It’s a common observation that people tend to focus on what’s new, but when it comes to certain areas of life, like the natural world, we seem to be drawn to what’s familiar and comforting. And this is especially true for the kinds of experiences we’re likely to have in childhood. The early memories of an experience, like a first visit to the beach, tend to involve a sense of wonder and awe at the newness and excitement. But it is those same experiences that we later look back on with fondness and nostalgia, realizing that the simple act of revisiting those experiences can bring us a sense of familiarity and peace. What is the most likely reason why the writer includes this passage?
The author includes the description of a first visit to the beach to
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The author is discussing how experiences, especially those in childhood, become sources of comfort and peace over time due to the familiarity that comes with repeated exposure. The example of a first visit to the beach emphasizes the idea that familiarity can bring comfort, as the author contrasts the sense of wonder and awe experienced during the first visit with the later feeling of fondness and nostalgia associated with revisiting the beach.
Loading…
Searched on YouTube by topic, not by question text. Open this search on YouTube →
OpenSAT items are community-written or AI-generated practice material, not official College Board questions; quality varies.