PSAT Reading Question 451: Answer and Explanation

Question: 451

Douglass implies that his mother visited him only during the night because

• A. she would face a harsh reprisal if she visited during the day.
• B. she had other economic priorities besides child rearing.
• C. she lived at an insurmountable distance from her son.
• D. she had an unusual biological clock that made daytime activity a challenge.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

(A) Douglass's mother sneaks out at night, walks 12 miles to visit him, and then has to make the journey again before morning so she can work in the fields all day. Her priorities are not economic as in choice (B). Although 12 miles is quite a bit to walk, her presence proves that it is not insurmountable, making choice (C) incorrect. Choice (D) is never mentioned.