Digital PSAT Reading and Writing Practice Question 128: Answer and Explanation

Question: 128

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

■ Land conservation and land preservation are two different concepts.

■ Preservation focuses on keeping the land as it is as a sort of natural museum, unable to be used in any significant way by humanity. It preserves the nature as it is.

■ Conservation focuses on keeping lands usable for anyone who might want to experience the outdoors. It allows people to use the land for recreation and ensures that cities and other human growth do not destroy natural areas.

■ Teddy Roosevelt was one of the first proponents of conservationism in the United States. He started the National Parks System to ensure that generations of Americans could still see the wonders of the land.

The student wants to show a contrast between land preservation and land conservation. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. Teddy Roosevelt was a major personality who inspired long-term investments in both land conservation and land preservation.
• B. Land conservation entails ensuring humans can use the land recreationally, while land preservation ignores this goal.
• C. While land preservation will cause existing human habitation to be removed, land conservation encourages urban development.
• D. Museumgoers are more likely to enjoy experiencing land in a similar way-therefore, the investment in national parks is worthwhile.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

(B) The notes state that land preservation does not factor in the potential use of the land by humans, while land conservation does factor in such use-this makes Choice (B) the most logical option. Choices (A) and (D) do not draw a contrast, and Choice (C) is inconsistent with the definitions of the ideas presented in the notes.