PSAT Reading

The main purpose of the passage is to

• describe a main character and a significant change in her life

• provide and overview of a family and a nearby neighbor

• discuss some regrettable personality flaws in a main character

• explain the relationship between a main character and her father

Which choice best summarizes the first two paragraphs of the passes (lines 1-14)?

• Even though a character loses a parent at an

  early age, she is happily raised in a loving home.

• An affectionate governess helps a character to

  overcome the loss of her mother, despite the

  indifference of her father.

• Largely as a result of her father’s wealth and

  affection, a character leads a contented life.

• A character has a generally comfortable and

  fulfilling life, but then she must recover from

  losing her mother.

The narrator indicates that the particular nature of

Emma’s upbringing resulted in her being

• despondent

• self-satisfied

• friendless

• inconsiderate

Which choice provides the best evidence for the

answer to the previous question?

• Lines 1-5 (“Emma . . . her”)

• Lines 9-14 (“Her . . . affection”)

• Lines 28-32 (“The real . . . enjoyments”)

• Lines 32-34 (“The danger . . . her”)

As used in line 26, “directed” most nearly means

• trained

• aimed

• guided

• addressed

As used in line 54, “want” most nearly means

• desire

• lack

• requirement

• request

It can most reasonably be inferred that after

Miss Taylor married, she had

• less patience with Mr. Woodhouse.

• fewer interactions with Emma

• more close friends than Emma.

• an increased appreciation for Emma.

Which choice provides the best evidence for the

answer to the previous question?

• Line 37 (“Miss . . . married”)

• Lines 47-48 (“The event . . . friend”)

• Lines 60-65 (“A large . . . recollection”)

• Lines 73-79 (“How . . . solitude”)

Which situation is most similar to the one described

in lines 83-91 (“The evil . . . time”)?

• A mother and her adult son have distinct tastes

  in art and music that result in repeated family

  arguments.

• The differences between an older and a younger

  friend are magnified because the younger one is

  more active and athletic.

• An older and a younger scientist remain close

  friends despite the fact that the older one’s work

  is published more frequently.

• The age difference between a high school student

  and a college student becomes a problem even

  though they enjoy the same diversions