Digital PSAT Reading and Writing Practice Question 127: Answer and Explanation

Question: 127

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:

■ Humans are susceptible to infection by a variety of parasitic worms. These infections can be anywhere from a mild annoyance to life-threatening.

■ Dracunculiasis, also known as guinea worm disease, starts when the host drinks water contaminated with the parasite.

■ Incubation of the guinea worm can be a year and ends with a blister forming on the body. The blister becomes very painful as the parasite emerges. Hosts often put their body into water to ease the pain, which unfortunately stimulates the guinea worm to release larvae contaminating that water and perpetuating the cycle.

■ To remove the guinea worm from the body, the worm is slowly wound around a stick or bit of gauze or fabric until the worm exits the body.

The student wants to emphasize the possible range of severity that could result from a parasitic worm infection. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. Guinea worms are quite dangerous and should only be removed by a highly trained medical professional.
• B. The infection resulting from a parasitic worm can range from being mildly annoying to life-threatening.
• C. If you ingest contaminated water, you are more likely to contract a guinea worm infection.
• D. The self-perpetuating cycle of guinea worm disease has required very targeted programs and education to make guinea worm disease eradicated in many parts of the world.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

(B) Since the student wants to show the possible range of severity that could result from a parasitic worm infection, Choice (B) is the most effective option. It outlines how an infected person could feel anything from mild annoyance to having potentially life-threatening consequences. The other options relate to infection, but do not discuss the possible range of severity.