Digital PSAT Reading and Writing Practice Question 161: Answer and Explanation

Question: 161

For better or for worse, our culture of germophobia was hard won by its proponents. From the time it was first proposed in the sixteenth century, the germ theory of disease faced three hundred years' worth of influential naysayers, and it was not until the late 1800s that the theory began to gain the pervasive public vindication it enjoys today. However, an emerging body of research indicates that we have been perhaps overzealous in our crusade to eradicate the germs that live within us.

The text above most directly serves to

• A. articulate that while society has now embraced germ theory, taking the theory too far may be detrimental.
• B. argue that germophobia has continued to be a major obstacle to scientific progress.
• C. point out the shortcomings of germ theory by presenting the valid concerns of germophobics.
• D. present the many ways that germ theory has concrete applications to everyday life.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

(A) The author suggests that we have been too adamant in our germophobia, making (A) correct. There is no evidence for (B). Choice (C) is contradictive because the valid concerns of germophobics would support rather than refute germ theory. Choice (D) would inaccurately indicate that the purpose of this text was to show the everyday instances of germ theory; in fact, this text gives a historical reminiscence of germ theory before positing the argument that the elimination of all germs is not necessarily the best approach to human health.