Item — sat-dog

Hard Reading and Writing · Information and Ideas · None · MCQ

A social psychologist argues that while the general public tends to view conformity as a negative trait, it is often a necessary aspect of a functioning society. The psychologist cites a variety of historical and modern examples to support this claim. For example, the psychologist points to the rise of standardized testing in the 20th century, which created a system in which students were expected to conform to a set of pre-determined norms. The psychologist also notes that conformity is often evident in the workplace, as employees are expected to adhere to certain rules and regulations to ensure a smooth flow of work. Ultimately, the psychologist concludes that while conformity is a highly visible aspect of life, it plays a crucial role in ensuring that society runs smoothly.

What is the main idea of the passage?

A
Conformity is a negative trait that should be avoided at all costs.
B
Conformity plays a crucial role in ensuring that society functions smoothly.
C
Conformity is often a sign of weakness, as it indicates that individuals are unable to think for themselves.
D
Conformity is a necessary evil that must be tolerated in order for society to function.

Source: Reading and Writing practice questions from the OpenSAT community question bank, whose licence permits free use of the database. View the official question bank →

OpenSAT items are community-written or AI-generated practice material, not official College Board questions; quality varies.