PSAT Writing : Improving Sentences
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #221 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The jury, despite hours of deliberation, is not able to resolve the issue; in the end, they cannot determine whose responsible for the crime. No error
No error
jury, despite
determine whose
deliberation, is
issue; in the end
determine whose
"Who is" and "who's" is not interchangeable with "whose": here the correct sentence is: "they cannot determine who is (who's) respsonsible ..."
Example Question #4 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic Usage Errors
The two campaigns became certain the election was so close election night would not feature a definite result.
was close
was closely
was so close that
was so close
was too close
was so close that
The key problem with the sentence is that the portion after the underlined part has to be introduced by a pronoun introducing the relative clause "election night would not feature a definite result." "Was so close that" is the only choice among the answers featuring such a word.
Example Question #231 : 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.
What is most importantest in life is having love, health, and happiness in personal relationships.
more importanter
most important
most importantly
most importantest
importantest
most important
"Importantest" is not a word, and is an incorrect superlative form. The proper superlative form of "important" is "most important," which is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #231 : 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.
Kylie studied until morning in preparing her test stategy for the next exam.
for preparing her test strategy
to prepare her test strategy
in preparing her test strategy
in an effort to prepare her test strategy
for the preparation of her test strategy
to prepare her test strategy
This is an usual utilization of the word "preparing." Simply "to prepare" is more practical.
Example Question #921 : Psat Writing Skills
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.
Although the firefighters tried their best, the house was completely in fire by the time they arrived.
Although they tried their best, the house was completely in fire by the time the firefighters arrived.
Although the firefighters tried their best, the house was completely on fire by the time they arrived.
By the time they arrived, the firefighters tried their best, although the house was completely in fire.
Although the firefighters tried their best, the house was completely in fire by the time they arrived.
Although the firefighters tried their best, the house was completely engulfed on fire by the time they arrived.
Although the firefighters tried their best, the house was completely on fire by the time they arrived.
The original sentence contains an idiomatic error: "in fire." In English, objects are described as "on fire," not "in fire." A house that is "on fire" may also be "engulfed in flames," but never "engulfed on fire."
Only the correct answer choice contains the appropriate idiom.
Example Question #11 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic 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.
The politicians couldn't hardly believe their luck.
couldn't hardly believe his or her luck.
couldn't nearly believe their luck.
couldn't hardly believe their luck.
could hardly believe their luck.
would not hardly believe their luck.
could hardly believe their luck.
We are looking for the answer choice without negation. "Could hardly believe their luck" is the only answer that does not contain a negative.
Example Question #241 : 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.
Mexico is known for growing large quantities of mangos, but that isn’t its primary export.
but that isn’t Mexicos’ primary export
but that isn’t its primary export
but that isn’t its primary export, however
but that isn’t it’s primary export
but that isn’t their primary export
but that isn’t its primary export
Since Mexico is a country (a thing), the possessive would be “its.” “It’s” (with an apostrophe) is a contraction of “it is.” The word “however” is redundant because “but” has the same meaning.
Example Question #242 : 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.
Karla and Kimberly are supposedly much more athletic than they’re older siblings.
than their older siblings
than there older siblings
then their older siblings
than they’re older siblings
then they’re older siblings
than their older siblings
“Than” is used for comparison, while “then” means next in a sequence. The possessive of third person plural is “their.” “They’re” is the contraction of “they are,” and “there” is a place.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
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 meteorology professor asked her students to record the causes and affects of Hurricane Sandy.
The Meteorology Professor asked her students to record the causes and effects of Hurricane Sandy.
The meteorology professor asked her students to record the causes and affects of Hurricane Sandy.
The meteorology professor asked her students to record the causes and effects of Hurricane Sandy.
The Meteorology Professor asked her students to record the causes and affects of Hurricane Sandy.
The meteorology professor asked their students to record the causes of effects of Hurricane Sandy.
The meteorology professor asked her students to record the causes and effects of Hurricane Sandy.
“Effects” is the noun “effect” in its plural form (e.g., the aftermath). “Affects,” by contrast, is from the verb “to affect” (e.g., to influence). “Meteorology Professor” does not need to be capitalized because it is not the official title of the person.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic 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 rain has a big affect on his mood.
His mood has a big affect on the rain.
The rain affects his mood.
The rain has a big effect on his mood.
On his mood, the rain is largely effecting.
(No changes to original.)
The rain has a big effect on his mood.
Here, we need the noun “effect,” not the verb “affect.”
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