PSAT Reading Question 289: Answer and Explanation

Question: 289

The main purpose of the passage is to

• A. inspire the Assembly to work diligently to help India prosper.
• B. persuade Indian citizens to take advantage of new opportunities.
• C. comfort those who lost a great deal in the fight for independence.
• D. seek advice from the Assembly about India's next steps.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

A

The question asks for the main purpose of the passage. Since this is a general question, it should be answered after the specific questions. The blurb states that Nehru delivered this speech to India's Parliament. Throughout the speech, Nehru talks about the responsibility that rests upon the Parliament and the need to work hard to give reality to our dreams for India. Therefore, the speech is intended to encourage the members of Parliament to work hard, to fulfill their responsibilities, and to help India succeed. Eliminate answers that don't match the prediction. Keep (A) because it matches the prediction. Eliminate (B) because the speech discusses the need for Parliament to create new opportunities, rather than for Indian citizens to take advantage of new opportunities. Choice (C) is a Right Answer, Wrong Question trap answer—it includes a detail from the passage, but it doesn't answer the question that was asked. In the second paragraph, Nehru does say that our hearts are heavy with the memory of the sorrow that people suffered before gaining independence. However, this is only mentioned once in the passage, so comforting those who lost a great deal is not the main purpose of the passage. Eliminate (C). Eliminate (D) because Nehru does not seek advice from the Parliament; instead he tells them what he thinks is most important. The correct answer is (A).