PSAT Writing and Language Question 21: Answer and Explanation

Question: 21

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. concern us or anyone else
• C. count
• D. make a significant difference

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

Vocabulary changes in the answer choices, so this question tests precision of word choice. Look for a word with a definition that is consistent with the other ideas in the sentence. The sentence says that people have to live responsibly, regardless of whether our lives are "fated or free," so the correct answer should mean something like "doesn't matter." The phrase doesn't differ means "isn't different," which does not match "doesn't matter." Eliminate (A). Choice (B) could have two possible meanings—doesn't concern us could mean either "doesn't relate to us" or "doesn't worry us." Neither matches with "doesn't matter," so eliminate (B). The phrase doesn't count means "is not legitimate," which does not mean the same thing as "doesn't matter," so eliminate (C). The phrase doesn't make a significant difference does match with "doesn't matter," so keep (D). The correct answer is (D).