PSAT Reading Question 256: Answer and Explanation

Question: 256

Which choice best describes the main shift in focus that occurs within lines 8-35 ("Mr. Nixon's…means") of Passage 1?

• A. The passage provides an overview of careers in the military and then shifts to a discussion of the current use of the draft.
• B. The passage describes equipment used by the United States during World War II and then shifts to a discussion of how that equipment could be used today.
• C. The passage outlines all of the Senate's past actions related to volunteer armed forces and then shifts to a discussion of the Senate's actions on other legislation.
• D. The passage praises the idea of a volunteer army and then shifts to a discussion of arguments against the military draft.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

The question asks for a description of the main shift in focus within lines 8–35 of Passage 1. Use the given line reference to find the window. Lines 8–15 state that voluntary recruitment for the armed forces is more acceptable and more consistent with historic American practice and tradition than involuntary recruitment. Lines 24–35 state, It is time to end the draft, and then present a series of arguments for ending the draft. The main shift in these paragraphs is from arguments in favor of a volunteer military to arguments against the involuntary draft. Eliminate answers that don't match this prediction. Eliminate (A) because although the passage discusses salary scales for members of the military, it does not provide an overview of careers in the military. Eliminate (B) because there is no discussion about equipment in the passage. Eliminate (C) because, although the first paragraph mentions Senate action, this is not included in the lines that the question asks about. The passage also does not outline all of the Senate's past actions regarding a volunteer military, nor does it discuss Senate action on other legislation. Keep (D) because it matches the prediction. The correct answer is (D).