PSAT Reading Question 464: Answer and Explanation

Question: 464

It is most reasonable to infer that the author considers the problem of Russian depopulation to be

• A. complex yet manageable.
• B. dire yet common.
• C. serious and multifaceted.
• D. unfortunate and nebulous.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

(C) The author presents several contributing factors to the population problem and ends on a less than hopeful note that the population will continue to decline if great changes are not made. Thus choice (C) makes the most sense here. Choice (A) might tempt you, but "manageable" implies that the problem could be taken care of without difficulty, which is not the author's opinion. Since Russia seems to be an aberration rather than the norm, we can rule out choice (B). "Nebulous" means "unclear," but the author seems to believe he knows the factors behind the decline in population, which eliminates choice (D).