PSAT Writing and Language Question 342: Answer and Explanation

Question: 342

At this point, the writer is considering adding the following information:

Gause had earned his first degree at Moscow University a few years before publishing his results.

Should the writer add the sentence here?

• A. Yes, because it shows that Gause's scientific research was trustworthy.
• B. Yes, because it helps the reader understand the passage's main points.
• C. No, because it contradicts the author's claim about Gause in the previous sentence.
• D. No, because it adds unnecessary information that is unrelated to the main topic of the paragraph.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

Note the question! The question asks whether a sentence should be added, so it's testing consistency. If the content of the new sentence is consistent with the ideas surrounding it, then it should be added. The paragraph discusses how Gause's work has influenced modern science. The new sentence identifies where Gause earned his degree, so it is not consistent with the ideas in the text; the sentence should not be added. Eliminate (A) and (B). Eliminate (C) because the new sentence does not contradict an earlier claim about Gause. Keep (D) because it states that the new sentence is not relevant to the main point of the paragraph. The correct answer is (D).