PSAT Reading Question 37: Answer and Explanation

Question: 37

What main purpose does the figure serve in relation to the passage as a whole?

• A. It resolves the conflicting conclusions of the various experiments in the passage.
• B. It quantifies results of the first experiment discussed in the passage.
• C. It offers a possible source of error that casts doubt on Professor Watanabe's conclusions.
• D. It suggests a different interpretation than that presented in the passage.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

B

The question asks for the purpose that the figure serves in relation to the passage as a whole. The passage describes a recent study and discusses the significance of that study's findings. The figure shows data from the "staying time" experiment, which was Experiment 1. Eliminate answers that are inconsistent with either the passage or the figure. Eliminate (A) because the passage does not indicate that the two experiments had conflicting conclusions. Keep (B) because it is consistent with both the purpose of the figure and information from the passage. Eliminate (C) because the figure does not introduce a possible source of error or cast doubt on Professor Watanabe's conclusions. Eliminate (D) because the figure agrees with the results in the passage; it does not suggest a different interpretation than that presented in the passage. The correct answer is (B).