SSAT Middle Level Reading Practice Test 59

Ziggurats were a form of temple tower common to the Sumerians, Babylonians and Assyrians of ancient Mesopotamia. The earliest examples of the ziggurat were simple raised platforms that date from the fourth millennium BC to the sixth century BC.

The step pyramid style ziggurat was built in receding levels upon a rectangular, oval, or square platform. Sun-baked bricks made up the inside with facings of fired bricks on the outside. The facings were often glazed in different colors and may have had astrological significance. The number of levels ranged from two to seven, with a shrine or temple at the top. Access to the shrine was provided by a series of ramps on one side of the ziggurat or by a spiral ramp from bottom to top.

The Mesopotamian ziggurats were not places for public worship or ceremonies. They were believed to be dwelling places for the gods. Through the ziggurat, the gods could be close to mankind and each city had its own god. Only priests were permitted on the ziggurat, and it was their responsibility to care for the gods and attend to their needs. As a result, priests were very powerful members of Sumerian society.

-Wikipedia

1. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true regarding the "step pyramid" ziggurat?

• A. It was shaped like a pyramid.
• B. Every brick had the same color.
• C. Ramps lead up to a temple.
• D. There was a shrine at the top.
• E. It had multiple levels.

2. The last paragraph is primarily concerned with the

• A. role of the gods in Mesopotamian religion.
• B. reasons why people couldn't worship in the ziggurat.
• C. political importance of Sumerian architecture.
• D. teachings of the priests in the Sumerian ziggurat.
• E. religious aspects of Mesopotamian ziggurats.

3. It can be inferred from the passage that

• A. Babylonians and Assyrians lived in Mesopotamia.
• B. ziggurats protected the people in times of war.
• C. Sumerians used a ziggurat as we use a church today.
• D. ziggurats had rectangular, oval and square windows.
• E. priests pretending to be gods lived in the ziggurat.

4. According to the passage, Mesopotamians built ziggurats for which of the following reasons?

I. To imitate the pyramids of Egypt

II. To store sacred religious writings

III. To provide a home for their gods

• A. I only
• B. II only
• C. III only
• D. I and II only
• E. II and III only

5. The author's style is best described as

• A. respectful
• B. calculating
• C. informative
• D. critical
• E. cautious