SSAT阅读考试精选材料分享
SSAT阅读 Posttest 7
Posttest SevenPassage 1UFO enthusiasts often attempt to prove the existence of aliens. They show fuzzy photos of floating white cigars and point to oddities in the way the world works as proof that "we are not alone." They also point Line to the mysterious Anasazi culture. The Anasazi, historians say, were an ancient Native American tribe located near the desert area we now call Area 51 that suddenly began experiencing a huge cultural revolution. Some people attribute such miraculous cultural growth to a decision to farm beans, but others prefer to give credit to assistance to friendly aliens.Now, alien fans can add some weight to their argument that aliens exist-from the writings of Washington Irving. Irving (1783-1859) wrote the first fiction works in the colonial America. Among other things, Irving wrote about the history of New York and mythological stories; he also wrote satires, a powerful tool given the fledgling nation's political turmoil. However, he is best known for his stories, like "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Tales of a Traveler."Of Irving's ouvre, it is Irving's "Rip Van Winkle" to which UFO fans should direct their attention, for the argument has been made that Van Winkle's twenty-year sleep is actually a case of alien abduction. As odd as this sounds, the case deserves some investigation.1. What is the function of paragraph two?(A) to hook the reader's attention so that s/he will continue reading(B) to move the discussion from the introduction to the highlight of the article(C) to give a detailed argument that "Rip Van Winkle" describes a UFO abduction(D) to tell biographical information about Washington Irving(E) to tell the story of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"2. Which of the following events happened around the time of Irving's lifetime?(A) the Civil War(B) the Vietnam War(C) World War Ⅰ(D) the American Revolution(E) World War Ⅱ3. Which of the following inferences can be made about the Anasazi?(A) The beans probably gave them additional energy and cultural stability(B) They lived near New England.(C) They all disappeared mysteriously.(D) They sacrificed children to the aliens.(E) They migrated freely until the 1980s.4. According to the article, for which of his writings was Irving famous?(A) "Tale of a Tub"(B) "Old Mother Hubbard"(C) "The Headless Horseman"(D) "Rip Van Winkle"(E) "The Life of Washington"5. Which of the following best describes the author's tone?(A) rude but informative(B) knowledgeable but playful(C) Conceited but angry(D) Skeptical but pious(E) Sarcastic but rigorous6. The author's main purpose in writing this piece is ________.(A) to embarrass Washington Irving's successors(B) to get the reader interested in reading mythology(C) to bring to light a little-known theory about Irving's work(D) to argue that aliens do not exist(E) to refute the argument that George Washington believed in alien life.Passage 2In the 1980s, theaters presented a new animated film called Anastasia. It told the story of a young, poverty-stricken Russian girl who comes to find out that she is the long-lost Princess Anastasia, daughter of Czar Nicholas II. By the end of the movie, she ascends her throne as a benevolent ruler. But fans of that movie must face an unpleasant truth: Either the writers got it all wrong, or they intentionally ignored history. On July 17, 1918, Anastasia, along with the rest of her family, was murdered before she reached the age of 18; there were no survivors. And although the film correctly targets Rasputin as a disreputable villain, it nevertheless caricatures his character and his ambitions.It's time to set the record straight.Rasputin, born Grigory Yefimovisc Novykh, was born in Siberia in 1872. He came from poverty-stricken, illiterate people, and he soon earned for himself a bad reputation for his wild lifestyle; indeed, his nickname "Rasputin" means debauched. For a time, Rasputin studied at a monastery, but he came to believe that the only means of salvation came through indulging one's appetites. He then became a wandering, self-proclaimed holy man, and he traveled extensively, even into Greece and Jerusalem. Upon his return to Russia, Rasputin traveled to St. Petersburg. There he met Czar Nicholas II and his family. Unbelievably, despite his salacious lifestyle and his distaste for bathing, Rasputin ingratiated himself with the Czarina. For whatever reason, Rasputin proved repeatedly that he could comfort the crown prince Alexis, who was afflicted with hemophilia.Naturally, his close relationship with the ruling family threw a sour taste into the mouths of the Russian nobility. They eventually plotted against Rasputin with the goal of engineering his death. On December 29, 1916, a nobleman invited Rasputin to his home for drinks and conversation. There, he poisoned Rasputin's drink and waited for him to die. Rasputin proved stronger than anticipated, and so the noble and his friends tried to shoot him instead. Again, Rasputin clung to life. Finally, the nobles had to drag him down to the river and drown him.Rasputin had his drawbacks. He was selfish. He was corrupt. He was politically ambitious. However, he does not deserve to be represented as he is in Anastasia.7. The author's intent in writing this passage is ________.(A) to further confound the information people have about Anastasia and her family(B) to desecrate Rasputin's reputation(C) to praise the film Anastasia for its historical accuracy(D) to restore a little dignity to a powerful historical figure(E) to talk about Czar Nicholas Ⅱand his family8. When were Anastasia and her family murdered?(A) 1872(B) 1890(C) 1916(D) 1918(E) 19299. What did Rasputin consider himself?(A) a politician(B) a holy man(C) a czar(D) a noble(E) a spy10. Who, according to the article, had hemophilia?(A) Anastasia(B) the czar(C) the czarina(D) The crown prince(E) Rasputin11. The author writes this passage with________.(A) humility(B) fear(C) anxiety(D) serenity(E) outragePassage 3Turning and turning in the widening gyreThe falcon cannot hear the falconer;Things fall apart; the center cannot hold;Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhereThe ceremony of innocence is drowned;The best lack all conviction, while the worstAre full of passionate intensity ...—William Butler Yeats (1920)12. Which of the following events take place in this poem?(A) The volcanoes are beginning to explode.(B) The falcon cannot hear the falconer.(C) The animals cannot find their way home.(D) The people cannot see the sun.(E) The tidal wave dashes the shore to pieces.13. What is let loose upon the world?(A) the blood-dimmed tide(B) the widening gyre(C) the falconer(D) the ceremony of innocence(E) mere anarchy14. What cannot hold?(A) the moon(B) the tide(C) the center(D) the world(E) the worst15. This poem tries to express the ________.(A) fine skill of falconry(B) understandable injustice of death(C) great joy about life(D) deep pessimism about the world(E) appreciation for anarchy as a political system16. Why do you think that the author uses words like "blood-dimmed," "anarchy," and "drowned innocence"?(A) to give a happy tone to the poem(B) to give a sad tone to the poem(C) to give a menacing tone to the poem(D) to give a light-hearted tone to the poem(E) to give a proud tone to the poemPassage 4Scattered across the United States are countless statues of men on horseback. You can find them in.cemeteries, in parks, and outside public service buildings. Normally, these statues depict men in uniform Line sitting astride horses. The main difference among these statues are the position the horses hold; they rear back on their hind legs with both hooves in the air, or hold one hoof aloft, or plant all four hooves firmly on the ground.Legend has it that you can look at statues of men on horseback, anywhere in the United States, and know how they died. If the rider sits atop a horse with one hoof held up, then that person was wounded in battle and later died of his wounds. If the horse rears back on both hind legs, then that person died in battle. And if thehorse stands on all four hooves, the rider died of natural causes.Unfortunately, this story is a load of horse manure. It's pretty to think that all sculptors adhered to this rule, but they did not. A simple scan across the horse-and-rider statues will prove this point. In fact, the lore generally is true only for Civil War battlefields.17. You are in a graveyard located in Los Alamos, New Mexico. You see many statues of men on horseback. One in particular catches your attention; it is made of bronze, and the man sits astride a horse reared back on both hind legs. You infer that ________.(A) this man died in battle(B) this man was wounded in battle and later died(C) this man died of natural causes(D) this man was a public servant(E) this man liked horses18. In what sort of publication would you likely find this article?(A) a science text(B) an almanac(C) a book of trivia(D) a history book(E) a comic book19. The best title for this passage would be ________.(A) Urban Legends Explained(B) Ripley's Believe It or Not(C) Secrets of Civil War Battlegrounds(D) The Story of the Civil War(E) The Art of Making Statues20. The author's tone can be described as ________.(A) heavyhanded(B) mathematical(C) dour(D) lighthearted(E) loquaciousPassage 5It has been said that "History is written by the winners," and to a certain extent this statement is true. If nothing else, history has a very selective memory. As we study the events of World War II, stories continue to surface. Some of these are happy; others are sad. Still others are merely intriguing.One such story is that of Vasili Zeitsev, who fought for the Russian army against the invading Germans. Zeitsev, a deer hunter from the Urals, became a hero for his marksmanship; in one ten-day period, lie shot 40 Germans. He was so good a shot, and so demoralizing for German soldiers, that the Germans shipped in their own sharpshooter, Colonel Heinz Thornwald, for the express purpose of killing Zeitsev. Unfortunately for Thornwald, Zeitsev proved the better soldier. Thorn Wald, after attempting a shot, stuckup his head for a quick look around; Zeitsev took the advantage and eliminated Thornwald. By the end of the war, Zeitsev alone defeated 242 Germans before he was blinded by a land mine.Anyone interested in Zeitsev's story can watch the recent film Enemy at the Gates, starring Joseph Fiennes, Jude Law, and Ed Harris. Even though some details have been changed, for example the inclusion of a love triangle, the movie is quite exciting and informative.21. How many Germans did Zeitsev kill?(A) 142(B) 242(C) 342(D) 442(E) 54222. What does the phrase "History is written by the winners" mean?(A) The losers, because of their suffering, are more interesting to listen to.(B) The soldiers, because of their sacrifice, are ignored.(C) The winners, because they are now more powerful, can control information flow.(D) The generals, because of their military skill, can remain silent.(E) The artists, because of their skill, will listen to the soldiers.23. What ended Zeitsev's career?(A) He stepped on a land mine and blew himself up.(B) He went deaf after standing too near a tank when it fired its shot.(C) He drowned in the attack on Normandy.(D) He was blinded by a land mine.(E) He was paralyzed when the cavalry stampeded his tent.24. Zeitsev was _________.(A) American(B) French(C) German(D) neutral(E) Russian25. The author intended ________.(A) to anger the reader(B) to relate an interesting historical tidbit(C) to plug the movie Enemy at the Gates(D) to praise the Germans(E) to document the story of Heinz Thornwald26. What can we infer from Thornwald's defeat?(A) If Thornwald had aimed to the left, Zeitsev would be dead.(B) If Zeitsev had been more careful about checking his shot, Thornwald would be alive.(C) If Thornwald had not eaten 15 minutes before making his shot, Zeitsev would be alive.(D) If Thornwald had not joined the German army, Zeitsev would not have joined the Russian army.(E) If Thornwald had been more careful about checking to see whether he hit, Zeitsev might not have gotten a shot.27. Because of his great aim, which of the following jobs was Zeitsev assigned?(A) sniper(B) radio man(C) gunner(D) pilot(E) cookPassage 6Anyone who has lived in the United States for any length of time has seen, or heard of, graffiti. Graffiti is the scrawled artwork that defaces public buildings, street signs, and roadways. The subjects depicted by Line graffiti artists range widely; sometimes the graffiti is just gang names and logos, other times it is the artist's name. Sometimes the graffiti is vaguely attractive, but more often than not, it is just a mass of obscene words.Linguists will tell you that the term graffiti comes from the Italian word graffito, which means to scratch. Artists will tell you that the art form (They call it an art form!) dates back to the dawn of humanity; even the cave men used graffiti on their cave walls, and don't forget the caricature of Jesus on the Domus Gelotiana in Rome, now on display in a museum.These modern, politically correct yahoos would have you believe the garbage we see scrawled on sidewalks and mailboxes every day is somehow contributing to our quality of life. By ridding ourselves of these "urban artworks," they say, we are discriminating against those whose artistic ideals are different from ours.Well, I say, our ideals are different-and theirs are wrong. Art does not deface property. Art is not vulgar. Art is not commercialism for gangland activities. And I urge you to join my opinion.28. From what language does the word graffiti come?(A) English(B) Russian(C) Italian(D) Latin(E) Hebrew29. In what context are you likely to find this kind of writing?(A) the headlines(B) the opinions/editorial page(C) the gossip columns(D) the sports page(E) the real estate section30. Which position does the author likely endorse?(A) The city should set aside funding for grants to graffiti artists so they can continue their work.(B) The Museum of Modern Art should consider having a showcase for graffiti art.(C) Young children should be allowed to express their artistic impulses on sidewalks and school buildings.(D) Urban artists should create their own wrapping paper design.(E) Graffiti artists should receive jail sentences.31. In what place does this author likely live?(A) a rural town in Mississippi(B) a village in eastern Kentucky(C) New York City(D) the seaside in Florida(E) a resort in Alaska32. With what emotion does the author write?(A) satisfaction(B) joy(C) fear(D) exasperation(E) sorrowPassage 7Students study the theory of communism in school. They know that it was created and popularized by Marx and Engels. They know that it advocates putting the state's needs above the individual's needs. They Line know many of the Russian leaders-like Stalin, Khrushchev, and Gorbachev. They also know that, to many people's way of thinking, communism is a failed philosophy; if nothing else, it has proven that people are too selfish, to conform to a system based on altruism.What they may not realize is that, in the late 1890s, many great European and American thinkers adamantly advocated communism. This was a time during which one could see class division taking place. At that time, people generally fit into one of two categories; either they were rich, or striving to be rich, or they were dirt poor. The poor desired to be rich, and the rich had no desire to come into any contact with the poor. Communism offered a way out for the poor at the expense of the wealthy; classlessness offered a hopeful future for many.Take, for example, British author H. G. Wells. Wells, one of the first science fiction writers, wrote The Time Machine with the tenets of communism firmly in mind. The Time Machine warns about what will happen if society continues to split into two factions--the rich and the poverty-stricken. The book shows the poverty-stricken class finally rising up and taking revenge upon the rich. By contrast, Wells argues, communism, with its classless society, offers a much more hopeful future.Another writer who favored communism was American author John Steinbeck. In his The Grapes of Wrath, for example, he sets up a story in which poverty-stricken folk are offered a dream-the American Dream-that will never come true for them. Steinbeck holds capitalism accountable for the poverty and despair that exists in the world. He does this by depicting the horrible events that befall the Joad family on their way to find work in California. Bankers take over their farm. Their car breaks down, and salesmen try to gyp them out of their cash. The Joads can't find work in California because there is always someone willing to work at a lower wage. All of these traumas, Steinbeck insinuates, will come true under capitalism.Steinbeck offers only one harmonious event for the Joads; a camp that runs on the principles of communism.33. According to the passage, what text did John Steinbeck write?(A) Marx and Engels(B) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn(C) The Time Machine(D) Communism: The Way to Go(E) The Grapes of Wrath34. Which statement outlines the organization of these four paragraphs?(A) An introduction and an example with two opposite claims.(B) A conclusion, two supporting paragraphs, and an introduction.(C) An introduction, a claim, and two supporting paragraph-long examples.(D) Two claims with a supporting example(E) An introduction, two supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion.35. We can infer from the passage that the author ________.(A) is neutral(B) is a communist(C) is a capitalist(D) is a novelist(E) is poor36. The author sets out to ________.(A) argue that communism is an evil theory(B) give an explanation as to why people once took a great interest in communism(C) advocate a return to communism(D) recommend some good books to read(E) eradicate capitalism from the worldPassage 8If you are a fan of such shows as Days of Our Lives or Passions, you are enjoying a dramatic tradition over a thousand years old. Any fan of a soap opera knows that certain trademark characters will be a part of Line the show, whether or not you want them to be. Every soap opera has a naive, innocent character (usually female) who runs into trouble with an evil, conniving, manipulative character (also usually female) who has set her sights on the innocent character's boyfriend. Every soap opera, additionally, has an earnest young man who, because he is in love with the naive, innocent character, finds himself in conflict with a calculating, boastful man. These recurring character types are modern versions of archetypes created by corn media dell'arte.Commedia dell'arte evolved from the standards set by Roman comedies that became particularly popular during the Renaissance. Roman comedy had become highly formalized, and it used six main types of characters around whom the story unfolded. These characters included the Sweet Young Thing (a naive, innocent, young female character), the Miles Gloriosus (the superficially bold but secretly cowardlysoldier), the Old Man (who takes a highly inappropriate interest in the Sweet Young Thing), the Old Woman (usually a nurse or chaperone of the Sweet Young Thing), the Brave Young Man (who eventually weds the Sweet Young Thing), and the Clever Slave (who comically but cleverly aids the Brave Young Man and the Sweet Young Thing in their attempts to escape the evil clutches of the Old Man).Commedia dell'arte adopted these main characters, in particular the Clever Slave (often called the zanni) and the Brave Young Man and the Sweet Young Thing (also called The Lovers or Harlequin and Columbine) and expanded their number. Eventually, a typical commedia dell'arte company consisted of 10 or 12 actors, each specializing in one or two character types, who ad-libbed performances. Over time, people grew tired of these stereotypical characters, and drama turned to more realistic depictions of human traumas. Nevertheless, remnants of commedia dell'arte exist-such as those in modern soap operas, as we shall see as we analyze some modern day examples.37. The author wants to make the point that ________.(A) soap operas are a complete waste of time(B) commedia dell'arte is a modern art form(C) Days of our Lives is the best soap opera on TV(D) old things can sometimes be recreated in new ways(E) commedia dell'arte was a highly scripted art form38. The character in commedia dell'arte who is ________. a secret coward is the(A) Sweet Young Thing(B) Miles Gloriosus(C) Clever Slave(D) Old Man(E) Brave Young Man39. What is the purpose of paragraph one?(A) to tell about the commedia dell'arte(B) to discuss the latest plot developments of Days of Our Lives(C) to talk about specific commedia dell'arte characters(D) to engage the reader's attention(E) to waste the reader's time40. What is the name of the pair of lovers in commedia dell'arte?(A) Romeo and Juliet(B) Abbot and Costello(C) Punch and Judy(D) Betty and Veronica(E) Harlequin and Columbine。
SSAT阅读真题资料
ＳＳＡＴ阅读真题阅读（一)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.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答案：1. B2. A3. A4. C5.C,6 B 7A阅读（二)Marie Curie was one of the most accomplished scientists in history. Together with her husband, Pierre, she discovered radium, an element widely used for treating cancer, and studied uranium and other radioactive substances. Pierre and Marie's amicable collaboration later helped to unlock the secrets of the atom.Marie was born in 1867 in Warsaw, Poland, where her father was a professor of physics. At the early age, she displayed a brilliant mind and a blithe personality. Her great exuberance for learning prompted her to continue with her studies after high school. She became disgruntled, however, when she learned that the university in Warsaw was closed to women. Determined to receive a higher education, she defiantly left Poland and in 1891 entered the Sorbonne, a French university, where she earned her master's degree and doctorate in physics.Marie was fortunate to have studied at the Sorbonne with some of the greatest scientists of her day, one of whom was Pierre Curie. Marie and Pierre were married in 1895 and spent many productive years working together in the physics laboratory. A short time after they discovered radium, Pierre was killed by a horse-drawn wagon in 1906. Marie was stunned by this horrible misfortune and endured heartbreaking anguish. Despondently she recalled their close relationship and the joy that they had shared in scientific research. The fact that she had two young daughters to raise by herself greatly increased her distress.Curie's feeling of desolation finally began to fade when she was asked to succeed her husband as a physics professor at the Sorbonne. She was the first woman to be given a professorship at theworld-famous university. In 1911 she received the Nobel Prize in chemistry for isolating radium. Although Marie Curie eventually suffered a fatal illness from her long exposure to radium, she never became disillusioned about her work. Regardless of the consequences, she had dedicated herself to science and to revealing the mysteries of the physical world.8．The Curies' ____ collaboration helped to unlock the secrets of the atom.A. friendlyB. competitiveC. courteousD. industriousE. chemistry9. Marie had a bright mind and a __personality.A. strongB. lightheartedC. humorousD. strangeE. envious10. When she learned that she could not attend the university in Warsaw, she felt___.A. hopelessB. annoyedC. depressedD. worriedE. none of the above11. Marie ___ by leaving Poland and traveling to France to enter the Sorbonne.A. challenged authorityB. showed intelligenceC. behavedD. was distressedE. answer not available in article12. _____she remembered their joy together.A. DejectedlyB. WorriedC. TearfullyD. HappilyE. Sorrowfully13. Her ____ began to fade when she returned to the Sorbonne to succeed her husband.A. misfortuneB. angerC. wretchednessD. disappointmentE. ambition14. Even though she became fatally ill from working with radium, Marie Curie was never ____.A. troubledB. worriedC. disappointedD. sorrowfulE. disturbed(二)答案9. B 10. B 11. A 12. A 13. C 14. C阅读（三) Questions 15-19.Mount Vesuvius, a volcano located between the ancient Italian cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, has received much attention because of its frequent and destructive eruptions. The most famous of these eruptions occurred in A. D. 79.The volcano had been inactive for centuries. There was little warning of the coming eruption, although one account unearthed by archaeologists says that a hard rain and a strong wind had disturbed the celestial calm during the preceding night. Early the next morning, the volcano poured a huge river of molten rock down upon Herculaneum, completely burying the city and filling in the harbor with coagulated lava.Meanwhile, on the other side of the mountain, cinders, stone and ash rained down on Pompeii. Sparks from the burning ash ignited the combustible rooftops quickly. Large portions of the city were destroyed in the conflagration. Fire, however, was not the only cause of destruction. Poisonous sulphuric gases saturated the air. These heavy gases were not buoyant in the atmosphere and therefore sank toward the earth and suffocated people.Over the years, excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum have revealed a great deal about the behavior of the volcano. By analyzing data, much as a zoologist dissects a specimen animal, scientist haveconcluded that the eruption changed large portions of the area's geography. For instance, it turned the Sarno River from its course and raised the level of the beach along the Bay of Naples. Meteorologists studying these events have also concluded that Vesuvius caused a huge tidal wave that affected the world's climate.In addition to making these investigations, archaeologists have been able to study the skeletons of victims by using distilled water to wash away the volcanic ash. By strengthening the brittle bones with acrylic paint, scientists have been able to examine the skeletons and draw conclusions about the diet and habits of the residents. Finally, the excavations at both Pompeii and Herculaneum have yielded many examples of classical art, such as jewelry made of bronze, which is an alloy of copper and tin.The eruption of Mount Vesuvius and its tragic consequences have provided us with a wealth of data about the effects that volcanoes can have on the surrounding area. Today volcanologists can locate and predict eruptions, saving lives and preventing the destruction of cities and cultures.15.Herculaneum and its harbor were buried under ___lava.A. liquidB. solidC. flowingD. gasE. answer not available16. The poisonous gases were not ___ in the air.A. able to floatB. visibleC. able to evaporateD. invisibleE. able to condense17. Scientists analyzed data about Vesuvius in the same way that a zoologist ___ a specimen.A. describes in detailB. studies by cutting apartC. photographsD. chartE. answer not available18. ____have concluded that the volcanic eruption caused a tidal wave.A. Scientist who study oceansB. Scientist who study atmospheric conditionsC. Scientist who study ashD. Scientist who study animal behaviorE. Answer not available in article19. Scientist have used ___water to wash away volcanic ash from the skeletons of victims.A. bottledB. volcanicC. purifiedD. seaE. fountain（三）答案15. B 16. A 17. B 18. B 19. C阅读（四) 20. Questions 20-24.Conflict had existed between Spain and England since the 1570s. England wanted a share of the wealth that Spain had been taking from the lands it had claimed in the Americas.Elizabeth I, Queen of England, encouraged her staunch admiral of the navy, Sir Francis Drake, to raid Spanish ships and towns. Though these raids were on a small scale, Drake achieved dramatic success, adding gold and silver to England's treasury and diminishing Spain's omnipotence.Religious differences also caused conflict between the two countries. Whereas Spain was Roman Catholic, most of England had become Protestant. King Philip II of Spain wanted to claim the throne and make England a Catholic country again. To satisfy his ambition and also to retaliate against England's theft of his gold and silver, King Philip began to build his fleet of warships, the Armada, in January 1586.Philip intended his fleet to be indestructible. In addition to building new warships, he marshaled one hundred and thirty sailing vessels of all types and recruited more than nineteen thousand robust soldiers and eight thousand sailors. Although some of his ships lacked guns and others lacked ammunition, Philip was convinced that his Armada could withstand any battle with England.The martial Armada set sail from Lisbon, Portugal, on May 9,1588, but bad weather forced it back to port. The voyage resumed on July 22 after the weather became more stable.The Spanish fleet met the smaller, faster, and more maneuverable English ships in battle off the coast of Plymouth, England, first on July 31 and again on August 2. The two battles left Spain vulnerable, having lost several ships and with its ammunition depleted. On August 7, while the Armada lay at anchor on the French side of the Strait of Dover, England sent eight burning ships into the midst of the Spanish fleet to set it on fire. Blocked on one side, the Spanish ships could only drift away, their crews in panic and disorder. Before the Armada could regroup, the English attacked again on August 8.Although the Spaniards made a valiant effort to fight back, the fleet suffered extensive damage. During the eight hours of battle, the Armada drifted perilously close to the rocky coastline. At the moment when it seemed that the Spanish ships would be driven onto the English shore, the wind shifted, and the Armada drifted out into the North Sea. The Spaniards recognized the superiority of the English fleet and returned home, defeated.20.Sir Francis Drake added wealth to the treasury and diminished Spain's ____.A. unlimited powerB. unrestricted growthC. territoryD. treatiesE. answer not available in article21. Philip recruited many ___soldiers and sailors.A. warlikeB. strongC. accomplishedD. timidE. non experienced22. The ____ Armada set sail on May 9, 1588.A. completeB. warlikeC. independentD. isolatedE. answer not available23. The two battles left the Spanish fleet ____.A. open to changeB. triumphantC. open to attackD. defeatedE. discouraged24. The Armada was ___ on one side.A. closed offB. damagedC. aloneD. circledE. answer not available in this article（四）答案20. A 21. B 22. B 23. C 24. A（五) 25. Questions 25-29.The victory of the small Greek democracy of Athens over the mighty Persian empire in 490 B. C. is one of the most famous events in history. Darius, king of the Persian empire, was furious because Athens had interceded for the other Greek city-states in revolt against Persian domination. In anger the king sent an enormous army to defeat Athens. He thought it would take drastic steps to pacify the rebellious part of the empire. Persia was ruled by one man.In Athens, however, all citizens helped to rule. Ennobled by this participation, Athenians were prepared to die for their city-state. Perhaps this was the secret of the remarkable victory at Marathon, which freed them from Persian rule. On their way to Marathon, the Persians tried to fool some Greek city-states by claiming to have come in peace. The frightened citizens of Delos refused to believe this. Not wanting to abet the conquest of Greece, they fled from their city and did not return until the Persians had left. They were wise, for the Persians next conquered the city of Etria and captured its people.Tiny Athens stood alone against Persia. The Athenian people went to their sanctuaries. There they prayed for deliverance. They asked their gods to expedite their victory. The Athenians refurbished their weapons and moved to the plain of Marathon, where their little band would meet the Persians. At the last moment, soldiers from Plataea reinforced the Athenian troops.The Athenian army attacked, and Greek citizens fought bravely. The power of the mighty Persians was offset by the love that the Athenians had for their city. Athenians defeated the Persians in archery and hand combat. Greek soldiers seized Persian ships and burned them, and the Persians fled in terror. Herodotus, a famous historian, reports that 6400 Persians died, compared with only 192 Athenians.25 Athens had ____the other Greek city-states against the Persians.A. refused help toB. intervened on behalf ofC. wanted to fightD. given orders for all to fightE. defeated26. Darius took drastic steps to ___ the rebellious Athenians.A. weakenB. destroyC. calmD. placateE. answer not available27. Their participation___to the Athenians.A. gave comfortB. gave honorC. gave strengthD. gave fearE. gave hope28. The people of Delos did not want to ___ the conquest of Greece.A. endB. encourageC. think aboutD. daydream aboutE. answer not available29. The Athenians were ___by some soldiers who arrived from Plataea.A. welcomedB. strengthenedC. heldD. capturedE. answer not available（五）答案23. C 24. A 25. B 26. C 27. B 28. B 29. B（六）30. Questions 30-32.The Trojan War is one of the most famous wars in history. It is well known for the ten-year duration, for the heroism of a number of legendary characters, and for the Trojan horse. What may not be familiar, however, is the story of how the war began.According to Greek myth, the strife between the Trojans and the Greeks started at the wedding of Peleus, King of Thessaly, and Thetis, a sea nymph. All of the gods and goddesses had been invited to the wedding celebration in Troy except Eris, goddesses of discord. She had been omitted from the guest list because her presence always embroiled mortals and immortals alike in conflict.To take revenge on those who had slighted her, Eris decided to cause a skirmish. Into the middle of the banquet hall, she threw a golden apple marked or the most beautiful.?All of the goddesses began to haggle over who should possess it. The gods and goddesses reached a stalemate when the choice was narrowed to Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite. Someone was needed to settle the controversy by picking a winner. The job eventually fell to Paris, son of King Priam of Troy, who was said to be a good judge of beauty.Paris did not have an easy job. Each goddess, eager to win the golden apple, tried aggressively to bribe him.揑'll grant you vast kingdoms to rule, ?promised Hera. ast kingdoms are nothing in comparison with my gift,?contradicted Athena. hoose me and I'll see that you win victory and fame in war.?Aphrodite outdid her adversaries, however. She won the golden apple by offering Helen, Zeus' daughter and the most beautiful mortal, to Paris. Paris, anxious to claim Helen, set off for Sparta in Greece.Although Paris learned that Helen was married, he accepted the hospitality of her husband, King Menelasu of Sparta, anyway. Therefore, Menelaus was outraged for a number of reasons when Paris departed, taking Helen and much of the king's wealth back to Troy. Menelaus collected his loyal forces and set sail for Troy to begin the war to reclaim Helen.30 Eris was known for ___both mortals and immortals.A. scheming againstB. involving in conflictC. feeling hostile towardD. ignoringE. comforting31. Each goddess tried ___to bribe Paris. A. boldly B. effectively C. secretly D. carefully E. answer not stated32. Athena ___ Hera, promising Paris victory and fame in war.A. denied the statement ofB. defeatedC. agreed withD. restated the statementE. questioned the statement（六）答案30. B 31. A 32. A阅读（七）One of the most intriguing stories of the Russian Revolution concerns the identity of Anastasia, the youngest daughter of Czar Nicholas II. During his reign over Russia, the Czar had planned to revoke many of the harsh laws established by previous czars. Some workers and peasants, however, clamored for more rapid social reform. In 1918 a group of these people, known as Bolsheviks, overthrew the government. On July 17 or 18, they murdered the Czar and what was thought to be his entire family.Although witnesses vouched that all the members of the Czar's 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 Czar's 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 Czar's family.Eight years later, though, she claimed that she was Anastasia. She said that 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.33 Some Russian peasants and workers___for social reform. A. longed B. cried out C. begged D. hopedE. thought much34. Witnesses ___ that all members of the Czar's family had been executed.A. gave assuranceB. thoughtC. hopedD. convinced someE. answer not stated35. Tschaikovsky ____any connection with the Czar's family.A. deniedB. stoppedC. notedD. justifiedE. answer not stated36. She was unable to ___the aid of her relative. A. locate B. speak about C. call upon D. identify E. know37. In court she ___ maintaining that she was Anastasia and deserved her inheritance.A. finally appearedB. spoke forcefullyC. testifiedD. gave evidenceE. answer not stated（七）答案：32. A 33. B 34. A 35. A 36. C 37. B八) 38. Questions 38-39.King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette ruled France from 1774 to 1789, a time when the country was fighting bankruptcy. The royal couple did not let France's insecure financial situation limit their immoderate spending, however. Even though the minister of finance repeatedly warned the king and queen against wasting money, they continued to spend great fortunes on their personal pleasure. This lavish spending greatly enraged the people of France. They felt that the royal couple bought its luxurious lifestyle at the poor people's expense.Marie Antoinette, the beautiful but exceedingly impractical queen, seemed uncaring about her subjects; misery. While French citizens begged for lower taxes, the queen embellished her palace with extravagant works of art. She also surrounded herself with artists, writers, and musicians, who encouraged the queen to spend money even more profusely.While the queen's favorites glutted themselves on huge feasts at the royal table, many people in France were starving. The French government taxed the citizens outrageously. These high taxes paid for the entertainments the queen and her court so enjoyed. When the minister of finance tried to stop these royal spendthrifts, the queen replaced him. The intense hatred that the people felt for Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette kept building until it led to the French Revolution. During this time of struggle and violence (1789-1799), thousands of aristocrats, as well as the king and queen themselves, lost their lives at the guillotine. Perhaps if Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette had reined in their extravagant spending, the events that rocked France would not have occurred.38.The people surrounding the queen encouraged her to spend money ____.A. wiselyB. abundantlyC. carefullyD. foolishlyE. joyfully39. The minister of finance tried to curb these royal ___.A. aristocratsB. money wastersC. enemiesD. individualsE. spender （八）答案：38. B 39. B。
ssat阅读真题测试附带答案
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。
适合托福中级的阅读材料
适合托福中级的阅读材料标题：探索古埃及的神秘之旅段落一：古埃及的历史背景古埃及是世界上最古老的文明之一，它的历史可以追溯到公元前3100年左右。
这个古老的文明以其壮丽的金字塔、神秘的法老墓和庞大的神庙而闻名于世。
古埃及是一个高度宗教化的社会，人们崇拜众多的神灵，并相信死后有来世。
在这个神秘而令人着迷的国度中，有许多仍然未解之谜等待我们去揭开。
段落二：金字塔与法老墓古埃及的金字塔是世界上最著名的建筑之一。
这些庞大的金字塔是为了埃及的法老而建造的，他们相信这些金字塔可以帮助他们在来世获得永恒的生命。
金字塔的建造需要大量的劳动力和精心的规划。
在金字塔中，人们可以发现法老的陪葬品和珍宝，这些宝藏提供了关于古埃及文化和宗教的重要线索。
段落三：庞大的神庙古埃及的神庙是一种宗教建筑，通常用于崇拜神灵和进行宗教仪式。
这些神庙建筑宏伟，富丽堂皇，充满了神秘的符号和壁画。
其中最著名的是卢克索神庙和卡纳克神庙，它们被认为是古埃及最重要的宗教中心之一。
在这些神庙中，人们可以欣赏到精美的雕刻和壁画，这些作品描绘了古埃及人民的生活、宗教仪式和神话故事。
段落四：古埃及的宗教与信仰古埃及人民崇拜众多的神灵，每个神灵都有自己的特定职责和领域。
他们相信神灵可以影响自然界和人类的命运。
古埃及人民还相信死后有来世，并通过葬礼仪式和陪葬品来确保在来世获得幸福和安全。
他们相信法老是神的化身，可以作为人类和神灵之间的联系。
段落五：解开古埃及之谜的挑战古埃及的文化和宗教仍然有许多未解之谜。
例如，古埃及金字塔是如何建造的？法老墓中的陪葬品和珍宝的含义是什么？古埃及人民的宗教仪式和信仰是如何影响他们的日常生活的？这些问题激发了考古学家和历史学家们的兴趣，并推动着他们不断探索和研究古埃及的神秘之旅。
结尾段落：探索古埃及的神秘之旅古埃及是一个神秘而令人着迷的国度，它的文化和宗教仍然深深影响着我们的世界。
通过探索古埃及的金字塔、法老墓和神庙，我们可以更好地理解古埃及人民的信仰和生活方式。
SSAT阅读真题(九)【小马过河】
点题班听写训练营全日制精英计划Charlies A.Lindbergh is remembered as the first person to make a nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic,in1927.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.In1919,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 only20hours and21minutes,a transcontinental record.Nine days later,on May20,1927,Lindbergh took off from Long Island,New York,at7:52A.M.He landed at Paris on May21at10:21P.M.He had flown more than3,600miles 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 the1930s,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 July29,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 September19,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 the1940s,Lindbergh served as a civilian technical advisor in aviation.Although he was a civilian, he flew over fifty combat missions in the Pacific.In the1950s,Lindbergh helped design the famous747jet airliner.In the late1960s,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.小马过河国际教育点题班听写训练营全日制精英计划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 the747E.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 the747airline.D.Lindbergh flew fifty combat missions.E.Charles finally was given an honorary degree from college.小马过河国际教育。
SSAT阅读基础训练题(一)
SSAT阅读基础训练题（一）小马过河为大家准备了“SSAT阅读基础训练题（一）”，供各位备考SSAT的考生们参考使用，来提高自己的托福成绩！免费咨询电话：400-0123-267In 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. 来源：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. 来源：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答案：1. (B)2. (A)3. (A)4. (C)5. (C)6. (B)7. (A)来源于：小马过河。
SSAT阅读真题
(D) Shiva is the most famous writer
talking about food justice.
(E) one of Shiva’s books stirs controversy. 4. In line 7, “practices” most nearly means (A) refrains (B) methods (C) clients (D) careers (E) exercises
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Upper Level
SSAT Practice Test 1 by Future Education
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方隅教育---SSAT 独家全真试题（阅读）
学校简介： 方隅教育是由原新东方首席培训师， 中国唯一 ETS 演讲学者陈学巍创 办的专注低龄化出国的留美学校，主要培训范围是 SSAT, 托福， SAT ， TOEFL JUNIOR 考试。 我们致力于为客户提供高端， 定制化的一对一和小班教学服务。通过长期对于学 员的陪伴和影响，我们希望提升学员的英语，逻辑能力，标准化考试分数，以及 帮助学员形成良好的学习习惯和严谨自律的性格。 公司理念：方隅的核心价值观是“Discipline and Excellence” （自律与卓越） 。我 们相信学习依靠的是智力， 也更多依靠科学体系和行为管理能力；而学习所提供 的，绝不只考试的成绩，更是一条成就更优秀自我的道路。 培训范围：SSAT 一对一，SSAT 保分，托福一对一，托福保分等。 SSAT 实力：业内独家官方题目，教学团队经验丰富，全体教师结合真题自编教 材。高频词汇总结成册，高频考点重点讲解，私人订制学习规划。真题预测命中 率高，学员平均成绩 2200+ SSAT 真题资源：独家真题获取渠道，官网原题 PDF，无后期处理，百分百还原 考试内容以及形式。30 套完整 SSAT 真题，市面最全，质量最高，保证全程真题 教学，绝不使用模拟题。刷题也用真题刷。
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 have been 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 skipping McDonald’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 you’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 must first recall the facts of the Icarus story. Icarus was the son of Deadalus, the most5brilliant thinker of his time. Deadalus had aided Ariadne in savingTheseus 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 Brueghel’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 by today'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. Rice’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 us 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 Tepes 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 give up 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 Sisyphus’ 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 knowledge that 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 according to 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。
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【SSAT阅读考试精选材料分享】
A Dream from Beyond
I was sound asleep. My grandfather appeared in a dream. He asked why I had never visited him and grandma at the cemetery. He said that even my mom hadn’t visited since October 4 (grandma’s birthday). He told me that, when I was young, I had walked out into a pond and slipped under water. He had rescued me. He said grandma was supposed to be watching me, but that she had gotten sick all of a sudden and was throwing up. It was probably the fresh blackberries they had picked and eaten earlier. Grandma had a bad stomach.
My parents were out on a boat in the pond. They did not know that grandpa had saved me until they got back to shore. I was in a towel and my clothes were drying on bushes. My brown and white Buster Brown shoes were also soaked. I was only three years old, grandpa said. My parents were angry at first, but when they saw that grandma was still feeling sick, they forgave her.
Grandpa told me that we had a picnic after that. The four of us ate some chicken, potato salad, and homemade cookies. We drank lemonade. Then grandpa took me for a walk in the woods (I sat on his shoulders). I saw some daisies, and we picked them. When we returned, I presented three daisies to mom and three to grandma, who was finally feeling better. Grandpa said to bring some daisies to the gravesite. Then I woke up.
The next day, I called my mom. “Do you remember me walking into the pond and grandpa rescuing me?”
“My God! Who told you about that?”
“You mean, it really happened?”
“Yes, but your father and I never told you about it because grandma swore
us to silence. Even though it wasn’t her fault, she felt that she had failed in her responsibility, and never wanted you to know about it. My goodness, that was so long ago. Who to ld you this?”
“Mom, did I go for a walk with grandpa and return with daisies for you and grandma?”
“Okay, I get it. You and your dad are playing some kind of prank. Okay, it’s very funny. Now, quit it.”
“This is no prank, mom. Grandpa told me this in a dream last night.”
“It still sounds like a prank.”
“No, I’m serious. He told me that grandma had a reaction to blackberries. He said I was wearing brown and white Buster Brown shoes. He said I gave you and grandma daisies.”
“Oh, my God. Your father would never remember all this. It must be Daddy! Did he say anything about visiting his gravesite?”
“Yes, that was his problem. He wanted me to visit them. He also said you had not visited since—”
“—Since mom’s birthday six years ago?”
“Well, not—”
“I’ve got to get over there right now!”
“Wait for me! I’m coming with you, and I’ve got to bring those daisies. Maybe we’d better start going every year, huh, mom?”
“Yes. There’s no telling what grandpa might tell you next time.”。