Digital PSAT Reading and Writing Practice Question 11: Answer and Explanation

Question: 11

In a presidential system, the executive and legislative branches of government are completely independent of one another, such as in the United States of America. The president, elected directly by the people, is a national figure that is at once the head of government and state, but is separate and distinct from Congress, the lawmaking body. On the other hand, a parliamentary system is a fusion of executive and legislative powers with the executive, most often called prime minister, being a member of Parliament. In the latter arrangement, members of Parliament, the legislative assembly, are elected by the people, but then choose amongst themselves the most fit to be executive. Most often, a monarch, like in Great Britain, is given the responsibility of heading the state and being the icon of national ceremony.

Suppose a country with a parliamentary system and a country with a presidential system were choosing representatives to a global sports competition like the Olympics. Based on the text, which respective governmental officials from the parliamentary and the presidential system would be the most desirable and fitting representatives?

• A. Prime minister, congressperson
• B. Judge, military general
• C. King, president
• D. Queen, senator

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

(C) From the context, we know that presidential systems expect the president to be both government leader and national figure. In contrast, a parliamentary system has a government executive that is separate from the national icon, most commonly a monarch. So, (C) is the correct choice.