SSAT Middle Level Reading Practice Test 10

In 1928, Amelia Earhart received a phone call that would change her life. She was invited to become the first woman passenger to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a plane. "The idea of just going as ‘extra weight' did not appeal to me at all," she said, but she accepted the offer nonetheless. On June 17, after several delays due to bad weather, Amelia Earhart flew in a plane namedFriendshipwith co-pilots Wilmer "Bill" Stultz and Louis "Slim" Gordon. The plane landed at Burry Port, South Wales, with just a small amount of fuel left.

Earhart's first trip across the Atlantic took more than 20 hours! After that flight Earhart became a media sensation. Following the trip, she was given parties and even a ticker tape parade down Broadway in New York City. President Coolidge called to congratulate her on crossing the Atlantic. Because Earhart's record-breaking career and physical appearance were similar to pioneering pilot and American hero Charles Lindbergh, she earned the nickname "Lady Lindy."

Earhart wrote a book about her first flight across the Atlantic, called20 Hrs., 40 Min. She continued to break records. She also polished her skills as a speaker and writer, always supporting women's achievements, especially in aviation.

-America's Library

1. What is the significance of the title of Earhart's book mentioned in the last paragraph?

• A. It was the flight time of her trip across the Atlantic.
• B. It took her this long to decide to fly in the first place.
• C. The pre-flight bad weather took this long to clear up.
• D. Her ticker tape parade in New York lasted this long.
• E. It was Charles Lindbergh's record time for ten years.

2. It can be inferred from the passage that

• A. theFriendshipran out of fuel before landing.
• B. Earhart did not expect to become famous.
• C. President Coolidge attended Earhart's parade.
• D. Earhart was concerned about her weight.
• E. the Atlantic is about a hundred miles long.

3. All of the following occurred as a result of Earhart's famous flight EXCEPT:

• A. She broke a world record.
• B. She spoke to a U.S. President.
• C. She became a supporter of women's achievements.
• D. She was given a parade on a famous street.
• E. She married Louis "Slim" Gordon.

4. Earhart got the nickname "Lady Lindy" for which of the following reasons?

I. She looked like Charles Lindbergh.

II. She and Charles Lindbergh were both Americans.

III. She did similar things to Charles Lindbergh.

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

5. The passage is most concerned with Amelia Earhart's

• A. piloting skills.
• B. celebrity status.
• C. writing accomplishments.
• D. life as a pioneer.
• E. speaking abilities.