Digital PSAT Reading and Writing Practice Question 6: Answer and Explanation

Question: 6

The following text is from Ralph Waldo Emerson's 1862 lecture "American Civilization."

The power of Emancipation is this, that it alters the atomic social constitution of the Southern people. Now their interest is in keeping out white labor; then, when they must pay wages, their interest will be to let it in, to get the best labor, and, if they fear their blacks, to invite Irish, German, and American laborers. Thus, whilst Slavery makes and keeps disunion, Emancipation removes the whole objection to union. Emancipation at one stroke elevates the poor white of the South, and identifies his interest with that of the Northern laborer. […]

What option best summarizes the text?

• A. Emancipation will lead to the political dominance of European immigrants.
• B. Emancipation will ensure an equitable redistribution of income across the races.
• C. An end to slavery will cause the Southern constitution to be amended.
• D. An end to slavery will realign Southern economic interests in favor of union.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

(D) To paraphrase the text, emancipation will change Southern culture in ways that will unify the nation. Thus, (D) best captures this idea. Emerson only mentions immigrants to argue that emancipation opens up labor options. Choice (B) is a distorted exaggeration. (A) Southern constitution, as in (C), was never mentioned.