PSAT Reading Question 489: Answer and Explanation

Question: 489

As used in line 35, "innocuous" most closely means

• A. harmless.
• B. stimulating.
• C. legal.
• D. popular.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

(A) This line is used to contrast the beginning of the paragraph, which states that caffeine isn't typically deadly. The "however" in this line tips us off to the fact that the author wants to make a contrast. What he's saying is that although caffeine isn't deadly, it's also not ____. It makes sense to say that although caffeine isn't deadly, it's also not "harmless," which is choice (A). Choices (B), (C), and (D) are incorrect because caffeine is all of these things.