PSAT Writing : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas in Lists
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Example Questions
Example Question #431 : Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
The field rations were evenly distributed between the sailors marines and soldiers.
sailors marines, and soldiers.
sailors marines soldiers.
sailors, marines, and soldiers.
sailors, marines, soldiers.
sailors marines and soldiers.
sailors, marines, and soldiers.
The underlined words make up a list. Such lists need to have each element separated for clarity and understanding. "Sailors, marines, and soldiers" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #432 : Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Many nineteenth century texts on military strategy focused extensively on supplies troops and ammunition.
on supplies troops and ammunition.
on supplies, troops, and ammunition.
on supplies troops, and ammunition.
on supplies, troops, and, ammunition.
on: supplies troops and ammunition.
on supplies, troops, and ammunition.
The underlined phrase contains a series, or a list of grouped items. All series in a sentence must be divided by each other for linguistic and logical clarity. The best way to do this is with commas, making "on supplies, troops, and ammunition," the correct answer.
Example Question #433 : Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The typical advice to the screenwriter is to keep an audience engaged alert and interested.
to keep an audience engaged, alert, and interested.
to keep an audience engaged alert but interested.
to keep an audience engaged alert, and interested.
to keep an audience engaged alerted and interested.
to keep an audience engaged alert and interested.
to keep an audience engaged, alert, and interested.
The list that finishes the sentence needs to have its three parts, "engaged" and "alert" and "interested," separated by commas. There are no other corrections that need to happen in the sentence. This makes the correct answer choice "to keep an audience engaged, alert, and interested."
Example Question #434 : Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The key to having a succesful road trip is bringing plenty of medicine snacks and water.
plenty of medicine snacks and water.
plenty of medicine, snacks, and water.
plenty, of medicine snacks and water.
plenty of medicine snacks, and water.
plenty medicine snacks and water.
plenty of medicine, snacks, and water.
A list like the one presented in the underlined portion of the sentence needs to be separated somehow, usually by commas. The only choice that appropriately separates the three items is "plenty of medicine, snacks, and water," which is the correct answer.
Example Question #435 : Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Much of the time, only the most discerning animal trainer cannot tell the difference between thoroughbreds Arabians and saddlebred horses.
between thoroughbreds Arabians and saddlebred horses.
between thoroughbreds Arabians, and saddlebred horses.
between, thoroughbreds, Arabians and saddlebred horses.
between thoroughbreds, Arabians, and saddlebred horses.
between thoroughbreds Arabians and saddlebred, horses.
between thoroughbreds, Arabians, and saddlebred horses.
The three items in the list of the underlined portion of the sentence, "thoroughbreds" and "Arabians" and "saddlebred horses," are lumped together in one large pile. All such lists need to be separated by commas, to show the separate items clearly. The only answer choice that correctly does this is "between thoroughbreds, Arabians, and saddlebred horses."
Example Question #436 : Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The writer was considered washed up, with a style that was outdated stale and unsatisfying.
with a style that was outdated, stale, and unsatisfying.
with a style that was outdated, stale, and, unsatisfying.
with a style that was outdated stale and unsatisfying.
with a style, that was outdated stale and unsatisfying.
with a style that was outdated stale, and unsatisfying.
with a style that was outdated, stale, and unsatisfying.
A list like the one that makes up the object of the underlined phrase must be have its items appropriately separated by commas, which the sentence does not do as it is written. The only answer choice that correctly separates the three items by using commas is "with a style that was outdated, stale, and unsatisfying."
Example Question #31 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The study of popular culture involves analyzing many different phenomena, including television advertising, and social media.
including television, advertising, and social media.
including, television advertising, and social media.
includes television, advertising, and social media.
including television advertising, and social media.
includes television advertising and social media.
including television, advertising, and social media.
The underlined portion of the sentence includes a list of three items. All such lists must have the items in them separated in some fashion; therefore, the correct answer is "including television, advertising, and social media."
Example Question #484 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Reading writing, and arithmetic have long been considered the most basic building blocks of elementary education.
Reading writing and arithmetic have
Reading writing, and arithmetic have
Reading writing and arithmetic, have
Reading, writing, and arithmetic, have
Reading, writing, and arithmetic have
Reading, writing, and arithmetic have
The list that is the subject of the sentence contains three separate elements, but only appropriately separates two of them. All lists of three or more elements need to have commas between each component. The only answer choice that appropriately does this is "Reading, writing, and arithmetic have."
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