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Academic Approach
SSAT Upper Level A

SECTION 1 Time30 minutes 60 Questions This section consists of two different types of question. There are directions and a sample question for each type. Each of the following questions consists of one word followed by five words or phrases. You are to select the one word or phrase whose meaning is closest to the word in capital letters. Sample Question: CHILLY (A) lazy (B) cold (C) dry (D) nice (E) sunny 1) QUERY (A) donate (B) inquire (C) rock bed (D) strange (E) usual 2) GARGANTUAN (A) lizard (B) shocking (C) liquid (D) huge (E) cheese 3) PIONEER (A) first to do something (B) Native American (C) maker of quilts (D) covered wagon (E) soldier

4) SYMPATHY (A) balance (B) extreme anger (C) embarrassment (D) selfishness (E) kindness 5) DEFY (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) 6) CRISIS (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)

ask a question rebel against repeat unnecessarily put someone in danger refuse to admit something

sobbing speed emergency crime war

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Copyright. 2004. The Academic Approach. All rights reserved.

7) MAR (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)

sail eat ruin kill maim

13) BOLSTER (A) sheathe (B) put away (C) levitate (D) believe (E) reinforce 14) CAUCUS (A) meeting (B) bird (C) argument (D) set of beliefs (E) regulation 15) CONSCIENTIOUS (A) thorough (B) lackadaisical (C) anti-scientific (D) clean (E) religious 16) AMORPHOUS (A) composed of particles (B) radical (C) lackadaisical (D) formless (E) full of love 17) DEFER (A) defend (B) skin (C) wait (D) postpone (E) chop down 18) DISCREET (A) rude (B) cautious (C) not secret (D) sneaky (E) faulty GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE.

8) CLEAVE (A) split (B) rant (C) edify (D) prune (E) mortify 9) ADMONISH (A) stick together (B) warn (C) make more valuable (D) scream at (E) spank 10) ALOOF (A) tall (B) excited (C) indifferent (D) high (E) crazy 11) ARDUOUS (A) resembling an aardvark (B) pathological (C) ardent (D) fervent (E) difficult 12) ACCRUE (A) accumulate (B) rue (C) feel remorse (D) paint (E) join

Copyright. 2004. The Academic Approach. All rights reserved.

19) EFFACE (A) skin (B) make womanly (C) whine (D) turn around (E) eradicate 20) ERR (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)

25) HIATUS (A) death (B) break (C) feces (D) breath (E) top 26) NOSTALGIA (A) knowledge (B) mailing (C) insanity (D) longing (E) disease 27) ADVERSITY (A) beverage (B) hardship (C) reunion (D) enemy (E) lawyer 28) CAPRICIOUS (A) whimsical (B) short (C) flavorful (D) fruity (E) delicate 29) SPURIOUS (A) hurried (B) angry (C) honest (D) false (E) giving 30) SEDENTARY (A) still (B) sandy (C) wandering (D) gifted (E) styled GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE.

breathe cry mess up die scold

21) EXTENUATE (A) give back (B) justify (C) unwind (D) stretch (E) wheedle 22) FIAT (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)

breath command legend warning bribe

23) FRUGAL (A) delicious (B) gourmet (C) fruitful (D) lovely (E) economical 24) GRATIS (A) friendly (B) complimentary (C) grateful (D) expensive (E) grating

Copyright. 2004. The Academic Approach. All rights reserved.

The following questions ask you to find relationships between words. For each question, select the answer choice that best completes the meaning of the sentence. Sample Question: Kitten is to cat as (A) fawn is to colt (B) puppy is to dog (C) cow is to bull (D) wolf is to bear (E) hen is to rooster 31) Recite is to poetry (A) play is to music (B) write is to book (C) catch is to fish (D) peruse is to text (E) scream is to song 32) Pumpkin is to patch as (A) weed is to garden (B) orange is to grove (C) bird is to cage (D) kid is to goat (E) baby is to womb 33) Heinous is to bad as (A) nice is to friendly (B) crimson is to scarlet (C) gorgeous is to pretty (D) envious is to green (E) inept is to weird 34) Statue of Liberty is to America as (A) desert landscapes to Libya (B) pigeons are to Venice (C) Great Wall is to Japan (D) Eiffel Tower is to France (E) Amazon is to Mexico

35) Bruise is to purple as (A) banana is to brown (B) vessel is to ocean-going (C) mud is to disgusting (D) welt is to painful (E) pimple is to red 36) Sentence is to word as (A) essay is to paragraph (B) lake is to water (C) book is to binding (D) equation is to math (E) lettuce is to cabbage 37) Decree is to monarch as (A) food is to beggar (B) ruling is to judge (C) chocolate is to candy (D) saying is to codger (E) sentence is to jail 38) Lion is to gazelle as (A) giraffe is to savanna (B) pig is to slops (C) wolf is to rabbit (D) hunter is to gun (E) meat is to bacteria GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE.

39) Potion is to sorcery as (A) water is to fish (B) blueberry is to muffin (C) evil is to magic (D) solution is to chemistry (E) grass is to mulch 40) Stingy is to munificent as (A) red is to pink (B) playful is to mean (C) poor is to indigent (D) windy is to cold (E) opaque is to transparent 41) Berserk is to excited as (A) maudlin is to sad (B) pleasant is to happy (C) frightened is to angry (D) disgusting is to horrible (E) scarlet is to red 42) Sheath is to sword as (A) bottle is to rock (B) holster is to gun (C) tank is to fish (D) tree is to branch (E) sky is to airplane 43) Before is to after as (A) tomorrow is to now (B) former is to future (C) later is to earlier (D) knowledge is to anger (E) peace is to prosperity 44) Unique is to common as (A) indigenous is to native (B) scold is to anger (C) singular is to general (D) fortunate is to risky (E) universal is to particular

45) Continuous is to intermittent as (A) occasional is to interminable (B) clock is to package (C) every is to each (D) possible is to certain (E) always is to sometimes 46) Argue is to auger as (A) verse is to serve (B) danger is to hanger (C) conflict is to portend (D) lift is to lengthen (E) rift is to raft 47) Grim is to somber as (A) stately is to stoic (B) servile is to proud (C) joyful is to joyous (D) sinful is to sorry (E) magnificent is to beautiful 48) Marathon is to fatigue as (A) graft is to corruption (B) silly is to serious (C) contiguous is to congenial (D) fast is to hunger (E) steel is to metal 49) Unlettered is to read as (A) shifty is to trust (B) straight is to narrow (C) blind is to see (D) writing is to read (E) blank is to lettered 50) Defense attorney is to lawyer as (A) chief is to tribe (B) employee is to employer (C) dermatologist is to doctor (D) danger is to risk (E) towel is to napkin

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51) Wash is to scour as (A) clean is to sullied (B) wipe is to scrub (C) drench is to soak (D) grief is to gratitude (E) ravenous is to eat 52) Smirk is to contempt as (A) frown is to displeasure (B) grin is to face (C) grimace is to approval (D) menace is to munificence (E) scowl is to clarity 53) Teacher is to knowledge as (A) produce is to store (B) thief is to remorse (C) player is to exercise (D) virtuoso is to talent (E) stranger is to suspicion 54) Garble is to confuse as (A) wrinkle is to iron (B) twinge is to refuge (C) extol is to praise (D) think is to dismiss (E) worry is to frustrate 55) Suitcase is to clothes as (A) valuables is to bank (B) key is to hotel (C) memory is to diary (D) equation is to problem (E) wallet is to money

56) Soldier is to weapon as (A) meat is to butcher (B) secretary is to steno pool (C) civilian is to books (D) chef is to knife (E) student is to locker 57) Generous is to philanthropist as (A) unhappy is to child (B) brave is to hero (C) hungry is to hippo (D) lucky is to gambler (E) tricky is to gymnast 58) Abolish is to end as (A) nurture is to keep (B) tarnish is to metal (C) originate is to begin (D) invert is to finish (E) try is to succeed 59) Quarrel is to disagree as (A) cooperate is to participate (B) gain is to filch (C) argue is to temper (D) praise is to admire (E) terrorize is to humor 60) Flutter is to flap as (A) snow is to mud (B) butterfly is to bird (C) trinket is to nostalgia (D) compromise is to nation (E) bank is to volley

IF YOU FINISH BEFORE TIME IS CALLED, YOU MAY CHECK YOUR WORK ON THIS SECTION ONLY. DO NOT TURN TO ANY OTHER SECTION IN THE TEST.

STOP

Time30 Minutes 25 Questions


Following each problem in this section, there are ve suggested answers. Work each problem in your head or on the blank space provided at the right of the page. Then look at the ve suggested answers and decide which one is best. Note: Figures that accompany problems in this section are drawn as accurately as possible EXCEPT when it is stated in a specic problem that its gure is not drawn to scale. Sample Problem: 7,324 6,937 (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) 387 397 497 1,387 1,497

SECTION 2

1. Each member of a history class contributed the same amount towards the cost of a eld trip. If the total cost of the eld trip is $80, which of the following choices CANNOT be the amount that each member of the class contributed? (A) $1.25 (B) $1.50 (C) $2.00 (D) $2.50 (E) $4.00

USE THIS SPACE FOR FIGURING.

2. In Figure 1, what is the area of triangle CDE if ABCD is a rectangle? (A) 18 (B) 21 (C) 24 (D) 36 (E) 72

D Figure 1

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SSAT.A.2008.06 c 2008 Academic Approach

3. X is a whole number between 7 and 10. Y is a whole number selected from 2 through 6. Which of the following is NOT a possible value of (X Y )? (A) 14 (B) 24 (C) 40 (D) 48 (E) 54

USE THIS SPACE FOR FIGURING.

4. Of the following, 2 3 12 is closest to (A) 0.30 65 (B) 0.52 21 (C) 0.41 32 (D) 0.11 75 (E) 0.75 33

5. If a $50 pair of jeans were marked down 10%, and two months later they were marked down an additional 20%, which of the following was the nal price of the jeans? (A) $14.00 (B) $15.00 (C) $32.00 (D) $35.00 (E) $36.00

6. The result of the above calculation is closest to which of the following? (A) 48,000 (B) 25,000 (C) 40 (D) 400 (E) 14,000
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SSAT.A.2008.06 c 2008 Academic Approach

49,120 1202

1 7. Which of the following is greater than 1 2 + 3?

USE THIS SPACE FOR FIGURING.

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)

1 1 5+2 1 1 23 1 3 2 1 2 23 1 1 3+4

Questions 89 refer to the graph in Figure 2. 8. How many more free throws did Darcy attempt than Callie? (A) 3 (B) 12 (C) 36 (D) 48 (E) 54
MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL 2007 GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM FREE THROWS ATTEMPTED Each Anne Brenda Callie Darcy Elaine Figure 2 represents 12 free throws.

9. If Elaine made 54 free throws on the season, what percentage of the free throws that Elaine attempted did she make? (A) 50% (B) 65% (C) 72% (D) 80% (E) 90%

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SSAT.A.2008.06 c 2008 Academic Approach

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10. If 1 3 of a number is greater than 12, then that number must be (A) less than 4 (B) equal to 4 (C) less than 36 (D) equal to 36 (E) greater than 36

USE THIS SPACE FOR FIGURING.

11. According to the graph in Figure 3, Lionels average monthly rent payment from 2001 through 2006 was (A) $650 (B) $775 (C) $850 (D) $900 (E) $1000
monthly rent

LIONELS RENT, 2001 2006 $1200 $1100 $1000 $900 $800 $700 $600 $500 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 year Figure 3

12. Marjorie and Georgina are selling magazine subscriptions for their high schools fundraiser. The student who sells the most subscriptions wins a prize. Georgina is currently winning with 38 magazine subscriptions, and Marjorie is in second place with 23 magazine subscriptions. There are only 4 weeks remaining, and Marjorie hopes to outsell Georgina. If she is to exceed Georgina in sales, by how many subscriptions, per week, must Marjorie outsell Georgina? (A) 4 (B) 8 (C) 10 (D) 16 (E) 23

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SSAT.A.2008.10 c 2008 Academic Approach

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13. If Mary has $65 and saves $5 each week, and her sister has $125 and spends $10 each week, how many weeks will it take before they each have the same amount of money? (A) 1 (B) 4 (C) 6 (D) 8 (E) 12

USE THIS SPACE FOR FIGURING.

14. In Figure 4, A, B, and C fall on a straight line. If AC = 30, what is the value of x? (A) 2 (B) 4 (C) 6 (D) 8 (E) 9

2x 6 A Figure 4 B

x 3 C

15. At a local auto parts wholesaler, tire sales increased from 10,000 sold in March to 130,000 sold in December. The number of tires sold in December was how many times the number sold in March? (A) 1.3 (B) 13 (C) 130 (D) 12,000 (E) 120,000

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SSAT.A.2008.06 c 2008 Academic Approach

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16. If the average of 5 consecutive even numbers is 32, what is the smallest of the consecutive even numbers? (A) 20 (B) 22 (C) 28 (D) 30 (E) 32

USE THIS SPACE FOR FIGURING.

17. In Figure 5, the perimeter of circle O is 24. What is the length, along the outer edge of the circle, of arc AB? (A) 2 (B) 6 (C) 8 (D) 12 (E) 16

Figure 5

18. If = (3x 2y), what is the value of y = 4 and x = 2? (A) 1.5 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 7 (E) 8

2 7

when

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SSAT.A.2008.06 c 2008 Academic Approach

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19. According to a university study, Y College has 1.5 teachers for every 35 students. If there are 4200 students at Y College, how many teachers are there? (A) 20 (B) 180 (C) 6300 (D) 35,500 (E) 98,000

USE THIS SPACE FOR FIGURING.

20. If 2z = 6x 8, then what does z 3 equal? (A) x 5 (B) 3x 7 (C) 3x 11 (D) 6x 7 (E) 6x 11

21. Warrick and JoAnn are putting a pool in their backyard. If the perimeter of the rectangular pool is to be 64 feet, and the length of the pool needs to be twice the width plus 2 feet, what is the width of the pool, in feet? (A) 6 (B) 10 (C) 16 (D) 22 (E) 44

+4 22. In the fraction 2x 9, the following except

can be replaced by any of

(A) 9 (B) 3 (C) 0 (D) 9 (E) 13

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SSAT.A.2008.06 c 2008 Academic Approach

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23. Edward, the point guard for Norton Schools basketball team, made 15 out of every 20 free throws he attempted during his senior year. If Edward made 45 free throws, how many free throws did he miss? (A) 5 (B) 15 (C) 45 (D) 60 (E) 105

USE THIS SPACE FOR FIGURING.

24. To make the swim team, Miguel must be able to complete 10 laps without stopping, but currently Miguel can only swim 8 1 3 laps. If Miguel practices and increases the number of laps he can swim by 1 2 lap per week, how many weeks will it take for Miguel to make the swim team? (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4 (E) 5

25. There are z pairs of pants in Jacks closet, and each pair of pants has 4 pockets. Which of the following represents the total number of pants pockets in Jacks closet? (A) z + 4 (B) 2z + 4 (C) 4z (D) 5z (E) 5z + 2

STOP
IF YOU FINISH BEFORE TIME IS CALLED, YOU MAY CHECK YOUR WORK ON THIS SECTION ONLY. DO NOT WORK ON ANY OTHER SECTION IN THE TEST.
SSAT.A.2008.10 c 2008 Academic Approach

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SECTION 3 Time40 minutes 40 Questions Read each passage carefully and then answer the questions about it. For each question, decide on the basis of the passage which one of the choices best answers the question.

Aardvarks are found in sub-Saharan Africa, where they live pretty much everywhere except in the rainforests. Their favorite habitats are grassy plains, bushland, woodland, and savannaplaces where ants and termites abound. People often mistake them for wild pigs because of their appearance, but they are not related to pigs. Aardvarks weigh anywhere from 90 to 220 poundsquite a bit, considering that their diet consists mostly of ants and termites! Aardvarks sleep during the day; at night they dig into ant and termite mounds and use their long, sticky tongues 1) According to the passage, all of the following are true EXCEPT: (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) Aardvarks eat wild cucumbers in order to get water. Aardvarks are members of the pig family. Aardvarks are not very swift runners. Aardvarks have very strong front limbs. Aardvarks prefer to live in places where ants and termites live.

to gather the insects. Their tongues can shoot as far as thirteen inches out of their mouths. They also eat the fruit of a wild cucumber, the aardvark pumpkin. It provides the animals with one source of water. Although they cant run very fast or see very well (aardvarks are color blind), aardvarks escape predators by digging into the earth with their powerful forelimbs. In fact, in soft earth a single aardvark can dig faster than several humans using shovels.

4) The author suggests which of the following things about aardvarks diets? (A) Its surprising that ants and termites can make an animal weigh so much. (B) Ants and termites are poisonous to most animals. (C) Eating ants and termites makes aardvarks tongues sticky. (D) Aardvarks enjoy other types of vegetables besides the aardvark pumpkin. (E) A diet of ants and termites makes aardvarks colorblind. 5) In the final paragraph, the author suggests that (A) (B) (C) Aardvarks are likely to be attacked by ants and termites. Aardvarks can escape predators by running. Aardvarks hide from predators in holes in the ground. Aardvarks superior sense of smell protects them from predators. Most animals escape predators by being colorblind. GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE.

2) Which of the following is the best title for the selection? (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) The Animals of Sub-Saharan Africa A Type of Wild Pig The Sleeping Habits of Aardvarks Some Basic Facts about Aardvarks Aardvarks and Their Prey

3) This passage can best be described as (D) (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) A diary entry A news item A short story An encyclopedia entry An autobiography (E)

Candy corn, the triangular confection associated primarily with Halloween, was invented in the 1880s. The Goelitz Confectionary Company, which started making candy corn in 1898, is today the oldest manufacturer of the Halloween treat. Making candy at the turn of the century was much more difficult than it is today. Large kettles were used to cook the basic candy corn ingredients: sugar, water, and corn syrup. When the mix boiled, fondant (for a smooth texture) and marshmallow (for softness) were whipped in with huge, heavy whips. Then the hot candy was poured into buckets, each of which held forty-five pounds of boiling, liquid candy. Workers called stringers risked burning themselves as they poured the steaming candy into cornstarch trays, each imprinted with kernel-shaped molds. Three

passes were made, one each for white-colored candy, yellow-colored candy, and orange-colored candy. Once the candy cooled, it looked like the candy corn we know and love today. People loved the shape and color of candy corn so much that many imitations were born. Other companies tried their hand at making other vegetable-shaped candy. One company even produced a candy turnip! But none of its competitors gained anything near the popularity candy corn still has today. Originally, candy corn was manufactured seasonally from March through November. Now, because it requires less manual labor thanks to machines that do the most difficult work, candy corn is produced year-round. In 2001, candy manufacturers sold more than 20 million pounds of candy corn.

6) The word manual in the last paragraph most nearly means (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) done by hand automatic old-fashioned hot construction

9) The main idea of the third paragraph is (A) (B) (C) (D) Candy turnips are not as flavorful as candy corn. It is not a good idea to imitate other peoples ideas. Candy corn is just as popular today as it was many years ago. Its shape and flavor make candy corn a great candy. Candy corn was so popular that other companies tried to imitate its success.

7) It can be inferred from the passage that candy corn is called corn because (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) It contains corn syrup. It is shaped like corn kernels. it is poured into cornstarch trays when it is hot. It has the same nutritional benefits as the vegetable. It is yellow.

(E)

10) The passage implies that making candy at the turn of the century was difficult for all of the following reasons EXCEPT: (A) People had to perform most of the work. (B) The equipment used was heavy. (C) Several different steps were involved. (D) Workers could burn themselves. (E) Sugar was extremely expensive.

8) The attitude of the writer toward the subject is (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) cautious appreciative angry accusing disrespectful

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In most cases, the term colorblindness is a misnomer. Most people who are colorblind can see colors but cannot distinguish some colors from others. Ninety-nine percent of people with colorblindness have difficulty distinguishing red from green, and a very small number of people cannot distinguish between blue and yellow. Total colorblindness (seeing only in shades of gray) is exceptionally rare. Colorblindness is inherited and found primarily in males. Colorblindness is caused by a malfunction of the retina in the eye. The retina contains cells called cones, which are sensitive to the three 11) The phrase a misnomer in the first sentence most nearly means (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) factual unfortunate medical inaccurate foreign

different wavelengths of light: red, green, and blue. When the cones detecting one of these color wavelengths is absent or deficient, colorblindness results. Colorblindness can be frustrating and occasionally unsafe for those who have it. Imagine trying to pick out an outfit when the blue shirt you choose is actually fire-engine red. Even worse, for those who have difficulty distinguishing red from green, traffic lights pose a potential danger. When cooking, people with red-deficient colorblindness cannot tell when meat is raw or well done. 15) The passage implies that (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) Colorblind people cannot see colors. People acquire colorblindness from watching too much T.V. Most colorblind people cant see blue. Colorblindness can be hazardous. Most colorblind people dont know theyre colorblind.

12) People are born with colorblindness because of a problem with their (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) color wavelengths retina corneas pre-natal nutrition cortexes

16) The passage states all of the following EXCEPT: (A) Very few people are totally colorblind. (B) Colorblindness affects mostly men. (C) Being colorblind can affect ones daily life. (D) Colorblindness is inherited. (E) Colorblindness is curable. 17) A colorblind person is most likely to have difficulty with which of the following? (A) seeing light at night (B) seeing far away (C) telling the difference between a yellow shirt and a blue shirt (D) telling the difference between a green hat and a red hat (E) dialing a phone

13) According to the passage, people with reddeficient colorblindness most likely lack what? (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) a retina inheritance cells in their iris cones detecting red light an ocular capacity

14) The authors tone toward colorblindness can be described as (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) objective enthusiastic Sarcastic melancholic gratitude

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When Benjamin Franklin was a young boy, he wanted to become a clergyman. His family, however, could not afford to send him through the years of school required for the clergy. Instead, Bens father apprenticed him to Bens older brother, James, who was a printer. Ben soon forgot all about joining the clergy because he loved the printing business so much. James Franklin started The New England Courant in Boston when Ben was sixteen. The Courant was the first newspaper in Boston that printed all original news items concerning the colonies rather than merely reprinting news from abroad. James and his friends and acquaintances wrote commentaries and articles for the paper. Ben wanted to write articles for the paper but knew James would never let him because Ben was too young and inexperienced. So Ben began writing letters for the newspaper and signing them with the fictitious name Silence 18) The best title for this selection is: (A) Ben Franklin and Silence Dogood (B) The Man Who Wanted to become a Clergyman (C) Ben Franklin: Father of Electricity (D) The History of the New England Courant (E) Ben Franklins Start in the Newspaper Business 19) As used in the third paragraph, the word cutting most closely means (A) using scissors (B) decisive (C) disapproving (D) important (E) nonsensical

Dogood. The letters were funny and cuttingcritical of Boston society especially of the way women were treated. Ben wrote the letters at night and slipped them under the print shop door so no one would know he was their author. The letters were immensely popular, and all of Boston wanted to know the true identity of Silence Dogood. After writing sixteen letters, Ben finally came clean and admitted he was the letters author. His envious brother James scolded him for lying in order to get published, but the Franklins friends and associates were quite impressed with young Ben. Although James never again let him write for The Courant, Ben eventually ran away to Philadelphia and bought his own paper, The Pennsylvania Gazette. His articles and editorials soon made the Gazette the most popular paper in the colonies.

20) It is most likely that the author will discuss which of the following next? (A) Bens future pursuits in newspaper printing (B) the history of newspapers in America (C) the current Pennsylvania Gazette (D) Bens work with electricity (E) a discussion about the other founding fathers and their pursuits 21) The author implies that (A) James was jealous of Bens success as Silence Dogood. (B) Bens father hated the clergy and did not want his son to become a clergyman. (C) The Pennsylvania Gazette printed mostly news from abroad. (D) Many readers disliked the letters of Silence Dogood. (E) Ben ran away to Boston. GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE.

22) According to the passage, which of the following statements are true? I. Ben was the oldest child in his family. II. Ben wanted to become a doctor. III. Bens brother was ecstatic when he found out Ben was Silence Dogood. (A) I only (B) II only (C) I and III only (D) III only (E) none of the above

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The Pony Express holds a place in the popular imagination as the first reliable express mail carrying service. It only operated, however, for the eighteen months between April 3, 1860 and late October 1861, when the completion of the transcontinental telegraph line rendered it obsolete. In that short time, the Pony Express set the standard by which all express mail delivery is judged. Riders carried mail in a specially-designed leather square called a mochilla. The mochilla was thrown over the saddle and had a hole in the middle for the saddle horn and a slit for the cantle. Letters were carried in four leather boxes attached to the corners of the mochilla. 23) The word obsolete in the first paragraph most nearly means (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) unusual awkward unnecessary invisible indispensable

The Pony Express carried mail between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California. From Sacramento, the mail was taken across the bay to San Francisco by steamer ship. Pony Express riders rode for an exhausting seventy-five to 100 miles, exchanging horses every ten to fifteen miles. The first trip took ten days, and later trips were usually made in eight or nine days. This was about two-thirds the time regular mail service took to make deliveries. The Pony Express delivered the news of Abraham Lincolns election in a record-breaking seven and one-half days. In the eighteen months it was operational, the Pony Express only lost the mail once. 26) According to the passage initial trips made by the pony express (A) took longer than later ones (B) were complicated by bad weather (C) were essential to notifying the country of Lincolns assassination (D) were the only ones in which mail was lost (E) were essential for building its reputation for reliability 27) From information provided by the passage, it can be inferred that the Pony Express stopped running in October, 1861 because (A) The telegraph transported information faster than the Pony Express. (B) The Pony Express riders kept losing the mail. (C) Abraham Lincoln was elected president. (D) Sending mail via Pony Express was too expensive. (E) Regular mail service got faster.

24) The passage implies that riders changed horses every fifteen miles because (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) The horses needed to eat. The horses got too tired. The mochilla needed to be changed. Some horses were faster than others. The horses had to be returned home.

25) The passage implies that the Pony Express held a place in popular imagination because (A) It was the most reliable form of mail delivery for many years during the 1800's. (B) It was made famous by the skilled riding of the delivery personnel. (C) It was the only way to get mail to and from the war front. (D) Pony express riders were known for their unwavering bravery. (E) It was the first reliable and fast mail delivery service.

28) On the Pony Express, mail traveled from Missouri to San Francisco via (A) horse and rider, horse and buggy, and then steamer ship (B) horse and rider and train (C) horse and rider (D) horse and rider and steamer ship (E) horse and rider, train, and bicycle 29) The passage implies that the transcontinental telegraph (A) delivered messages across long distances (B) was better able to deliver messages across water than was the Pony Express (C) was first developed in Europe (D) was developed in response to Lincolns request (E) could only deliver messages under certain lengths

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Cows have made their mark on our society. The streets in Boston, for example, were built on what originally were cow paths created when people led their cows through the city. Wisconsins main industry is dairy, for which the states thousands of cows are crucial. Beef is an important industry in Texas and Colorado. Millions of people also wear leather shoes and belts. Its surprising that cows have had such an impact on our society when only a few breeds live in North America. Although there are an estimated 920 different breeds of cows in the world, here in the United States we have only

a few. Part of this scarcity is due to the fact that cows are not native to North America Christopher Columbus brought them over with him from Europe. Despite the incredible contributions cows and their products make to our daily lives, Americans dont have a lot of respect for the animalespecially compared to people in India, where old cows have their own nursing homes. Perhaps we dont respect cows very much because they dont seem to be very activethe average cow spends six hours a day eating and eight hours a day chewing cud.

30) The main purpose of the first paragraph is to (A) provide examples (B) introduce a controversial subject (C) argue a common misperception (D) challenge an opponent (E) present fictional material 31) The term native to in the second paragraph most nearly means (A) wild in (B) unchallenged about (C) found in (D) comfortable in (E) originally from 32) The passage states that cows affect us in all of the following ways EXCEPT: (A) they provide a source of food (B) they are important in the economy (C) they are interesting to watch (D) they have affected the landscape (E) they provide material for clothing

33) According to the passage, why do people in India have so much respect for cows? (A) People in India worship cows. (B) Cows are more important to the Indian economy. (C) In India, cows provide vital products. (D) Cows in India get much older than ours do. (E) The passage does not provide this information. 34) When the author uses we in the third paragraph, to whom does she refer? (A) dairy farmers (B) Americans (C) Indians (D) Bostonians (E) cattle riders 35) The best title for this passage is: (A) Cows and Their Products (B) Cows: An Elegy (C) The Contribution of Cows to American Life (D) The Indian Nursing Homes for Cows (E) Cows in Boston GO ON TO THE NEXT PAGE.

I lost Susy thirteen years ago; I lost her motherher incomparable motherfive and a half years ago; Clara has gone away to live in Europe; and now I have lost Jean. How poor I am, who was once so rich! Seven months ago Mr. Rogerone of the best friends I ever had, and the nearest perfect, as man and gentleman, I have yet met among my race; within the last six weeks Gilder 36) The narrator says he is poor because (A) He lost much of his inheritance. (B) He feels he had never fully appreciated his friends while they were alive. (C) The people who made life rich have died. (D) His daughter and wife have died. (E) He feels he had not made good use of his many successes. 37) In this passage, the author responds to the loss of his friends and loved ones by (A) writing about his losses (B) ignoring their deaths (C) retelling endearing stories about their lives (D) losing himself in the beauty of nature (E) remembering only what was best about them 38) It can be inferred from the selection that the narrator and Jean (A) had an argument the last time they saw each other (B) had not known one another very long before she died (C) one another through the loss of Susy (D) did not know that Jean would die when she did (E) lived together until her death

has passed away, and Laffanold, old friends of mine. Jean lies yonder, I sit here; we are strangers under our own roof; we kissed hands good-by at this door last nightand it was forever, we never suspecting it. She lies there, and I sit herewriting, busying myself, to keep my heart from breaking. How dazzlingly the sunshine is flooding the hills around! It is like a mockery. 39) The author says that sunshine is a mockery in order to illustrate (A) a contrast between the bright external world and his painful interior (B) that he will never overcome his grief (C) that he is afraid for forgetting those whom he most loved (D) why he is hopeful that one day he will overcome his grief (E) that he does not appreciate the natural beauty surrounding him 40) According to the passage, the narrator lost Clara because she (A) married (B) could not tolerate his grief (C) left the narrator for another man (D) died before Jean (E) moved away from the narrator

IF YOU FINISH BEFORE TIME IS CALLED, YOU MAY CHECK YOUR WORK ON THIS SECTION ONLY. DO NOT TURN TO ANY OTHER SECTION IN THE TEST.

STOP

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Time30 Minutes 25 Questions


Following each problem in this section, there are ve suggested answers. Work each problem in your head or on the blank space provided at the right of the page. Then look at the ve suggested answers and decide which one is best. Note: Figures that accompany problems in this section are drawn as accurately as possible EXCEPT when it is stated in a specic problem that its gure is not drawn to scale. Sample Problem: 7,324 6,937 (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) 387 397 497 1,387 1,497

SECTION 4

1. Carl earns a salary of $200 per week, and Jim earns 80% more than Carl. What is Jims weekly salary? (A) $640 (B) $360 (C) $1440 (D) $1230 (E) $960

USE THIS SPACE FOR FIGURING.

2. The area, in square feet, of the rectangle with dimensions shown in Figure 1 is (A) 54 (B) 72 (C) 98 (D) 104 (E) 112

168 in. 84 in.

Figure 1

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3. If y is an integer greater than zero, and xy = .25, which of the following best describes x? (A) x 0 (B) x 0 (C) 1 x < 0 (D) 1 < x < 0 (E) 0 < x < 1

USE THIS SPACE FOR FIGURING.

4. For all real numbers s and t , s # t = (s t ) (3t s). What is the value of 6 # 8? (A) 30 (B) 38 (C) 42 (D) 44 (E) 52

2 3 1 1 1 5. If x = 1 2 + 3 + 4 , and y = 2 + 3 + 6 , then

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)

(x y) =
1 2 5 3 11 12 23 12

6. What is 40% of 120? (A) 36 (B) 40 (C) 48 (D) 56 (E) 64

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7. A machine lls 2 pill bottles every 5 seconds. If each bottle contains 25 pills, how many pills are bottled every minute? (A) 124 (B) 240 (C) 600 (D) 850 (E) 1500

USE THIS SPACE FOR FIGURING.

8. A factor of 54 that is odd and not prime is (A) 7 (B) 13 (C) 18 (D) 27 (E) 3

9. The triangle in Figure 2 has angles of 25, 55, and 100 degrees. The triangle is (A) acute (B) isosceles (C) equilateral (D) obtuse (E) right

Figure 2

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10.

(51)2 (2)3 3

USE THIS SPACE FOR FIGURING.

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)

5 3 8 3 16 3

4 8

11. What is the least common multiple of 4, 6, and 14? (A) 28 (B) 32 (C) 42 (D) 48 (E) 84

12. If the number 54,937 is divided by 6, the remainder is (A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) 3 (E) 6

13. Put the following in order from greatest to least: 0.7, 4 3, (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
5 9

4 5 3 , 9 , 0.7 5 4 9 , 0.7, 3 4 5 3 , 0.7, 9 5 0.7, 4 3, 9 5 4 9 , 3 , 0.7

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14. It takes Jim 45 seconds to swim a lap of backstroke and 30 seconds to swim a lap of freestyle. If he swims 12 laps of each and he begins at 3:00 p.m., what time will he nish? (A) 3:15 p.m. (B) 3:20 p.m. (C) 3:30 p.m. (D) 3:45 p.m. (E) 4:00 p.m.

USE THIS SPACE FOR FIGURING.

15. One hundred twelve thousand six hundred fty-four minus seven thousand nine hundred eighty-two is (A) between 100 and 200 (B) between 800 and 1000 (C) between 1000 and 10,000 (D) between 10,000 and 100,000 (E) greater than 100,000

16. If 4x 8 = 12, then x = (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 4 (D) 5 (E) 6

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17. What is the average of three numbers, x, y, and z? (A) (B) (C) (D) (E) x+y+z
x+y+z 2 x+y+z 3

USE THIS SPACE FOR FIGURING.

3xyz 2xyz

18. The diameter of the circle in Figure 3 is 192 inches. What is the area of the circle, in square feet? (A) 64 (B) 128 (C) 144 (D) 256 (E) 336
192 in.

Figure 3

19. A circular garden has a radius of 6 inches. A gardener wants to create a square garden with an area larger than that of the circle garden. If the length of the sides of the square garden must be a whole number of inches, what is the minimum length for the sides of the square garden, in inches? (A) 10 (B) 11 (C) 12 (D) 13 (E) 14

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20. A delivery service charges a at rate of $14.50 for all packages. In addition, they charge an extra $1.75 for all packages between 20 and 50 pounds and an extra $3.50 for all packages over 50 pounds. How much will it cost Ray in total to send packages that weigh 14 pounds, 22 pounds, 30 pounds, and 57 pounds? (A) $7 (B) $21.50 (C) $58 (D) $65 (E) $72

USE THIS SPACE FOR FIGURING.

21. What is the length of a rectangle that has a width of 7 and a perimeter of 32? (A) 5 (B) 6 (C) 7 (D) 8 (E) 9

22. Ramon is picking one card from a standard 52-card deck. What is the probability that he draws a Jack, Queen, or King? (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
3 52 1 13 2 13 3 13 3 10

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23. Andrew has 18 baseball cards, and Marcus has 28. How many baseball cards must Marcus give Andrew if each are to have the same number? (A) 2 (B) 4 (C) 5 (D) 10 (E) 23

USE THIS SPACE FOR FIGURING.

24. A honey company is designing a cylindrical bottle for its honey, shown in Figure 4. If the bottle is to have a radius of 3 inches and must have a volume of at least 325 cubic inches, what, in whole inches, is the minimum height that the bottle can have? (A) 9 (B) 10 (C) 11 (D) 12 (E) 13
h

3 in.

V = 325 cubic in.

Figure 4

25. Which of the following could NOT be the value of X if 1 4 + X < 1? (A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
2 3 4 5 1 2 1 3 3 5

STOP
IF YOU FINISH BEFORE TIME IS CALLED, YOU MAY CHECK YOUR WORK ON THIS SECTION ONLY. DO NOT WORK ON ANY OTHER SECTION IN THE TEST.
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SSAT.A.2008.06 c 2008 Academic Approach

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