SSAT Middle Level Reading Practice Test 33

A while back, there was a story about Reuben Gonzolas, who was in the final match of his first professional racquetball tournament. He was playing the defending champion for his first shot at a victory on the pro circuit. At match point in the fifth and final game, Gonzolas made a super "kill shot" into the front corner to win the tournament. The referee called it good, and one of the linemen confirmed the shot was a winner.

But after a moment's hesitation, Gonzolas turned and declared that his shot had skipped into the wall, hitting the floor first. As a result, the serve went to his opponent, who went on to win the match.   

Reuben Gonzolas walked off the court; everyone was stunned. The next issue of a leading racquetball magazine featured Gonzolas on its cover. The lead editorial searched and questioned for an explanation for the first ever occurrence on the professional racquetball circuit. Who could ever imagine it in any sport or endeavor? Here was a player with everything officially in his favor, with victory in his grasp, who disqualifies himself at match point and loses.    

When asked why he did it, Gonzolas replied, "It was the only thing I could do to maintain my integrity."

-Heart at Work

1. The passage is primarily concerned with Reuben Gonzolas'

• A. athleticism
• B. honesty
• C. knowledge of racquetball rules
• D. interview skills
• E. professionalism

2. According to the passage, Gonzolas was competing against a player who

• A. was not aware of tournament rules.
• B. had never been disqualified.
• C. blocked the referee's line of sight.
• D. was playing for a foreign country.
• E. had won the tournament before.

3. According to the passage, the tournament crowd and the racquetball magazine were both

• A. disappointed in Gonzolas' loss.
• B. suspicious of Gonzolas' motives.
• C. hoping that Gonzolas would change his mind.
• D. surprised at Gonzolas' actions.
• E. bored with Gonzolas' private interview.

4. Gonzolas felt he did not deserve to win that match point in the final game because

• A. he felt he was too young to win a tournament.
• B. his opponent had given him a free point earlier.
• C. a shot that hits the floor first is no good.
• D. he felt embarrassed beating the defending champion.
• E. another referee thought the shot was out of bounds.

5. It can be inferred from this passage that all of the following statements about Gonzolas are correct EXCEPT:

• A. He never disagreed with a referee before.
• B. He was a rookie on the professional racquetball tour.
• C. He answered questions regarding the tournament.
• D. He demonstrated an unusual display of truthfulness.
• E. He was a very talented racquetball player.