PSAT Writing and Language Question 340: Answer and Explanation

Question: 340

Which choice most effectively sets up the results that follow in the sentence?

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. both species continued to grow at the same rate:
• C. Gause saw a difference in the populations emerge:
• D. Gause decided to do more experiments:

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

Note the question! The question asks which choice sets up the results that follow in the sentence, so it's testing consistency of ideas. Determine the main point of the information that follows, and find the answer that is consistent with this idea. The phrase after the underlined portion says that, under competition, P. aurelia emerged as the dominant organism. Eliminate (A) because it contradicts the information that follows: the emergence of P. aurelia as a dominant organism is a clear pattern. Eliminate (B) because it is not consistent with the information that follows: the two species did not grow at the same rate. Keep (C) because it is consistent with the information that follows: Gause observed a difference in the populations. Eliminate (D) because it is not consistent with the information that follows: the sentence does not indicate that Gause did more experiments. The correct answer is (C).