SSAT Middle Level Reading › Authorial Attitude, Tone, and Purpose in Argumentative Social Science Passages
"The Modern Day vs. the 'Good 'Ol Days'" by Daniel Morrison (2014)
You may have, at one time or another, in your life, heard an elderly person bemoan the violence of our times and express a yearning for the “good ol’ days” of his or her youth. We might reasonably wonder what bygone era would be better than these days we live in. The days when children were considered lucky to make it past their fifth birthday? The days when the entire planet convulsed to the imperial and militaristic urges of the European powers? The days when the specter of nuclear war hung over every man, woman, and child?
The truth of the matter is we live in the most relatively peaceful time period in human history. Death by infectious disease is no longer the norm for everyone; the survival rate for children continues to grow around the world; and conflict, the type which involves and threatens the civilian population, is now the exception rather than the rule. Of course, none of these things have been eradicated from our society. Such a complete elimination of disease, violence, and death may never be possible. But, statistics from human history track one almost entirely uninterrupted progression—from almost everyone dying a violent or disease-ridden death to a small and unfortunate minority. Next time you hear someone claim a desire to return to the exalted days of their youth, kindly advise them to stop their misguided nostalgia and start contributing to the onward march of humanity.
The questions at the end of the first paragraph serve the purpose of __________.
highlighting terrible things from the past
outlining the right path for the future
expressing outrage at how little young people care
undermining an argument made by people in a position of power
offering a counter to the previously established argument
The author introduces the questions at the end of the first paragraph by saying “We might reasonably wonder what bygone era would be better than these days we live in.” The subject matter of the questions is then a series of horrible and unfair things from the past. So the best answer choice is that the questions highlight the inequities (unfair deficiencies) of the past.
"The Modern Day vs. the 'Good 'Ol Days'" by Daniel Morrison (2014)
You may have, at one time or another, in your life, heard an elderly person bemoan the violence of our times and express a yearning for the “good ol’ days” of his or her youth. We might reasonably wonder what bygone era would be better than these days we live in. The days when children were considered lucky to make it past their fifth birthday? The days when the entire planet convulsed to the imperial and militaristic urges of the European powers? The days when the specter of nuclear war hung over every man, woman, and child?
The truth of the matter is we live in the most relatively peaceful time period in human history. Death by infectious disease is no longer the norm for everyone; the survival rate for children continues to grow around the world; and conflict, the type which involves and threatens the civilian population, is now the exception rather than the rule. Of course, none of these things have been eradicated from our society. Such a complete elimination of disease, violence, and death may never be possible. But, statistics from human history track one almost entirely uninterrupted progression—from almost everyone dying a violent or disease-ridden death to a small and unfortunate minority. Next time you hear someone claim a desire to return to the exalted days of their youth, kindly advise them to stop their misguided nostalgia and start contributing to the onward march of humanity.
The questions at the end of the first paragraph serve the purpose of __________.
highlighting terrible things from the past
outlining the right path for the future
expressing outrage at how little young people care
undermining an argument made by people in a position of power
offering a counter to the previously established argument
The author introduces the questions at the end of the first paragraph by saying “We might reasonably wonder what bygone era would be better than these days we live in.” The subject matter of the questions is then a series of horrible and unfair things from the past. So the best answer choice is that the questions highlight the inequities (unfair deficiencies) of the past.
"The Modern Day vs. the 'Good 'Ol Days'" by Daniel Morrison (2014)
You may have, at one time or another, in your life, heard an elderly person bemoan the violence of our times and express a yearning for the “good ol’ days” of his or her youth. We might reasonably wonder what bygone era would be better than these days we live in. The days when children were considered lucky to make it past their fifth birthday? The days when the entire planet convulsed to the imperial and militaristic urges of the European powers? The days when the specter of nuclear war hung over every man, woman, and child?
The truth of the matter is we live in the most relatively peaceful time period in human history. Death by infectious disease is no longer the norm for everyone; the survival rate for children continues to grow around the world; and conflict, the type which involves and threatens the civilian population, is now the exception rather than the rule. Of course, none of these things have been eradicated from our society. Such a complete elimination of disease, violence, and death may never be possible. But, statistics from human history track one almost entirely uninterrupted progression—from almost everyone dying a violent or disease-ridden death to a small and unfortunate minority. Next time you hear someone claim a desire to return to the exalted days of their youth, kindly advise them to stop their misguided nostalgia and start contributing to the onward march of humanity.
The primary tone of this passage is __________.
disparaging and urging
whimsical and apathetic
soothing and calming
remorseful and lamenting
optimistic and humorous
The primary tone of this essay is a combination of “disparaging” towards those who long for the days of the past and who prevent "the onward march of humanity" and “urging.” The “disparaging” (mocking) tone can most clearly be seen in the author’s comments and questions directed at his opposition. The “urging” tone can be seen most clearly in the concluding lines where the author says “Next time you hear someone claim a desire to return to the exalted days of their youth, kindly advise them to stop their misguided reminiscence and start contributing to the onward march of humanity.” To provide further help, “urging” means forcefully encouraging; “whimsical” means silly and quirky; “soothing” means calming; “remorseful” means expressing sorrow about some past wrong; “humorous” means very funny; “optimistic” means hopeful about the future; and “lamenting” means mourning or expressing sorrow about.
"The Modern Day vs. the 'Good 'Ol Days'" by Daniel Morrison (2014)
You may have, at one time or another, in your life, heard an elderly person bemoan the violence of our times and express a yearning for the “good ol’ days” of his or her youth. We might reasonably wonder what bygone era would be better than these days we live in. The days when children were considered lucky to make it past their fifth birthday? The days when the entire planet convulsed to the imperial and militaristic urges of the European powers? The days when the specter of nuclear war hung over every man, woman, and child?
The truth of the matter is we live in the most relatively peaceful time period in human history. Death by infectious disease is no longer the norm for everyone; the survival rate for children continues to grow around the world; and conflict, the type which involves and threatens the civilian population, is now the exception rather than the rule. Of course, none of these things have been eradicated from our society. Such a complete elimination of disease, violence, and death may never be possible. But, statistics from human history track one almost entirely uninterrupted progression—from almost everyone dying a violent or disease-ridden death to a small and unfortunate minority. Next time you hear someone claim a desire to return to the exalted days of their youth, kindly advise them to stop their misguided nostalgia and start contributing to the onward march of humanity.
The primary tone of this passage is __________.
disparaging and urging
whimsical and apathetic
soothing and calming
remorseful and lamenting
optimistic and humorous
The primary tone of this essay is a combination of “disparaging” towards those who long for the days of the past and who prevent "the onward march of humanity" and “urging.” The “disparaging” (mocking) tone can most clearly be seen in the author’s comments and questions directed at his opposition. The “urging” tone can be seen most clearly in the concluding lines where the author says “Next time you hear someone claim a desire to return to the exalted days of their youth, kindly advise them to stop their misguided reminiscence and start contributing to the onward march of humanity.” To provide further help, “urging” means forcefully encouraging; “whimsical” means silly and quirky; “soothing” means calming; “remorseful” means expressing sorrow about some past wrong; “humorous” means very funny; “optimistic” means hopeful about the future; and “lamenting” means mourning or expressing sorrow about.
Adapted from Young People’s History of the War with Spain by Prescott Holmes (1900)
On April 21st, 1898, a war began between the United States and Spain. All the other countries of the world felt an interest in it but did not take any part in it. They were what we call "neutral" and did not help either side. As soon as the war was declared, a great wave of excitement swept through the United States from shore to shore. Flags were hung out in every city and town; thousands of men offered to serve in the army—volunteers, they were called—and many persons offered to help in other ways. The people were dispirited that war had begun, but they soon felt that their country was doing right and that they ought to support the war effort.
And what was the cause of the war? Spain, a large country across the Atlantic Ocean in the southwestern part of Europe, owned some of the islands called "West Indies" near the United States. Spain had been unjust and cruel to the people living in one of these islands for many years. Several times, the unhappy islanders tried to drive the Spanish from the island and set up a government of their own, but Spain sent so many soldiers there that they could not get their freedom. They fought bravely, however, but matters kept getting worse and worse. Spain sent a very cruel general to take charge of affairs on the island. His name was Weyler and he was determined to conquer the islanders. After a while, he found he could not do it by fighting them, so he sent his soldiers to drive those who were not fighting away from their homes and farms and make them live in or near the large cities. After he did this, the people had no way to earn money for food and soon began to get sick and die of starvation. The cruel Weyler would not give them anything to eat and so they died by the thousands. Americans were faced with the choice of standing idly by whilst thousands perished or risking American lives in a difficult war.
Which of these best summarizes the tone of this passage?
Subjective
Objective
Gregarious
Dismayed
Fearful
This passage was written in America only two years after war had broken out between American and Spain. This suggests that too little time could have passed for the author to reach an unbiased, impartial verdict. The passage confirms this throughout, such as in the first paragraph where the author states, “but they soon felt that their country was doing right and that they ought to support the war effort” or in the second paragraph when the author states, “Americans were faced with the choice of standing idly by whilst thousands perished or risking American lives in a difficult war." These two statements are very supportive of the American cause, which suggests that the author was “subjective,” meaning biased. To provide further help, "objective" means unbiased, it is the opposite of "subjective;" "gregarious" means sociable; "dismayed" means saddened, hopeless.
Adapted from Young People’s History of the War with Spain by Prescott Holmes (1900)
On April 21st, 1898, a war began between the United States and Spain. All the other countries of the world felt an interest in it but did not take any part in it. They were what we call "neutral" and did not help either side. As soon as the war was declared, a great wave of excitement swept through the United States from shore to shore. Flags were hung out in every city and town; thousands of men offered to serve in the army—volunteers, they were called—and many persons offered to help in other ways. The people were dispirited that war had begun, but they soon felt that their country was doing right and that they ought to support the war effort.
And what was the cause of the war? Spain, a large country across the Atlantic Ocean in the southwestern part of Europe, owned some of the islands called "West Indies" near the United States. Spain had been unjust and cruel to the people living in one of these islands for many years. Several times, the unhappy islanders tried to drive the Spanish from the island and set up a government of their own, but Spain sent so many soldiers there that they could not get their freedom. They fought bravely, however, but matters kept getting worse and worse. Spain sent a very cruel general to take charge of affairs on the island. His name was Weyler and he was determined to conquer the islanders. After a while, he found he could not do it by fighting them, so he sent his soldiers to drive those who were not fighting away from their homes and farms and make them live in or near the large cities. After he did this, the people had no way to earn money for food and soon began to get sick and die of starvation. The cruel Weyler would not give them anything to eat and so they died by the thousands. Americans were faced with the choice of standing idly by whilst thousands perished or risking American lives in a difficult war.
Which of these best summarizes the tone of this passage?
Subjective
Objective
Gregarious
Dismayed
Fearful
This passage was written in America only two years after war had broken out between American and Spain. This suggests that too little time could have passed for the author to reach an unbiased, impartial verdict. The passage confirms this throughout, such as in the first paragraph where the author states, “but they soon felt that their country was doing right and that they ought to support the war effort” or in the second paragraph when the author states, “Americans were faced with the choice of standing idly by whilst thousands perished or risking American lives in a difficult war." These two statements are very supportive of the American cause, which suggests that the author was “subjective,” meaning biased. To provide further help, "objective" means unbiased, it is the opposite of "subjective;" "gregarious" means sociable; "dismayed" means saddened, hopeless.
Adapted from Citizenship in a Republic (1910) by Theodore Roosevelt
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
The author’s description of those “who neither know victory nor defeat” is __________.
derisive
incomprehensible
ambivalent
respectful
friendly
The author contrasts those who do not even try to compete (those that do not know victory or defeat) with those “worthy” men who are not afraid to throw themselves into any challenge or competition. It is clear from the author’s tone in this passage that he believes in the greatness of men who boldly meet competition and therefore that he would feel the opposite about those who shrink away. The author even describes those “who neither know victory nor defeat” as “cold and timid.”
Adapted from Citizenship in a Republic (1910) by Theodore Roosevelt
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
The author’s description of those “who neither know victory nor defeat” is __________.
derisive
incomprehensible
ambivalent
respectful
friendly
The author contrasts those who do not even try to compete (those that do not know victory or defeat) with those “worthy” men who are not afraid to throw themselves into any challenge or competition. It is clear from the author’s tone in this passage that he believes in the greatness of men who boldly meet competition and therefore that he would feel the opposite about those who shrink away. The author even describes those “who neither know victory nor defeat” as “cold and timid.”
Adapted from Citizenship in a Republic (1910) by Theodore Roosevelt
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
Which of the following best captures the attitude of the author towards “critics”?
The author feels critics should not be praised over those who actually strive to achieve something.
The author feels that all critics are significant measures of social understanding.
The author lauds critical analysis as the most accurate measure of the greatness of an individual.
The author finds critics to be worthless and immoral.
The author has no strong opinion on critics.
The author of this passage describes, in the introduction, how critics should not receive credit for pointing out the flaws in the actions of those who “do” things. To the author the critic is merely a biased observer, intent on pointing out the mistakes of others and little inclined towards doing anything productive themselves. The correct answer is that “The author feels critics should not be praised over those who actually strive to achieve something.” Many students might have answered that “The author finds critics to be worthless and immoral,” but the words “worthless” and “immoral” are not explicitly used by the author and the tone is slightly less harsh than those words might imply.
Adapted from Citizenship in a Republic (1910) by Theodore Roosevelt
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
Which of the following best captures the attitude of the author towards “critics”?
The author feels critics should not be praised over those who actually strive to achieve something.
The author feels that all critics are significant measures of social understanding.
The author lauds critical analysis as the most accurate measure of the greatness of an individual.
The author finds critics to be worthless and immoral.
The author has no strong opinion on critics.
The author of this passage describes, in the introduction, how critics should not receive credit for pointing out the flaws in the actions of those who “do” things. To the author the critic is merely a biased observer, intent on pointing out the mistakes of others and little inclined towards doing anything productive themselves. The correct answer is that “The author feels critics should not be praised over those who actually strive to achieve something.” Many students might have answered that “The author finds critics to be worthless and immoral,” but the words “worthless” and “immoral” are not explicitly used by the author and the tone is slightly less harsh than those words might imply.