Digital PSAT Reading and Writing Practice Question 142: Answer and Explanation

Question: 142

The following text is from Upton Sinclair's 1906 novel The Jungle.

Promptly at seven the next morning Jurgis reported for work. He came to the door that had been pointed out to him, and there he waited for nearly two hours. The boss had meant for him to enter, but had not said this, and so it was only when on his way out to hire another man that he came upon Jurgis. He gave him a good cursing, but as Jurgis did not understand a word of it, he did not object.

It can be reasonably inferred from the text that the supervisors in the meat-packing factories viewed employees as

• A. skillful.
• B. disposable.
• C. valuable.
• D. interesting.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

(B) The text states that the boss had intended to hire another man, but, upon finding Jurgis, decided that he would do instead. Really, it seems, anyone would do. This is most consistent with choice (B). Workers are disposable-they are "easily replaceable, used until they have nothing left and then discarded in favor of someone new." Skillful, valuable, and interesting all convey much more respect for the employees than the supervisor demonstrates.