PSAT Reading Question 291: Answer and Explanation

Question: 291

Nehru includes the statement in lines 4–6 ("Through good…strength") most likely to convey the idea that

• A. India's people have been true to their values even during times of hardship.
• B. India's quest will succeed even though the past has been difficult.
• C. India has been led by people with strong ideals throughout history.
• D. the people of India must honor their nation's values no matter the circumstances.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

A

The question asks what Nehru wants to convey with the statement in lines 4–6. Use the line reference to find the window. This sentence states that India has never lost sight of its goals or forgotten the ideals which gave it strength, through both good and ill fortune. Nehru uses this statement to convey that India has been true to its ideals and goals in both good and bad circumstances. Eliminate answers that don't match the prediction. Choice (A) matches the prediction, so keep it. Eliminate (B) because the lines in the question do not make any prediction for the future; later in the paragraph, Nehru indicates that India will succeed, but that idea is not conveyed by these lines. Therefore, (B) a Right Answer, Wrong Question trap answer that is based on a fact from the passage but does not answer the question that was asked. Eliminate (C) because the lines in the question do not mention any of India's leaders. Choice (C) is a Could Be True trap answer that is not directly supported by the text. Eliminate (D) because in these lines, Nehru does not suggest what India's people must do; instead, he describes what they have already done. This is a Mostly Right, Slightly Wrong trap answer. The correct answer is (A).