PSAT Reading Question 494: Answer and Explanation

Question: 494

The author primarily uses the introductory paragraph, lines 1–11, to

• A. demonstrate the applications of fungi in cooking.
• B. refute widespread misinformation about fungi.
• C. establish the relevance of the essay's topic.
• D. point out the easy visibility of fungal influence.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

(C) This paragraph gives a general introduction of fungi, emphasizing that many people don't realize how prevalent they are in our lives. The essay then goes on to discuss several examples of the applications of fungi. Therefore, the answer is choice (C): the author relates fungi to our lives. Choice (A) is wrong because the author mentions fungi only as food here, but the essay doesn't focus on it. Chocie (B) doesn't work because the author simply says that many people don't realize how important fungi are—not that they're wrong about fungi. Choice (D) is incorrect because the author says that the importance of fungi is easily overlooked rather than easily visible.