PSAT Writing : Improving Sentences
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Example Questions
Example Question #51 : Correcting Other Verb Errors
Rita began work on the project last year, but she has yet to reach completion.
she has yet to reach completion.
it has yet to reach completion.
she is still yet to be completed.
it is not at completion yet.
she has yet to complete it.
she has yet to complete it.
The original sentence is wordy and awkward. The correct answer is concise, active, and clear.
Example Question #892 : Word Usage Errors
Being that he passed the driver’s test, Timothy was looking forward to getting his license.
If he had passed
Having passed
For passing
Passing
Being that he passed
Having passed
Sentences rarely start with “being.” Furthermore, "having passed" conveys the timing and cause of events with more precision.
Example Question #52 : Correcting Other Verb Errors
For amateur swimmers, or those who are lacking experience swimming, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
What correction should be made to this sentence?
No improvement necessary.
For amateur swimmers, or those who have a lack of experience, which is in swimming, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, meaning those who are lacking experience swimming, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, which are swimmers that are lacking in swimming experience, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, or those who lack swimming experience, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
For amateur swimmers, or those who lack swimming experience, swimming half a mile seems like an impossible task.
The improved sentence is better than the original because it cuts out unnecessary words, changing "or those who are lacking," to "or those who lack." This change also avoids having the same word next to itself, as was the case in "swimming, swimming." Although there was nothing grammatically wrong with this sentence, there was room for stylistic improvement, which was made.
Example Question #871 : Sentence Correction
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.
In no uncertain terms, the principal outlawing the use of live models for art classes.
outlawed using
outlawed the use
outlaw using
outlawing the use
outlawing using
outlawed the use
The best clue to the correct answer is the fact "of" is not underlined, indicating the form must stay as "the use." The only issue is the form of "outlawing," which cannot be used with the subject of "the principal" as a verb on its own. "Outlawed the use" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #891 : Word Usage 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 young girl was surprisingly involving in the decisions her parents made.
was surprising involved
was surprisingly involving
was surprising involving
was surprised involving
was surprisingly involved
was surprisingly involved
The underlined portion of the sentence has an odd verb usage in the word "involving." The sentence actually needs a past tense verb to make appropriate sense. "Was surprisingly involved" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #71 : Other Verb Usage 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.
Having eaten little food while lost at sea, the sailors attacking their meal upon arrival on dry land.
the sailor's attacking their meal
the sailors attacking their own meal
the sailors attacking their meal
the sailors attacked their meal
the sailors' attacking their meal
the sailors attacked their meal
The use of the word "attacking" is actually not a verb in the sentence, but a gerund, that is a verb form that can be used as a noun. The word needs to be turned into the appropriate verb form. "The sailors attacked their meal" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1501 : Improving Sentences
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 many problems accruing in the project seeming to get worse over time.
have seeming to get worse over time.
seemed to get worse over time.
seeming to get worse over time.
have been seemed to get worse over time.
seeming to getting worse over time.
seemed to get worse over time.
The use of the verb "seeming" in the sentence makes the sentence incomplete. As "seeming" is a gerund, or a verb form that functions as a noun, there is actually no verb in the sentence. The correct answer is "seemed to get worse over time."
Example Question #61 : Correcting Other Verb 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.
Aunt Candy really would have liked to have gone to the tennis match, but she was busy that day.
would have liked to go to the tennis match
would have liked to have gone to the tennis match
would have liked going to the tennis match
would liked to have gone to the tennis match
wished to have gone to the tennis match
would have liked to go to the tennis match
In most cases, the verb “to like” should be followed by an infinitive verb such as “to go” (e.g. "I really like to eat sushi."). "To have gone" and "going" are not appropriate here, nor are they in line with the meaning of the sentence, which expresses a regret.
Example Question #3511 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Having seen many natural wonders in his life, the general was still astonishing at the massive waterfall.
still astonishing at the massive waterfall.
still astonished at the massive waterfall.
still astonishing in the massive waterfall.
still astonishing to the massive waterfall.
also astonishing at the massive waterfall.
still astonished at the massive waterfall.
The "waterfall" makes the "general" have a feeling of astonishment. The sentence as written makes this quite confusing. To make it correct grammatically, the form of the word needs to be something the general does. "Still astonished at the massive waterfall" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #62 : Correcting Other Verb 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.
Unlike his contemporaries, the painter sticking closely to shapes that could exist in reality.
the painter sticking closer
the painter sticking closely
the painter sticking close
a painter sticking closely
the painter stuck closely
the painter stuck closely
The use of the verb form "sticking," a past participle," makes the action of the sentence unclear, as such forms usually need an extra verb to clarify the action. The verb form should be change to an active tense. Thus, "the painter stuck closely" is the correct answer choice.
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