Digital PSAT Reading and Writing Practice Question 109: Answer and Explanation

Question: 109

Text 1

There is and must remain a standard by which good writing is measured and acknowledged. Take a moment to consider the alternative, and you'll surely come to agree with me. Without a standard, anything and everything could be considered literature. More so, it would change from person to person and place to place based solely on the rudimentary preference of varied individuals.

Text 2

Many will adore language that others detest, and some will gasp appreciatively at a metaphor that makes the masses vomit. And so I say, to each their own. What is thoughtful, good, and stirring is without impartiality, contingent not only on the reader but also on the reader's mood, location, and even on what the reader has recently read. Therefore, write what you will and read what you wish, and if you like it, then declare with authority that it is indeed exceptional.

Which option best expresses the overall relationship between the texts?

• A. Text 1 argues for the existence of literary objectivity, whereas Text 2 argues for the opposite.
• B. Text 1 asserts the primacy of reading literature, whereas Text 2 asserts that writing is the only gateway to understanding.
• C. Text 1 contends that good literature makes readers uncomfortable, whereas Text 2 contends that good literature is what is most popular.
• D. Text 1 focuses on the great books, whereas Text 2 focuses on excellence in poetic expression.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

(A) The first text argues that literature is a term reserved for writing that is artistically superior and timeless, pursuing beauty, purpose, and meaning. The second text, on the other hand, postulates that standards of evaluation are illusory and biased. Therefore, (A) is the only option that captures the overall relationship between the two texts.