SSAT Reading Comprehension Practice Test 35

1. The author most likely included the quotation from the U.S. Constitution in lines 1–4 in order to

• A. show how well the author knows the Constitution
• B. illustrate the wording used in the Constitution
• C. explain the reason for the State of the Union address
• D. demonstrate how different Presidents have interpreted the same provision
• E. point out the difference between a constitutional duty and a custom

2. The phrase "from time to time" in line 1 has been interpreted to mean

• A. once in a while
• B. in a timely manner
• C. annually
• D. at a convenient time
• E. when time allows

3. U.S. presidents deliver State of the Union messages primarily because they

• A. are following a tradition started by George Washington
• B. are required to do so by the U.S. Constitution
• C. need to fulfill campaign promises
• D. want to thank their supporters
• E. are trying to unify opposing factions

4. Thomas Jefferson's State of the Union address differed from Washington's address in that Jefferson

• A. spoke first to the Senate and then to the House of Representatives
• B. presented more frequent messages than did Washington
• C. broadcast his message on radio
• D. did not deliver his address in person
• E. had his speech printed in the newspaper

5. In the first half of the twentieth century, the State of the Union address was forever changed by

• A. the advent of radio and television
• B. Thomas Jefferson
• C. Lyndon Johnson
• D. moving the site of the speech from New York to Washington, D.C.
• E. newspaper coverage of the speech

6. Which of the following questions is answered by the information in the passage?

• A. How many presidents have delivered spoken State of the Union messages?
• B. When is the State of the Union message delivered?
• C. How long is the average State of the Union message?
• D. Why did Woodrow Wilson revive the spoken State of the Union message?
• E. Which president delivered the first televised State of the Union message?