PSAT Reading Question 58: Answer and Explanation

Question: 58

The point of view from which the passage is written can best be described as

• A. a first-person narrator telling his life story.
• B. a disinterested reporter listing objective facts.
• C. a critical observer who judges Marcher's actions.
• D. a sympathetic chronicler who relates to Marcher's feelings.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

D

This question asks how to best describe the passage's point of view. Because this is a general question, it should be done after all the specific questions. In the second paragraph, the narrator refers to John in the third person: He had forgotten and was even more surprised than ashamed. Eliminate (A). In lines 45–47, the narrator says that the blood slowly came to his face, which began to burn with recognition. Since the author is using figurative language here, the point of view of the passage would not be described as a disinterested reporter listing objective facts. Eliminate (B). In the last paragraph, John is described as embarrassed. The narrator is not judging him here but instead is describing his emotions through the course of his conversation with May, so eliminate (C). Choice (D) is a good match because the narrator notes in the last paragraph that it was No wonder they couldn't have met as if nothing had happened. This line supports the notion that the narrator relates to Marcher's feelings. The correct answer is (D).