SSAT Middle Level Reading Practice Test 12

"We need you to come with us," notified the detective. He paused for a few seconds. "We need you to—we would like you to identify her."

"Okay." Daniel followed the men to the gurney. The detective pulled away the white sheet so Daniel could see Maria's angelic face one last time. Daniel nodded his head in affirmation, but his heart sunk to the bottom of the ocean. He then walked away.    

"I know this is very difficult," empathized the detective, "but we need you to stay here for a while—to answer a few questions."    

"Okay."    

Daniel walked to a now restricted area of the old bridge from which Maria made her suicide jump. He recognized an item the police had overlooked lying in the shadows of the wooden overpass. He stepped through yellow tape to discover it was theBiblehe had given to Maria this past Christmas. The snow was heavy that day but two souls still managed to make it out to a meeting. Daniel's heart was comforted somewhat knowing Maria had been reading the Bible all the way up to her death. He picked up the Good Book he had purchased six months ago at a Christian bookstore, and read his handwritten words on the back of the front cover:

I dedicate this Bible to Maria. I truly believe you were sent to me from Above. We met in the springtime and our hopes carried us into the summer. Thankfully, our laughter and tears were enough to reunite us in autumn. It is now wintertime and I give you this gift in the snowfall as if you were my very own. It is very cold today but my heart is warmed by each moment with you this morning. Merry Christmas…

1. This story takes place

• A. by the bookstore where Daniel and Maria often met.
• B. during rush hour on a busy city bridge.
• C. near the conclusion of a small funeral.
• D. at the scene of a police investigation.
• E. in the private office of a detective.

2. All of the following can be used to describe the tone of the story EXCEPT

• A. content
• B. spiritual
• C. traumatic
• D. moving
• E. solemn

3. It can be inferred from the passage that

• A. Daniel is a pastor of a church near the old bridge.
• B. Maria and Daniel spent many Christmases together.
• C. Daniel and Maria first met at a Christian bookstore.
• D. Daniel and Maria were classmates for four quarters.
• E. Maria had her Bible with her when she passed away.

4. Daniel's mood changes from the beginning of the passage to the end from

• A. intense pain to mild discomfort
• B. tragic concern to comforting hope
• C. reluctant obedience to passive defiance
• D. hurried panic to calm thankfulness
• E. lingering doubt to quiet certainty

5. In the passage, theBible(last paragraph) is a symbol of which of the following?

I. Hope beyond death

II. The changing of the seasons

III. A past relationship

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