SSAT Middle Level Reading Practice Test 17

Dance schools often participate in dance competitions by sponsoring teams that go to regional and national competitions. Competitive dancing requires many months of dedication practicing and developing dance routines. During competitions, dancers perform in front of judges who evaluate their efforts and score each routine. The ranks awarded by different judges are combined into a final score, and medals or trophies are awardedaccordingly.

Each routine is required to comply with certain rules. It must enter a category which is consistent with the music, style, content, and dancers of the routine. A common limitation is the number of dancers. There are different categories for solos, duos & trios, small groups (4-9), large groups (10-19), and super groups (20 or more). Other grouping factors include average age of the dancer, average number of hours a week the dancer dances, appropriate music, and style of dance. Routines which fail to comply with the requirements the competition has laid out will be disqualified.

-Wikipedia

1. The author's main purpose for writing the passage is

• A. to explain how dance schools help dancers.
• B. to inform people about dance competitions.
• C. to compare regional and national contests.
• D. to describe the basic rules of dance routines.
• E. to encourage dancers to enter tournaments.

2. It can be inferred that dance competitors who do not follow rules

• A. are usually the most inexperienced dancers.
• B. can still win but must forfeit prizes.
• C. were not properly trained by dance schools.
• D. can be eliminated from competition.
• E. should be limited to the "no rules" category.

3. According to the passage, how are dance schools involved in dance competitions?

• A. They provide judges for regional competitions.
• B. They educate participants on tournament rules.
• C. They help pay for travel to national contests.
• D. They aid dancers in locating competitions.
• E. They offer discounts on trophies and medals.

4. As it is used at the end of the first paragraph, the wordaccordinglymost nearly means

• A. appropriately
• B. especially
• C. visibly
• D. differently
• E. hurriedly

5. According to the passage, dance competition rules are based on which of the following?

I. Amount of practice hours

II. Size of the dance group

III. The music must match the routine

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