PSAT Reading Question 51: Answer and Explanation

Question: 51

The author of Passage 1 indicates that tardigrades can survive in hostile environments due to which unique trait?

• A. Shuffling walk
• B. Tolerance for famine
• C. Small size
• D. Ability to replace water with sugar

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

D

The question asks which unique trait allows tardigrades to survive in hostile environments. Notice that this is the first question in a paired set, so it can be done in tandem with Q42. Look at the answer choices for Q42 first. The lines for (42A) say that a team of scientists launched a squad of tiny animals into space aboard a Russian satellite. These lines do not address Q41, so eliminate (42A). The lines for (42B) state that tardigrades are aquatic invertebrates and that they are nigh-invincible. Although the lines mention the tardigrades' shuffling walk, they do not say that the shuffling walk helps tardigrades survive in hostile environments. Eliminate (43B). The lines for (42C) say that tardigrades survive by replacing almost all of the water in their bodies with a sugar called trehalose. This information matches (41D). Draw a line connecting (42C) and (41D). The lines in (42D) state that tardigrades can be revived by a drop of water. Check the answers for Q41 to see whether any of the answers are supported by these lines. None of the answers in Q41 match the information in (42D), so eliminate (42D). Without any support in the answers from Q42, (41A), (41B), and (41C) can be eliminated. The correct answers are (41D) and (42C).