Digital PSAT Reading and Writing Practice Question 37: Answer and Explanation

Question: 37

Text 1

Students should be permitted to leave school during lunch periods. Having the opportunity to get off school grounds and recharge will build student morale and empower students to be more focused when they return from their meal. Additionally, giving students the chance to leave school for lunch will likely encourage more physical activity, as many students will walk home or to a nearby restaurant.

Text 2

Many people are rightly concerned that some students cannot be trusted to act appropriately with the freedom to leave school during lunch. Rather than letting a few bad apples spoil the barrel, schools should prohibit troublemakers from leaving the school grounds, while allowing responsible students the freedom to make their own choices.

The two texts differ in arguments in that

• A. Text 2 uses metaphorical language, whereas Text 1 does not.
• B. Text 1 argues for students to be free to leave during lunch periods, whereas Text 2 disagrees.
• C. Text 2 does not consider the likely objections of others, whereas Text 1 does.
• D. Text 1 cites evidence from scholarly publications, whereas Text 2 does not.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

(A) Text 2 uses the phrase "letting a few bad apples spoil the barrel," which is metaphorical, not literal, language. Text 1 does not use any metaphorical language and is very matter-of-fact. It is not (B), because Text 2 also believes that students should have the freedom to leave school during lunch periods. It is not (C), because Text 2 begins by considering the objections of others. It is not (D), because neither text cites scholarly evidence.