PSAT Reading Question 321: Answer and Explanation

Question: 321

The passage suggests that the person who grasps her "bare shoulder" (line 56) is likely motivated by

• A. avarice.
• B. power.
• C. vigilance.
• D. fear.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

(C) When the person places his hand on the narrator's shoulders, she is walking about all alone on a pier, which could be very dangerous were she to fall off into the water. The person offers to help by asking the narrator whether she needs someone to reconnect her with her parents. So the motivation is one of "vigilance," or watchfulness. The person is not greedy, not showing avarice as in choice (A), and is not interested in maintaining power over the narrator as in choice (B). Although he might be fearful that she could fall into the water as in choice (D), "vigilance" is a better way to describe the person's calm, helpful interactions with the narrator.