Practice Test 6 - SSAT Upper Level Reading

20 questions. Answer them in any order, then submit to see your score and every explanation.

Read the passage, then answer the question. In 1547, the young Ivan IV was crowned as the first ruler to take the title "Tsar of All Russia." He had become Grand Prince of Moscow as a child, but the formal coronation took place in Moscow's Cathedral of the Dormition. The ceremony emphasized both religious authority and political power. During Ivan's early reign, advisers helped him introduce reforms. In 1550, a revised law code strengthened central administration. Ivan also created a standing military force known as the streltsy. These soldiers were equipped with firearms and served as an important part of the tsar's army. Ivan's government expanded Russian territory. In 1552, Russian forces captured Kazan, and in 1556, they captured Astrakhan, gaining control along the Volga River. Later, Ivan's policies became harsher. In 1565, he established the oprichnina, a separate domain controlled directly by him and enforced by his personal agents. Ivan's reign lasted until 1584. Historians often note both his state-building efforts and the violence associated with parts of his rule. Question: What does the passage explicitly mention Ivan created as a standing military force?
What evidence most strongly supports the conclusion that classical music promotes plant growth?
What is the central idea of this passage?
Which of the following best summarizes the passage?
The author mentions the evidence of "healed head wounds" on skulls primarily to
Read the passage, then answer the question. In 1962, marine biologist Rachel Carson published Silent Spring, a book that examined the environmental effects of certain pesticides. Carson had worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and was known for earlier writings about the ocean. In Silent Spring, she described how chemicals such as DDT could accumulate in food chains and harm wildlife, including birds whose eggshells became dangerously thin. The book first appeared in serialized form in The New Yorker in the summer of 1962 and was released as a full volume later that year. Carson's writing combined scientific evidence with clear explanations intended for general readers. She also emphasized that the issue was not merely insects, but the broader consequences of widespread chemical use. Silent Spring drew intense public attention. Chemical companies criticized Carson's conclusions, while many scientists and citizens supported her call for stricter oversight. In 1963, Carson testified before a U.S. Senate subcommittee, urging careful evaluation of pesticide safety. Carson died on April 14, 1964, but her work continued to influence policy discussions. In the following years, the United States established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970. The EPA later banned most uses of DDT in the United States in 1972. Question: According to the passage, in what year was the Environmental Protection Agency established?
What is the maximum trunk diameter that redwood trees can develop?
The tone of this passage is:
What is the central idea of this passage?
Which of the following best summarizes the passage?
The author mentions that "psychopaths, despite having intact mirror neuron systems, show profound empathy deficits" in order to
What evidence does the author use to justify the argument that minimum-wage increases did not reduce employment?
What is the author's primary purpose in writing this passage?
In Charles Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities, the French Revolution is not treated as a distant history lesson; it is the pressure that exposes what characters value when order collapses. Dickens opens by presenting a world of extremes—wealth beside hunger, comfort beside desperation—suggesting that political violence does not appear from nowhere. The novel portrays resentment accumulating until it becomes a force that sweeps individuals into events larger than themselves.Against this backdrop, Dickens develops characters whose private choices carry moral weight. Charles Darnay attempts to separate himself from his aristocratic family's cruelty, while Sydney Carton begins as a man who wastes his talents and expects little from his life. Carton's transformation is central: he moves from cynicism to purposeful sacrifice, not because the world becomes kinder, but because he decides that one person's actions can still matter amid chaos.Dickens's plot alternates between London and Paris, using the two settings to compare relative stability with revolutionary upheaval. This structure also highlights the fragility of safety; characters who feel protected in one city can be endangered in the other. The revolution's courts and crowds are depicted with a tense energy that is both understandable and terrifying, reflecting Dickens's interest in how justice can be distorted into vengeance.By the end, the novel suggests that redemption is possible even when societies fail to be humane. Dickens does not deny the revolution's causes, but he warns that suffering can reproduce itself if compassion is replaced by spectacle and revenge. The story's enduring power lies in its insistence that moral courage remains meaningful, even in an age defined by turmoil. Which summary best reflects the content and tone of the passage?
Read the passage, then answer the question. In October 1929, the U.S. stock market experienced a dramatic collapse that became associated with the beginning of the Great Depression. Stock prices had risen for years, and many investors bought shares using borrowed money. In late October, confidence weakened, and selling increased. On Thursday, October 24, 1929, a day later called Black Thursday, heavy selling caused prices to fall quickly. Bankers and financial leaders attempted to stabilize the market by purchasing large blocks of stock. The following week, selling resumed. On Tuesday, October 29, 1929, known as Black Tuesday, panic selling intensified. Millions of shares were traded, and prices plunged again. Many investors lost substantial sums, and public trust in the market declined. The crash did not by itself cause all economic problems, but it worsened instability. In the early 1930s, bank failures and unemployment increased. Over time, the federal government introduced new financial regulations, including measures designed to reduce risky speculation. Question: The passage clearly states that Black Tuesday occurred on what date?
In this context, "acumen" most nearly means
In this context, "diffidence" most nearly means
Dr. Hartwell's distinction between 'visible aspects' and 'invisible complexities' suggests that successful wetland restoration requires:
What tone does the author establish?
The author's main purpose in this passage is to

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