PSAT Reading Question 30: Answer and Explanation

Question: 30

As used in line 12, "solution" most nearly means

• A. mixture.
• B. answer.
• C. resolution.
• D. key.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

A

The question asks what the word solution most nearly means in line 12. Go back to the text, find the word solution, and cross it out. Then read the window carefully, using context clues to determine another word that would fit in the text. The text says that mice were injected with saline solution. Therefore, solution must refer to a liquid that contains saline and other components, so it must mean something like "composite liquid." Mixture matches "composite liquid," so keep (A). Answer does not match "composite liquid," so eliminate (B). Resolution means "solution to a problem," which does not match "composite liquid," so eliminate (C). Key does not match "composite liquid," so eliminate (D). Note that (B), (C), and (D) are Could Be True trap answers based on other meanings of solution that are not supported by the text. The correct answer is (A).