SAT Reading Practice Test Questions- Social Science based Set 6

Questions 32–42 are based on the following passage.

This passage is adapted from Washington Irving, The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. Originally published in 1819. “John Bull” is a satirical figure used to personify England, particularly the English middle class.

A stranger who wishes to study English peculiarities may gather much valuable information from the innumerable portraits of John Bull, as exhibited in the windows of the caricature-shops. I Line 5 cannot resist the temptation to give a slight sketch of him, such as he has met my eye. John Bull, to all appearance, is a plain downright matter-of-fact fellow, with much less of poetry about him than rich prose. There is little of romance in his Line 10 nature, but a vast deal of strong natural feeling. He excels in humor more than in wit; is jolly rather than gay; melancholy rather than morose. He is a boon companion, and he will stand by a friend in a quarrel, with life and purse, however soundly he may be Line 15 cudgeled’. In this last respect, he has a propensity to be somewhat too ready. He is a busy-minded personage, who thinks not merely for himself and family but for all the country round, and is most generously disposed to be everybody’s champion. He is continually volunteering Line 20 his services to settle his neighbors’ affairs. Though really a good-hearted, good-tempered old fellow, he is singularly fond of being in the midst of contention. The secret of the matter is that John has a great disposition to protect and patronize. He thinks Line 25 it indispensable to the dignity of an ancient and honorable family, to be bounteous in its appointments and eaten up by dependents. The consequence is that like many other venerable family establishments, his manor is encumbered by old retainers whom he Line 30 cannot turn off, and an old style which he cannot lay down. Owls have taken possession of the dovecote, but they are hereditary owls, and must not be disturbed. In short, John has such a reverence for everything that has been long in the family that he will not hear even Line 35 of abuses being reformed, because they are good old family abuses. All those whims and habits have concurred woefully to drain the old gentleman’s purse. What is worst of all is the effect which these pecuniary Line 40 embarrassments have had on the poor man himself. Instead of strutting about as formerly, with his three-cornered hat on one side, flourishing his cudgel, he now goes about whistling thoughtfully to himself, with his head drooping down, his cudgel tucked under his arm, and his hands thrust to the bottom of his breeches Line 45 pockets, which are evidently empty. Such is the plight of honest John Bull at present; yet for all this the old fellow’s spirit is as tall and as gallant as ever. If you drop the least expression of sympathy or concern, he takes fire in an instant; swears that he Line 50 is the richest and stoutest fellow in the country; and talks of laying out large sums to adorn his house or buy another estate with a valiant swagger and grasping of his cudgel. I confess I cannot look upon John’s situation Line 55 without strong feelings of interest. He may not be so wonderfully fine a fellow as he thinks himself, but he is at least twice as good as his neighbors represent him. His virtues are all his own; all plain, homebred, and unaffected. His very faults smack of the raciness Line 60 of his good qualities. His extravagance savors of his generosity; his quarrelsomeness of his courage; his credulity of his open faith; his vanity of his pride; and his bluntness of his sincerity. They are all the redundancies of a rich and liberal character. All that Line 65 I wish is that John’s present troubles may teach him more prudence in future. That he may cease to distress his mind about other people’s affairs; that he may give up the fruitless attempt to promote the good of his neighbors and the peace and happiness of the world by Line 70 dint of the cudgel; that he may remain quietly at home; that he gradually get his house into repair and long enjoy, on his paternal lands, a green, an honorable, and a merry old age.

32. The author’s descriptions of John Bull most directly support which larger claim?

1. Withdrawing from the public stage would only weaken an already threatened estate.
2. It is more difficult to abdicate a position of power than to safeguard it.
3. Financial stability is incompatible with ruling compassionately and maintaining shared traditions.
4. Having an overextended sphere of influence can jeopardize personal welfare.

33. During the course of the passage, the central focus shifts from

1. describing a symbolic figure to sounding a call for caution and consideration regarding future conduct.
2. celebrating the merits of a relatable hero to denouncing that hero as a national embarrassment.
3. making light of a character’s flaws to casting doubt on his ability to improve a situation.
4. condemning a character for his unwise familial attitudes to mourning his fall from prominence.

34. According to the passage, there is a distinct contrast between

1. having well-meaning intentions and acting in one’s best interest.
2. the responsibility to protect family and the duty to volunteer for one’s country.
3. growing up as part of the aristocracy and earning a position of influence.
4. respecting ancestral traditions and choosing to neglect one’s modern obligations.

35. As used in line 5 , “sketch” most nearly means

1. account.
2. farce.
3. cartoon.
4. impersonation.

36. Which choice provides the best evidence for the idea that John Bull’s core values include caring for others?

1. Lines 9–10 (“There…feeling”)
2. Lines 16–19 (“He…champion”)
3. Lines 46–48 (“yet…ever”)
4. Lines 59–60 (“His…unaffected”)

37. As used in line 35 and line 36, “abuses” most nearly means

1. violations.
2. assaults.
3. invasions.
4. impositions.

38. The repeated references to a “cudgel” throughout the second half of the passage mainly emphasize John Bull’s

1. physical stature and fortitude.
2. reputation of power and authority.
3. capacity for violence and retaliation.
4. renown as a champion of England.

39. As used in line 56, “interest” most nearly means

1. suspicion.
2. care.
3. amusement.
4. curiosity.

40. It can reasonably be inferred that John Bull suffers financial hardship primarily because

1. his family members feel entitled to their extravagances and refuse to economize.
2. his pursuit of restoring his family’s social standing leads him into bad investments.
3. his support of local charities and community groups outpaces his diminished resources.
4. his pride in his family’s holdings compromises his ability to manage them well.

41. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

1. Lines 12–16 (“He…ready”)
2. Lines 27–31 (“The…down)
3. Lines 42–46 (“he now…empty”)
4. Lines 61–65 (“His extravagance…character”)

42. The author would most likely describe the public’s attitude toward John Bull as

1. bitterly disappointed that he could not maintain financial stability.
2. affectionately nostalgic over his generous service to their communities.
3. overly critical of his faults.
4. coolly indifferent to his success or failure.