PSAT Reading Question 268: Answer and Explanation

Question: 268

As used in line 22, "ragged" most nearly means

• A. fast.
• B. loud.
• C. rough.
• D. fevered.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

C

The question asks what the word ragged most nearly means in line 22. Go back to the text, find the word ragged, and cross it out. Then read the window carefully, using context clues to determine another word that would fit in the text. The text says, "Hassan! Wait!" I yelled, my breathing hot and ragged. The narrator is running after Hassan, who is faster, so the narrator is struggling to breathe normally. Therefore, ragged must mean something like "uneven." Fast does not match "uneven," so eliminate (A). This is a Could Be True trap answer; it is likely that the narrator's breath is also fast, since he is running, but this is not the meaning of ragged. Loud does not match "uneven," so eliminate (B). Rough matches "uneven," so keep (C). Fevered does not match "uneven," so eliminate (D). This is a Right Answer, Wrong Question trap answer; fevered could match hot, but it is not the meaning of ragged. The correct answer is (C).