<p>Collegeboard posted the PSAT explanations online, but I still don’t understand #24 in Section 1.
I picked C, but A is correct, and both answers are pretty similar. Can someone give me a clearer explanation for this question?</p>
<ol>
<li>Which best conveys the primary relationship between the two passages?
(A) Passage 2 discusses some limitations of a study whose results are discussed in Passage 1.
(B) Passage 2 provides a history of the events leading to the report described in Passage 1.
(C) Passage 2 disputes the accuracy of the statistics cited in Passage 1.
(D) Passage 2 uses the information presented in Passage 1 to argue for cultural change.
(E) Passage 2 contends that the author of Passage 1 understated the implications of the report.</li>
</ol>
<p>I did not take this test, but I can give you a general explanation while you are waiting for a more specific response.</p>
<p>First of all, the question seeks a “primary” relationship. This means that it is possible that both A and C can be correct but that A is the most important</p>
<p>The verb that starts off each answer is the most important part. (A) states that passage 2 discusses something that passage 1 simply doesn’t discuss (the limitations and weaknesses of the study WHOSE RESULTS are given in passage 1) and (B) states that passage 2 disputes something that passage 1 probably doesn’t dispute.</p>
<p>The relationship in (A) implies that passage 1 gives you the results, while passage 2 discusses the flaws of how they came up with the results (NOT the results but the study)
The relationship in (C) implies that passage 1 gives you the results, while passage 2 disputes the accuracy of the results</p>
<p>I think the College Board’s explanation makes the reason clear: the second passage simply does not dispute the accuracy of the statistics; it just questions the relevance of those statistics.</p>