PSAT Reading Question 522: Answer and Explanation

Question: 522

The characters in the passage use the terms "citizen" and "citizeness" to distinguish between

• A. different genders.
• B. different social classes.
• C. different ages.
• D. different ethnicities.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

(A) "Citizen" is consistently used to refer to Brotteaux, who is a man; "citizeness" is consistently used to refer to Gamelin, a woman. There is no clear indication that Gamelin and Brotteaux are of different social classes, age groupings, or ethnicities. After all, they both refer to the aristocracy with an outside perspective. In addition, they are both elderly. Finally, they are both most likely French.