PSAT Reading Question 202: Answer and Explanation

Question: 202

The authors most likely included Aida Green's comments in order to:

• A. show that marginalization is one of a constellation of problems, most of which are not clear from survey data.
• B. add an emotional component to the statistical information that 83% of minority students feel marginalized.
• C. appeal to the reader's reason by adding statistical data to back up an opinion shared by many survey respondents.
• D. distract readers from the main idea in order to trick them into believing an argument that is not sufficiently supported.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

B. The passage reports on the results of a survey and accompanying interviews. The quotations from the interviews add an emotional appeal by putting a human face on dry statistics. See Lesson: Author's Purpose and Point of View.