PSAT Reading Question 576: Answer and Explanation

Question: 576

Which option gives the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

• A. Lines 50–53 ("And then . . . place")
• B. Lines 53–56 ("Marija . . . learned")
• C. Lines 66–74 ("In one . . . 'forelady'")
• D. Lines 82–87 ("The painting . . . convulsions")

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

(B) See the explanation for question 8. Lines 53–56 state, "Marija had nothing to take with her save her two brawny arms and the word 'job,' laboriously learned; but with these, she had marched about Packingtown all day. . . ." Laboriously means "with difficulty." If she had difficulty learning one single, simple word, clearly her English was very basic.