PSAT Writing : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #261 : Comma 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.
Seen from the outside the board's selection process appeared to be a massive case of nepotism and favoritism.
Seen from the outside the board's selection process appeared to be a massive case of nepotism and favoritism.
Seen from the outside the board's selection process appeared to be a massive case, of nepotism and favoritism.
Seen from the outside the board's selection process appeared, to be a massive case of nepotism and favoritism.
Seen from the outside the board's selection process appeared to be, a massive case, of nepotism and favoritism.
Seen from the outside, the board's selection process appeared to be a massive case of nepotism and favoritism.
Seen from the outside, the board's selection process appeared to be a massive case of nepotism and favoritism.
The phrase "Seen from the outside" is an introductory phrase, one that conditions the main part of the sentence but is not a crucial element of its structure. All introductory phrases must be set off from the rest of the sentence by a comma. As this is the only place a comma should be inserted, the correct answer is "Seen from the outside, the board's selection process appeared to be a massive case of nepotism and favoritism."
Example Question #478 : 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.
Unlike his predecessor the college's president was a succesful fundraiser that enjoyed talking with donors.
Unlike his predecessor, the college's president
Unlike, his predecessor, the college's president
Unlike his predecessor the college's president
Unlike his predecessor the colleges' president
Unlike his predecessor the colleges president
Unlike his predecessor, the college's president
The phrase "Unlike his predecessor" is an introductory phrase, one that conditions the main action of the sentence while remaining separate from the sentence's main body. All introductory phrases must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "Unlike his predecessor, the college's president" is the only answer choice that appropriately does this.
Example Question #479 : 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.
Much like his father he had no use for opera or classical music in general.
Much like his father he had no use for opera, or classical music, in general.
Much like his father he had no use for opera or classical music in general.
Much like his father he had no use for opera or classical music, in general.
Much like his father, he had no use for opera or classical music in general.
Much like his father he had no use, for opera or classical music in general.
Much like his father, he had no use for opera or classical music in general.
The phrase "Much like his father" is an introductory phrase, one that conditions the meaning of the sentence but remains apart from its structure. Any introductory phrase must be set apart from the main part of the sentence by a comma. The only answer choice that appropriately uses such a comma is "Much like his father, he had no use for opera or classical music in general."
Example Question #72 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
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.
In his public corruption trial the ex-governor swore he had no knowlege of what his chief of staff was doing.
In his public corruption trial the ex-governor, swore he had no knowlege of what his chief of staff was doing.
In his public corruption trial, the ex-governor swore he had no knowlege of what his chief of staff was doing.
In his public corruption trial the ex-governor swore he had no knowlege, of what his chief of staff was doing.
In his public corruption trial the ex-governor swore he had no knowlege of what his chief of staff was doing.
In his, public corruption trial, the ex-governor swore he had no knowlege of what his chief of staff was doing.
In his public corruption trial, the ex-governor swore he had no knowlege of what his chief of staff was doing.
The phrase "In his public corruption trial" is an introductory phrase, one that conditions the meaning of the sentence, but remains apart from its structure. All introductory phrases must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. The only answer choice that appropriately does this is "In his public corruption trial, the ex-governor swore he had no knowlege of what his chief of staff was doing."
Example Question #71 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
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.
Working on the book his whole life the author's novel sprawled to a thousand page epic when it was finally done.
Working on the book, his whole life, the author's novel
Working on the book, his whole life the author's novel
Working on the book his whole life, the author's novel
Working, on the book, his whole life the author's novel
Working on the book his whole life the author's novel
Working on the book his whole life, the author's novel
"Working on the book his whole life" is an introductory phrase, one that conditions the action of the sentence, but is set apart from its main structure. All introductory phrases need to be set off by a comma from the rest of the sentence. "Working on the book his whole life, the author's novel" is the only answer choice to properly use a comma in this manner.
Example Question #3901 : Sat Writing
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.
After the details were worked out the two sides still took five days to officially make an agreement.
After the details were worked out the two sides still took
After the details were worked out the two sides, still took
After the details were worked out the two sides still taking
After the details were working out the two sides still took
After the details were worked out, the two sides still took
After the details were worked out, the two sides still took
The phrase "After the details were worked out" is an introductory phrase, one that conditions the meaning of the sentence, but remains apart from its basic structure. Any introductory phrase needs to be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "After the details were worked out, the two sides still took" is the only answer choice that appropriately deploys the comma.
Example Question #3902 : Sat Writing
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.
In the Middle Ages few peasants were ever able to rise above the economic class in which they were born.
In the Middle Ages few peasants were ever able
In the Middle Ages fewer peasants were ever able
In the Middle Ages few peasants was ever able
In the Middle Ages few peasants were even able
In the Middle Ages, few peasants were ever able
In the Middle Ages, few peasants were ever able
"In the Middle Ages" is an introductory phrase, a phrase that conditions the meaning of the sentence, but remains outside its main structure. Any introductory phrase must be set apart by a comma from the rest of the sentence. "In the Middle Ages, few peasants were ever able" is the only answer choice to appropriately use such a comma.
Example Question #3903 : Sat Writing
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.
Unlike his brothers the little boy hated playing sports or any outdoor activities
Unlike, his brothers, the little boy hated
Unlike his brothers the little boy, hated
Unlike, his brothers the little boy hated
Unlike his brothers, the little boy hated
Unlike his brothers the little boy hated
Unlike his brothers, the little boy hated
"Unlike his brothers" is an introductory phrase, one that conditions the meaning of the sentence, but remains outside its main structure. Any introductory phrase must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "Unlike his brothers, the little boy hated" is the only answer choice that correctly uses a comma.
Example Question #3904 : Sat Writing
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.
Under the new treaty neither side could put defensive works along their border.
Under the new treaty neither side could put defensive works along their border.
Under the new treaty neither side could put defensive works, along their border.
Under the new treaty, neither side could put defensive works along their border.
Under, the new treaty, neither side could put defensive works along their border.
Under the new treaty neither side, could put defensive works along their border.
Under the new treaty, neither side could put defensive works along their border.
"Under the new treaty" is an introductory phrase, one that condistions the action of the sentence, but remains outside of the sentence's main structure. An introductory phrase must always be set off by a comma. The only answer choice that correctly sets off the phrase is "Under the new treaty, neither side could put defensive works along their border."
Example Question #3905 : Sat Writing
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.
In the previous case the exact same weapon was used.
In the previous case the exact same weapon, was used.
In the previous case, the exact same, weapon was used.
In the previous case, the exact same weapon was used.
In the previous case, the exact same weapon, was used.
In the previous case the exact same weapon was used.
In the previous case, the exact same weapon was used.
"In the previous case" is an introductory phrase, one that conditions the meaning of the sentence, but remains separate from the main body of the sentence. Any interrupting phrase must be set off from the main portion of the sentence by a comma. The only answer choice that correctly sets off the phrase is "In the previous case, the exact same weapon was used."
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