OpenSAT

Question #N222

The article discusses the way in which the author’s family, in a remote area of Western China, uses a specific language for the purpose of sharing memories. In the passage, the author states, “In the evenings, my family would gather around the open fire. We would share stories of our ancestors and our lives, and my father would often say, ‘Your words are like a warm fire on a cold night.’ I would wonder how our stories would be passed down if we were not careful to preserve this language—and this way of life.” How does the author’s use of the word ‘preserve’ contribute to the main idea of the passage?

In this passage, the author’s use of the word ‘preserve’ primarily serves to

A. establish the speaker’s position as an expert on the topic.

B. suggest that the speaker is concerned about the future of the speaker’s family’s culture.

C. emphasize the speaker’s connection to the speaker’s family history.

D. highlight the speaker’s feelings of nostalgia for the speaker’s childhood.

Reveal Answer Go Back

Correct Answer is: B

The author uses the word “preserve” to highlight the importance of the family’s language and way of life. The author suggests that if the language and way of life are not preserved, the family’s stories would be lost. This directly contributes to the main idea that the author’s family uses the language for the purpose of sharing memories.