SSAT Middle Level Reading Practice Test 37

Home > SSAT Test > SSAT Reading Practice Test

When large cruise ships get too close to harbor seals, the animals can become distressed. A study found that when large ships got closer than 1,600 feet, seals were more likely to jump off the ice floes. The closer the ships got, the more likely the seals were to dive into the water. One concern is that if seals are routinely disturbed, it will drain their energy reserves, possibly resulting in lower reproduction or reduced survival.

As a result, some cruise ship associations have practices in place to minimize the disturbance of the animals.However, that is not always possible because of weather, navigational and other reasons, including not being able to see the seals. Also, the more time ships spend in bays, the closer the seals come to one another. Such huddling behavior is common among animals that feel threatened.

Another study compared harbor seal numbers in Disenchantment Bay with those of Icy Bay, a nearby glacialfjordwith similar characteristics. The only major difference between the two bays is that cruise ships do not visit Icy Bay. Both bays started out with roughly the same number of seals in May. The study found that seal populations in Icy Bay increased from May to August, while in Disenchantment Bay, they peaked in June and then declined slightly.

-Associated Press

1. It can be inferred from the last paragraph that afjordis a

  • A. type of glacier
  • B. body of water
  • C. harbor with animals.
  • D. series of piers.
  • E. haven for seals.

2. Which of the following best states the main idea of the passage?

  • A. Disenchantment Bay is safer for seals than Icy Bay.
  • B. The disturbance of seals can happen to other species.
  • C. Man is a major factor in the extinction of animals.
  • D. Large cruise ships affect the welfare of harbor seals.
  • E. The closer a ship, the more likely the seal will jump.

3. What message is the author sending in the second paragraph when he says "However, that is not…see the seals."

  • A. Despite efforts, avoiding seals is still difficult.
  • B. Weather is very unpredictable in coastal areas.
  • C. Cruise ships must keep away from seals at all costs.
  • D. Weather and visibility should not be used as excuses.
  • E. No animal should come before passenger safety.

4. The author suggests which of the following in the last paragraph?

  • A. Icy Bay should harbor cruise ships, because few seals live there.
  • B. Cruise ships should not visit Disenchantment Bay during the summer.
  • C. Very few similarities exist between Icy Bay and Disenchantment Bay.
  • D. It is abnormal for seal population to increase between May and August.
  • E. Seal numbers fell off in Disenchantment Bay due to cruise ship activity.

5. According to the passage, large cruise ships getting too close to harbor seals is a concern for which of the following reasons?

I. It hurts the seals' ability to reproduce.

II. The seals move to colder areas in the summer.

III. Disturbing the seals could shorten their lifespan.

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