一份SSAT考试阅读部分真题及答案

　　The victory of the small Greek democracy of Athens over the mighty Persian empire in 490 B. C. is one of the most famous events in history. Darius, king of the Persian empire, was furious because Athens had interceded for the other Greek city-states in revolt against Persian domination. In anger the king sent an enormous army to deat Athens. He thought it would take drastic steps to pacify the rebellious part of the empire. Persia was ruled by one man.
 

　　In Athens, however, all citizens helped to rule. Ennobled by this participation, Athenians were prepared to die for their city-state. Perhaps this was the secret of the remarkable victory at Marathon, which freed them from Persian rule. On their way to Marathon, the Persians tried to fool some Greek city-states by claiming to have come in peace. The frightened citizens of Delos rused to believe this. Not wanting to abet the conquest of Greece, they fled from their city and did not return until the Persians had lt. They were wise, for the Persians next conquered the city of Etria and captured its people.
 

　　Tiny Athens stood alone against Persia. The Athenian people went to their sanctuaries. There they prayed for deliverance. They asked their gods to expedite their victory. The Athenians rurbished their weapons and moved to the plain of Marathon, where their little band would meet the Persians. At the last moment, soldiers from Plataea reinforced the Athenian troops.
 

　　The Athenian army attacked, and Greek citizens fought bravely. The power of the mighty Persians was offset by the love that the Athenians had for their city. Athenians deated the Persians in archery and hand combat. Greek soldiers seized Persian ships and burned them, and the Persians fled in terror. Herodotus, a famous historian, reports that 6400 Persians died, compared with only 192 Athenians.
 

　　25 Athens had ____the other Greek city-states against the Persians.
 

　　A. rused help to B. intervened on behalf of
 

　　C. wanted to fight D. given orders for all to fight E. deated
 

　　26. Darius took drastic steps to ___ the rebellious Athenians.
 

　　A. weaken B. destroy C. calm D. placate E. answer not available
 

　　27. Their participation___to the Athenians.
 

　　A. gave comfort B. gave honor C. gave strength D. gave fear E. gave hope
 

　　28. The people of Delos did not want to ___ the conquest of Greece.
 

　　A. end B. encourage C. think about D. daydream about E. answer not available
 

　　29. The Athenians were ___by some soldiers who arrived from Plataea.
 

　　A. welcomed B. strengthened C. held D. captured E. answer not available
 

　　答案：
 

　　23. C 24. A 25. B 26. C 27. B 28. B 29. B