PSAT Reading Question 360: Answer and Explanation

Question: 360

Based on the passage as a whole, Newman is best characterized as

• A. easily flustered and emotionally vulnerable.
• B. even-tempered and business savvy.
• C. odiously successful and frighteningly barbaric
• D. innocently optimistic and personally intimidating.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

(B) Tristram describes Newman as someone without "real feeling" in line 5. Tristram continues to try to press Newman's emotional buttons to demonstrate that her assumptions about his even-tempered nature are correct. Also, Newman has been "successful in copper" (line 34), which allows him to live a more free and luxurious life, so he must have business savvy (know-how or smarts). Choice (A) is incorrect because Newman does not demonstrate much emotion. Choice (C) and choice (D) are incorrect because Newman is in no way a frightening or an intimidating person.