SSAT Upper Level Reading Comprehension Practice Test 21

In England during the mid-1600s, a group of poor English farmers led by Gerrard Winstanley united to form an organization known as the True Levelers. Their stated goal was to change the laws regarding real estate and ownable property so that all willing citizens would be able to support themselves through farming. At the time in England, there was great social unrest and food prices were very high. Most of the land throughout the country was strictly divided and controlled by a small number of the elite ruling class. The True Levelers believed that they could "level" the different classes of society by creating communities in which the farmable private land was owned by all and available for agrarian purposes. To fight the unequal system that only benefited the wealthy landowners, the True Levelers defiantly occupied private and public land and began farming.

Because much of farming involves plowing and planting, these groups of communal farmers became better known by the name Diggers. Their hope was that their act of rebellion would stir the sympathies of the other poor people throughout the country. The Digger philosophy was to unite all the poor and working classes behind the idea that the land should be shared. If thousands of common English folk began to claim reasonable access to the land, the powerful landowners would be unable to stop them. In practice for a brief time, Digger communities flourished as they welcomed anyone who wished to merely grow their own food and live freely.

Sadly, the landowners believed the Diggers were a threat and began to take steps to preserve their control over the farmable land. Many members of the Digger communities were harassed, threatened, and jailed. Planting vegetables was viewed as a rebellious act and dealt with as if it were a crime. The majority of land reverted back into the hands of the landowners. Ultimately, most of the Digger communities that had briefly thrived were disbanded. In their place, other political groups arose and continued to protest the various injustices of the time. The Digger name continues to the present day in some English folk songs as a reminder of their ideals.

1. The word "agrarian" is most similar to which of the following?

• A. Testing
• B. Private
• C. Unequal
• D. Farming
• E. Aggressive

2. Which of the following can be inferred about the Diggers as described in the passage?

• A. They had a different political philosophy than the True Levelers.
• B. They allowed others to join them in their farming activities.
• C. They were skilled political speakers.
• D. They defeated the powerful landowners through military force.
• E. They were exceptional folk singers.

3. Which of the following was the most significant point of conflict between landowners and Diggers?

• A. The Diggers had the willingness but not the space on which to grow enough food to support themselves.
• B. Wealthy landowners in England at the time were usually violent.
• C. There was no agreement between Diggers and True Levelers.
• D. The quality of vegetables grown by the Diggers was inferior to that produced on wealthy estates.
• E. The local government did not have any authority in the dispute.

4. The passage is primarily about

• A. working hard even in challenging times
• B. social problems in England in the seventeenth century
• C. the inhumanity of wealthy English landowners
• D. Gerrard Winstanley's ideas
• E. the brief history of an English community organization

5. According to the passage, what is the most significant difference between True Levelers and the Diggers?

• A. The True Levelers believed in farming private land, while the Diggers believed in farming public land.
• B. The True Levelers followed Gerrard Winstanley, while the Diggers had other leaders.
• C. There is no difference between the two groups, as the names refer to the same people.
• D. The True Levelers were accepted by landowners, while the Diggers were jailed.
• E. The True Levelers are not remembered in folk songs, while the Diggers are.