SSAT MIDDLE LEVEL TEST 1.docx

1、SSAT MIDDLE LEVEL TEST 1SECTION 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 understanding of the laws of gravity predict

2、ed certain orbits for each of the planets. In general, the seven planets known at that time observed these predicted orbits. However, there was an exception: Uranus, at the far outer reaches of the solar system, refused to behave as predicted. The strange orbit of Uranus posed a problem forLine 5 sc

3、ientists. Some thought that the effect of the suns gravity changed at such extreme distances. Others were convinced that there had been some error: Uranus was actually behaving as expected, and astronomers must have botched their observations. But there was a third theory: that some as-yet-undiscove

4、red object in the outer solar system was disturbing the orbit of Uranus. Convinced of this theory, at least two scientists John Adams Couch and10Urbain 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

5、the object, using only their knowledge of gravity and observations of the Uranuss orbit. 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 a problem for early 19th century scientists?(A)Uranuss orbit

6、 differed from the predictions made by scientific models.(B)Uranuss orbit would make space travel significantly more difficult in the future.(C)Scientists were unable to make accurate observations of Uranuss orbit.(D)Uranus was often blocking scientists view of other planets in the outer solar syste

7、m.(E)Scientists were concerned that Uranus might break free of its orbit, posing a threat to Earth.2.The authors main purpose in this passage is to(A)illustrate the laws of gravitation(B)specify the orbits of the planets in our solar system(C)describe Uranuss size and composition(D)explain how Uranu

8、ss orbit led to Neptunes discovery(E)argue that math is a fundamental tool in scienceGO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE. SSAT MIDDLE LEVEL TEST 1 | 133.According to the passage, John Adams Couch and Urbain Jean-Joseph Le Verrier believed that(A)the laws of gravitation were inaccurate(B)astronomers had made inco

9、rrect measurements of Uranuss orbit(C)Uranuss orbit was being affected by an unknown object(D)the suns gravity behaved differently at the edges of the solar system(E)Uranuss orbit was not as irregular as Neptunes orbit4.Based on the context of the passage, “botched” (line 7) most nearly means(A)adde

10、d together(B)messed up(C)changed suddenly(D)distantly orbited(E)predicted from evidence5.After the discovery of Neptune, scientists were aware of how many planets in total in our solar system?(A)6(B)7(C)8(D)9(E)10GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE.SSAT MIDDLE LEVEL TEST 1 | 14“What will you have, dear Frog? sai

11、d 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

12、your cup, and sleep in your little bed,if you will promise meall 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

13、 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 Kings daughter was full of joy when she again saw her beautiful plaything; and

14、, 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, theKings daughter did not hear it, but, hastening home, soon forgot the poor Frog, who was obliged 15 to leap back into the f

15、ountain.6.In lines 1-2, the princess offered clothing and jewelry to the frog because(A)she felt bad that the frog had to live outside(B)she wanted to trade her old things for a new toy(C)she was a kind and generous princess(D)she wanted the frog to retrieve her lost toy(E)she wanted the frog to be

16、her new friend7.What best explains why the princess didnt stay to play with the frog?(A)She forgot about her promise to play with the frog.(B)She probably meant to come back for the frog later.(C)She didnt understand what the frog wanted.(D)She had never intended to keep her promise to the frog.(E)S

17、he had already told the frog that she wouldnt be his playmate8.The princesss actions could best be 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)pla

18、ying loudly(D)sneaking quietly(E)hopping joyfullyGO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE. SSAT MIDDLE LEVEL TEST 1 | 15Clothing 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

19、 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 areas most popular clo

20、thing 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, and10 other items they no longer wanted. In return, the

21、y could take home almost anything they liked. Student volunteer Pat Moore loved the concept. I brought five shirts and got two nicepairs of boots,” Moore said. “They were new, not even used!A resident of the nearby Virginia suburb of Alexandria, Daphne Steinberg, said she was attracted by the prospe

22、ct of finding something special. I love that I can outfit myself for work,15 have a good time doing it, and save money,” Steinberg explained.10.According to the passage, the benefits of clothing swaps includeI.saving moneyII. raising money for local charities III. making new friends(A)I only(B)I and

23、 II only(C)I and III only(D)II and III only(E)I, II, and III11.The authors main purpose in this passage is to(A)offer some opinions on workplace fashion(B)highlight the benefits of a new social trend(C)offer a critique of the modern fashion industry(D)discuss the impact of social media on shopping(E

24、)compare clothing swaps in Washington with those in the rest of the county12.According to the passage, the organizers of Washington-area clothing swaps used social media to(A)swap gently used clothing online(B)control who had access to their events(C)share information about which brands and types of

25、 clothing would be available(D)raise awareness of their events and increase participation(E)ensure that participants were following the rulesGO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE. SSAT MIDDLE LEVEL TEST 1 | 1613.Which of the following would be the best title for this passage?(A)West Springfield High School Draws L

26、arge Crowd(B)The Benefits of Promoting Your Event with Social Media(C)Clothing Swapping: The Pros and Cons(D)Clothing Swapping Becomes Popular in the Washington Area(E)Washington-Area Shoppers are Desperate for High Fashion14.This passage would most likely be found in(A)a diary(B)a newspaper(C)a nov

27、el(D)a biography(E)a letterGO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE.SSAT MIDDLE LEVEL TEST 1 | 17Oceans cover most of the Earths surface, and in their depths dwell most of the planets life.Yet to us creatures of the land, the ocean is alien and often hostile.Coral reefs dazzle us, with rich colors and complex ecosyst

28、ems.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, andLine 5 whales and massive fish graze on microscopic plankton, extracting their sustenance from what appears to the naked eye to be nothi

29、ng 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 glan

30、ce, it might appear to be a10dead, 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 anglerfi

31、sh 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, its one15of the most poorly explored places on Earth, or even nearby:more people have been to

32、space than have been to the abyssal plain.15.The authors attitude toward the ocean could best be described as(A)fascinated(B)affectionate(C)dubious(D)ominous(E)indifferent16.According to the passage, the “abyssal plain” (line 7) most likely refers to(A)the shallow ocean water near the coasts(B)a flat, dark region of the ocean floor