PSAT Reading Question 282: Answer and Explanation

Question: 282

As used in line 5, "shocks" most nearly means

• A. surprises.
• B. jolts.
• C. disturbances.
• D. reactions.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

C

The question asks what the word shocks most nearly means in line 5. Go back to the text, find the word shocks, and cross it out. Carefully read the surrounding text to determine another word that would fit in the blank based on the context in the passage. The text states that reefs face many stresses and shocks and then provides several examples of those shocks: overfishing, habitat damage, and pollution. Therefore, shocks must mean something like "problems" or "disruptions." Surprises does not match "problems," so eliminate (A). Jolts does not match "problems." Eliminate (B). Disturbances matches "problems," so keep (C). Reactions does not match "problems," so eliminate (D). The correct answer is (C).