PSAT Reading Question 606: Answer and Explanation

Question: 606

What is the principal claim of the passage?

• A. Dark matter and dark energy have become the primary focus for modern physicists.
• B. Rather than remaining static, physics is continuing to evolve just as it has in the past.
• C. The contributions of Peter Higgs to science exceed those of Albert Einstein.
• D. After many years of ignorant theorizing, physicists have finally uncovered the ultimate truth of the universe.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

(B) The principal claim of the passage is that the field of physics is changing, developing, revolutionizing—new and fascinating physical discoveries occur regularly (as mentioned throughout the passage), despite the unnamed physicist's claim in the first paragraph that physics was dead. Choice (B) is the best answer. As far as the incorrect choices, dark matter and dark energy are mentioned only briefly. The passage makes no comparison regarding the relative value of the contributions of Higgs and Einstein. Choice (D) has a sentiment that is close, but "ignorant" is too strong a word. Additionally, the author never takes a blatant critical stance against the physicists of the past. Moreover, the author states that physics is continuing to change all the time, so the "ultimate truth" is certainly something that is yet to be uncovered (and the passage leads one to believe that the concept of an ultimate truth is inconsistent with the nature of physical discoveries, as a whole).