Harrison High School English Department

PSAT Review
Evidence-Based
Reading
2017 Multiple Choice
Question #1
Passage from: An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine
 observation about an
author’s work

The correct answer is …

C
personal narrative
that supports
observation
Question #2
Passage from: An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine
The correct answer is …

b
Question #3
Passage from: An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine
 The correct answer for this question depends on the correct
answer for the previous question. Vocabulary acquisition
is key!!!

The correct answer is …

a
Question #4
Passage from: An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine
 Consider context when answering inference questions.
Consider the sentences before and after the specifically
referenced material.

The correct answer is …

a
Question #5
Passage from: An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine
 Consider specific uses of diction to serve as evidence to support
your answer. If the evidence is not there, it is not the right
answer.

age
The correct answer is …

c age &
disuse

disuse
Question #6
Passage from: An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine
 Once again, look for the specific evidence to support your
answer. Please feel free to annotate your PSAT testing
booklet!!!

The correct answer is …

a
Question #7
Passage from: An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine
 If you got the last answer right, this one should be a piece
of cake! You have already identified the evidence!

The correct answer is …

b
Question #8
Passage from: An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine
 All of the listed answers are definitions for the word
“class”. You must consider the connotation of the term.
Consider the context in which the term is used.

The correct answer is …

c
Question #9
Passage from: An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine
 Remember, it says BEST evidence, so take a moment to
read through ALL of the answer selections. These lines
clearly demonstrate that the bookstore owner ignores the
narrator.

The correct answer is …

b
Question #10
Passage from: “It’s Not a ‘Mess.’ It’s Creativity.” by
Kathleen D Vohs
 Look for the qualifying opposite: “away from convention, in
favor of new direction.”

The correct answer is …

c
Question #11
Passage from: “It’s Not a ‘Mess.’ It’s Creativity.” by
Kathleen D Vohs
 This question says “most nearly means”.Consider the
connotative meaning of the term, as used in context.

The correct answer is …

d
Question #12
Passage from: “It’s Not a ‘Mess.’ It’s Creativity.” by
Kathleen D Vohs
 Keep in mind that this question is asking about
assumptions made by the author not by you. Look for the
evidence. There will always be specific evidence to support
your answer.

The correct answer is …

b
Question #13
Passage from: “It’s Not a ‘Mess.’ It’s Creativity.” by
Kathleen D Vohs
 This is the only option that provides clear quantitative
evidence supports this answer.

The correct answer is …

d
Question #14
Passage from: “It’s Not a ‘Mess.’ It’s Creativity.” by
Kathleen D Voh
 This provides “additional support” to claim. It does not
“broaden perspectives,” because it is presented from the
same perspective. Also, this is not an “example.” It is also
not a “response.” It is supporting evidence to enhance
credibility of claim.

The correct answer is …

a
Has this helped?

So far, so good! Now, go through your booklet, and see if

you can apply the strategies that we have discussed. In the
margins, write the reasons for your the correct answers.
This will help you when you see these question types on this
year’s PSAT!
PSAT Review
Writing
Question #1
Passage from: “My Kingdom for mtDNA”
 “The group” is the subject, and it is singular. You must
choose the verb that matches. The prepositional phrases is
a distractor. Cross it out, and the answer will be so clear!

The correct answer is …

b
Question #2
Passage from: “My Kingdom for mtDNA”
 Explanation on next slide...

The correct answer is …

a
 Explanation for Question #2

Look at your clauses. You have two independent clauses. You cannot
separate two independent clauses with a comma. Adding a
conjunction makes it a dependent clause, so “d” does not work,
because semicolons separate independent clauses. “C” does not work,
because dashes on both sides separate dependent or parenthetical
causes, not single conjunctions. There is no change, because colons
can be used to separate two independent clauses, if the second clause
serves as an example of/for the first clause.
Question #3
Passage from: “My Kingdom for mtDNA”
 The comma should be used to separate the dependant
clause (prepositional phrase) from the independent clause.
See the next slide for explanation of plausible distractors.

The correct answer is …

b
 Explanation of Questions #3 Continued...

“C” is clearly incorrect, due to the imbalance of punctuation. You

cannot separate a clause with a dash and a comma. You must have
dashes on both sides or commas on both sides. “D” is also
imbalanced. The use of a colon would not work, in this instance,
because it is not followed by a list or another independent clause.
Question #4
Passage from: “My Kingdom for mtDNA”
 “C” is the only response that “emphasize[s] the amount”
by providing a specific number.

The correct answer is …

c
Question #5
Passage from: “My Kingdom for mtDNA” “addition
al specific
details”
 Since it is asking for “additional” details, look for the
choice that provides more information or is visually
longer.

The correct answer is …

d
Question #6
Passage from: “My Kingdom for mtDNA”
 This one was pretty easy. “About” in this instance is a
preposition and is the correct preposition to match the verb.

*wondered about the corpse.

The correct answer is …

a
Question #7
Passage from: “My Kingdom for mtDNA”
 This sentence digresses from the main point.

The correct answer is …

c
Question #8
Passage from: “My Kingdom for mtDNA”
The other answer choices are redundant and repeat
information that has already been stated.

The correct answer is …

a
Question #9
Passage from: “My Kingdom for mtDNA”
The correct answer is …

d
Question #10
Passage from: “My Kingdom for mtDNA”
The correct answer is …

d
Question #11
Passage from: “My Kingdom for mtDNA”
The correct answer is …