PSAT Reading Question 47: Answer and Explanation

Question: 47

In saying "with equal pleasure" (line 53), Jay suggests that he

• A. finds the unity among the country's people as satisfying as the connections in the country's geography.
• B. would be just as happy to have the states unified as he would to have them divided.
• C. would enjoy meeting new people if he had the opportunity to travel more.
• D. would prefer traveling by water as much as he would prefer traveling by land.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

A

The question asks what Jay means when he says with equal pleasure. Use the given line reference to find the window. Notice that this line reference is from the same window as the previous question. The text states that Jay likes both the connectedness of the land and the connectedness of the people of the United States. Eliminate any answer choices that aren't consistent with this prediction. Choice (A) is a paraphrase of the prediction, so keep it. Choice (B) can be eliminated because Jay does not feel equally happy about unification and division. Although (C) might seem logical, there is no evidence for it in the text, and it can be eliminated. Choice (D) might also make sense, but again, there is no direct evidence for it in the text, so it can be eliminated. The correct answer is (A).