sat suite question viewer
Text 1
Imagine you and your friend are trying to decide where to eat lunch. When people try to make joint decisions like this, they often don’t reveal their true preferences. Instead, they say they would be happy with all options because they think this response will help them appear more easygoing and likable to the other person.
Text 2
Research shows that people who don’t state their preferences when making a decision with others aren’t more likable in the eyes of others. In fact, stating that you have no preference actually makes the decision more difficult for other people. It can also cause them to feel less happy with their ultimate decision and with you.
Based on the texts, what response would the author of Text 2 most likely suggest for someone in the situation described in the underlined sentence in Text 1?
Explanation
Choice C is the best answer because it directly applies the research findings described in Text 2 to the situation underlined in Text 1. The underlined sentence in Text 1 describes a common scenario in which two friends are deciding on a lunch location. Text 1 goes on to explain that people often don’t reveal their true preferences in such situations, instead claiming they’re fine with any option so that they can appear more easygoing and likable. Text 2 presents research that advises against this approach, stating that people who don’t express their preferences aren’t viewed as more likable and that this behavior actually makes decisions more difficult for others. Since Text 2 specifically argues against the strategy of concealing preferences and indicates negative outcomes from doing so, the author of Text 2 would most likely recommend stating a preference about where to eat.
Choice A is incorrect because nothing in Text 2 suggests that canceling plans is a good solution. The author of Text 2 is addressing how to make joint decisions effectively (through stating your own preference), not advocating for avoiding such decisions entirely. Choice B is incorrect because asking where the friend typically likes to eat still avoids stating one’s own preference. While this approach might seem considerate, it continues the pattern of not revealing true preferences that Text 2 identifies as problematic. Choice D is incorrect because changing the subject would avoid making any decision altogether, which contradicts the implied advice in Text 2. The author of Text 2 presents research suggesting that directly engaging with the decision by stating preferences helps others make decisions and makes you appear more likable.