Digital PSAT Reading and Writing Practice Question 236: Answer and Explanation

Question: 236

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

■ Creating a stained-glass window masterpiece is a very difficult process that includes many phases.

■ In addition to designing the entire piece to be aesthetically pleasing, the artist also must consider the weight of the pieces and the structural integrity of the overall design.

■ Pieces that are poorly designed may buckle and fall after being installed in a wall.

■ In addition to the design aspect, artists must deal with safety concerns. Artists routinely suffer minor lacerations from their glass work, but also need to worry about chemical poisoning from soldering fumes, lead came, and patina chemicals.

The student wants to outline a possible worst-case scenario as far as the potential health impact on someone who crafts stained glass. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. A stained-glass artist faces the possibility of chemical poisoning.
• B. Those who live in buildings with stained glass could see the fragile windows shatter.
• C. The challenges of creating stained glass often intimidate those who consider taking on such a project.
• D. While stained glass is difficult to make, its beauty makes the work well worth the effort.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

(A) The answer must both outline a worst-case scenario and do so with respect to the user's health impact. Choice (A) is the only option to focus on the worst-case possibility of a stained-glass artist becoming poisoned. Choice (B) does not focus on the health impact of the person making stained glass. Choices (C) and (D) do not connect to worst-case scenarios.