PSAT Reading Question 280: Answer and Explanation

Question: 280

Which statement best describes the overall structure of the passage?

• A. The authors outline various types of herbivorous fish, and then explain how they interact together.
• B. The authors trace the history of research on herbivorous fish, and then explain the impact of that research.
• C. The authors describe an event that occurs on coral reefs, and then explain what caused the event.
• D. The authors explain the relationship between coral reefs and herbivorous fish, and then detail a study's findings about that relationship.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

D

The question asks which statement best matches the structure of the passage. Since this is a general question, it should be answered after the specific questions. The passage begins by stating, Coral reefs are among the most valuable natural assets on Earth and then discusses the role that herbivorous fish play in maintaining coral reefs. Eliminate answers that don't match the prediction. Though the authors do discuss various types of herbivorous fish, they do not discuss how these types interact with each other. Eliminate (A). Though the text mentions herbivorous fish several times, the passage is not about the history of research on herbivorous fish. Eliminate (B). No specific event that occurs on coral reefs is discussed in depth in the passage. Eliminate (C). Keep (D) because it refers to both herbivorous fish and coral reefs and matches the prediction. The correct answer is (D).