PSAT Reading Question 82: Answer and Explanation

Question: 82

As used in line 63, "consumption" most nearly means

• A. eating.
• B. expenditure.
• C. corrosion.
• D. burning.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

B

The question asks what the word consumption means in line 63. Go back to the text, find the word consumption, 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 the text, consumption refers to the use of modern comforts such as the can openers and knives, refrigerators and cars, bridges and skyscrapers produced by steel mills. The correct answer should mean something like "purchase" or "use." Choice (A) is a Could Be True trap answer: eating is a synonym of consumption, but it does not match "purchase" or "use." Eliminate (A). Choice (B), expenditure, matches "purchase," so keep it. Neither corrosion nor burning means "purchase" or "use." Eliminate (C) and (D). The correct answer is (B).