PSAT Writing and Language Question 515: Answer and Explanation

Question: 515

The author is considering deleting the underlined sentence. Should it be kept or removed?

• A. Kept, because it provides a needed clarification
• B. Kept, because it justifies the author's line of thinking
• C. Removed, because it is unrelated to the previous sentence
• D. Removed, because it repeats an idea already expressed

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

(D) In the sentence immediately before the underlined portion, the author states that "by interrogating the subjectivities of characters like Kitty, Mad Hannah, and Miss Winifred, readers can begin to understand various degrees of female resistance." Subjectivity refers to one's personal point of view, which gives insight into the person's motivations. The female resistance refers to actions one would take to stand up for oneself. Therefore, this sentence provides a subtle repetition of the idea expressed in the previous sentence. Choices (A) and (B) are incorrect because they would leave in an unneeded sentence. The answer is not choice (C) because the underlined sentence is, in fact, related to the previous sentence.