PSAT Reading Question 474: Answer and Explanation

Question: 474

The author uses the introductory paragraph (lines 1–7) to

• A. demonstrate how a military decision led to environmental catastrophe.
• B. anticipate objections that the reader will have to the main argument.
• C. provide a personal anecdote to draw the reader's attention.
• D. place the topic of the passage in a greater context.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

(D) The question is asking what the first paragraph does. That paragraph discusses the butterfly effect generally before closing in on a particular instance between British veterans and emus in Western Australia. So choice (D) is correct. This paragraph is concerned with introducing the topic in a creative way, not in demonstrating a decision (which comes much later in the passage) or countering objections. Choice (C) is incorrect because the first paragraph does not utilize a personal story.