SAT Reading Example Problem
Peanuts can cause deadly allergic reactions in some people, and there is no real cure for peanut allergies. Such allergic reactions start with the immune system, which normally works to keep us healthy. The immune system recognizes dangerous materials, such as poisons and viruses, and reacts to keep the materials from harming the rest of the body. Some of these reactions, such as swelling of nose and throat tissues, keep the materials from moving farther through the body. Other reactions, such as producing mucus and coughing, help expel the foreign materials. Unfortunately, ______
Which choice most logically completes the text?
A) people who are allergic to peanuts must avoid them, and avoiding peanuts can be very hard to do.
B) too much swelling, mucus, or coughing can make it hard to breathe and can even be life-threatening.
C) scientists are working on the next best thing to an allergy cure: peanuts that do not cause allergic reactions.
D) people who are allergic to peanuts produce an antibody called IgE that combines with a specific part of the peanut protein.
Why B makes the most sense:
The paragraph explains how the immune system protects the body by reacting to harmful substances. It mentions things like swelling, mucus, and coughing as ways the body defends itself. Then it uses the word "Unfortunately," which signals that something bad or unexpected is about to be explained.
B fits perfectly because it shows what can go wrong. It explains that too much of those immune reactions can cause serious problems, like difficulty breathing or even death. This directly connects to the idea that peanut allergies can be deadly.