PSAT Reading Question 298: Answer and Explanation

Question: 298

Based on Passage 1, what can be reasonably inferred about neutrinos?

• A. A person holding one would not be able to feel its weight.
• B. They have surprised scientists more than any other particle has.
• C. They provide a direct measurement of the mass of the early universe.
• D. Calculating their size helps determine the charge of other particles.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

A

The question asks what can be reasonably inferred about neutrinos from Passage 1. Notice that this is the first question in a paired set, so it can be done in tandem with Q36. Look at the answer choices for Q36 first. The lines for (36A) say that neutrinos were predicted to be completely massless, but surprisingly do have some mass. Check the answers for Q35 to see whether any of the answers are supported by these lines. These lines do not support any of the answers for Q35, so eliminate (36A). The lines for (36B) indicate that the maximum weight of a neutrino was estimated to be at least six million times lighter than an electron. It is not possible to feel the weight of an electron, let alone an item lighter than an electron, so (35A) may be inferred from (36B). Draw a line connecting (36B) and (35A). The lines for (36C) say that scientists can infer the mass of a neutrino by measuring the energy of the electron. Both (36C) and (35D) discuss the size of a particle and its relation to other particles. However, the lines for (36C) discuss how the mass of a neutrino depends on the energy of the electron, whereas (35D) suggests that the charge of other particles depends on the size of the neutrino. Eliminate (36C). The lines for (36D) say that all ways of measuring mass will be used in finding a finite answer about the neutrino's mass. These lines do not support any of the answers for Q35, so eliminate (36D). Without any support in the answers from Q36, (35B), (35C), and (35D) can be eliminated. The correct answers are (35A) and (36B).