Digital PSAT Reading and Writing Practie Test 1: Central Ideas and Details

1

The following text is from Anatole France's 1912 French novel The Gods Will Have Blood.

"As an appetizer for your capon, I've made some vegetable soup with a slice of bacon and a big beef bone. There's nothing gives soup a flavor better than a marrow bone."

"A praiseworthy maxim, (Gamelin)," replied old Brotteaux. "And you will do wisely, if tomorrow, and the next day, and all the rest of the week, you put this precious bone back into the pot, so that it will continue to flavor it. The wise woman of Panzoust used to do that: she made a soup of green cabbages with a rind of bacon and an old savorados. That is what they call the tasty and succulent medullary bone in her country, which is also my country."

"This lady you speak of, monsieur," . . . Gamelin put in, "wasn't she a little on the careful side, making the same bone last so long?"

Based on the text, Citizen Brotteaux and Citizeness Gamelin have what respective attitudes towards the reuse of food?

2

The text is from Booker T. Washington's 1901 autobiography.

My mother, I suppose, attracted the attention of a purchaser who was afterward my owner and hers. Her addition to the slave family attracted about as much attention as the purchase of a new horse or cow. Of my father I know even less than of my mother. I do not even know his name. I have heard reports to the effect that he was a white man who lived on one of the near-by plantations. Whoever he was, I never heard of his taking the least interest in me or providing in any way for my rearing. But I do not find especial fault with him.

The source of information Washington primarily draws upon for the information in the text is most likely

3

Finding a job directly out of college is, for many, a catch-22. Employers want experience, and graduates are hard pressed to gain the experience needed to, well, gain experience. As a remedy, universities are encouraging internships, opportunities to enter the workforce temporarily and train in a position of interest. The idea is that both sides will come out the better - the intern strengthening his or her resume and building a strong social network, the employer expanding its workforce and investing in a prospective employee. But now, more students are questioning exactly who is getting their money's worth when many internships are unpaid. Rather than doubting the value of experience, they wonder at its fairness and practicality. Internships, when paid, are not only more valuable, but also more meaningful.

Which choice best states the main argument of the text?

4

The following is Carl Sandburg's 1916 poem "Fog."

The fog comes

on little cat feet.

It sits looking

over harbor and city

on silent haunches

and then moves on.

What is the most suitable description of fog as presented in the poem?

5

This selection is adapted from Lincoln's 1863 Gettysburg Address.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

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?