PSAT Reading Question 290: Answer and Explanation
Question: 290
Which choice best summarizes the passage?
- A. The common people of India suffered many hardships to gain freedom, and they must organize to achieve true equality.
- B. The nations of the world have prospered and failed together throughout history.
- C. The citizens of India will be sorrowful and burdened until they realize their dreams.
- D. Gaining independence is a great accomplishment, but India's leaders must dedicate themselves to help the country achieve its full potential.
Correct Answer: D
Explanation:
D
The question asks for a summary of the passage. Since this is a general question, it should be answered after the specific questions. The blurb indicates that Nehru delivered this speech to India's Parliament when India was about to become independent from the United Kingdom. In the first paragraph, Nehru states, The achievement we celebrate today is but a step, an opening of opportunity, to the greater triumphs and achievements that await us. Are we brave enough and wise enough to grasp this opportunity and accept the challenge of the future? Throughout the speech, Nehru talks about the hard work that needs to be done to give reality to our dreams. Therefore, the speech celebrates independence but also conveys that there is more work to be done. Eliminate answers that don't match the prediction. Eliminate (A) because Nehru does not focus on encouraging the common people to organize; instead, he focuses on the Parliament's responsibility to create opportunity for India's people. Eliminate (B) because the passage focuses on India at a particular moment in history, not on the nations of the world throughout history. Although Nehru mentions that nations must work together, this is one detail in the speech, and therefore it does not summarize the passage, making it a Right Answer, Wrong Question trap answer. Eliminate (C) because the tone of the passage is hopeful. Although sorrow is mentioned in one paragraph, Nehru does not indicate that the Indian people will be sorrowful and burdened until they realize their dreams. Keep (D) because it matches the prediction. The correct answer is (D).