PSAT Reading Question 643: Answer and Explanation

Question: 643

Which of the following, if true, would most undermine the author's argument in lines 27–30 ("Intentional . . . exceptions")?

• A. A historical investigation into the origins of invasive plants that demonstrates that the majority were introduced by accident
• B. A global statistical analysis that demonstrates the net harmful effects from purposefully introduced invasive plant species
• C. A genetic analysis that establishes that invasive plant species share several fundamental characteristics in their DNA
• D. Discovery of three instances of invasive plant introduction that had a beneficial impact on the surrounding environments

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

(B) The author argues in these lines that intentional cultivation of nonnative plants is usually a good thing. A global analysis demonstrating that nonnative plants are typically harmful when introduced would therefore undermine—weaken—this argument. Choice (A) is not correct because knowing that most invasive plants were introduced by accident would not give information about their relative benefit. Choice (C) is incorrect because it, too, would not give any facts about how harmful the plants were to their surroundings. Choice (D) is not correct because this would be too small a sample size to make such a sweeping claim.