SAT #17 Reading (Questions 18 & 19)

Question

Based on the passage, which action would most likely reduce political extremism among the citizenry?

Answer 1

Answer Choices B and D are the correct answers because Lines 76-78 say, “But forcing the candidates to provide concrete and elaborate plans might be a start; it gives citizens a starting place,” referencing the possibility of limiting political extremism. These Lines tell us that, based on the passage, making political candidates discuss their plans in specific detail may help curb extremism, and most closely matches Answer Choice B which says that the action most likely to reduce political extremism is “requiring that politicians explain their proposed policy in detail before an election is held.” For Question 19, Answer Choice A is incorrect because it only explains how individuals who gave reasons for their beliefs only strengthened their views, but doesn’t suggest a way to curb political extremism. Answer Choice B is incorrect because it only explains how polarization tends to increase people’s conviction in their beliefs, but doesn’t suggest a possible way to reduce extremism. Answer Choice C is incorrect because it continues to explain how polarization reinforces itself, without offering a solution. For Question 18, Answer Choice A is incorrect because neither the Passage nor the Texts suggest that forming groups who share strong opinions will limit political extremism, and in fact make the opposite claim. Answer Choice C is incorrect because neither the Passage nor the Texts suggest that the promotion of worthwhile charities will lead to the reduction of political extremism. Anwer Choice D is incorrect because, while it may be true, neither the Passage nor the Texts suggest that events that require people with opposing viewpoints to interact will curb political extremism.