PSAT Reading Question 447: Answer and Explanation

Question: 447

Douglass expresses that his primary vehicle for learning about his origins was

• A. his mother's private conversations.
• B. the anecdotes of others.
• C. documentary evidence.
• D. spiritual revelation.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

(B) What the author does know about himself comes from others' conversations or stories, making choice (B) correct. We know Douglass didn't speak much with his mother, and she died while he was very young. Choice (C) is incorrect because this evidence was purposefully denied him. Choice (D) is not discussed in the passage.