PSAT Reading Question 484: Answer and Explanation

Question: 484

The respective purposes of Passage 1 and Passage 2 are best described as

• A. analytical and narrative.
• B. persuasive and descriptive.
• C. expository and argumentative.
• D. medical and economic.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

(C) Passage 1 examines how caffeine works in the body by inhibiting the body's ability to sense how much adenosine is in the body. It is neutral and informative. Passage 2 seems to serve as a warning to the reader that although caffeine isn't typically deadly, it does have many negative health consequences. Passage 2 is primarily persuasive. Therefore, choice (C) is correct. Choice (A) is wrong because although Passage 1 is analytical, Passage 2 is not narrative, or telling a story. Choice (B) is wrong because it flips the two passages. Choice (D) is incorrect because although Passage 1 is somewhat medical, Passage 2 doesn't focus on economics.