PSAT Writing : Improving Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #171 : Correcting 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 girls having a party commemorating the end of the school year.

Possible Answers:

The girls having a party 

The girls having party 

The girls having some party 

The girls having the party 

The girls are having a party 

Correct answer:

The girls are having a party 

Explanation:

The sentence as constructed does not actually contain a verb. "Having" in this sentence is the present participle, which always needs a form of the verb "to be." In this sentence, the appropriate form is "are," the plural form, making "The girls are having a party" the correct answer.

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.

The battalion marching towards the battlefield on their way to the conflict.

Possible Answers:

The battalion marching towards the battlefield on their way to the conflict.

The battalion marches towards the battlefield on their way to the conflict.

The battalion marching towards the battlefield on there way to the conflict.

The battalion marching toward the battlefield on their way to the conflict.

The battalion marching towards the battlefield on their way against the conflict.

Correct answer:

The battalion marches towards the battlefield on their way to the conflict.

Explanation:

The use of "marching" makes the sentence not have a verb, as the participle form always needs some form of the verb "to be" used immediately before it to make it a complete verb. (For example, it's not grammatically correct to say "The fish swimming across the lake." Anyone who heard this might ask, "The fish swimming across the lake did what?" since "swimming" is a participle—a verb acting like an adjective. Instead, the correct way to say this would be, "The fish was swimming across the lake," or, alternatively, use a different verb form altogether, such as "The fish swam across the lake." To correct the problem's sentence, either the participle "marching" needs to be preceded by some form of the verb "to be," or it should be changed to some other form than the present participle to avoid functioning as an adjective and instead clearly function as the sentence's verb. The only answer choice that uses either of these options is "The battalion marches towards the battlefield on their way to the conflict."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.

Intelligence is a trait that is actually quite difficult to measure, despite much different attempts to do so.

Possible Answers:

despite many different attempts to do so.

despite much different attempts to do it.

despite the much different attempts to do so.

despite much different attempting to do so.

despite much different attempts to do so.

Correct answer:

despite many different attempts to do so.

Explanation:

The use of "much" in the sentence is incorrect, as "much" indicates a great amount, but not a large count, and should be used for singular nouns. The correct choice should have the word "many" instead of "much." The only answer choice that makes this chnage is "despite many different attempts to do so."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.

Highway construction involves a great deal of planning, as it can be quite unpredictably.

Possible Answers:

 as it can be quite unpredictably.

 if it can be quite unpredictably.

if it can be quite unpredictable.

as it can be very unpredictably.

 as it can be quite unpredictable.

Correct answer:

 as it can be quite unpredictable.

Explanation:

The use of the adverb "unpredictably" is incorrect in the sentence, as it describes a noun and should be an adjective. Otherwise, the sentence is absolutely correct; therefore, the best answer choice is "as it can be unpredictable."

Example Question #2 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb Errors

Just as animals run when frightened, humans often have a strongly desire to flee when panicked.

Possible Answers:

have a strongly desire

have strong desire

have a strong desire

had strongly desires

had a strong desire

Correct answer:

have a strong desire

Explanation:

The underlined portion of the sentence problematically contains a misused adverb, "strongly." This needs to be turned into an adjective to appropriately describe "desire." "Have a strong desire" is the only answer choice that does this and is fully gramatically correct.

Example Question #3 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb Errors

Under normal circumstances, the family would have never driven up to the frighteningly looking motel.

Possible Answers:

for the frighteningly looking motel.

to the frighteningly looked motel.

to the frighteningly looking motel.

to a frighteningly looking motel.

to the frightening looking motel.

Correct answer:

to the frightening looking motel.

Explanation:

The use of the word "frighteningly" is absolutely incorrect, as it is an adverb being used to describe a gerund, or a verb that takes the form of a noun, in "looking." Gerunds need to be modified with an adjective. Therefore, "to the frightening looking motel" is the correct answer.

Example Question #3 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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.

Few people will ever remember too many detail from their early childhood.

Possible Answers:

many detail

too much details

too much detail

much details

too many detail

Correct answer:

too much detail

Explanation:

The two words "many" and "much" mean the same thing, "a lot of," but are used in two distinct ways. "Many" is used exclusively with counting nouns, while "much" is used with noncounting nouns; therefore, when used with "detail," "much" is correct, while "many" would be correct with "details."

Example Question #3 : Correcting Other Adjective And Adverb 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. 

Until you completely comprehend the message of the author’s first novel, you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel.

Possible Answers:

otherwise you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.

you did not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.

you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.

only after fully appreciating the equally poignant sequel.

you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel.

Correct answer:

you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel.

Explanation:

The answer choice "otherwise you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel" is another subordinate clause, so this answer choice is incorrect because it leaves the sentence with no independent clause.

In the answer choice "you will not appreciate the equal poignant sequel," "equal" is an adjective, but you must choose an adverb that modifies the adjective “poignant." "Equally" is the correct form, so this answer choice is incorrect.

The answer choice "only after fully appreciating the equally poignant sequel," is another subordinate clause, so this answer choice is incorrect. You must pick an independent clause.

In the answer choice "you did not appreciate the equally poignant sequel,"the past tense form of “did appreciate” does not agree with the insubordinate clause, which indicates that something will happen in the future (after you comprehend the message). The appropriate choice should indicate somethign that occurrs in the future, so this answer choice is incorrect.

The answer choice "you will not appreciate the equally poignant sequel" is a future-tense independent clause with the appropriate adverb form of "equally." It is correct!

Example Question #692 : 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.

Certain scientific theories were actually developed by two researchers simultaneous.

Possible Answers:

of two researchers simultaneous.

by two researchers simultaneously.

by two researchers in simultaneous.

of two researchers simultaneously.

by two researchers simultaneous.

Correct answer:

by two researchers simultaneously.

Explanation:

The use of the word "simultaneous" actually describes the verb "developed," even though it is next to the verb "researchers." The issue can be corrected by making the word "simultaneous" an adverb. "By two researchers simultaneously" is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #693 : 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.

He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

Possible Answers:

He was a horrible comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

He was a horribly comedian, and can't make anyone laugh.

He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

He was a horribly comedian, and couldn't make one laugh.

He were a horribly comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

Correct answer:

He was a horrible comedian, and couldn't make anyone laugh.

Explanation:

The use of the adverb "horribly" is wrong, as the word modifies a noun, "comedian," and should actually be an adjective. This problem can be corrected by shifting "horribly" to its adjectival form. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "He was a horrible comedian, with no ability to make anybody laugh."

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