How Does the SSAT Measure Reading Ability?

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The SSAT measures your ability to read quickly and to understand what you read by asking you questions about passages you must read. The 40 questions in a reading comprehension section are based on about eight or nine reading passages.

The directions for SSAT reading comprehension questions look similar to this:

Directions: Carefully read each passage and the questions that follow it. Choose the best answer to each question on the basis of the information in the passage.

Here is a sample SSAT reading passage followed by four questions. Read the passage and try answering the questions on your own before reading the explanations.

Cotton fabrics treated with the XYZ Process have features that make them far superior to any previously known flame-retardant-treated cotton fabrics. XYZ Process-treated fabrics are durable to repeated laundering and dry cleaning; are glow resistant as well as flame resistant; when exposed to flames or intense heat form tough, pliable, and protective chars; are inert physiologically to people handling or exposed to the fabric; are only slightly heavier than untreated fabrics; and are susceptible to further wet and dry finishing treatments. In addition, the treated fabrics exhibit little or no adverse change in feel, texture, and appearance and are shrink-, rot-, and mildew-resistant. The treatment reduces strength only slightly. Finished fabrics have “easy care” properties in that they are wrinkle-resistant and dry rapidly.

1. It is most accurate to state that the author in the preceding selection presents

(A) facts but reaches no conclusion concerning the value of the process.

(B) a conclusion concerning the value of the process and facts to support that conclusion.

(C) a conclusion concerning the value of the process unsupported by facts.

(D) neither facts nor conclusions, but merely describes the process.

(E) the case for making all fabrics flame-retardant.

The correct answer is (B). This is a question that requires you to evaluate the author’s approach to the passage. If you cannot answer this question readily, reread the selection. The author clearly thinks that the XYZ Process is terrific and says so in the first sentence. The rest of the selection presents a wealth of facts to support the initial claim.

2. For which one of the following articles would the XYZ Process be most suitable?

(A) Nylon stockings

(B) Woolen shirt

(C) Silk tie

(D) Cotton bed sheet

(E) Polyester slacks

The correct answer is (D). At first glance you might think that this is an inference question requiring you to make a judgment based upon the few drawbacks of the process. Closer reading, however, shows you that there is no contest for the correct answer here. This is a simple question of fact. The XYZ Process is a treatment for cotton fabrics.

3. The main reason for treating a fabric with the XYZ Process is to

(A) prepare the fabric for other wet and dry finishing treatment.

(B) render it shrink-, rot-, and mildew-resistant.

(C) increase its weight and strength.

(D) reduce the chance that it will catch fire.

(E) justify a price increase.

The correct answer is (D). This is a detail question. You must identify the fact, given in the first sentence, that XYZ Process creates flame-retardant fabrics.

4. Which one of the following would be considered a minor drawback of the XYZ Process?

(A) Forms chars when exposed to flame

(B) Makes fabrics mildew-resistant

(C) Adds to the weight of fabrics

(D) Is compatible with other finishing treatments

(E) Does not wash out of the fabric

The correct answer is (C). Obviously a drawback is a negative feature. The selection mentions only two negative features. The treatment reduces strength slightly, and it makes fabrics slightly heavier than untreated fabrics. Only one of these negative features is offered among the answer choices.

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