PSAT passage 38-47

The author of Passage 1 suggests that the usefulness of de-extinction technology may be limited by the

• A) amount of time scientists are able to devote to genetic research.

• B) relationship of an extinct species to contemporary ecosystems.

• C) complexity of the DNA of an extinct species

• D) length of time that a species has been extinct.

Answer explanation

Choice D is the best answer. Lines 9-11 explain that, although some extinct species

can be brought back to life, “Only species whose DNA is too old to be recovered,

such as dinosaurs, are the ones to consider totally extinct, bodily and genetically.”

The determining factor is the length of time that species has been extinct.

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

• A) Lines 7-9 (“Thanks... life”)

• B) Lines 9-11 (“Only... genetically”)

• C) Line 13 (“It will be... difficult”

• D) Lines 13-14 (“It will take... succeed”)

Answer explanation

Choice B is the best answer. Lines 9-11 state that species that have DNA that is

“too old to be recovered” cannot be brought back to life.

As used in line 27, “deepest” most nearly means

• A) most engrossing.

• B) most challenging.

• C) most extensive

• D) most fundamental.

Answer explanation

Choice D is the best answer. Lines 24-27 explain that “Just the thought of

mammoths and passenger pigeons alive again invokes the awe and wonder that

drives all conservation at its deepest level.” The author of Passage 1 is suggesting

that the “prospect of de-extinction” (line 21) evokes the same emotions of “awe

and wonder” that propel conservation efforts at its deepest, or most fundamental,

level.

The authors of Passage 2 indicate that the matter of shrinking biodiversity should primarily be considered a

• A) historical anomaly.

• B) global catastrophe.

• C) scientific curiosity.

• D) political problem.

Answer explanation

Choice B is the best answer. “Shrinking biodiversity” means the loss of species,

and the authors of Passage 2 clearly state that shrinking biodiversity is a global

issue: “Species today are vanishing in such great numbers—many from hunting

and habitat destruction—that the trend has been called a sixth mass extinction, an

event on par with such die-offs as the one that befell the dinosaurs 65 million

years ago” (37-41). Labeling this loss of diversity a “mass extinction,” shows that

the authors believe this situation is serious and widespread.

As used in line 37, “great” most nearly means

• A) lofty.

• B) wonderful.

• C) large.

• D) intense.

Answer explanation

Choice C is the best answer. Lines 37-40 state that “species today are vanishing at

such great numbers” that the loss of these species is considered a “sixth mass

extinction.” In this context, there is a “great,” or large, number of species at risk of

extinction.

The reference to the “black-footed ferret and the northern white rhino” (line 64) serves mainly to

• A) emphasize a key distinction between extinct and living species.

• B) account for types of animals whose numbers are dwindling.

• C) provide examples of species whose gene pools are compromised.

• D) highlight instances of animals that have failed to adapt to new habitats.

Answer explanation

Choice C is the best answer. The authors of Passage 2 suggest that de-extinction

may “help save endangered species.” (line 60). Lines 61-64 provide an example of

how de-extinction could be beneficial: “For example, extinct versions of genes

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PSAT 10 Practice Test #1 Reading Test Answer Explanations

could be reintroduced into species and subspecies that have lost a dangerous

amount of genetic diversity, such as the black-footed ferret and the northern white

rhino.” In this context, the black-footed ferret and northern white rhino are used as

examples of species that have lost genetic diversity; in other words, they are

species whose gene pools have been compromised.

Which choice best states the relationship between the two passages?

• A) Passage 2 attacks a political decision that Passage 1 strongly advocates.

• B) Passage 2 urges caution regarding a technology that Passage 1 describes in favorable terms.

• C) Passage 2 expands on the results of a research study mentioned in Passage 1.

• D) Passage 2 considers practical applications that could arise from a theory discussed in Passage 1.

Answer explanation

Choice B is the best answer. Passage 1 enthusiastically supports the idea of de-

extinction, saying it is “profound news. That something as irreversible and final as

extinction might be reversed is a stunning realization” (lines 22-24). Passage 2, on

the other hand, recognizes the “gee-whiz appeal” (line 29) of de-extinction but is

less certain about its implementation: “Yet with limited intellectual bandwidth and

financial resources to go around, de-extinction threatens to divert attention from

the modern biodiversity crisis” (lines 30-33). Therefore, Passage 2 urges restraint

for an idea that Passage 1 enthusiastically supports.

How would the authors of Passage 2 most likely respond to the “prospect” referred to in line 21, Passage 1?

• A) With approval, because it illustrates how useful de-extinction could be in addressing widespread environmental concerns.

• B) With resignation, because the gradual extinction of many living species is inevitable.

• C) With concern, because it implies an easy solution to a difficult problem.

• D) With disdain, because it shows that people have little understanding of the importance of genetic diversity.

Answer explanation

Choice C is the best answer. The author of passage is amazed by the idea of de-

extinction, while the authors of passage 2 warn that a “program to restore extinct

species poses a risk of selling the public on a false promise that technology alone

can solve our ongoing environmental woes” (lines 42-45). This statement shows

that the authors of Passage 2 view de-extinction as a “false promise” that may

make the problem of shrinking biodiversity appear easier to solve than it actually

will be.

Which choice would best support the claim that the authors of Passage 2 recognize that the “imagination soars” (line 24, Passage 1) in response to de-extinction technology?

• A) Lines 28-30 (“The... news”)

• B) Lines 30-33 (“Yet... crisis”)

• C) Lines 58-59 (“That... altogether”)

• D) Lines 61-63 (“For... diversity”)

Answer explanation

Choice A is the best answer. In lines 22-24, the author of Passage 1 writes: “That

something as irreversible and final as extinction might be reversed is a stunning

realization. The imagination soars.” This enthusiasm for such an exciting

possibility is also recognized in Passage 2, which states in lines 28-30 that “The

idea of bringing back extinct species holds obvious gee-whiz appeal and a respite

from a steady stream of grim news.” By conceding that there is “gee-whiz appeal”

to de-extinction, the authors of Passage 2 recognize that it is an idea that makes

the “imagination [soar].”