PSAT Reading Question 502: Answer and Explanation

Question: 502

It is most reasonable to infer that the author of the passage believes that scientific understanding of how archaeal and bacterial species interact with the human digestive system is

• A. largely settled.
• B. making progress.
• C. generally mystified.
• D. static.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

(B) The answer to this question can be found in the last paragraph. The author states that understanding Methanosphaera stadtmanae has been immensely helpful in understanding and treating IBD. He also acknowledges that further understanding of archaeal and bacterial species will lead to a better understanding of how all of these things interact. Therefore, progress is being made on the subject, choice (B). It isn't choice (A), "largely settled," because he admits that it can be better understood. It isn't choice (C) because he talks about how scientists have come to better understand the relationships. It isn't choice (D) because scientists are still working to understand how archaeal and bacterial species interact with the human anatomy.