SSAT Middle Level Reading Practice Test 36

Cesar Chavez is best known for his efforts to gain better working conditions for the thousands of workers who labored on farms for low wages and under severe conditions. Chavez and his United Farm Workers union battled California grape growers by holding nonviolent protests. Chavez got the idea for nonviolent actions from Martin Luther King Jr., who was a leader in the struggle for civil rights for African Americans. Chavez also went on hunger strikes, protesting by refusing to eat for long periods of time. In 1968 he fasted for 25 days in support of the United Farm Workers' commitment to non-violence. He was inspired to fast by M.K. Gandhi of India.

Because of Chavez's peaceful tactics and public support for the union, he and the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee were able to negotiate contracts for higher wages and better treatment of agricultural workers with California grape producers.

Like his protests, Cesar Chavez died peacefully. In 1993, he died in his sleep in San Luis, Arizona, where he had gone to testify against vegetable growers. An estimated 50,000 mourners attended his funeral service. In recognition of Chavez's importance as a leader of the Mexican American community and a champion of social justice, President Bill Clinton awarded the Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, to his widow, Helen Chavez, in 1994.

-America's Library

1. According to the passage, the main goal of Caesar Chavez was to

• A. earn the nation's highest civilian honor.
• B. learn as much as he could from King and Gandhi.
• C. gain better working conditions for farm workers.
• D. be an honorable leader for the United Farm Workers.
• E. hold nonviolent protests and fast for three weeks. 

2. Helen Chavez was awarded the Medal of Freedom because

• A. her father was busy testifying in court.
• B. she was also a leader in the Mexican community.
• C. of her dedicated support for her husband.
• D. she was a champion of social justice in Mexico.
• E. her husband was not alive to receive it.

3. Caesar Chavez and Martin Luther King Jr. had all of the following in common EXCEPT:

• A. Both men fought for rights for their people.
• B. Both men were killed for what they believed in.
• C. Both men held nonviolent protests.
• D. Both men were of a different racial background.
• E. Both men became famous in their home country.

4. According to the passage, Chavez gained "higher wages and better treatment" for farm workers in part due to

• A. backing from regular citizens.
• B. a law passed by the President.
• C. his wife's position in the union.
• D. aid from Mexican politicians.
• E. his familiarity with grape production.

5. It is most reasonable to infer from the passage that

• A. Helen Chavez continued her husband's work after his death.
• B. most of the 50,000 people at Chavez's funeral were friends and relatives.
• C. Bill Clinton also battled for civil rights for Mexican Americans.
• D. California grape producers took advantage of their farm workers.
• E. Mexican American farm workers had the highest pay in the country.