Digital PSAT Reading and Writing Practice Question 290: Answer and Explanation

Question: 290

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

• Skin acts as a barrier to the body, protecting the underlying tissues.
• The stratum corneum is the uppermost layer of the skin and is made of keratin and lipids.
• Moisturizers work by restoring the integrity of the stratum corneum.
• Moisturizer use prevents water loss and replaces skin lipids and other compounds.
• Nolan & Marmur (2012) studied expensive prescription-device moisturizers that prevent TEWL (transepidermal water loss).
• They found, along with other literature, that there is no clear benefit compared to over-the-counter moisturizers.

The student wants to emphasize a difference between prescription-device moisturizers and over-the-counter ones. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

• A. While prescription-device moisturizers restore the stratum corneum, over-the-counter moisturizers fail to treat skin dryness.
• B. Prescription-device moisturizers primarily differ from over-the-counter moisturizers with respect to cost.
• C. Researchers have found over-the-counter moisturizers to be more effective at treating skin dryness than prescription-device moisturizers.
• D. Both prescription-device moisturizers and over-the-counter ones principally treat the uppermost layer of the skin.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

B. The notes point out that over-the-counter moisturizers were as effective in treating a skin issue as the prescription-device moisturizers, with the major difference being that the prescription-device moisturizers are “expensive.” This makes Choice B the most logical option since it highlights the difference in cost. It is not Choice A because both moisturizers treat dry skin. It is not C because the researchers did not find a difference in effectiveness between the two types of moisturizers. It is not D because both this does not note a difference.