Digital PSAT Reading and Writing Practice Question 272: Answer and Explanation

Question: 272

The text is from Benjamin Franklin's 1771 autobiography.

Having emerged from the poverty and obscurity in which I was born and bred, to a state of affluence and some degree of reputation in the world, and having gone so far through life with a considerable share of felicity, the conducing means I made use of, which with the blessing of God so well succeeded, my posterity may like to know, as they may find some of them suitable to their own situations, and therefore fit to be imitated.

That felicity, when I reflected on it, has induced me sometimes to say, that were it offered to my choice, I should have no objection to a repetition of the same life from its beginning, only asking the advantages authors have in a second edition to correct some faults of the first.

It is reasonable to conclude from the text that Franklin's personal financial situation

• A. was as strong later in his life as it was when he was young.
• B. worsened as he advanced in years.
• C. had a random pattern of booms and busts over his life.
• D. improved greatly over his lifetime.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

D. In the beginning of the text, Franklin describes being born into poverty and then achieving affluence. He entered the world poor but obtained wealth through his endeavors. This is most consistent with Choice D. Choices B and C imply at least some sort of financial hardship in adulthood, which was not the case. Choice A is flawed in that Franklin was not born wealthy.