Identifying Source or Genre - SSAT Middle Level: Reading
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What genre is most likely if a passage tells a traditional story explaining a natural event or belief?
What genre is most likely if a passage tells a traditional story explaining a natural event or belief?
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Myth. Traditional stories explaining natural phenomena or cultural beliefs often feature supernatural elements and origins in oral tradition.
Myth. Traditional stories explaining natural phenomena or cultural beliefs often feature supernatural elements and origins in oral tradition.
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What genre is most likely if a passage uses characters, setting, plot, and dialogue?
What genre is most likely if a passage uses characters, setting, plot, and dialogue?
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Fiction (narrative prose). These elements form the core structure of imaginative storytelling in prose, distinguishing it from factual or poetic genres.
Fiction (narrative prose). These elements form the core structure of imaginative storytelling in prose, distinguishing it from factual or poetic genres.
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What genre is most likely if a passage presents verifiable facts about a real topic or event?
What genre is most likely if a passage presents verifiable facts about a real topic or event?
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Nonfiction (informational text). Presenting verifiable facts about real topics or events indicates a focus on information rather than invention or persuasion.
Nonfiction (informational text). Presenting verifiable facts about real topics or events indicates a focus on information rather than invention or persuasion.
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What genre is most likely if a passage is written in lines with rhythm or figurative language?
What genre is most likely if a passage is written in lines with rhythm or figurative language?
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Poetry. Lines with rhythm or figurative language are characteristic of verse that emphasizes artistic expression over straightforward narrative.
Poetry. Lines with rhythm or figurative language are characteristic of verse that emphasizes artistic expression over straightforward narrative.
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What source is most likely if a passage has headings, step-by-step directions, and safety warnings?
What source is most likely if a passage has headings, step-by-step directions, and safety warnings?
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Instruction manual or how-to guide. Headings, step-by-step directions, and safety warnings provide practical guidance for tasks, typical of instructional materials.
Instruction manual or how-to guide. Headings, step-by-step directions, and safety warnings provide practical guidance for tasks, typical of instructional materials.
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What source is most likely if a passage includes a thesis, reasons, and evidence to persuade readers?
What source is most likely if a passage includes a thesis, reasons, and evidence to persuade readers?
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Argumentative essay or editorial. A thesis supported by reasons and evidence aims to convince readers, marking the persuasive nature of such writing.
Argumentative essay or editorial. A thesis supported by reasons and evidence aims to convince readers, marking the persuasive nature of such writing.
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What source is most likely if a passage reports recent events with a neutral, factual tone?
What source is most likely if a passage reports recent events with a neutral, factual tone?
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News article. Reporting recent events in a neutral, factual tone delivers timely information objectively, as seen in journalism.
News article. Reporting recent events in a neutral, factual tone delivers timely information objectively, as seen in journalism.
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What source is most likely if a passage uses first-person reflection and dates or daily entries?
What source is most likely if a passage uses first-person reflection and dates or daily entries?
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Diary or journal entry. First-person reflections with dates or daily entries convey personal thoughts and experiences in a chronological, intimate format.
Diary or journal entry. First-person reflections with dates or daily entries convey personal thoughts and experiences in a chronological, intimate format.
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What source is most likely if a passage is addressed to a recipient and includes a greeting and closing?
What source is most likely if a passage is addressed to a recipient and includes a greeting and closing?
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Letter or email. Addressing a recipient with a greeting and closing structures personal or professional communication in epistolary form.
Letter or email. Addressing a recipient with a greeting and closing structures personal or professional communication in epistolary form.
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What genre is most likely if a passage has character names followed by dialogue and stage directions?
What genre is most likely if a passage has character names followed by dialogue and stage directions?
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Drama (play script). Character names, dialogue, and stage directions format scripts intended for performance, differentiating from prose narratives.
Drama (play script). Character names, dialogue, and stage directions format scripts intended for performance, differentiating from prose narratives.
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What source is most likely if a passage describes a scientific study, methods, results, and conclusions?
What source is most likely if a passage describes a scientific study, methods, results, and conclusions?
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Scientific article or lab report. Describing methods, results, and conclusions from a study follows the systematic structure of scientific documentation.
Scientific article or lab report. Describing methods, results, and conclusions from a study follows the systematic structure of scientific documentation.
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What source is most likely if a passage defines terms, explains concepts, and uses an objective tone?
What source is most likely if a passage defines terms, explains concepts, and uses an objective tone?
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Textbook or encyclopedia entry. Defining terms and explaining concepts objectively educates readers on topics in an encyclopedic or pedagogical manner.
Textbook or encyclopedia entry. Defining terms and explaining concepts objectively educates readers on topics in an encyclopedic or pedagogical manner.
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What source is most likely if a passage focuses on a person’s life story with dates and achievements?
What source is most likely if a passage focuses on a person’s life story with dates and achievements?
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Biography. Focusing on a person's life with dates and achievements chronicles real events and accomplishments in a factual account.
Biography. Focusing on a person's life with dates and achievements chronicles real events and accomplishments in a factual account.
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What genre is most likely if a passage is a person’s life story written by the person themself?
What genre is most likely if a passage is a person’s life story written by the person themself?
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Autobiography or memoir. A first-person account of one's own life provides personal insights and reflections, unlike third-person biographies.
Autobiography or memoir. A first-person account of one's own life provides personal insights and reflections, unlike third-person biographies.
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What source is most likely if a passage compares products, gives ratings, and recommends a purchase?
What source is most likely if a passage compares products, gives ratings, and recommends a purchase?
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Review (product, book, or movie review). Comparing items, assigning ratings, and offering recommendations evaluates quality to guide consumer decisions.
Review (product, book, or movie review). Comparing items, assigning ratings, and offering recommendations evaluates quality to guide consumer decisions.
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What source is most likely if a passage uses slogans, persuasive language, and urges you to buy or join?
What source is most likely if a passage uses slogans, persuasive language, and urges you to buy or join?
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Advertisement. Slogans and persuasive language with calls to action promote products or ideas to influence behavior or choices.
Advertisement. Slogans and persuasive language with calls to action promote products or ideas to influence behavior or choices.
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What genre is most likely if a passage is a brief traditional story teaching a moral lesson?
What genre is most likely if a passage is a brief traditional story teaching a moral lesson?
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Fable. Short tales with anthropomorphic characters or simple plots convey ethical lessons, rooted in didactic folklore.
Fable. Short tales with anthropomorphic characters or simple plots convey ethical lessons, rooted in didactic folklore.
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What genre is most likely if a passage is a traditional story passed down with heroes or folklore?
What genre is most likely if a passage is a traditional story passed down with heroes or folklore?
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Legend or folktale. Stories passed orally with heroic figures or cultural motifs preserve folklore and historical exaggerations.
Legend or folktale. Stories passed orally with heroic figures or cultural motifs preserve folklore and historical exaggerations.
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Which genre is most likely if a passage explains causes and effects of a past event in a neutral tone?
Which genre is most likely if a passage explains causes and effects of a past event in a neutral tone?
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Historical nonfiction (history text). Explaining causes and effects of past events neutrally documents history factually, without fictional embellishment.
Historical nonfiction (history text). Explaining causes and effects of past events neutrally documents history factually, without fictional embellishment.
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Which source is most likely if a passage states a claim and then refutes counterarguments directly?
Which source is most likely if a passage states a claim and then refutes counterarguments directly?
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Persuasive essay or editorial. Stating a claim and refuting counterarguments builds a case to sway opinions in opinion-based writing.
Persuasive essay or editorial. Stating a claim and refuting counterarguments builds a case to sway opinions in opinion-based writing.
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Which genre is most likely if a passage uses sensory details and a clear sequence of events?
Which genre is most likely if a passage uses sensory details and a clear sequence of events?
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Narrative (story). Sensory details and sequential events create immersive storytelling, evoking experiences through narrative progression.
Narrative (story). Sensory details and sequential events create immersive storytelling, evoking experiences through narrative progression.
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Which source is most likely if a passage lists symptoms, treatments, and cautions in formal language?
Which source is most likely if a passage lists symptoms, treatments, and cautions in formal language?
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Health brochure or medical information text. Listing symptoms, treatments, and cautions in formal language informs about health issues for public awareness or prevention.
Health brochure or medical information text. Listing symptoms, treatments, and cautions in formal language informs about health issues for public awareness or prevention.
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Which source is most likely if a passage uses technical terms, definitions, and an impersonal voice?
Which source is most likely if a passage uses technical terms, definitions, and an impersonal voice?
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Academic or technical article. Technical terms, definitions, and impersonal voice convey specialized knowledge objectively in scholarly contexts.
Academic or technical article. Technical terms, definitions, and impersonal voice convey specialized knowledge objectively in scholarly contexts.
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Which genre is most likely if a passage centers on a speaker addressing “you” with imagery and emotion?
Which genre is most likely if a passage centers on a speaker addressing “you” with imagery and emotion?
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Lyric poem. A speaker addressing 'you' with imagery and emotion expresses personal feelings lyrically, often in verse form.
Lyric poem. A speaker addressing 'you' with imagery and emotion expresses personal feelings lyrically, often in verse form.
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Which source is most likely if a passage begins with a headline-like lead and answers who/what/when/where?
Which source is most likely if a passage begins with a headline-like lead and answers who/what/when/where?
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News report. Starting with a lead summarizing key facts (who, what, when, where) structures objective reporting of current events.
News report. Starting with a lead summarizing key facts (who, what, when, where) structures objective reporting of current events.
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