PSAT Writing : Improving Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

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.

The non-profit organization never had financial issues, as it always handled its money perfect.

Possible Answers:

as it always handles its money perfect.

so it always handled its money perfect.

as it always handled its money perfectly.

as it always handled its money perfect.

as it always handled it's money perfect.

Correct answer:

as it always handled its money perfectly.

Explanation:

The use of the adjective "perfect" is incorrect in this sentence, as it modifies the verb "handled." A verb can only be modified by an adverb, meaning "perfect" must be changed to its adverbial form. As the only answer choice to use the adverb "perfectly" instead of the adjective "perfect," the correct answer choice is "as it always handled its money perfectly."

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.

Questions abounded in the inquiry into illegal payments alleged made by the college to student athletes.

Possible Answers:

allegedly made

allegedly making

alleged made

alleged making

made alleged

Correct answer:

allegedly made

Explanation:

The word "alleged" is modifying the word "made," a verb, which needs an adverb to modify it. The adverb form of "alleged" is "allegedly," which makes the correct answer "allegedly made."

Example Question #191 : Correcting 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. 

I found the unbelievable large mouse gnawing on the flour sack in my cupboard.

Possible Answers:

Gnawing on the flour sack in my cupboard, I found the unbelievably large mouse.

I found the unbelievably large mouse gnawing on the flour sack in my cupboard.

I found the unbelievable large mouse gnawing on the flour sack in my cupboard.

I found the mouse, large and unbelievable, gnawing on the flour sack in my cupboard.

In my cupboard, I found the unbelievable, large mouse gnawing on the flour sack.

Correct answer:

I found the unbelievably large mouse gnawing on the flour sack in my cupboard.

Explanation:

In this sentence, the word "unbelievable" should be modifying "large" rather than "mouse," and, since "large" is an adjective, "unbelievable" must be made into an adverb, "unbelievably," to modify it. Two answer choices correct this adverb error, but only the correct answer choice does not add in any further errors. "Gnawing on a flour sack, I found the unbelievably large mouse" adds another ambiguous modifier and alters the meaning of the sentence by implying that the speaker was gnawing on a sack of flour, rather than the mouse.

Example Question #2212 : 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.

The old man usual took his walk around the neighborhood at roughly three in the afternoon.

Possible Answers:

The old man usual taken

The old man usually took

The old man usual takes

The old man usual took

The usual old man took

Correct answer:

The old man usually took

Explanation:

The use of the word "usual" in the sentence is incorrect, as it describes the verb "took," which means it needs to take an adverb form. The only answer choice with the correct form that also keeps the intended meaning of the sentence is "The old man usually took."

Example Question #2213 : 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.

Marriages are increasing being delayed among young adults throughout the nation.

Possible Answers:

Marriages are increasing being delaying

Marriages are increasing being delayed

Marriages are increasingly been delayed

Marriages are increasingly being delayed

Marriages are increasingly being delaying

Correct answer:

Marriages are increasingly being delayed

Explanation:

The word "increasing" in the sentence is used to describe the verb phrase "being delayed." Even though these words are not the verb in the sentence, they still need an adverb form to describe them. The correct answer is "Marriages are increasingly being delayed."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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.

Michael and Larry are both excellent basketball players, but Michael is best.

Possible Answers:

Michael is the better basketball player, and yet both he and Larry are excellent at it.

Michael and Larry are both excellent basketball players, and yet Michael is best.

Michael and Larry are both excellent basketball players, but Michael is better.

Michael and Larry are both excellent—but Michael is better—basketball players.

Michael and Larry are both excellent basketball players, but Michael is best.

Correct answer:

Michael and Larry are both excellent basketball players, but Michael is better.

Explanation:

Whenever you are comparing only two things, use the comparative form (usually words ending in "-er"—better, smarter, faster, and so forth). If there are three or more items, use the superlative form (usually ending in "-est"—best, smartest, fastest . . .) to designate the best one.

Example Question #1 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative 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.

After both failing her exam and missing the last bus home, Maxi decided that that Friday afternoon could not get any more worse.

Possible Answers:

Maxi decided that that Friday afternoon could not get any worse.

Maxi decided that Friday afternoon could not get worse.

Maxi decided that Friday afternoon could not get any more worse.

Maxi decided that Friday afternoon could get more worse. 

Maxi decided that that Friday afternoon could not get any more worse. 

Correct answer:

Maxi decided that that Friday afternoon could not get any worse.

Explanation:

The expression “more worse” cannot exist because “worse” is already a superlative. The second “that” specifies which Friday afternoon in particular, as opposed to any Friday afternoon of the year.

Example Question #191 : Correcting 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.

Between chimpanzees and orangutans, chimpanzees are the most intelligent, and orangutans are the more social.

Possible Answers:

are the more intelligent, and orangutans are the most social

are the most intelligent, and orangutans are the more social

are the most intelligent, and orangutans are the most social

have been the most intelligent, and orangutans are the more social

are the more intelligent, and orangutans are the more social

Correct answer:

are the more intelligent, and orangutans are the more social

Explanation:

We know that in this sentence, only two items are being compared, because the sentences begins with "Between chimpanzees and orangutans." When only two items are being compared, remember to use the comparative forms of adjectives ("more" or "-er") rather than the superlative forms ("most" or "-est").

The only answer choice that obeys this rule is "are the more intelligent, and orangutans are the more social."

Example Question #2 : Correcting Comparative And Superlative Errors

If you compared my sister and me, you’d see that she was the best dancer.

Possible Answers:

If you compared my sister and I, you were to see that she was the best dancer.

If you compared my sister and I, you’d see that she was the best dancer.

If you compared my sister and me, you’d see that she was the best dancer.

If you compared my sister and me, you’d see that she was the better dancer.

If you compared my sister and I, you’d see that she was the better dancer.

Correct answer:

If you compared my sister and me, you’d see that she was the better dancer.

Explanation:

We use comparative adjectives when comparing two people or things (bigger, worse); we use superlative adjectives when comparing one person or thing with three or more people or things (the biggest, the worse).

Example Question #22 : Correcting 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.

 

If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and me, you will see that I am the shorter of the group.

Possible Answers:

If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and I, you will see that I am the shorter of the group. 

If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and me, you would see that I am the shorter of the group. 

If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and me, you will see that I am the shorter of the group.

If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and I, you will see that I am the shortest of the group. 

If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and me, you will see that I am the shortest of the group. 

Correct answer:

If you look at Jamie, Jamal, and me, you will see that I am the shortest of the group. 

Explanation:

We use comparative adjectives when comparing two people or things (bigger, worse, etc.); we use superlative adjectives when comparing one person or thing with three or more people or things (the biggest, the worst, etc.). Thus, here we use the superlative adjective “the shortest.” In the first clause, we use “me” instead of “I” because “me” is an object pronoun, and “me” is the indirect object of the verb “look.”.

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