Employing several linear SU(3) $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ models developed by Schechter, Ueda, and collaborators, we study the effects of various possible chiral-symmetry-breaking terms in the Lagrangian belonging to the (3, ${3}^{*}$) \ensuremath{\bigoplus} (${3}^{*}$, 3) \ensuremath{\bigoplus} (8,8) representations of SU(3) \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} SU(3). In this approach the pseudoscalar mesons ($\ensuremath{\pi},K,\ensuremath{\eta},{\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$) and scalar mesons ($\ensuremath{\epsilon},\ensuremath{\kappa},\ensuremath{\sigma},{\ensuremath{\sigma}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$) are assigned to (3, ${3}^{*}$) \ensuremath{\bigoplus} (${3}^{*}$, 3) and the model is used to describe the scalar and pseudoscalar mass spectra, scalar meson decays, ${\ensuremath{\eta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}$, and the $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}$ and $\ensuremath{\pi}K$ scattering lengths. Inclusion in the Lagrangian of isospin-violating terms and an effective nonleptonic weak interaction allows treatment of electromagnetic and weak effects as well. We find that a form of chiral symmetry breaking suggested by Okubo is at least as successful as the Gell-Mann-Oakes-Renner (3, ${3}^{*}$) \ensuremath{\bigoplus} (${3}^{*}$, 3) form. The scheme of Sirlin and Weinstein is also satisfactory. Pure (8, 8) symmetry breaking is unacceptable within the context of the present model.