PSAT Reading Question 59: Answer and Explanation

Question: 59

Over the course of the passage, the emotions of John Marcher shift from

• A. incredulity to begrudging acceptance.
• B. confusion to disconcerted recognition.
• C. disdain to unrequited love.
• D. amazement to painful embarrassment.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

B

This question asks how the emotions of John Marcher shift over the course of the passage. Because this is a general question, it should be done after all the specific questions. In the second paragraph, John Marcher is described as being surprised that he had forgotten a conversation with May. In lines 45–47, the text describes a shift in John Marcher's emotions: Then it was that…a light broke for him…which began to burn with recognition. Incredulity means disbelief, which does not match surprised, and there is no support for begrudging acceptance later in the passage. Eliminate (A). Confusion is a closer match to being surprised and having forgotten, and disconcerted recognition matches the description in lines 45–47, so keep (B). There is no evidence that John Marcher feels disdain nor unrequited love, so eliminate (C). While John Marcher is described as embarrassed (lines 55–56), the word painful is too extreme and isn't supported by the text, so eliminate (D). The correct answer is (B).