PSAT Reading Question 600: Answer and Explanation

Question: 600

Washington's most likely purpose in lines 41–53 is best described as

• A. to lament his increased senility.
• B. to express his true identity.
• C. to critique his familial relations.
• D. to underscore his rootlessness.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

(D) The vocabulary of the choices is perhaps the most difficult part of this question. "To underscore his rootlessness" is another way of saying to emphasize the uncertainty of his background. Choice (D) is the correct answer, as Washington is emphasizing that he really has very little idea about how he came into this world. Washington is not complaining about his dementia, as in choice (A), and choice (B) is flawed in that he is uncertain of his "true identity." Choice (C) is flawed in that Washington is not critical of his family; rather, he is critical of the system of slavery that led to the instability/absence of his familial relations.