PSAT Reading Question 566: Answer and Explanation

Question: 566

The statement in 63–65 ("By using . . . records") mainly serves to

• A. provide a key biographical detail.
• B. explain how a hypothesis was created.
• C. demonstrate a contradiction in a memory.
• D. show a mathematical calculation.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

(B) Immediately after this selection, the narrator states that "Halley surmised that the comets observed . . . were one and the same." So the statement in lines 63–65 mainly serves to show how Halley's hypothesis was created. Choice (A) is incorrect because this statement does not provide any key biographical information and, instead, focuses more on an intellectual approach. Choice (C) is incorrect because no memories were discussed, and choice (D) is incorrect because there is no demonstration of a mathematical calculation in this statement, just a reference to some.