Digital PSAT Reading and Writing Practice Question 212: Answer and Explanation

Question: 212

The following text is from Jane Austen's 1814 novel Mansfield Park. The novel's protagonist, Fanny Price, returns home after many years of living with her wealthy relatives at Mansfield Park.

Her disappointment in her mother was greater: there she had hoped much, and found almost nothing. Every flattering scheme of being of consequence to her soon fell to the ground. Mrs. Price was not unkind; but, instead of gaining on her affection and confidence, and becoming more and more dear, her daughter never met with greater kindness from her than on the first day of her arrival. The instinct of nature was soon satisfied, and Mrs. Price's attachment had no other source. Her heart and her time were already quite full; she had neither leisure nor affection to bestow on Fanny. Her daughters never had been much to her. She was fond of her sons, especially of William, but Betsey was the first of her girls whom she had ever much regarded.

As used in the text, the phrase instinct of nature most nearly means

• A. maternal feeling.
• B. desire for survival.
• C. thirst for acceptance.
• D. sense of justice.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

(A) The sentence before indicates that Mrs. Price never showed Fanny more kindness than she did on that first day. The sentence after states that "she had neither leisure nor affection to bestow." So, it can be inferred that the "instinct of nature" that had to be satisfied was her maternal feeling. It is not related to survival, acceptance, or justice.