PSAT Reading Question 428: Answer and Explanation

Question: 428

As an adult, the attitude that Alice has toward her past is best described as

• A. fond.
• B. forgetful.
• C. unsettled.
• D. sedate.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

(C) The imagery in lines 4–6 reveals a lot about Alice as an adult. She is "stooped" and "quiet," despite the "ferment" brewing under her surface. Synonyms of ferment include tumult, turmoil, and disquiet, so "unsettled" is the correct answer. Although she may be fond of Ned, their unresolved love affair has taken its toll on her—she still lives with her mother and there is no evidence to suggest she has since moved on to another lover. Choice (B) is characteristic of Ned, not Alice. The word "sedate," which means calm and peaceful, describes Alice's exterior but remains in contrast to her restless interior.