PSAT Reading Question 475: Answer and Explanation

Question: 475

The author suggests that the military's initial mindset on their capacity to remove the emus was one of

• A. overconfidence.
• B. bravery.
• C. humility.
• D. fanaticism.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

(A) We know that the military initially thought they could easily handle the emus, but they failed miserably, making choice (A) correct. The author does not suggest that it requires extraordinary bravery to face flightless birds, ruling out choice (B). Choice (C) is actually the lesson learned from the military's overconfidence: because it was particularly presumptuous, the military learned a lesson in modesty. Choice (D) means excessively enthusiastic or extreme, which is not accurate here.