SSAT Upper Level Reading Comprehension Practice Test 17

Since the early 1900s, the temperature of the air and sea at Earth's surface has increased approximately 0.8°C (1.8°F), and roughly 66% of that increase has taken place in the last 30 years. Scientists are nearly certain that this increase, commonly known as 'global warming,' is caused primarily by rising concentrations of greenhouse gases, which are produced by human activities such as fossil fuel combustion and deforestation. The long-term effects of global warming will differ around the world and will likely include an increase in sea levels, more frequent extreme weather occurrences, and the extinction of species due to changes in temperature. Most countries are part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and have agreed that major cuts in emissions are required to stem the tide of global warming.

1. This passage was likely an excerpt from

• A. a romance novel
• B. a dictionary
• C. a political advertisement
• D. a poem
• E. a newspaper article

2. According to the passage, global warming

• A. has escalated in the last 30 years
• B. began well before the nineteenth century
• C. is caused entirely by humans
• D. will have negligible long-term effects
• E. is tapering off

3. This passage is mostly about

• A. deforestation
• B. fossil fuel combustion
• C. need for reduced emissions
• D. warming of the air and sea
• E. possible causes and effects of climate change

4. This passage gives evidence to answer which of the following questions?

• A. When did global warming begin?
• B. How will global warming be slowed?
• C. Which countries are taking steps to cut emissions?
• D. How much has the global temperature increased in the last 30 years?
• E. What will the lasting consequences of global warming be?

5. The author's primary purpose is to

• A. explain how one dance company has impacted others
• B. describe the evolution of one dance company
• C. compare the philosophies of several dance companies
• D. promote multi-racial dance companies
• E. discuss one dancer's influences

6. Without changing the author's intent, "elements" (line 12) could be replaced by

• A. items
• B. particles
• C. aspects
• D. hints
• E. roots

7. The author's attitude toward the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater can most accurately be described as

• A. guarded skepticism
• B. appreciative enthusiasm
• C. puzzled uncertainty
• D. restrained adoration
• E. sullen resentment

8. The author implies which of the following about the Horton Dance Company?

• A. It was founded in the 1940s.
• B. It had a style that appealed to Alvin Ailey.
• C. It was comprised entirely of African-American dancers.
• D. Its dancers traveled internationally.
• E. It became well known for its diversity.

9. Ailey's attitude toward the use of race in making hiring decisions was

• A. critical
• B. ambivalent
• C. supportive
• D. subjective
• E. sarcastic