PSAT Writing and Language Question 33: Answer and Explanation

Question: 33

The writer wants to end the paragraph with a future-oriented statement that reinforces the main idea of the passage. Which choice best accomplishes this goal?

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. Some researchers have suggested that human bodies will eventually exhibit physical changes as a result of all of this time spent viewing screens.
• C. Rather than simply reacting negatively to a new form of media, society will need to look closely at the long-term risks and benefits associated with significant time spent online.
• D. Some people actually experience Internet addiction and spend almost all of their waking hours online.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

Note the question! The question asks for a choice that is a future-oriented statement that reinforces the main idea of the passage, so it's testing consistency. First consider the main idea of the passage. The author discusses early criticisms of television, then explains that other forms of media faced similar criticisms when they were introduced, and then states that the Internet should not be quickly criticized. Finally, the author notes that people spend tremendous amounts of time on the Internet and states that There must at least be some kind of change that this Internet usage is causing. Check the answers to see whether they are future-oriented and reinforce the main idea of the passage. Choice (A) has some relationship to the passage's main idea, but it is focused on the present, not the future, so eliminate (A). Choice (B) mentions the future, but the idea of physical changes to the human body isn't related to the passage's main idea, so eliminate (B). Keep (C) because it describes what people will need to do in the future, and it references the main idea by drawing a contrast between simply reacting negatively to a new form of media and weighing its risks and benefits. Eliminate (D) because it doesn't mention anything related to the future, and it lacks a strong relationship to the passage's main idea. The correct answer is (C).