PSAT Writing and Language Practice Test 17: The UK and the Euro

Questions 12-22 refer to the following information.

The UK and the Euro

[1] The United Kingdom is a long-standing member of the European Union (EU), a multinational political organization and economic world leader 12 elected over the course of the past half-century. [2] However, there is one key feature of the EU in which the UK does not 13 participate; the monetary union known as the Eurozone, consisting of countries that share the euro as currency. [3] While the nation's public opinion has remained generally supportive of that decision, evidence suggests that the euro's benefits for the UK might, in fact, outweigh the risks. [4] When the EU first implemented the euro in 1999, intending to strengthen the collective economy across the union, Britain was permitted exclusion and continued using the pound instead. [5] This, UK leaders hoped, would shield Britain from financial dangers that the euro might suffer. 14

Proponents for avoiding the euro point 15 to faltering economies in the Eurozone region throughout the Eurozone. To join a massive, multinational economy would involve surrendering taxable wealth from one's own region to aid impoverished countries that may be some thousands of miles away. If a few economies in the Eurozone suffer, all of the participating nations suffer, too. Other proponents point to details of financial policy such as interest rates and territory responsibilities, fearing loss of agency and political traction. 16 The UK's taxable wealth would decrease if it assisted impoverished countries.

But complications loom: the UK's current EU status may be untenable. In recent years, EU leaders seem to want to transition all members 17 toward the Eurozone, for many reasons, this action appears necessary for protecting nations involved and ensuring the monetary union's long-term success. These conditions may potentially force the UK to choose either the security of its multi-decade EU membership, or the pound and all it entails for Britain's economy. Enjoying both may not remain possible. 18 The UK wants to maintain the pound as its currency.

[1] Regarding Britain's intent to be protected from the Eurozone's economic dangers, this hope never quite materialized. [2] The UK saw economic downturns of its own during the euro's problematic years thus far. [3] Many families in the UK still struggle to pay their bills in the face of higher than normal unemployment rates. [4] It seems that regardless of shared currency, the economies of Britain and its Eurozone neighbors are too closely 19 intertwined for one to remain unscathed by another's crises. 20

Perhaps this question of economic security has been the wrong one. Due to Britain's location and long-standing trade relationships with its neighbors, economies will continue to be somewhat reliant on each other, euro or not. 21 Furthermore, political security, power, and protection bear more significance for the future. If the UK hopes to maintain and expand its influential presence in world leadership, its association and close involvement with greater Europe is invaluable. Considering that the euro probably offers a lower risk margin than many have supposed, the benefits of euro 22 adoption: to secure EU membership and strengthen its cause, may cause Britain to reconsider.

11 questions    9 minutesAll test questions


12.

13.

14. To make this paragraph most logical, sentence 3 should be placed

15. Which choice best completes the sentence?

16. Which statement most clearly communicates the main claim of the paragraph?

17.

18. Which sentence most effectively concludes the paragraph?

19.

20. Which sentence is least relevant to the central idea of this paragraph?

21.

22.

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