PSAT Reading Question 66: Answer and Explanation

Question: 66

As used in line 57, "allusion" most nearly means

• A. reference.
• B. image.
• C. quotation.
• D. apparition.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

A

The question asks what the word allusion means in line 57. Go back to the text, find the word allusion, and highlight it. Carefully read the surrounding text to determine another word that would fit in its place, based on the context of the passage. In lines 53–54, May asks Marcher "if the thing you then spoke of has ever came to pass?" Lines 55–57 indicate that Marcher feels embarrassed about what May asked, and May feels sorry for him, as if her allusion had been a mistake. Therefore, the word allusion must mean something like "mention" or "remark." Reference matches "mention," so keep (A). Image doesn't match "mention," so eliminate (B). What May mentioned was not a quotation, so eliminate (C). Apparition means "ghost" or "spirit," which doesn't match "mention." The correct answer is (A).