PSAT Reading 29-38

29. As used in line 22, “command” most nearly means

• order.

• dominate.

• overlook.

• deserve.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

30. Thoreau makes which point about people who follow their consciences?

• They often band together with other entities to form corporations.

• They tend to have mutually antagonistic relationships with their governments.

• They generally believe that the exercise of the moral sense is what makes them human.

• They hold their legislators to a different moral standard than that to which they hold themselves.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

31. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

• Lines 1-2 ("Must . . . legislator")

• Lines 7-10 ("it is . . . conscience")

• Lines 17-21 ("In most . . . well")

• Lines 30-34 ("A very . . . by it")

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

32. According to King, an unjust statute should not be

• regarded as having moral authority.

• broken in a manner intended to attract attention.

• viewed as detrimental to the human spirit.

• used to enforce obedience to moral law.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

33. Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

• Lines 49-50 ("The answer . . . unjust")

• Lines 51-52 ("One . . . laws")

• Lines 53-55 ("one . . . all")

• Lines 64-65 ("Any . . . unjust")

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

34. As used in line 57, “determine” most nearly means

• establish.

• regulate.

• direct.

• limit.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

35. The primary purpose of each passage is to

• make an argument about the relationship between the individual and the law.

• advance a view on how laws could be made more just.

• question a claim that the morality of actions depends on their consequences.

• discuss a change in the nature of the state and its power over the individual.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

36. Both authors would most likely agree with which statement about people who obey their government’s statutes?

• They fail to follow the guidance of their consciences.

• They are incapable of exercising moral judgement.

• They may not be acting in accordance with justice.

• They value personal morality over the public good.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.8.7

37. In the passages, a significant difference in how the two authors discuss morality is that Thoreau indicates that

• very few people follow their consciences, while King indicates that most people consistently adhere to moral laws.

• people should do what they judge to be right, while King indicates that people should follow a universal moral code.

• the morality of an action derives from its legal status, while King indicates that morality and human law are distinct.

• even morally good laws should be disobeyed, while King indicates that people should follow just laws.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

CCSS.RI.8.7

38. Assuming that he agrees with the assertions in the final paragraph of Passage 1, King would most likely recommend which course of action to Thoreau?

• Thoreau should obey laws upholding slavery while they are in force but should work to repeal them.

• Thoreau should view laws upholding slavery as immoral but should not break them since doing so would lead to anarchy.

• Thoreau should break laws upholding slavery and in doing so should neither hide his actions nor try to avoid punishment.

• Thoreau should openly criticize laws upholding slavery but should follow them since committing a crime would degrade his personality.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.7

CCSS.RI.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.11-12.7

CCSS.RL.9-10.7

CCSS.RL.8.7