PSAT Writing and Language Question 145: Answer and Explanation

Question: 145

Which sentence most effectively establishes the central idea?

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. The Small Business Administration defines a small business as one with fewer than 500 employees and less than $7 million in sales annually.
• C. Many small businesses fail because company founders are not realistic about the amount of time it takes for a company to become profitable.
• D. Running a small business can take up a lot more time than punching a clock for someone else and might not be enjoyable for everyone.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

A

Difficulty: Medium

Category: Development: Introductions and Conclusions

Getting to the Answer: Eliminate answers that might contain details related to the central idea but do not properly express the central idea. This paragraph is mostly about the characteristics of people who are successful entrepreneurs. Choice (A) is the correct answer because it introduces the main idea by summarizing the traits people must have to achieve success as a business owner.