PSAT Reading Question 391: Answer and Explanation

Question: 391

The primary function of lines 22–25 ("Metaphorically, . . . protons") in the paragraph as a whole is to

• A. introduce poetic rhetorical devices to provide aesthetic language.
• B. summarize the principle argument of the passage.
• C. explain the mechanism whereby the Higgs particle can be detected.
• D. clarify an esoteric concept for laypeople.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

(D) Immediately before this metaphor is a rather complicated discussion of how the Higgs boson field is thought to operate to give particles mass. The function of these lines is to help clarify this difficult (esoteric) concept for laypeople (nonphysicists) so they can understand a challenging idea in terms they can relate to. Choice (A) is wrong because the objective is to help the reader understand a difficult idea, not to insert a poetic aside. Choice (B) is not correct because this is a minor point of the passage. Choice (C) is incorrect because it focuses on how the Higgs boson provides mass, not on how it can be detected.