PSAT Reading Question 515: Answer and Explanation

Question: 515

What is the primary function of the sentence in lines 10–12 ("Phagocytes . . . matter")?

• A. To clarify a specialized term
• B. To explain the derivation of a word
• C. To highlight an irony
• D. To offer a solution to a health care predicament

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

(A) Consider the context here. The previous sentence introduces the term phagocytosis. Because this is a scientific term that not all readers will know, the author then clarifies what phagocytes do in the process of phagocytosis. Therefore, the author is clarifying a specialized term, making choice (A) correct. Choice (B) is incorrect because the author doesn't tell where the word comes from. Choices (C) and (D) are incorrect because the sentence does neither of these things.