brilliant thinker of his time. Deadalus had aided Ariadne insavingTheseus from the Minotaur. The king, angered by Deadalus’ action,swiftly imprisoned Deadalus and his son in a lonely tower on a deserted shore, visited only by birds. Eager to escape, however, Deadalus usedthe feathers and wax to create two sets of wings, and he and his son10made plans to fly to freedom. Unfortunately, Icarus, exhilarated by thefreedom he felt while flying, flew too close to the sun, despite hisfather’s warnings. The suns heat melted the wax on his wings, and heplummeted into the ocean and drowned. Deadalus, heartbroken,nevertheless, made it to safety.15Brueghel’s work depicts a huge, glorious scene of people working the land along a beautiful shoreline. Animals frolic; men work. Ships ladenwith goods plow through the waves. Amidst all the action captured inthe scene, one is hard pressed to locate Icarus. Finally, after somesearching, we see him. He is located in the lower, right-hand side of the 20painting. Even so, his depiction is small. Indeed, ail we see are two palelegs, kicking frantically in the surf.Brueghel’s work sends a clear message, one that underscores the largeness of the world and the relative insignificance of the individualtherein.2511. W hat will the author most likely discuss next?(A) artist Vincent van Gogh and how he cut off his ear(B) another artwork by Brueghel(C) an explanation of Brue ghel’s message regarding the insignificance in the world(D) an expanded discussion of the crime that landed Dedalus in jail(E) nothing, the article is complete12. T he author’s purpose can best be described by which of the following statements?(A) to avoid discussing anything important(B) to advocate the talents of Brueghel(C) to relate the tale of Dedalus and Icarus(D) to argue that Brueghel is an untalented artist(E) to show how art can convey social comment.13. W hich of the following words can be substituted for the word exhilarated in line 11without changing the meaning of the sentence?(A) saddened(B) angered(C) joyous(D) frightened(E) advised14. What is the tone of this piece?(A) solemn(B) understanding(C) sarcastic(D) joyous(E) unintelligent15. All but which of the following words have the same meaning as plummeted in line 14?(A) fell(B) hung(C) dropped(D) sank(E) plunged16. Which of the following words has a meaning most nearly opposite to the wordfrantically in line 22?(A) feebly(B) wildly(C) enthusiastically(D) vigorously(E) angrily17. What caused Icarus’ wings to melt?(A) the cold ocean spray(B) the swooping, swirling seagulls(C) the dampness of the water(D) the heat of Dedalus’ wrath(E) the warmth of the sunHistory documents the bloody habits of Vlad Tepes (or Vlad the Impaler), an infamous general who lived in Transylvania from 1431 to1476. Stories about Vlad Tepes seem gruesome even bytoday'sstandards. Consider this story about a group of generals whom VladTepes was entertaining. Prior to their arrival, Vlad had punished several 5people by impaling them on long spikes surrounding the banquet area.One of the visiting generals complained of the smell; after all, he hadbeen invited to a dinner. Vlad apologized and then had the generalimpaled on an even longer spike. His reason? So that the general, being suspended above the other rotting bodies, would not have to smell what 10offended him.Other vampire tales come to us from this period, but they are clinical, historical accounts. The vampire legend grew popular only after the publication of Bram Stoker's Dracula in 1897. In his novel, Stokercreates a frightening combination of man and monster. His Dracula is15striking in appearance, ruthless, calculating, and quite intelligent. Sincethen, vampire stories have grown in popularity over the years, inspiring both serious and tongue-in-cheek treatments.The serious vampire offerings have grown increasingly enraptured by the idea of being undead. Take for example, the work of Anne Rice.20Rice’s books modernize the old vampire story. While Stokers novel tells about the exp loits of a single vampire, Rice’s novels explore an entirevampiric underworld that coexists with—and preys upon—the humanworld. R ice’s stories allow the old vampire lore to evolve into an entireworld view; they work out in great detail the logistical and philosophical 25problems that come into play, if vampires really exist en masse. Moreimportantly, however, Rice^ stories humanize the vampire. Many of her characters are guilt-stricken to the point of madness because they must drink human blood to survive; some rail against their undead state, forthey are frozen in time, unable to transit from one stage of human30maturity to the next.18. What does the word Tepes mean?(A) innocent(B) Dracula(C) impaler(D) bloody(E) ruler19. Which statement gives an acc urate description of Vlad Tepes’ character?(A) He is a wise and caring ruler.(B) He is a brilliant military strategist.(C) He was poor, despite his great power.(D) He was popular with women.(E) His sense of justice is very unconventional.20. Which is the best title for this passage?(A) An American Werewolf in London(B) Witches, Warlocks, and Other Halloween Nasties(C) The Vlad Dynasty: A Family Tree(D) The Enduring Zombie(E) Still Hungry After All These Years21. Which date approximates the time period when Anne Rice wrote?(A) 1431(B) 1476(C) 1789(D) 1897(E) 199022. The statement “Other vampire tales come to u s from this period, but they are clinical,hi storical accounts” implies that_______.(A) vampire tales that come from this period are even more exciting than the T epes story(B) interest in vampire lore died out altogether during this period(C) vampire stories that were written from this period were boring(D) stories about female vampires were especially popular during this period(E) Anne Rice was popular even during this periodExistentialism is a philosophy that focuses only on the actions that we humans make in the physical world that surrounds us. Because itadmits no afterlife of any sort, Existentialism takes the world veryseriously; every decision forces the Existentialist to ponder deeplythe consequences. She only gets one shot at life, so everything depends on 5her getting it right the first time. According to its tenets, life is absurdand filled with actions that seem pointless, futile, and ceaselessly endless.Camus illustrates Existentialism using the example of Sisyphus from Greek mythology. Sisyphus vastly enjoyed life but held little respect forthe gods. Upon his deathbed, Sisyphus instructed his wife to leave his10body unburied as a gesture of anger and resentment at dying. Sheagreed to do as he said, but when he died, she reneged on her word.Upon waking in Hades, Sisyphus knew immediately that his wife hadbetrayed him, and he asked permission from King Hades to go revengehimself upon her. Hades agreed on condition that Sisyphus return to15the underworld immediately after getting his revenge. However, as soonas Sisyphus reached the earth’s surface, he chose to giveup his revengeand refused to return to the underworld. Only after great efforts didKing Hades recapture his prisoner.As punishment for his hubris or conceitedness, King Hades created a20special task for Sisyphus. He now spends eternity rolling an enormousrock up a great hill, only to have it come crashing down immediatelyupon reaching th e hill’s summit. Sisyphus’ task ill ustrates clearly thetenets of E xistentialism outlined here. Let’s see how.23. According to the article, the story of Sisyphus comes from______.(A) old wives’ tale s(B) Japanese tradition(C) Indian lore(D) Roman history(E) Greek myth24. What does Sisyphus initially want to do when he returns to earth?(A) Stay alive.(B) Get revenge on his brother.(C) Punish his wife.(D) See his family.(E) Negotiate a treaty.25. Which of the following most nearly means tenets as used in line 6?(A) beliefs(B) rules(C) portable buildings(D) woven strands of rope to catch fish(E) numbers26. What will probably come after paragraph three?(A) background information about Camus(B) more information about Sisyphus’ escapades(C) nothing; the author has made his/her point(D) a discussion of how S isyphus’ story illustrates the tenets of Existentialism(E) an opinion from a philosophy professor at the University of Kentucky27. Which of the following words best represents an antonym for hubris?(A) daring(B) fearful(C) piety(D) miserable(E) perturbedHave you ever wondered why you aren’t supposed to wear white after Labor Day? It is a long-standing tradition, one that those of us from the South have had beaten into our heads from our very earliest memories.But from where does this rule come?People dispute the origin of this custom. Some say that the rule5developed from practicality. After all, everyone knows that wearingwhite in the summer is wise because the white reflects heat and helpsthe wearer keep cool; wearing dark colors is wise in the winter becausethe dark material absorbs heat and keeps the wearer warm. The rule ofthumb, they say, merely solidifies what was already well known, widely10accepted common knowledge.Others say that the custom developed out of practical concerns, but for cleanliness reasons not for warmth purposes. They argue that therule of white applies only to shoes, and that out of attempts to keepthem clean grew the rule of wearing white only in the warm months.15Still others say that the rule grew out of a class struggle that took place in the late 1800s. With the rise of manufacturing in America, anew class of wealthy people grew up, one that conflicted with the oldmoney class that had existed since the founding of the colonics in the18th century. The nouveau riche class wanted desperately to be accepted 20by the old money folk, but the old money people did not want toaccept them. Therefore, the old money folk used knowledgethat theyhad created for use among themselves, unwritten customs and accepted ways of doing things unknown to the nouveau riche, to keep the newmoney folk away.25Whatever the reason, however, the rule remains in use today.28. Which of the following words can be substituted for the word solidifies withoutchanging the meaning of the sentence?(A) confirms(B) thickens(C) rebuilds(D) reconstitutes(E) goes against29. Which of the following statements is supported by the information in the passage?(A) Customs became a weapon used by those with new money to force those with oldmoney to let them became part of society.(B) Customs became a weapon used by those with old money to snub those with newmoney.(C) Customs regarding fashion quickly became out of date.(D) Customs regarding when to wear white changed to allow people to wear white year-round.(E) Customs always grow out of practical responses to issues of daily life.30. Which of the following statements is not true accordingto the article?(A) The issue over when to wear white may have originated in the 1800s.(B) The nouveau riche had a hard time getting respect.(C) People should wear dark clothes in the winter.(D) Wearing white originally applied to shoes rather than clothes.(E) Concerns over keeping clean were never a concern when the rules for wearing whitewere developed.31. All but which of the following inferences may be made about the author?(A) The author is willing to do research to find answers to interesting questions.(B) The author has studied some history.(C) The author is knowledgeable about fashion.(D) The author is female.(E) The author is from the South.32. What will come next in this discussion?(A) nothing; the author has finished the article(B) a discussion of other instances in which the new money and old money clashed(C) an account of some famous Southern wome n who defied the “no-white- after-Labor Day” rule(D) a complete list of insta nces in which one can break the “no-white-after- Labor-Day”rule(E) a handy mnemonic device to help us remember when to wear black33. This passage deals with all but which of the following topics?(A) social customs(B) historical data(C) human behavior(D) psychology(E) data analysis34. Based on your, reading of the article, what does nouveau riche mean?(A) newly married -(B) newly wealthy(C) newly graduated(D) newly born(E) newly bankrupted35. This article sets out to______.(A) set the record straight on old money in the South .(B) supply interesting, but trivial, information(C) support new money people in the North(D) explain the cause of the Civil War(E) convince people to wear white after Labor Day36. In which of the following publications would you most likely find this information?(A) the sports section of your local newspaper(B) the world news section of a weekly newsmagazine(C) the arts and leisure section of the Sunday paper(D) the science news section of a television news program(E) the comics page onlineMost, if not all, Americans are familiar with the concept of kamikaze, special Japanese pilots who fought in World War II. These men wereunique because they enlisted in the war effort knowing that they would be fighting to the death. They trained to be suicide pilots, whopurposely drove their planes headlong into their targets, exploding5themselves along with their planes and their targets.Few of us, however, have heard of the kaiten. The kaiten were small vessels, carried on submarines; they weighed eight tons and were loaded with explosive warheads. They had limited range (traveling a distanceranging from 12 miles at top speed and 30 miles at low speed) and10silent movement. But like the kamikaze planes, these kaiten wereunrecoverable; if they reached their target, they exploded, captain andall, and if they didn’t, they sank, carrying their captains with them.Both of these military strategies depended heavily on the concept of honor. Honorable death, especially by suicide for the sake of the15Emperor during battle, brought nobility to the soldier and his family.These fighters were idolized by their countrymen; they represented the highest ideals of the nation—that of total sacrifice on behalf oftheir ruler.37. Based on the article, which of the following actions would be seen as honorable byJapanese warriors in World War II?(A) becoming a kamikaze pilot but pulling out of the final dive at the lastminute(B) refusing to man the kaiten on which he had trained(C) defending Hiroshima as the atom bomb dropped(E) emigrating to Canada just after the war started(D) spying for the Americans38. Which of the following words best describes the kaiten?(A) luxury liners(B) floating coffins(C) bamboo tubes(D) warrior flutes(E) underwater kayaks39. W hat kind of ruler did Japan have during World War II, according to this article?(A) emperor(B) king(C) prince(D) president(E) chancellor40. W hich of the following gives an example of something that is unrecoverable}(A) a penny at the bottom of a wading pool(B) the moon when it is full(C) your shoe when it fails over a cliff(D) your book you left at your grandmother’s house(E) a sand dune at high tideReading1-5 C D E B D6-10 A D E D C 11-15C E C A B 16-20A E C E E 21-25 E C E C A 26-30 D C A B E 31-35D A E B B 36-40 C C B A C。

ssat考试题及答案**SSAT考试题及答案**一、词汇题1. Which of the following words is most nearly the opposite of "elated"?A. DepressedB. AnnoyedC. IndifferentD. Elated答案：A. Depressed2. In the sentence, "The politician's speech was so persuasive that it swayed many undecided voters," what is the best synonym for "persuasive"?A. ConvincingB. BoringC. IndifferentD. Distracting答案：A. Convincing二、阅读题阅读以下段落，并回答问题。

"In the heart of the city, amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life, there lies a small park that serves as an oasis for the weary. The park, with its lush greenery and tranquil atmosphere, provides a respite from the noise and chaos that surrounds it. It is a place where people can escape the pressures of the day and find solace in nature's embrace."3. What is the main purpose of the park described in the passage?A. To provide a place for sports and gamesB. To serve as a place for community eventsC. To offer a quiet retreat from the city's noise and chaosD. To attract tourists with its unique attractions答案：C. To offer a quiet retreat from the city's noise and chaos4. According to the passage, what is the effect of the park on the people who visit it?A. It makes them feel more stressedB. It helps them forget their troublesC. It encourages them to engage in outdoor activitiesD. It makes them feel more connected to the city答案：B. It helps them forget their troubles三、数学题5. If the sum of two numbers is 50 and their difference is 10, what are the two numbers?A. 20 and 30B. 30 and 20C. 40 and 10D. 10 and 40答案：A. 20 and 306. A rectangle has a length that is twice its width. If the perimeter of the rectangle is 40 units, what is the length of the rectangle?A. 10 unitsB. 15 unitsC. 20 unitsD. 25 units答案：C. 20 units四、写作题7. Write an essay on the topic: "The Importance of Time Management in Student Life."答案：（此题为写作题，无固定答案，以下为参考范文）Time management is an essential skill for students to master, as it can significantly impact their academic performance and overall well-being. Effective time management allows students to balance their studies, extracurricular activities, and personal life, leading to a more fulfilling and successful student experience.First and foremost, managing time well helps students to avoid procrastination. By setting clear goals and deadlines, students can stay focused on their tasks and complete them in a timely manner. This prevents the stress and anxiety that often accompany last-minute cramming and rushed assignments.Secondly, time management enables students to allocate sufficient time for each subject, ensuring that they have a well-rounded understanding of the material. This is particularly important in a competitive academic environment where a comprehensive grasp of the curriculum is crucial for success.Additionally, effective time management allows students to maintain a healthy balance between their academic and personal lives. By prioritizing tasks and setting aside time for relaxation and social activities, students can prevent burnout and maintain their mental health.In conclusion, time management is a critical skill for students to develop. It not only improves academic performance but also contributes to a more balanced and enjoyable student life.请注意，以上提供的SSAT考试题及答案仅供参考，实际考试内容和难度可能会有所不同。

SECTION240 QuestionsRead 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.Proudly wearing his Muslim robes, a chief butcher in a town in Ghana is an important man. It is his duty to slaughter the cattle that will be sold in market , andsince many people in this area of Africa are Muslims, the process must be carried outaccording to their religious regulations. The government requires that the butcher also Line 5 make sure that the cattle are in good health before he slaughters them.In Muslim areas of Ghana, chief butchers inherit their positions. Like tribal chiefs, they have their own bands of musicians who never play for anyone else. Themusicians go to the market in the morning. As soon as the meat arrives, they begin toplay. Their music continues as long as the supply of meat lasts. This way, everyone in Line10 town knows when the butcher shop is open. They can also tell when all of the meat has been sold.1.According to the passage, themusicians begin to play when(A)evening comes(B)they are hungry(C)the meat arrives(D)the butcher arrives(E)government officials visit2.Muslims in Ghana probably look onthe butcher with(A)respect(B)suspicion(C)confusion(D)amazement(E)dissatisfaction3.According to the passage, butchersare like tribal chiefs because they(A)are Muslims(B)wear splendid robes(C)have musicians play for them(D)are regulated by government(E)are taught to sing when they areyoung4.The author is most concerned withdescribing(A)African restaurants(B)how meat is prepared(C)a man and his occupation(D)musical instruments of Ghana(E)the appearance of Muslimgarments5.according to the passage , peopleknow when all the meat has been sold because(A)a bell is rung(B)the music stops(C)the butcher puts a sign out(D)the butcher’s door is locked(E)a special flag is hung outside theshopThe myths of the ancient Greeks described the world as managed by a multitude of ,beings who were like men but who had different powers. They loved and hated andquarreled with each other, like men. They were gods, though, and could not kill eachother because they were immortal. They were, however, subject to a higher power which Line 5 they called Necessity.Many of the myths are beautiful, but some are not. They seem to say that the gods rose from savagery, just as men did, and were not always sure what was good andnoble. The Greeks thought of the gods as friendly people, rather like themselves. Theyalso feared them as terrible and strong and ready to punish those who angered them.6.The author is primarily concernedwith(A)discussing life in ancient Greece(B)telling a story involving(C)explaining the role of Necessityin Greek myths(D)describing the Greek’s beliefabout their gods(E)explaining why the Greeksbelieved in many gods7.According to the passage, the godscould Not do which of the following?(A)punish men(B)kill one another(C)love one another(D)fight with one another(E)deal directly with them8.When the author mentions “being” inthe first sentence, he is referring to(A)the gods(B)Necessity(C)the Greek people(D)men and animals(E)people from different countries 9.The author suggests that the Greeksthought of their gods as(A)domineering and easily angered(B)friendly but possibly dangerous(C)cheerful and uninterested in men(D)easily surprised by men’sbehavior(E)dishonest and generallyirresponsible10.According to the passage, the Greekgods were subject to(A)the will of men(B)the will of other gods(C)good and noble judges(D)a power called Necessity(E)laws made by the godsthemselves11.The author concludes from the Greekmyths that the gods were(A)evil(B)unkind(C)imperfect(D)unnecessary(E)unconcernedLittle Jim was ,for the time, Engine Number 36, and he was making the run between Syracuse and Rochester. He was fourteen minutes behind time, and thethrottle was wide open. As a result, when he swung around the curve at the flowerbed, a wheel of his cart destroyed a tulip. Number 36 slowed down at once and looked Line 5 guiltily at his father, who was mowing the lawn. The doctor had his back to the accident, and he continued to pace slowly to and fro, pushing the mower.Jim dropped the handle of the cart. He looked at his father and at the broken flower. Finally, he went to the tulip and tried to stand it up, but it would only hanglimply from his hand. Jim could not repair it. He looked again toward his father.12.At the beginning of the passage, Jimwas pretending that he was(A)piloting an airplane(B)driving a tractor(C)a passenger on a train(D)a speeding railroad engine(E)running a race with a freight train13.The author is primarily concernedwith(A)describing Jim’s actions(B)ridiculing Jim’s mistakes(C)detailing Jim’s appearance(D)predicting the reactions of Jim’sfather(E)comparing Jim’s thoughts tothose of his father14.According to the passage, Jim’s fatherwas a(A)farmer(B)doctor(C)gardener(D)train engineer(E)business executive15.Jim apparently thought that when hisfather saw the broken flower hisreaction would be one of(A)fear(B)anger(C)curiosity(D)amusement(E)indifference16.The story apparently takes place in(A)a city park(B)a railroad station(C)the yard by Jim’s house(D)a meadow near the railroad track(E)the playground near Jim’s school17.At the time the tulip was broken, Jimwas probably(A)make a bouquet(B)mend its injury(C)use it in a game(D)give it to his father(E)move it out of the way18.Jim picked up the tulip because hewanted to(A)make a bouquet(B)mend its injury(C)use it in a game(D)give it to his father(E)move it out of the wayAs in all phases of mountaineering, on snow and ice the judgment of the probable safety of the climb rests with the leader. He must be able to estimate the length of theclimb, allowing for an early enough start to permit finishing. He must know at a glanceif there is avalanche danger. He must instantly recognize those situations in whichLine 5 speed is essential. He must know whether the capabilities of his party will meet the rest of a traverse across an ice slope. He must be alert to fatigue in others and adjust the paceaccordingly, even calling retreat if the physical condition of a member of his rope hasdeteriorated to the point wherein safety of the party many jeopardized.19.It can inferred that the most importantcharacteristic of the leader of amountain-climbing party is(A)great strength(B)good judgment(C)acrobatic agility(D)reckless courage(E)unusual endurance20.Which of the following titles bestsummarizes the content of thepassage?(A)Ideal Weather Conditions for aMountain Climb(B)Cooperation and Coordination:Essentials for Climbing(C)Dangers on a Mountain Climband How to Prevent Them(D)The Hazards of Mountaineering :Man’s Greatest Challenge(E)The Abilities Required of theLeader of a Mountain Climb21.According to the author, the leader ofa mountain climb may direct his partyto retreat if a member of the party(A)wishes to stop(B)becomes extremely tired(C)travels at a very erratic pace(D)refuses to comply with groupdecisions(E)does not recognize a dangeroussituation22.Knowledge of which of the followingis NOT mentioned by the author asbeing required of a leader of amountain-climbing expedition?(A)the indications of a sudden snowslide(B)the approximate length of timethe climb will require(C)the difficulties encountered byprevious climbers of themountain(D)the factors which make itnecessary for the party to movemore slowly(E)the factors which make itnecessary for the party to movemore quickly.Some “scientists” peering through microscopes thought they saw strange things which escaped their colleagues’ notice. In 1836, Andrew Crosse actually believed he sawmicroscopic insects appearing as a by-product of his research. He had wanted to createminerals artificially by sending an electrical current through certain chemicals. Crosse Line 5 recorded what he observed through his microscope-small, white projections growing from an electrified stone. He observed that, after he had electrified the stone, eachprojection became “a perfect insect, standing erect on a few bristles which formed its tail.” Crosse reported that the smaller insects had six legs and the larger ones, eight. Heguessed them to be a previously unobserved specimen genus Arcurus, said they flew10 about the laboratory, hiding in dark spots as though avoiding light.In 1872, Bastian, a noted English biologist, also claimed to have witnessed spontaneous development of life in his microscope. But when colleagues repeatedhis experiments, taking precautions against bacteria in the air, the results weredisappointing. In 1906, Burke, using radium, thought he had developed half-living,15 half-crystalline forms which he called “radiobes”. Other scientists, however, failed toconfirm Burke’s findings.23.When Andrew Crosse bean hisexperiments, he was trying to(A)determine the number of legscharacteristic of the genusArcurus(B)test the reactions of the genusArcurus to light(C)study certain minerals todetermine their ability to conductelectrical current(D)produce artificial mineralsthrough the application ofelectrical current to chemicals(E)prove that microscopic insectsgrow from electrified minerals24.According to the passage, Burkeclassified a “radiobe ” as which of the following?(A)a vegetable(B)an animal(C)a mineral(D)part vegetable and part animal(E)part living and part non-living 25.It can be inferred that the living formsthat Bastian observed with hismicroscope were actually(A)radiobe specimens(B)members of the genus Arcurus(C)multiplying bacteria in the air(D)insects capable of standing ontheir tails(E)projections from the electrifiedstone26.Which of the following would theauthor probably believe bestestablishes the truth or falsehood of ascientist’s claims?(A)reading the scientist’s notes(B)repeating the scientist’s originalexperiment(C)checking the scientist’sbackground and qualifications(D)examining the scientist’sequipment for defects(E)studying the previous scientificinvestigation in the field27.The passage is primarily concernedwith(A)proving that life cannot developout of mineral matter(B)describing how experiments canbe carefully controlled(C)showing how some scientistsmisunderstand what they see(D)demonstrating that amateurscientists often are moresuccessful than professionals(E)criticizing scientist for failure toconfirm the findings of Crosse,Bastian, and Burke28.According to the passage, AndrewCrosse believed that the things he saw in his(A)insects(B)chemicals(C)light rays(D)dark spots(E)electrical currents29.According to the passage, which ofthe following did Burke use inconducting his experiments?(A)radium(B)crystals(C)bacteria(D)radio waves(E)electrified stonesWomen played an important part in the Hopi society. Although Hopi political leaders and warriors were traditionally men, both genders took part in storytelling,music and artwork, and traditional medicine. The fields, the crops, the pueblos, belongedto women. Descent is traced through the women; a child belongs to its mother’s clan. If Line 5 a marriage is broken, women typically retain property rights.Each clan is divided into “lineages” whose members are all descended from a common ancestor. The clan organizations extend across all the villages. Children arenamed by the women of the father’s clan. On the twentieth day of a baby’s life, thewomen of the paternal clan gather, each woman bringing a name and a gift for the10 child. The parents selected the name that was to be used.Hopi children learned all domestic skills from their mother. Boys learned to weave, while girls cared for the infants, learned to grind corn, weave baskets and makepottery. Each clan was in charge of certain religious ceremonies throughout the year.The spirits of natural elements, animals, or deceased ancestors, known as kachinas, are 15 welcomed to the village each spring to dance and sing, bring rain for the harvest, andgive gifts to the children.Prior to each kachina ceremony, the men spend days carefully carving masked dolls in the likeness of the kachina represented in that particular ceremony. Followingthe ceremony, the dolls are hung on the walls of the pueblo and are studied in order to 20 learn the characteristics of that certain kachina. The revered dolls are then passed on toThe daughters of the village to give visual understanding to the spirits.30.Which of the following best expressesthe main idea of the passage?(A)The Hopis were governed by men(B)Hopi men brought about thekachina ceremony(C)Although the Hopi, women are ofgreat importance(D)Hopi children learned weavingfrom their mothers(E)Hopi women were responsible fornaming children31.If a Hopi marriage fails, the couple’sfields are probably(A)confiscated by the clan(B)held in trust for the children(C)turned over to the entire tribe(D)kept in the wife’s possession(E)reverted to the husband’s family32.We can infer from the passage thatkachinas are(A)feared by the children(B)valued for their ability to dance(C)former, deceased clan members(D)sacred spirits treasured by thetribe(E)chosen for their influence on theweather 33.According to the passage, woman wasusually(A)The main storyteller(B)Subjected to rule by men(C)The model for the kachina dolls(D)Responsible for politicalleadership(E)Considered the main propertyowner34.A carved kachina doll is most like(A)a spiritual aide(B)the head of a ceremony(C)a casual toy(D)a wall hanging(E)a member of the clan35.It is reasonable to infer that kachinadolls(A)signified a good harvest(B)identified a chief’s lineage(C)represented material wealth(D)were treated with reverence(E)were award to the best dancerMelanie’s purse was pink suede, and the purple patches on it were beautiful, but Alex was very tired of it. A colorful, braided yarn bracelet finished off the handle andmarked it as special; the bracelet greeted Alex whenever Melanie hung her bog on theback of her chair. It was there now. Thoughtfully, he took the bracelet’s strand between Line 5 his fingers, and, without disturbing Melanie, uncapped his black marker and doodled on it. He marked it with black lines and laid it out on his desk; though, a momentlarger when Melanie leaned forward, the bracelet moved off Alex’s desk and its still-wetmarkings were able to add some picturesque touches to Melanie’s suede purse.36.According to the passage, which ofthe following statements is true?(A)Alex’s markings were on nothingbut Melanie’s bracelet(B)Alex drew on Melanie’s braceletjust as she told him not to(C)Alex did not tell Melanie that hewas drawing on her bracelet(D)Alex did not mean to draw onMelanie’s bracelet with marker(E)Alex drew on Melanie’s braceletwith marker and ripped her purse37.Melanie sits(A)next to Alex(B)behind Alex(C)in front of Alex(D)two seats away from Alex(E)across the room from Alex 38.Alex found the sight of Melanie’spurse(A)tiresome(B)beautiful(C)refreshing(D)terrifying(E)ridiculous39.At the time Alex doodled on herbracelet, Melanie was(A)facing Alex(B)standing up(C)leaning back in her seat(D)leaning forward over a book(E)leaning over to pick up a pencile40.Alex is best described as(A)worried(B)studious(C)confused(D)considerate(E)mischievous。

SSAT考试真题示例Writing SampleQuestions: 1 (essay response)Time: 25 minutesWhat is measured? Your essay will be used by admission officers to assess your writing skills. The exercise is not scored by SSAT, but a copy of your essay is forwarded to each school you request as a score recipient.Directions: Read the following topic carefully. Take a few minutes to think about the topic and organize your thoughts before you begin writing. Use the scratch paper and pen provided. Be sure that your handwriting is legible and that you stay within the lines and margins.Sample Topic: It is better to be safe than sorry.Assignment: Do you agree or disagree with the topic statement?Support your position with one or two specific examples from personal experience, the experience of others, current events, history, or literature.Multiple-choice TestEach question is followed by five answer choices. After you have selected your answer, find the row on the answer sheet numbered the same as the question, and fill in the circle with the same letter as your answer. Each question has only one correct answer.Reading ComprehensionQuestions: 40 (multiple-choice), based on 6-7 reading passagesTime: 40 minutesWhat is measured? Your ability to read quickly and to understand what you read. Directions: Read the passage carefully and then answer the questions (1-3) about it. For each question, decide on the basis of the passage which one of the choices best answers the question.We had had a consuming desire to see a pony rider, but somehow or other all that passed us streaked by in the night, and so we heard only a whiz and a hail, and the swift phantom was gone.But now the driver exclaims, "Here he comes!" Every neck is stretched and every eye strained.Away across the endless dead level of the prairie a black speck appears against the sky. Soon it becomes a horse and rider, rising and falling, sweeping nearer and nearer, and the flutter of hoofs comes faintly to the ear. Another instant a whoop and hurrah from our upper deck, a wave of the rider's hand, but no reply, and man and horse burst past our excited faces and go winging away like a belated fragment of a storm!1. At the driver's call, the people became moredisappointedeagerfrightenedpuzzledhysterical2. The people waiting to see the pony rider were most probablyat a hotelon a grandstandon a stagecoachat a farmin a theater3. The land where the people were watching wasflat and treelesshilly and rockydesert-likefarmlandcut by deep crevassesQuantitative (MATH)Questions: 50 (multiple-choice), in two sectionsTime: 30 minutes per section (60 minutes total)What is measured? Your knowledge of algebra and quantitative concepts. Directions: Following each problem in this section, there are five suggested answers. Work each problem in your head or in the space provided (there will be space for scratchwork in your test booklet). Then look at the five suggested answers and decide which is best.4. According to the graph, who owns the most CD's?Bob Cheryl Linda Marion Mike5. If 5 + 9 + __ = 6 + 8 + 1, then __ =1 5 6 8 96. If 3/4 of a number is 48, then 1/4 of the same number is12 16 24 144 1927. What is the perimeter of an equilateral triangle if one side of the triangle has the same length as the side of a square with an area of 25?30 20 15 10 5VerbalQuestions: 60 (30 Synonym, 30 Analogy)Time: 30 minutesWhat is measured? The synonym questions test your vocabulary, and the analogyquestions measure your ability to relate ideas to each other logically. Directions: Each of the following questions (16-20) consists of one word followed by five words or phrases. You are to select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.8.flingrotate hurl arouse pound defy9. rountinelegal directed unnecessary usual informative10. prologuepretense extension introductionhumorous play nonessential part11. manipulaterelease handle stretch make worse keep apart12.adroitclever retentive cooperative unhindered aridDirections: The following questions (21-25) ask you to find relationships between words. For each question, select the answer choice that best completes the meaning of the sentence.13. Sapling is to tree as cub is tomoose pine goat cedar bear14. Frame is to building ashair is to head skull is to jaw skeleton is to bodyfinger is to hand bone is to marrow15. Meandering is to river aswinding is to road wandering is to wave scudding is to cloudchugging is to train rolling is to shipSample Test QuestionsFollowing are sample questions which might appear on both Upper and Lower Level tests. We suggest that you review these questions in order to familiarize yourself with the SSAT format and types of questions you will find on the actual test. Writing Sample25 minutes, one essay response. Your essay will be used by admission officers to assess your writing skills. The exercise is not scored by SSAT, but a copy of your essay is forwarded to each school you request as a score recipient.Directions: Read the following topic carefully. Take a few minutes to think about the topic and organize your thoughts before you begin writing. Use the scratch paper and pen provided. Be sure that your handwriting is legible and that you stay within the lines and margins.Sample Topic: It is better to be safe than sorry.Assignment: Do you agree or disagree with the topic statement?Support your position with one or two specific examples from personal experience, the experience of others, current events, history, or literature.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Multiple Choice Test Each question is followed by five answer choices. After you have selected your answer, find the row on the answer sheet numbered the same as the question, and fill in the circle with the same letter as your answer. Each question has only one correct answer.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Reading Comprehension40 minutes, 40 multiple-choice questions based on 6-7 reading passagesThis section measures your ability to read and to understand what you read.Directions: Read the passage carefully and then answer the questions (1-3) about it. For each question, decide on the basis of the passage which one of the choices best answers the question.We had had a consuming desire to see a pony rider, but somehow or other all that passed us streaked by in the night, and so we heard only a whiz and a hail, and the swift phantom was gone. But now the driver exclaims, "Here he comes!" Every neck is stretched and every eye strained. Away across the endless dead level of the prairie a black speck appears against the sky. Soon it becomes a horse and rider, rising and falling, sweeping nearer and nearer, and the flutter of hoofs comes faintly to the ear. Another instant a whoop and hurrah from our upper deck, a wave of the rider's hand, but no reply, and man and horse burst past our excited faces and go winging away like a belated fragment of a storm!1. At the driver's call, the people became moredisappointed eager frightenedpuzzled hysterical2. The people waiting to see the pony rider were most probablyat a hotel on a grandstand on a stagecoachat a farm in a theater3. The land where the people were watching wasflat and treeless hilly and rocky desert-likefarmland cut by deep crevasses++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Quantitative Two sections, 30 minutes each, 50 questions totalThese sections measure your knowledge of algebra and quantitative concepts.Directions: Following each problem in this section, there are five suggested answers. Work each problem in your head or in the space provided (there will be space for scratchwork in your test booklet). Then look at the five suggested answers and decide which is best.4. According to the graph, who owns the most CD's?Bob Cheryl Linda Marion Mike5. If 5 + 9 + __ = 6 + 8 + 1, then __ =1 5 6 8 96. If 3/4 of a number is 48, then 1/4 of the same number is12 16 24 144 1927. What is the perimeter of an equilateral triangle if one side of the triangle has the same length as the side of a square with an area of 25?30 20 15 10 58. It costs n dollars to manufacture 1 dozen stuffed animals. At the same rate, how many dollars will it cost to manufacture 30 stuffed animals?30n 360/n 2n/5 2/5n 5n/29. 2 1/4 % =0.0025 0.0225 0.225 2.025 2.2510. Which of the following is NOT equal to a whole number?8 + 4 1/8 x 4 8/4 8 x 1/4 8/ 1/811. 8 x 3 x 7 x 2 is equal to the product of 24 and56 21 16 14 612. The number of people now employed by a certain company is 240, which is 3/5 the number employed five years ago. How many more employees did it have then than it has now?160 360 480 720 96013. A recipe for salad dressing calls for a ratio of 3 tablespoons of olive oil for 1 tablespoon of vinegar, but Melanie used 3 tablespoons of vinegar and 1 of olive oil. How many more tablespoons must she add in order to have the correct proportion?2 6 8 9 1014. In the figure, if x/2 = 30, then y =15 30 45 60 12015. If Kristina sees y movies, Elliott sees five times as many movies as Kristina, and Cheryl sees 2 fewer movies than Kristina, how many movies did the three children see altogether?3y + 3 5y - 2 7y - 2 8y - 2 8y++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Verbal30 minutes, 60 questions (30 synonym, 30 analogy)The synonym questions test your vocabulary, and the analogy questions measure your ability to relate ideas to each other logically.Directions: Each of the following questions (16-20) consists of one word followed by five words or phrases. You are to select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters.16. FLING:rotate hurl arouse pound defy17. ROUTINE:legal directed unnecessary usual informative18. PROLOGUE:pretense extension introductionhumorous play nonessential part19. MANIPULATE:release handle stretch make worse keep apart20. ADROIT:clever retentive cooperative unhindered aridDirections:The following questions (21-25) ask you to find relationships between words. For each question, select the answer choice that best completes the meaning of the sentence.21. Sapling is to tree as cub is tomoose pine goat cedar bear22. Frame is to building ashair is to head skull is to jaw skeleton is to bodyfinger is to hand bone is to marrow23. Meandering is to river aswinding is to road wandering is to wave scudding is to cloudchugging is to train rolling is to ship24. Clear is to printing as articulate is topainting driving listening speaking walking 25. Tactful is to diplomat asurbane is to educatorr ational is to logiciansurgical is to physiciann eurotic is to psychoanalystpedantic is to intellectual。

S S A T考试阅读真题Establish standards and manage them well. January 26, 2023S S A T考试阅读真题Although witnesses vouched that all the members of the Czars family had been executed, there were rumors suggesting that Anastasia had survived. Over the years, a number of women claimed to be Grand Duchess Anastasia. Perhaps the best nown claimant was Anastasia Tschaikovsky, who was also known as Anna Anderson.In 1920, eighteen months after the Czars execution, this terrified young woman was rescued from drowning in a Berlin river. She spent two years in a hospital, where she attempted to reclaim her health and shattered mind. The doctors and nurses thought that she resembled Anastasia and questioned heer about her background. She disclaimed any connection with the Czars family.Eight years later, though, she claimed that she was Anastasia. She saidthat she had been rescued by two Russian soldiers after the Czar and the rest of her family had been killed. Two brothers named Tschaikovsky had carried her into Romania. She had married one of the brothers, who had taken her to Berlin and left her there, penniless and without a vocation. Unable to invoke the aid of her mother s family in Germany, she had tried to drown herself.During the next few years, scores of the Czar s relatives, ex-servants, and acquaintances interviewed her. Many of these people said that her looks and mannerisms were evocative of the Anastasia that they had known. Her grandmother and other relatives denied that she was the real Anastasia, however.Tried of being accused of fraud, Anastasia immigrated to the United States in 1928 and took the name Anna Anderson. She still wished to prove that she was Anastasia, though, and returned to Germany in 1933 to bring suit against her mother s family. There she declaimed to the court, asserting that she was indeed Anastasia and deserved her inheritance.In 1957, the court decided that it could neither confirm nor deny Anastasia s identity. Although we will probably never know whether this woman was the Grand Duchess Anastasia, her search to establish her identity has been the subject of numerous books, plays, and movies.1. Some Russian peasants and workers___for social reform.A. longedB. cried outC. beggedD. hopedE. thought much2. Witnesses ___ that all members of the Czar s family had been executed.上海SSAT培训,请关注环球SSAT;A. gave assuranceB. thoughtC. hopedD. convinced someE. answer not stated3. Tschaikovsky ____any connection with the Czar s family.A. deniedB. stoppedC. notedD. justifiedE. answer not state4. She was unable to ___the aid of her relative.A. locateB. speak aboutC. call uponD. identifyE. know5. In court she ___ maintaining that she was Anastasia and deserved her inheritance.A. finally appearedB. spoke forcefullyC. testifiedD. gave evidenceE. answer not statedAnswer Key 1. B 2. A 3. A 4. C 5. B。

YESSAT阅读材料Famous People(PartⅠ)01. Howard Conklin BaskervilleHoward Conklin Baskerville (April 10, 1885 - April 19 1909) was an American teacher in the Presbyterian mission school in Tabriz, Iran. He is often referred to as the "American Lafayette in Iran". (J. Lorentz)In 1908, during the Constitutional Revolution of Iran, he decided to join the Constitutionalists and fight against the Qajar despot King Mohammad Ali Shah. He was shot while leading a group of student soldiers to break the Siege of Tabriz.The affection that many Iranians have for America perhaps may have roots in Tabriz, where this Nebraskan missionary was killed. Baskerville was a teacher in the American School, one of many such institutions created by the American missionaries who had worked in the city since the mid-19th century. He arrived in 1907 fresh out of Princeton Theological Seminary to teach at the American Memorial School in Tabriz, and was swept up in the revolutionary mood in Iran, fought a royalist blockade that was starving the city. On April 19, 1909, he led a contingent of 150 nationalist fighters into battle against the royalist forces. A single bullet tore through his heart, killing him instantly nine days after his 24th birthday.The same day the Arg of Tabriz was attacked and bombed by 4000 Russian troops. The Persians held out for four days. While the US consulate was in the line of fire, some Americans like Baskerville, took to arms, helping the people of Iran.Many Iranian nationalists still revere Baskerville as an exemplar of an America that they saw as a welcome ally and a useful “third force” that might break the power of London and Moscow in Tehran.02. Georgia Totti O'KeeffeGeorgia Totti O'Keeffe (November 15, 1887—March 6, 1986) was anAmerican artist. She is typically associated with the American Southwestand particularly New Mexico where she settled late in life. O'Keeffe hasbeen a major figure in American art since the 1920s. She is chiefly knownfor paintings in which she synthesizes abstraction and representation inpaintings of flowers, rocks, shells, animal bones and landscapes. Her paintings present crisply contoured forms that are replete with subtle tonal transitions of varying colors, and she often transformed her subject matter into powerful abstract images.03.Just before 12:30 p.m. CST, Kennedy’s limousine entered Dealey Plaza and slowly approached the Texas School Book Depository head-on, and then turned left 120-degrees directly in front of the Depository, 65 feet (20 m) away.When the Presidential limousine passed the Depository and continued down Elm Street, shots were fired at Kennedy; the great majority of witnesses recalled hearing three shots. There was hardly any reaction in the crowd to the first shot, many later saying they thought they had heard a firecracker or the exhaust backfire of a vehicle. President Kennedy and Texas Governor John Connally, sitting with his wife in front of the Kennedys in the limousine, both turned abruptly from looking to their left to looking to their right. Connally immediately recognized the sound of a high powered rifle. "Oh, no, no, no," he said as he turned further right, and then started to turn left, attempting to see President Kennedy behind him.According to the Warren Commission and the House Select Committee on Assassinations, as President Kennedy waved to the crowds on his right, a shot entered his upper back, penetrated his neck, and exited his throat. He raised his clenched fists up to his neck and leaned forward and to his left, as Mrs. Kennedy put her arms around him in concern. Governor Connally also reacted, as the same bullet penetrated his back, chest, right wrist, and left thigh. He yelled, "My God, they are going to kill us all." The final shot took place when the Presidential limousine was passing in front of the John Neely Bryan north pergola concrete structure. As the shot was heard, a fist-size hole exploded out from the right side of President Kennedy's head, covering the interior of the car and a nearby motorcycle officer with blood and brain tissue.Secret Service agent Clint Hill was riding on the left front running board of the car immediately behind the Presidential limousine. Sometime after the shot that hit the President in the back, Hill jumped off and ran to overtake the limousine. After the shot that hit the President in the head, Mrs. Kennedy climbed onto the rear of the limousine, though she later had no recollection of doing so. Hill believed she was reaching for something, perhaps a piece of the President's skull. He jumped onto the back of the limousine, pushed Mrs. Kennedy back into her seat, and clung to the car as it exited Dealey Plaza and sped to Parkland Memorial Hospital.‘Abbās was born in Herat (now in Afghanistan) from a Georgian mother from Mazandaran Province, in Northern Iran. The Safavid empire had substantially weakened during the reign of his semiblind father, allowing usurpations and the inner feuds of the Kizilbash amīrs, leaders of the Turcoman tribes constituting the backbone of the Safavid army. Furthermore, Ottoman and Uzbek inroads were harassing the West and Eastern provinces, respectively. In the midst of such upheaval, he was proclaimed ruler of Khorāsān in 1581.In October 1588 he attained the Persian throne by revolting against his father Mohammad, whom he imprisoned. He accomplished the coup with the help of Morshed Gholi Ostajlou, whom he later killed in July, 1589. Determined to raise the fallen fortunes of his country, he signed a separate peace with the Ottomans (1589-90, including the cession of large areas of west and northwest Persia) and then directed his efforts against the predatory Uzbeks, who occupied and harassed Khorāsān. 'Abbās needed some ten years to launch a decisive offensive: this was caused by his decision to form a standing army. Cavalry was comprised of Christian Georgians, Armenians and desc endants of Circassian prisoners (ghulāms, "slaves"), instead of the mistrustful Kizilbash tribal cavalry levies of former times; Persian peasantry formed the infantry. Budgetary problems were resolved by restoring to the Shah's control the provinces formerly governed by the Kilibash chiefs, the revenues of which supplemented the royal treasury. The new Ghulāms were often appointed as governors of the provinces.After a long and severe struggle, 'Abbās regained Mashhad, and defeated the Uzbeks in a great battle near Herat in 1597, driving them beyond the Oxus River. In the meantime, taking advantage of tsar Ivan the Terrible's death in 1584, he had gained the homage of the provinces on the southern Caspian Sea, which had depended on Russia till then.He moved his capital from Qazvin to the more central and more Persian Isfahan in 1592. Embellished by a magnificent series of new mosques, baths, colleges, and caravansaries, Isfahan became one of the most beautiful cities in the world.Agee was born in Knoxville, Tennessee at Highland Avenue and 15th Street (renamed James Agee Street in 1999) to Hugh James Agee and Laura Whitman Tyler, and had distant French and English ancestry on his father's side. When Agee was six, his father died in an automobile accident, and from the age of seven he and his younger sister, Emma, were educated in boarding schools.The most influential of these was located near his mother's summer cottage two miles from Sewanee, Tennessee. Saint Andrews School for Mountain Boys was run by Episcopal monks affiliated with the Order of the Holy Cross), and it was there that Agee's lifelong friendship with an Episcopal priest, Father James Harold Flye, began in 1919. As Agee's close friend and spiritual confidant, Flye was the recipient of many of Agee's most revealing letters.Agee went to Knoxville High School for the 1924-1925 school year, then travelled with Father Flye to Europe in the summer, when Agee was sixteen. On their return, Agee moved to boarding school in New Hampshire, entering the class of 1928 at Phillips Exeter Academy. There he was president of The Lantern Club and editor of the Monthly where his first short stories, plays, poetry and articles were published. Despite barely passing many of his high school courses, Agee was admitted to Harvard University's class of 1932. He was editor-in-chief of the Harvard Advocate and delivered the class ode at his commencement.After graduation, he wrote for Fortune and Time magazines. (He is better known, however, for his later film criticism in The Nation.) He married Via Saunders on January 28, 1933; they divorced in 1938 and that same year he married Alma Mailman. In 1934, he published his only volume of poetry, Permit Me Voyage, with a foreword by Archibald MacLeish.In the summer of 1936, Agee spent eight weeks on assignment for Fortune with photographer Walker Evans living among sharecroppers in Alabama. While Fortune didn't publish his article (he left the magazine in 1939), Agee turned the material into a book entitled, Let Us Now Praise Famous Men (1941). It sold only 600 copies before being remaindered. That same year, Alma moved to Mexico with their year-old son, Joel, to live with Communist writer Bodo Uhse. Agee began living with Mia Fritsch in Greenwich Village, whom he married in 1946. They had two daughters, Teresa and Andrea, and a son, John, who was eight months old when Agee died.In 1942, Agee became the film critic for Time, while also writing occasional book reviews, and subsequently becoming the film critic for The Nation. In 1948, however, he quit both magazines to become a freelance writer. As a freelance in the 1950's, he continued to write magazine articles while working on movie scripts (often with photographer Helen Levitt).He was an ardent champion of Charlie Chaplin's then extremely unpopular film Monsieur Verdoux (1947), which has since become a film classic. He was also a great admirer of Laurence Olivier's Henry V and Hamlet, especially Henry V, for which he actually published three separate reviews, all of which have been printed in the collection Agee on Film.In 1951 in Santa Barbara, Agee suffered the first two in a series of heart attacks, which ultimately claimed his life four years later at the age of 45. He died on May 16, 1955 (while in a taxi cab en route to a doctor's appointment) -- coincidentally two days before the anniversary of his father's death. He was buried on a farm he owned at Hillsdale, NY.。

SSAT Lower Level Practice Test IPassage 1（说明文）All matter is made of atoms. Different kinds of atoms can combine to form new substances. The page you are reading is made up of billions of atoms. So are you. An atom is an exceedingly tiny thing. For example, it would take a line of about 200 million hydrogen atoms, the smallest kind of atom, to span the distance of one inch.In the nineteenth century, many scientists thought that atoms were indivisible blobs of matter. Now we know that atoms are far more complicated. We also know that under the right conditions certain atoms can be split into smaller particles. When this happens, energy is given off. In certain circumstances it is possible to capture this energy in the form of heat, then use the heat to make electricity.1.This passage is primarily about主旨题(A)how matter is made(B)what atoms are like(C)nineteenth-century scientific discoveries(D)how to generate electricity(E)atomic energy heating systems2.As used in line 3, “exceedingly” means词汇题(A)somewhat(B)fortunately(C)extremely(D)unexpectedly(E)increasingly3.It can inferred from this passage that all of the following statements aboutatoms are correct EXCEPT:细节题(A)Solids, liquids, and gases are all made of atoms.(B)Atoms are composed of smaller particles.(C)Matter can be converted into energy.(D)Living things are composed of atoms.(E)All atoms are of the same size.4.According to the passage, what happens when an atom is broken apart?细节题(A)It forms small hydrogen atoms.(B)It captures heat.(C)It turns into electricity.(D)It gives off energy.(E)It creates billions of new atoms.5.The author’s style is best described as篇章组织题(A)dramatic(B)sarcastic(C)mysterious(D)informative(E)poeticPassage 2小说I was born on November 30, 1835, in the village of Florida, Missouri. My parents had moved to Missouri in the thirties; I do not remember just when, for I was not born then and cared nothing for such things. The village contained a hundred people and I increased the population by one percent. It is more than many of the best people in history could have done for a town. There is no record of a person doing as much --- not even Shakespeare.Recently someone in Missouri sent me a picture of the house I was born in. Heretofore I had a always stated that it was a palace but I shall be more guarded now.The village had two streets, each a couple of hundred yards long; the rest of the avenues were lane, with rail fences and cornfields on either side. Both the streets and the lanes were paved with the same material --- tough black mud in wet times, deep dust in dry.Most of the houses were of logs --- all of them, indeed, except three or four; these latter were frame ones. There were none of brick and none of stone. There was a log church, with a puncheon floor and slab benches. A puncheon floor is made of logs whose upper surfaces have been chipped flat with an adz. The cracks between the logs were not filled; there was no carpet; consequently, if you dropped anything smaller than a peach it was likely to go through. The church was perched upon short sections of logs, which elevated it two or three feet from the ground. Hogs slept under there, and whenever the dogs got after them during services, the minister had to wait till the disturbance was over. In winter there was always a refreshing breeze up through the puncheon floor; in summer there were fleas enough for all.6.The house that the author was born in was probably constructed of推断题(A)logs(B)concrete(C)stone(D)bricks(E)mud7.The hogs referred to in the passage were细节题(A)near the house(B)under the church(C)in a cornfield(D)by the barnyard(E)on the street8.According to the author, the hogs created a disturbance because细节题(A)fleas were annoying them(B)people were feeding them(C)the choir was singing(D)dogs were chasing them(E)they were cold9.An “adz” is probably a type of词汇题(A)floor covering(B)cutting tool(C)church bench(D)hog(E)peach10.According to the author, the most valuable contribution he made to the villageof Florida was细节题(A)building a palace(B)carpeting the church(C)paving the streets(D)introducing Shakespeare to the town(E)increasing the population by one percent11.The mood of this passage can best be described as篇章组织题(A)humorous(B)argumentative(C)analytical(D)tense(E)somberPassage 3From 1970, when a 55-mile stretch of Interstate 80 in Wyoming opened, to 1977, more than 1,000 deer were killed as they crossed between their winter and summer homes. Scientists counted deer tracks in the snow and found that 80 percent of the deer crossed the highway in a single eight mile stretch. Passageways under the highways were built specifically for the animals to use, and an eight-mile-long fence along both sides of the road was erected to funnel the animals into the underpasses. At first the seer appeared apprehensive and paced up and down the fence for as long as three months before crossing. Finally bait was used to lure stragglers, and the number of deer killed along the fenced stretch has been reduced from an average of 100 per year to near zoo.12.How did the scientists discover where most of the deer were crossing thehighway?细节题(A)They observed the deer crossing the highway.(B)They counted the deer that stopped to eat the bait.(C)They counted the deer tracks in the snow.(D)They knew there was only one stretch of road where the deer could cross.(E)They counted the bodies of deer killed by cars.13.It can be inferred that the deer didn’t use the underpasses at first because they推断题(A)were frightened by the cars going overhead(B)had seen other deer killed near there(C)had not encountered underpasses before(D)did not like the fences leading to underpasses(E)were frightened away by the smell of the bait14.What made the deer finally use the underpasses?细节题(A)After three months they got tired of pacing along the fences.(B)Scientists herded them together and pushed them through.(C)One deer led the others through.(D)Food they liked was placed nearby.(E)They found better feeding grounds on the opposite side of the highway.15.As it u sed in line 6, the word “funnel” most nearly means词汇题(A)summon(B)receive(C)guide(D)pour(E)transplant16.Which of the following questions is answered by the information in thepassage?细节题(A)How long did it take to build the underpasses?(B)How far do the deer travel each year to reach their winter homes?(C)Where was the deer’s winter home located?(D)Who assessed the value of the underpasses?(E)What was the reduction in the annual rate of deer killed in car accidents inthis area?17.Which of the following best states the main idea of the passage?主旨题(A)Many deer are killed annually in highway accidents.(B)People have found a way to help deer cross roads safely.(C)Scientists have discovered that deer migrate.(D)Many people in Wyoming care about wildlife.(E)It was a mistake to build Interstate 80.Passage 4演讲稿The following speech was delivered by Susan B. Anthony at her trail in 1873.Friends and fellow-citizens: I stand before you tonight under indictment for the alleged crime of having voted at the last Presidential election [1872], without having a lawful right to vote. It shall be my work this evening to prove to you that in thus voting, I not only committed no crime, but, instead, simply exercised my citizen’s right, guaranteed to me and all United States citizens by the National Constitution.It was we, the people; not we, the White male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union. And we formed it, not to give the blessings of liberty, but to secure them; not to the half of ourselves but to the whole people --- women as well as men. And it is a downright mockery to talk to women of their enjoyment of the blessings of liberty, while they are denied the use of the only means of securing them … --- the ballot …The only question left to be settled now is: Are women persons? And I hardly believe any of our opponents will have the hardihood to say they are not. Being persons, then, women are citizens; and no State has a right to make any law, or to enforce any old law, that shall abridge their privileges or immunities.18.In line1, Anthony’s use of “fellow-citizens” is ironic for which of thefollowing reasons?细节题(A)She was not fully a citizen because she had no right to vote.(B)The audience included people not of her sex, race, or religion.(C)Most of the citizens in the audience were females.(D)Those in the audience who were her friends were not necessarily citizens.(E)At that time women were not allowed to make speeches on public issues.19.What does Anthony mean by “I stand before you tonight under indictment”(line 1)?推断题(A)She has been framed by her opponents.(B)She was already in jail.(C)She had been falsely accused of voting in the last election.(D)She was on trial and might be sent to prison.(E)She had been allowed to speak by special permission.20.How does Anthony’s speech reflec t the idea in a speech by Abraham Lincolnin which he defended “government of the people, by the people, for the people”?细节题(A)It points out that all citizens should be able to elect their government.(B)It shows that educated women can solve the problems of government.(C)It shows that women can have only a theoretical interest in affairs of state.(D)It shows that by voting Anthony was overreaching her right as a citizen.(E)It demonstrates that laws in violation of the Constitution are null and void.21.Why does Anthony say that women’s right to vote is guaranteed by theConstitution?推断题(A)The Constitution explicitly gave women the right to vote.(B)One of the blessings of liberty is being allowed to vote.(C)The Constitution gave states the power to authorize women to vote.(D)Only children and criminals were denied the right to vote.(E)The Constitution begins, “We, the people,” which includes women.22.The purpose of Anthony’s speech was to推断题(A)influence the women on the jury in her favor(B)prove that the right to vote would produce racial equality(C)demonstrates that she and other women had the right to vote(D)convince people of the need for economic justice: equal pay for equal work(E)convince the jury that voting was only a tool to be used by women to gainother rightsPassage 5The Mahto band kept to a certain order when they traveled on the plain. And so Wanagi, the young seer, walked in back of the leader. They assigned this place in the procession of seventy persons to the one who carries the smoldering wood, the source of a cooking fire for these twelve Mahto families upon their arrival at the summer campground.The grandfathers had said that only good hands --- hands that never kill --- shall hold these smoldering remains of the winter campfire, a symbol of the continuity of the people. And that the Mahto women, when they start their new campfires from these embers, shall offer thanks to Pte --- the one and the herd --- for Pte, the true meat, shall sustain each generation of Dakota.23.According to the passage, all of the following are part of the rituals of theMahto EXCEPT the细节题(A)order in which they walk(B)role of the person who carries the embers(C)source of fire for the new campfires(D)size of their families(E)prayers that are offered when the campfire is started24.According to the passage, the smoldering wood must be推断题(A)kept safe from other tribes(B)carried only by a male(C)prayed over by the tribes as a group(D)used only in ceremonies(E)carried by someone who has never killed25.The embers Wanagi carries symbolize which of the following to the Dakota?细节题I.The beginning of hunting seasonII.The thankfulness of PteIII.The wisdom of their leaderIV.The continuity of their people(A)Ⅰ only(B)Ⅱ only(C)Ⅳ only(D)Ⅲ and Ⅳ only(E)Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅳ only26.This passage is primarily about主旨题(A) a Native American seer named Wanagi(B)the significance of fire to the Dakota(C)status symbols among Native Americans(D)the military history of the Dakota(E)the westward migration of the Dakota27.The attitude of the writer toward the subject is态度题(A)respectful(B)calculating(C)casual(D)accusing(E)cautiousPassage 6诗歌A wind sways the pines,And below,Not a breath of wild airStill as the mosses that glowOn the flooring and over the linesOf the roots here and there.The pine-tree drops its dead;They are quiet as under the sea.Overhead, overheadRushes life in a race,As the clouds the clouds chase;And we go,And we drop like the fruits of the tree,Even we,Even so.--------George MeridithThe Victorian Age, by Bowyer and Brooks.28.In the poem, our busy lives are compared to which of the following?细节题I.The mosses that glowII.The clouds blowing pastIII.Activity under the sea(A)Ⅰ only(B)Ⅱ only(C)Ⅲ only(D)Ⅰ and Ⅱ only(E)Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ29.“The pine-tree drops its dead” (line 7) suggests that推断题(A)wind has damages the tree beyond repair(B)the tree will no longer produce cones(C)the tree is dying and falling over(D)pine trees do not change color(E)pine needles and cones fall from the tree30.In this poem, the wind above and the stillness below most probably represent推断题(A)the sky and the sea(B)restlessness and contentment(C)happiness and sadness(D)human life and death(E)youth and old age31.With which of the following statements about death would the speaker bemost likely to agree?态度题(A)People should try not to think about death.(B)Having no appreciation of nature is like being dead.(C)Death is an inevitable part of life.(D)Death often comes suddenly and unannounced.(E)Death usually comes when life is quiet and still.Passage 7说明文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 amistake, 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 “w ith his usual brilliance.”32.Although he performed while seriously ill with tuberculosis, Chopin surprisedthe audience with his细节题(A)frail appearance(B)polish(C)loss of control(D)violence(E)energetic playing33.The “end” mentioned in line 11 most likely refers to细节题(A)Chopin’s retirement from public life(B)the decline of Chopin’s genius(C)the invalidism caused by his illness(D)Chopin’s death in 1849(E)the end of the concert tour34.This passage deals primarily with Chopin’s主旨题(A)musical compositions(B)musical performance(C)debilitating illness(D)aristocratic personality(E)romantic fervor35.When discussing Chopin, the author’s tone in this passage could best bedescribed as态度题(A)admiring(B)brusque(C)ironic(D)hesitant(E)anguished36.The author would most likely agree that推断题(A)Chopin was made seriously ill by wide-spread misinterpretation of his music(B)Chopin’s behavior alternated between extreme self-control and outbursts ofviolence(C)Chopin’s character was a commendable blend of sensitivity and restraint(D)the delicacy of Chopin’s playing was due in large part to his health problems(E)Chopin prolonged his life in spite of his illness by keeping activePassage 8议论文I am not sure that I can draw an exact line between wit and humor, but I am positive that humor is the more comfortable and livable quality. Humorous persons, if their gift is genuine, are always agreeable companions and they sit through the evening best. They have pleasant mouths turned up at the corners. To those corners the great Master of marionettes has fixed the strings and holds them with nimble fingers that twitch them at the slightest jest. But the mouth of a merely witty person is hard and sour until the moment of its discharge. Nor is the flash from a witty person always comforting, whereas a humorous person radiates a general pleasure and is like another candle in the room.37.According to the author, a humorous person is like推断题(A)an expensive gift(B) a loaded gun(C)an unusual puppet(D) a comforting light(E) a mechanical toy38.The author uses the analogy of marionettes to illustrate that humorous people细节题(A)are never forgotten(B)smile frequently(C)control their companions(D)surprise their friends(E)attract many friends39.The author implies that witty people are likely to make remarks that are推断题(A)sentimental(B)emotional(C)displeasing(D)irrelevant(E)explanatory40.Which of the following best expresses the author’s main point?主旨题(A)It is more pleasant to be with humorous people than with witty people.(B)Humor is more difficult to achieve than wit.(C)Humorous people make friends easily.(D)Humor and wit are genuine gifts.(E)Witty people are not usually humorous, but humorous people are usuallywitty.SSAT Lower Level Practice Test IIPassage 1说明文The elephants added to the difficulty of the march. But they had and important role to play in Hannibal’s campaign. Elephants were the tanks of ancient warfare. Ever since they had first been encountered in battle by Alexander’s troops on the banks of the Hydaspes, their value as a substitute for war chariots has been recognized. They were extremely valuable pack animals and, although their behavior in battle was unpredictable, they could be useful against enemy calvary that had not been trained to meet them. But, above all, they were a powerful psychological weapon. Hannibal knew that his elephants would create panic among the Roman soldiers, who would never have seen such creatures before.1.According to the passage, elephants served all of the purposes in warfareEXCEPT:细节题(A)Behaving in a reliable manner(B)Fighting in battle(C)Confusing the enemy(D)Scaring the enemy(E)Transporting supplies2.Which of the following statements describes the author’s opinion of using theelephants in battle?细节题I.It was often not worth the risk because their behavior is unpredictable andthey make the march more difficult.II.There were many advantages to using elephants in warfare.III.The most important use of the elephants was as pack animals.(A)Ⅰonly(B)Ⅱonly(C)Ⅲonly(D)Ⅱand Ⅲ(E)Ⅰ, Ⅱand Ⅲ3.According to the passage, who was Hannibal fighting?推断题(A)Alexander(B)Elephants(C)Hydaspes(D)Romans(E)This information is not stated in the passage4.For what reason are the elephants described as a “powerful psychologicalweapon”?推断题(A)They are very large and intimidating.(B)They were unfamiliar to the enemy.(C)They were unpredictable(D)They gave Hannibal’s troops confidence.(E)Hannibal’s troops could hide behind them.5.Which of the following best describes Hannibal’s intent in using elephantsagainst his enemies?细节题(A)provoke anger(B)create surprise(C)inspire confidence(D)exploit weakness(E)undermine positionsPassage 2Moses may be said to have been the first dowser when be brought forth water by striking a rock with his rod. Outside of this biblical story, the first historical reference to dowsers is medieval. Martin Luther declared that dowsing was a sin, and there is a detailed account from the 1550s of German miners who used wooden sticks to locate minerals and ores.Today, thousands of people still practice dowsing, following a method that is not much different from the one employed by those medieval miners. These dowsers employ a diving rod or some other implement to locate water, metal ores, or other valuables hidden beneath the earth’s surface. The oldest and most commonly used dividing rod is a forked or loop-shaped rod made of wood. This rod is held firmly in the palms of the dowser’s hands, and any sudden swing, either upward or downward, is taken as a signal of the presence of underground water, metal deposits, or even buried treasure. There are still questions as to whether or not dowsing actually works, but there is no question that it is a popular practice throughout the world.Skeptics point out that studies have failed to validate dowsing or to provide any scientific basis for the practice. Dowsers, for instance, claim that the dowsing rod is animated by the presence of an underground water or mineral source. But careful observation has shown that the agitation of the instrument is due to slight muscular movements of the dowser, which may be subconscious, but are certainly not “magical.”Dowsers also feel that their talent to locate hidden objects is a special one, a psychic gift. Scientists sympathetic to their cause say that the dowsers are really responding to electromagnetic currents beneath the earth’s surface, which indicate the presence of minerals or water. Skeptics have a different explanation. They note that dowsers usually work on land that they know well and are familiar with all the signs, nature’s visual clues, that suggest the presence of water in an area.6.Which of the following best describe the author’s attitude towards dowsing?态度题(A)hostile(B)amused(C)positive(D)enthusiastic(E)dubious7.According to the passage, dowsing may involve all of the following EXCEPT:细节题(A)psychic gift(B)electromagnetic currents(C)magic(D)popular practice(E)visual clues8.The objective of the dowser is to 细节题(A)strike rocks.(B)discover underground matter.(C)perform magic.(D)find wood that has special location properties.(E)pick up signals from water and minerals.9.Which of the following best describe a dowser?推断题(A)Scientist(B)Mystic(C)Skeptic(D)Explorer(E)Sinner10.It is most reasonable to infer from the passage that推断题(A)dowsing is an anti-religious practice.(B)dowsing is somewhat successful since it continues to be used.(C)dowsers are itinerant practitioners.(D)wood has special locational properties.(E)underground water sends electromagnetic signals.Passage 2说明文Several legends surround the first American flag. Perhaps the best known and most widely accepted is that of Betsy Ross. Legend tells of George Washington, George Ross and Robert Morris being appointed in June 1776 to design a national flag. Supposedly, Washington made a crude design that was dispatched to Betsy Ross, wife of George Ross’s nephew and an expert seamstress, in Philadelphia. Taking the rough sketch and changing only the number of points on the stars from six to five, Mrs. Ross cut and sewed the first national flag for the United States.History tells us Betsy Ross was a twice-widowed seamstress in Philadelphia who may have made some navy flags. While it is documented that Washington was in Philadelphia for two weeks in 1776, the trip was made on urgent military business. It is doubtful he would have had time to design a flag and, in fact, there is no evidence of his being ordered to do so. Also, the Betsy Ross story was first told in 1870, 94 years after it supposedly took place. The story has all the proper ingredients --- hurried meetings, hasty sketches, patriotic widow sawing the new nation’s flag for the country her late husband died defending. However, history has proven it to be just a story.The origins of the Stars and Stripes are shrouded in mystery, legends and half-truths. Facts strongly suggest that the flag had no single designer but was a conglomeration of ideas and designs.11.Which of the following is the best title for the selection?主旨题(A)Legends Surrounding the First Official Flag(B)Debunking the Betsy Ross Story(C)The Stars and Stripes(D)Navy Flags to Nation’s Flag(E)Flag Maker of the United States12.Which of the following best describes the author’s opinion of Betsy Ross?态度题(A) A fraud(B) A hero(C)Talented(D)Victimized(E)Unskilled13.The author suggests that the flag was probably designed by推断题(A)George Washington, George Ross and Robert Morris(B)Betsy Ross(C)Betsy Ross’s deceased husband(D)Several unknown people(E) A group of seamstresses in Philadelphia14.The author suggests which of the following as reasons why it is unlikely thatBetsy Ross made the first flag?细节题(A)Betsy Ross lacked the necessary skill.(B)George Washington was insulted by the changes to his design that shesuggested.(C)Betsy Ross did not have enough time to make the flag.(D)George Washington never asked Betsy Ross to make the flag.(E)There is no direct evidence that Betsy Ross ever sewed the Stars and Stripes.15.What does the author mean when she says “The story has all the properingredients?”推断题(A)All of the facts support her theory.(B)The story is believable.(C)The story has been told in a way that makes people want to believe it.(D)The story has a beginning, a middle and an end.(E) A recipe for a myth is in the story.Passage 4说明文As earth whirls along its endless journey through space, it has a companion that is always beside it --- the moon. The moon is a small planet. It is only about one-fourth as big as the earth.The moon is our nearest neighbor in space. The stars are billions of miles away. The sun is millions of miles away. But the moon is only about 239,000 miles away. That makes the moon truly a next-door neighbor.In a way, the moon “belongs” to the earth. Just as earth moves around the sun, the moon moves around the earth. It is held in place by the tug o f earth’s stronger gravity.A planet that is held by another planet this way is called a satellite. The moon is earth’s satellite.The moon is a ball of gray rock, some of which is covered with dust. It has no air or water --- and, of course, no plants or animals. Its whole surface is nothing but mountains and plains of rock. When we look up at a full moon, we often see dark patches. These dark patches are the lowlands. They seem to form a shadowy face that people have named “the main in the moon.” The brig hter parts of the moon are the highlands.In ancient times, many people worshipped the moon. The Romans, who thought the moon was a goddess, named it Luna. Our word Lunar means “of the moon.”16.The author states that the moon “belongs” to earth because推断题(A)I t is earth’s nearest neighbor.(B)It is a satellite of the earth.(C)One can see the man in the moon from earth.(D)Ancient Romans considered it a goddess.(E)The moon could not exist without the earth.17.According to the passage, which of the following is on the surface of the moon?细节题(A)Air(B)Water(C)Mountains(D)Plants(E)Man。

SSAT考试真题示例Writing SampleQuestions: 1 (essay response）Time：25 minutesWhat is measured? Your essay will be used by admission officers to assess your writing skills。

The exercise is not scored by SSAT, but a copy of your essay is forwarded to each school you request as a score recipient.Directions：Read the following topic carefully。

Take a few minutes to think about the topic and organize your thoughts before you begin writing. Use the scratch paper and pen provided. Be sure that your handwriting is legible and that you stay within the lines and margins.Sample Topic：It is better to be safe than sorry。

Assignment：Do you agree or disagree with the topic statement?Support your position with one or two specific examples from personal experience，the experience of others，current events，history, or literature.Multiple—choice TestEach question is followed by five answer choices. After you have selected your answer，find the row on the answer sheet numbered the same as the question, and fill in the circle with the same letter as your answer。

SSAT阅读真题及答案解析免费下载1、When you want to hang the American flag over the middle of a street, suspend it vertically with the blue field, called the union, to the north and east-west street. When the flag is displayed with another banner from crossed staffs, the American flag is on the right. Place the staff of the American flag in front of the other staff. Raise the flag quickly and lower it slowly and respectfully. When flying the flag at half-mast, hoist it to the top of the pole for a moment before lowering it to mid-pole. When flying the American flag with banners from states or cities, raise the nation's banner first and lower it last. Never allow the flag to touch the ground.What is the main idea of this passage?A. The American flag is the symbol of American freedom.B. The American flag has fifty stars.C. Placing the American flag inappropriately will draw government intervention.D. American flag should be flown differently in certain situations.","The flag should be lowered quickly and respectfully.2、. What if someone told you about a kind of grass that grows as tall as the tallest trees? A grass that can be made as strong as steel? A grass from which houses, furniture, boats, and hundreds of other useful things can be made? A grass that you would even enjoy eating? Would you believe that person? You should, for that grass is bamboo, the “wood” of 1,001 uses.Bamboo may look like wood, but it is part of the family of plants that includes wheat, oats, and barley. It is a kind of grass. This grass is not just a material for making useful products. Young bamboo is eaten, often mixed with other vegetables, in many Asian foods.Bamboo grows in many parts of the world. In the United States it grows in an area from Virginia west to Indiana and south to Florida, Louisiana, and Texas. Most bamboo, however, is found in warm, wet climates, especially in Asia and on the islandsof the South Pacific Ocean.In most Asian countries, bamboo is nearly as important as rice. Many Asians live in bamboo houses. They sit on bamboo chairs and sleep on bamboo mats. They fence their land with bamboo and use the wood for cages for chickens and pigs.Bamboo is used to build large buildings as well as homes. When it is glued in layers, it becomes as strong as steel. On some islands in the South Pacific, bamboo is even used for water pipes. This extraordinary material has many other uses. It is used to make musical instruments, such as flutes and recorders. Paper made from bamboo has been highly prized by artists for thousands of years.Bamboo is light and strong, and it bends without breaking. It is cheap, floats on water, almost never wears out, and is easy to grow. Nothing else on earth grows quite so fast as bamboo. At times you can even see it grow! Botanists have recorded growths of more than three feet in just twenty-four hours! Bamboo is hollow and has a strong root system that almost never stops growing and spreading. In fact, only after it flowers, an event that may happen only once every thirty years, will bamboo die.There are more than a thousand kinds of bamboo. The smallest is only three inches tall and one-tenth of an inch across. The largest reaches more than two hundred feet in height and seven inches in diameter. No wonder, then, that the lives of nearly half the people on earth would change enormously if there were no longer any bamboo. No wonder, too, that to many people bamboo is a symbol of happiness and good fortune.。

SECTION 240 QuestionsRead 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.In the early 19th century, scientists’ understan ding of the laws of gravity predicted certain orbits for each of the planets. In general, the seven planets known at that time observedthese predicted orbits. However, there was an exception: Uranus, at the far outer reaches of thesolar system, refused to behave as predicted. The strange orbit of Uranus posed a problem for Line 5 scientists. Some thought that the effect of the sun’s gravity changed at such extreme distances.Others were convinced that there had been some error: Uranus was actually behaving asexpected, and astronomers must have botched their observations. But there was a third theory:that some as-yet-undiscovered object in the outer solar system was disturbing the orbit ofUranus. Convinced of this theory, at least two scientists— John Adams Couch and 10Urbain Jean-Joseph Le Verrier— worked separately to calculate the position of such an object.By 1846, they had calculated the mass, orbit, and position of the object, using only theirknowledge of gravity and observations of the Uranus’s o rbit. With their calculations,astronomers were able to locate the object, and in 1846, the planet Neptune was discovered.1.Why did the orbit of Uranus pose aproblem for early 19th century scientists?(A)Uranus’s orbit differed from thepredictions made by scientificmodels.(B)Uranus’s orbit would make spacetravel significantly more difficultin the future.(C)Scientists were unable to makeaccurate observations ofUranus’s orbit.(D)Uranus was often blockingscientists’ view of other planets inthe outer solar system.(E)Scientists were concerned thatUranus might break free of its orbit,posing a threat to Earth. 2.The author’s main purpose in this passageis to(A)illustrate the laws of gravitation(B)specify the orbits of the planets inour solar system(C)describe Uranus's sizeand composition(D)explain how Uranus’s orbit ledto Neptune’s discovery(E)argue that math is a fundamental toolin science3.According to the passage, John AdamsCouch and Urbain Jean-Joseph LeVerrier believed that(A)the laws of gravitationwere inaccurate(B)astronomers had made incorrectmeasurements of Uranus’s orbit(C)Uranus’s orbit was being affectedby an unknown object(D)the sun’s gravity behaved differentlyat the edges of the solar system(E)Uranus’s orbit was not as irregularas Neptune’s orbit4.Based on the context of the passage,“botched” (line 7) most nearly means(A)added together(B)messed up(C)changed suddenly(D)distantly orbited(E)predicted from evidence 5.After the discovery of Neptune, scientistswere aware of how many planets in total in our solar system?(A)6(B)7(C)8(D)9(E)10“What will you have, dear Frog?" said she. "My dresses, my pearls and jewels, or the golden crown which I wear?"The Frog answered, "Dresses, or jewels, or golden crowns are not for me; but if you will love me, and let me be your companion and playfellow, and sit at your table, and eat from your Line 5 little golden plate,and drink from your cup, and sleep in your little bed,—if you will promise me all these, then will I dive down and fetch up your golden ball.""Oh, I will promise you all," said she, "if you will only get me my ball." But she thought to herself, "What is the silly Frog chattering about? Let him remain in the water with his equals; he cannot mix in society." But the Frog, as soon as he had received her promise, drew his head10under the water and dived down. Presently he swam up again with the ball in his mouth, and threw it on the grass. The King's daughter was full of joy when she again saw her beautiful plaything; and, taking it up, she ran off immediately. "Stop! stop!" cried the Frog. "Take me with you. I cannot run as you can." But all his croaking was useless; although it was loud enough, the King's daughter did not hear it, but, hastening home, soon forgot the poor Frog, who was obliged 15 to leap back into the fountain.6.In lines 1-2, the princess offered clothingand jewelry to the frog because(A)she felt bad that the frog had to liveoutside(B)she wanted to trade her old things fora new toy(C)she was a kind and generous princess(D)she wanted the frog to retrieveher lost toy(E)she wanted the frog to be hernew friend7.What best explains why the princessdidn’t stay to play with the frog?(A)She forgot about her promise to playwith the frog.(B)She probably meant to come backfor the frog later.(C)She didn’t understand what thefrog wanted.(D)She had never intended to keep herpromise to the frog.(E)She had already told the frog that shewouldn’t be his playmate 8.The princess’s actions could bestbe described as(A)evil(B)deceitful(C)menacing(D)unlikely(E)virtuous9.Based on the context of the passage,what is the most likely meaning of “hastening” (line 14)?(A)going quickly(B)ignoring someone(C)playing loudly(D)sneaking quietly(E)hopping joyfullyClothing swapping has become an increasingly popular way for people to give away undesired items from their wardrobes and get something fresh in return. Enthusiasts in the Washington area and beyond have attracted hundreds of new participants to their events in recent months, using social media to spread the word. Swappers say the events are anLine 5 opportunity to stay fashionable on a budget, and to be charitable and environmentally friendly at the same time.One of the area's most popular clothing swap groups drew a record crowd to its latest gathering at a high school in Springfield, Virginia on April 20. About 300 participants came to the cafeteria of the West Springfield High School to lay out gently used shirts, pants, dresses, and 10 other items they no longer wanted. In return, they could take home almost anything they liked.Student volunteer Pat Moore loved the concept. "I brought five shirts and got two nice pairs of boots,” Moore said. “They were new, not even used!"A resident of the nearby Virginia suburb of Alexandria, Daphne Steinberg, said she wasattracted by the prospect of finding something special. "I love that I can outfit myself for work, 15have a good time doing it, and save money,” Steinberg explained.10.According to the passage, the benefitsof clothing swaps includeI.saving moneyII. raising money for local charitiesIII. making new friends(A)I only(B)I and II only(C)I and III only(D)II and III only(E)I, II, and III11.The author’s main purpose in this passageis to(A)offer some opinions on workplacefashion(B)highlight the benefits of a newsocial trend(C)offer a critique of the modernfashion industry(D)discuss the impact of social mediaon shopping(E)compare clothing swaps inWashington with those in the rest ofthe county 12.According to the passage, the organizersof Washington-area clothing swaps used social media to(A)swap gently used clothing online(B)control who had access to theirevents(C)share information about whichbrands and types of clothing wouldbe available(D)raise awareness of their eventsand increase participation(E)ensure that participantswere following the rules13.Which of the following would be thebest title for this passage?(A)West Springfield High SchoolDraws Large Crowd(B)The Benefits of Promoting YourEvent with Social Media(C)Clothing Swapping: The Prosand Cons(D)Clothing Swapping BecomesPopular in the Washington Area(E)Washington-Area Shoppersare Desperate for High Fashion 14.This passage would most likely befound in(A)a diary(B)a newspaper(C)a novel(D)a biography(E)a letterOceans cover most of the Earth’s surface, and in their depths dwell most of the planet’s life.Yet to us creatures of the land, the ocean is alien and often hostile.Coral reefs dazzle us, with rich colors and complex ecosystems.Kelp forests are a thick, dizzying maze of life, in the midst of which it can be hard to tell up from down.Far out beyond the coast, waves tower over ships, and Line 5 whales and massive fish graze on microscopic plankton, extracting their sustenance from what appears to the naked eye to be nothing but water.And deep down, beyond the continental shelf, beyond the warming rays of the sun, lies a place that we call the abyssal plain.Here flat grey plains of ooze stretch over incredible distances, shrouded in darkness, fed by a constant rain of decaying matter from the seas above.At first glance, it might appear to be a 10dead, empty place, but in truth it teems with life.Most of the life in the abyssal plain is bacterial, but here and there are also corals, worms, and molluscs.There are fish, too, like the tripod fish which uses long thin fins to perch on top of the ooze, or the anglerfish which uses a glowing rod-like appendage to lure prey into its hungry jaws.And there must be much more than we yetknow. Although this vast biome covers more than half of the entire surface of the planet, it’s one 15of the most poorly explored places on Earth, or even nearby:more people have been to space than have been to the abyssal plain.15.The author’s attitude toward theocean could best be described as(A)fascinated(B)affectionate(C)dubious(D)ominous(E)indifferent16.According to the passage, the “abyssalplain” (line 7) most likely refers to(A)the shallow ocean water nearthe coasts(B)a flat, dark region of the ocean floor(C)the zone of the ocean with theleast life(D)an area mostly inhabited bycoral reefs(E)the place where we are most likely todiscover alien life 17.The author lists which of the followinganimals as examples of life in the abyssal plain?I.fishII.whalesIII. mollusks(A)I only(B)II only(C)I and II only(D)I and III only(E)I, II, and III18.When the author says “more peoplehave been to space than have been to theabyssal plain” (lines15-16), she issuggesting that(A)it is less expensive to go to space thanto the deep ocean(B)going to the ocean floor is moredangerous than going to space(C)we have too many astronauts(D)we’re likely to find new life inspace before we find new life in thedeep ocean(E)there is a lot left to discover in thedeep ocean19.Which sentence best summarizes theauthor’s main idea in this passage?(A)Plankton are an essential part ofocean food chains, even in thedeepest areas.(B)We should invest more in exploringthe ocean than in exploring space.(C)The ocean is a strange and wonderfulplace and is not yet fully explored.(D)We don’t know very muchabout space or the ocean.(E)The abyssal plain is the best partof the ocean. 20.The author suggests that life in the oceanis(A)fragile, rare, and very sensitiveto human activity(B)abundant, even in what seemlike harsh environments(C)usually very large, even sometimesas large as ships(D)very dangerous to humans(E)strange and terrifying, but usuallyharmlessIn the spring, the garden came alive again.But it did not burst suddenly into life, as it had in some years:it did not explode into green, and white, and pink, as grass and leaves and blossoms sprung forth from their long winter’s slumber all at once.It was as though even th e plants could sense the absence of their mistress, and they crawled reluctantly from their winter Line 5 beds.Some of the trees remained naked late into the season, and the flowering bulbs put forth weak and scrawny shoots.There was a late frost, and some of the plants died.Mr. Emerson thought about replacing them, but it seemed an awful bother.The garden had always been for Mrs. Emerson’s pleasure, and in her absence it was not maintained.The plants that died that year were not replaced, and the weeds that grew in their 10place were not removed.In time, the garden was a garden no more.It was a wild place, and the concrete cherubs which had once seemed to frolic and play amidst the flowers began to seem like frightened children hiding beneath the vines, lost among the weeds and thorns.Vines twisted over the gate. The lock rusted and, when Mr. Emerson died and the house was sold, it had to be broken before anyone else could enter.21.According to the passage, the gardenwas not maintained because(A)Mrs. Emerson was no longer there toenjoy it(B)Mr. Emerson had alwayssecretly disliked the garden(C)the house had been sold(D)the gate was rusted shut and noone could get in(E)pulling weeds is an awful bother22.The mood of the passage could best bedescribed as(A)critical(B)lively(C)somber(D)scary(E)uplifting 23.When the author says “the garden was agarden no more” (line 10), he mostlikely means that(A)once the house was sold, thespace was used for something else(B)snow had covered the garden so noneof the plants could be seen(C)Mr. Emerson had removed all ofthe plants from the garden(D)the domestic plants had died andbeen replaced by wild weeds(E)nothing grew that year in the garden,so it was empty of all wildlife24.Based on the context of the passage,the “cherubs” (line 11) are most likely(A)types of flowers(B)child-like statues(C)wild animals(D)the garden walls(E)the Emersons’ daughters25.What would be the best title for thispassage?(A)The Neglected Garden(B)Mr s. Emerson’s Cherubs(C)The Old Emerson House(D)The Importance of Maintenance(E)The Hazards of a Late FrostAll cultures have their peculiar rituals, and the United States is no exception. Each year, shortly before the Thanksgiving holiday, the President is presented with two plump, farm-raised turkeys. Each turkey is named, and one is trotted out before reporters and publicly “pardoned.”Then, both are shipped off to live out their lives in a petting zoo.Line 5 This has not always been the case: originally, a turkey was presented to serve as the presidential dinner. President Kennedy was the first president known to have spared his Thanksgiving t urkey, in 1963. In 1987, President Reagan joked about “pardoning” a turkey named Charlie, although there was no actual pardoning ceremony. It was President George H.W. Bush who presided over the first official turkey pardoning two years later. Since that ceremony,10the practice has been followed annually by every U.S. President, and has become an American tradition.26.The main subject of this passage is(A)the difference between PresidentsKennedy and Bush(B)turkey farming practices(C)what Presidents eat for Thanksgiving(D)the President’s legal right to pardon(E)an unusual Presidential tradition27.According to the passage, when wasthe first turkey officially pardoned byan American President?(A)1963(B)1965(C)1985(D)1987(E)198928.The best title for the passage would be(A)How Petting Zoos Get Their Animals(B)Begging Your Pardon: The Storyof Charlie the Turkey(C)A Brief History of PresidentialTurkey Pardoning(D)The First Vegetarian Thanksgiving(E)Gobbledygook:How Turkeys Gotthe Vote! 29.According to the passage, how werePresidential Thanksgivings differentbefore Presidents began pardoningturkeys?(A)Presidents had to buy theirown turkeys.(B)The turkeys given to Presidents wereeaten for Thanksgiving dinner.(C)Most turkeys were allowed to livewithout a pardoning ceremony.(D)The turkeys at PresidentialThanksgivings were wild instead offarm-raised.(E)Petting zoos did not have any turkeys.30.What can be inferred from the reactionto President R eagan’s joke about“pardoning” a turkey in 1987?(A)It was the first step in aPresidential campaign to recognizethe rights of poultry.(B)Most people thought the joke was inpoor taste, and insisted on a moresolemn official pardoning to makeup for it.(C)President Bush must have enjoyed it,because he pardoned his own turkeytwo years later.(D)Few people heard the joke, so it hadto be repeated two years later.(E)It was just a scheme to getpetting zoos to accept turkeys.GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE.“Oh!” John exclaimed.“It’s deeper than it looks!”John had thought that he would be able to stand in the water and simply bend down to fetch the gem— but the bottom was farther down than it looked, and so John had to dive.He took a deep breath and started towards the shining stone, hand outstretched, sure that he would soon grasp his prize.Line 5 But the bottom was not so near:deeper and deeper he swam, and though the stone always appeared to be just beyond his reach, never did he seem to come any closer.He dove down and down, deeper and deeper, thinking only of the gem—but soon he began to feel that he must surface for a breath or he would surely drown, and so he turned about to head back. But oh!How far away did the surface appear!How could it be that he had swum so deep?The pond that had 10seemed not much more than a wet little hole now appeared as an ocean, and all on top of poor John!31.Based on the context of the passage, Johnoriginally wanted to get into the waterbecause(A)he wanted to get out of the heat andgo for a swim(B)he didn’t know how deep the waterwould be, and could only tell bygetting in(C)he wanted to pick up a gem thathe saw in the water(D)he was trying to get away fromsomeone(E)The passage doesn’t contain anyclues about why John wanted to getin the water.32.According to lines 7-8, why did Johndecide to swim back to the surface?(A)He finally reached the gem thathe was diving for.(B)He knew that he couldn’t holdhis breath much longer.(C)The water was so dark that hecould no longer see.(D)He wasn’t getting any closer, sohe just gave up.(E)The water was too cold. 33.The tone of the second paragraph couldbest be described as(A)tense(B)curious(C)sarcastic(D)relaxed(E)humorous34.Which of the following statements bestmatches the main idea of the story?(A)Honesty is important, but so isknowing when not to speak.(B)Strong desires can sometimesblind people to danger.(C)If you don’t learn to swim whenyou’re young, you’ll regret itwhen you’re older.(D)The most carefully made plans canbe ruined by unexpected events.(E)Even small boxes can contain bigsurprises.GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE.In 18th century France, the masses of the people suffered greatly, and ate poorly. The main staple of the common diet was bread. Although about half of the paltry income of the regular French citizen was dedicated to acquiring this simple commodity, shortages still occurred, compounding the suffering of the poor. But while the common people suffered in the Line 5 streets, the privileged classes, cloistered away in opulent mansions, ate and drank luxuriously in their private worlds of wealth and pleasure.Upo n hearing of the agonies of the people, that they had “no bread to eat,” Marie Antoinette, Dauphin of France, is reputed to have replied, “Let them eat cake!” The utterance acquired a great symbolic importance in the aftermath of the French Revolution, when10historians used it to illustrate the ignorance and indifference of the upper classes to the suffering of the poor. The story expressed the feelings of the people, and spoke clearly and powerfully to the sentiment of the time. It is an excellent tale, but it does have one minor flaw: it almost certainly is not true.It is, at the very least, a misattribution, but very likely a total fabrication. It appeared first 15in “Confessions,” the autobiography of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, attributed only to a “great p rincess.” Rousseau’s “Confessions” was not noted for its reliability, and even if we take the taleto be true, it would almost certainly have been written while Marie Antoinette was still only asmall child.Alas: a good story’s survival rarely rests on whether or not it actually happened. This tale 20has survived the Dauphin as one of the most widely acknowledged “facts” of her life, and it is likely to persist, marching down into history, bearing with it the spirit of an age— and followed always by a cho rus of historical pedants, chanting persistently, “But of course, it isn’t true.”35.According to the passage, the poorcitizens of 18th century France facedwhich of the following problems involving bread?(A)Bakeries went out of businessbecause the poor had no moneyto buy bread.(B)There were shortages of bread,even though people spent much oftheir money on it.(C)People didn’t like eating bread all thetime, and craved something different.(D)The poor were angry that they hadbeen forced to eat cake as a substitutefor bread.(E)People weren’t willing to payoutrageous bread prices anddemanded cheaper alternatives. 36.Based on the context of the passage,the word “Dauphin” (line 8) most likelymeans(A)a type of French royalty(B)an ignorant person(C)someone who enjoys cake(D)a member of the French lower class(E)a type of dolphinGO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE.37.The author’s main purpose in this passageis to(A)tell a story about the daring featsof French revolutionaries(B)disprove a popular historical story(C)persuade the reader that MarieAntoinette was actually a kind andgenerous person(D)criticize the works of Jean-Jacques Rousseau(E)reveal that the French Revolutionwas a fraud38.According to the passage, why did peopletend to believe the story about MarieAntoinette?(A)Historians did not discover untilmuch later that the source wasunreliable.(B)The story confirmed what people feltabout the rich at that time.(C)It was the sort of thing MarieAntoinette was often known to say.(D)Only true stories last through history,so it was safe to assume it wasreliable.(E)When people don’t have enough to eat,they will believe almost anything.39.Which of the following does the authoroffer as a reason not to believe the storyabout Marie Antoinette?(A)During her lifetime, the peoplehad enough to eat.(B)The story reflected the sentiment ofthe times.(C)Rousseau’s autobiography is nota credible source.(D)The story was originally aboutmythical beings.(E)Marie Antoinette never actually metJean-Jacques Rousseau.40.According to the passage, good stories(A)must be true, or they’re merely myths(B)should always be checked againstthe facts(C)are usually fictional, butsometimes become facts(D)must have a villain, even if one hasto be made up(E)often persist whether or not theyare trueSTOPIF YOU FINISH BEFORE TIME IS CALLED,YOU MAY CHECK YOUR WORK ON THIS SECTION ONLY. DO NOT TURN TO ANY OTHER SECTION IN THE TEST.。

Reading:In the sixteenth century, an age of great marine and terrestrial exploration, Ferdinand Magellan led the first expedition to sail around the world. As a young Portuguese noble, he served the king of Portugal, but he became involved in the quagmire of political intrigue at court and lost the king's favor. After he was dismissed from service to the king of Portugal, he offered to serve the future Emperor Charles V of Spain.A papal decree of 1493 had assigned all land in the New World west of 50 degrees W longitude to Spain and all the land east of that line to Portugal. Magellan offered to prove that the East Indies fell under Spanish authority. On September 20, 1519, Magellan set sail from Spain with five ships. More than a year later, one of these ships was exploring the topography of South America in search of a water route across the continent. This ship sank, but the remaining four ships searched along the southern peninsula of South America. Finally they found the passage they sought near a latitude of 50 degrees S. Magellan named this passage the Strait of All Saints, but today we know it as the Strait of Magellan.One ship deserted while in this passage and returned to Spain, so fewer sailors were privileged to gaze at that first panorama of the Pacific Ocean. Those who remained crossed the meridian we now call the International Date Line in the early spring of 1521 after ninety-eight days on the Pacific Ocean. During those long days at sea, many of Magellan's men died of starvation and disease.Later Magellan became involved in an insular conflict in the Philippines and was killed in a tribal battle. Only one ship and seventeen sailors under the command of the Basque navigator Elcano survived to complete the westward journey to Spain and thus prove once and for all that the world is round, with no precipice at the edge.1.The sixteenth century was an age of great ___exploration.A. cosmicB. landC. mentalD. common manE. none of the above2. Magellan lost the favor of the king of Portugal when he became involved in a political ___.A. entanglementB. discussionC. negotiationD. problemsE. none of the above3.The Pope divided New World lands between Spain and Portugal according to their location on one side or the other of an imaginary geographical line 50 degrees west of Greenwich that extends in a ___ direction.4.A. north and south5.B. crosswise6.C. easterly7.D. south east8.E. north and west9.4. One of Magellan's ships explored the ___ of South America for a passage across the continent.10.A. coastline11.B. mountain range12.C. physical features13.D. islands14.E. none of the above15.5.Four of the ships sought a passage along a southern ___.6.A. coast7.B. inland8.C. body of land with water on three sides9.D. border10.E. answer not available11.12.The passage was found near 50 degrees S of ___.13.A. Greenwich14.B. The equator15.C. Spain16.D. Portugal17.E. Madrid18.7. In the spring of 1521, the ships crossed the ___ now called the International Date Line.A. imaginary circle passing through the polesB. Imaginary line parallel to the equatorC. areaD. land massE. answer not found in articleKey:Charlies A. Lindbergh is remembered as the first person to make a nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic, in 1927. This feat, when Lindbergh was only twenty-five years old, assured him a lifetime of fame and public attention. Charles Augustus Lindbergh was more interested in flying airplanes than he was in studying. He dropped out of the University of Wisconsin after two years to earn a living performing daredevil airplane stunts at country fairs. Two years later, he joined the United States Army so that he could go to the Army Air Service flight-training school. After completing his training, he was hired to fly mail between St. Louis and Chicago. Then came the historic flight across the Atlantic. In 1919, a New York City hotel owner offered a prize of $25,000 to the first pilot to fly nonstop from New York to Paris. Nine St. Louis business leaders helped pay for the plane Lindbergh designed especially for the flight. Lindbergh tested the plane by flying it from San Diego to New York, with an overnight stop in St. Louis. The flight took only 20 hours and 21 minutes, a transcontinental record. Nine days later, on May 20,1927, Lindbergh took off from Long Island, New York, at 7:52 A. M. He landed at Paris on May 21 at 10:21 P. M. He hadflown more than 3,600 miles in less than thirty four hours. His flight made news around the world. He was given awards and parades everywhere he went. He was presented with the U. S. Congressional Medal of Honor and the first Distinguished Flying Cross. For a long time, Lindbergh toured the world as a U. S. goodwill ambassador. He met his future wife, Anne Morrow, in Mexico, where her father was the United States ambassador. During the 1930s, Charles and Anne Lindbergh worked for various airline companies, charting new commercial air routes. In 1931, for a major airline, they charted a new route from the east coast of the United States to the Orient. The shortest, most efficient route was a great curve across Canada, over Alaska, and down to China and Japan. Most pilots familiar with the Arctic did not believe that such a route was possible. The Lindberghs took on the task of proving that it was. They arranged for fuel and supplies to be set out along the route. On July 29, they took off from Long Island in a specially equipped small seaplane. They flew by day and each night landed on a lake or a river and camped. Near Nome, Alaska, they had their first serious emergency. Out of daylight and nearly out of fuel, they were forced down in a small ocean inlet. In the next morning´s light, they discovered they had landed on barely three feet of water. On September 19, after two more emergency landings and numerous close calls, they landed in China with the maps for a safe airline passenger route. Even while actively engaged as a pioneering flier, Lindbergh was also working as an engineer. In 1935, he and Dr. Alexis Carrel were given a patent for an artificial heart. During World War I in the 1940s, Lindbergh served as a civilian technical advisor in aviation. Although he was a civilian, he flew over fifty combat missions in the Pacific. In the 1950s, Lindbergh helped design the famous 747 jet airliner. In the late 1960s, he spoke widely on conservation issues. He died August 1974, having lived through aviation history from the time of the first powered flight to the first steps on the moon and having influenced a big part of that history himself.1. What did Lindbergh do before he crossed the Atlantic?A. He charted a route to China.B. He graduated from flight-training school.C. He married Anne Morrow.D. He acted as a technical advisor during World War II.E. He was responsible for the fuel supply for planes.2. What happened immediately after Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic?A. He flew the mail between St. Louis and Chicago.B. He left college.C. He attended the Army flight-training school.D. He was given the Congressional Medal of Honor.E. He married Anne Morrow.3. When did Charles meet Anne Morrow?A. before he took off from Long IslandB. after he worked for an airlineC. before he was forced down in an ocean inletD. after he received the first Distinguished Flying CrossE. when visiting his parents4. When did the Lindberghs map an air route to China?A. before they worked for an airlineB. before Charles worked with Dr. CarrelC. after World War IID. while designing the 747E. when he was thirty5. What event happened last?A. Lindbergh patented an artificial heart.B. The Lindberghs mapped a route to the Orient.C. Lindbergh helped design the 747 airline.D. Lindbergh flew fifty combat missions.E. Charles finally was given an honorary degree from college.Key:Many great inventions are greeted with ridicule and disbelief. The invention of the airplane was no exception. Although many people who heard about the first powered flight on December 17,1903, were excited and impressed, others reacted with peals of laughter. The idea of flying an aircraft was repulsive to some people. Such people called Wilbur and Orville Wright, the inventors of the first flying machine, impulsive fools. Negative reactions, however, did not stop the Wrights. Impelled by their desire to succeed, they continued their experiments in aviation.Orville and Wilbur Wright had always had a compelling interest in aeronautics and mechanics. As young boys they earned money by making and selling kites and mechanical toys. Later, they designed a newspaper-folding machine, built a printing press, and operated a bicycle-repair shop. In 1896, when they read about the death of Otto Lilienthal, the brother´s interest in flight grew into a compulsion.Lilienthal, a pioneer in hang-gliding, had controlled his gliders by shifting his body in the desired direction. This idea was repellent to the Wright brothers, however, and they searched for more efficient methods to control the balance of airborne vehicles. In 1900 and 1901, the Wrights tested numerous gliders and developed control techniques. The brothers´inability to obtain enough lift power for the gliders almost led them to abandon their efforts.After further study, the Wright brothers concluded that the published tables of air pressure on curved surfaces must be wrong. They set up a wind tunnel and began a series of experiments with model wings. Because of their efforts, the old tables were repealed in time and replaced by the first reliable figures for air pressure on curved surfaces. This work, in turn, made it possible for them to design a machine that would fly. In 1903 the Wrights built their first airplane, which cost less than one thousand dollars. They even designed and built their own source of propulsion- a lightweight gasoline engine. When they started the engine on December 17, the airplane pulsated wildly before taking off. The plane managed to stay aloft for twelve seconds, however, and it flew one hundred twenty feet.By 1905 the Wrights had perfected the first airplane that could turn, circle, and remain airborne for half an hour at a time. Others had flown in balloons or in hang gliders, but the Wright brothers were the first to build a full-size machine that could fly under its own power. As the contributors of one of the most outstanding engineering achievements in history, the Wrightbrothers are accurately called the fathers of aviation.1.The idea of flying an aircraft was ___to some people.A. boringB. distastefulC. excitingD. needlessE. answer not available2. People thought that the Wright brothers had ____.A. acted without thinkingB. been negatively influencedC. been too cautiousD. had not given enough thoughtE. acted in a negative way3. The Wright´s interest in flight grew into a ____.A. financial empireB. planC. need to actD. foolish thoughtE. answer not in article4. Lilenthal´s idea about controlling airborne vehicles was ___the Wrights.A. proven wrong byB. opposite to the ideas ofC. disliked byD. accepted byE. opposed by5. The old tables were __ and replaced by the first reliable figures for air pressure on curved surfaces.A. destroyedB. canceledC. multipliedD. discardedE. not used6. The Wrights designed and built their own source of ____.A. force for moving forwardB. force for turning aroundC. turningD. force to going backwardE. none of the above Key:Writing:Topic: Great minds think alike.Assignment: Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Supports your answers with specific examples from your life, current events, history, books you read or movies you have seen?。