PSAT Writing : Improving Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Correcting Modifier Word Modified Agreement 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

The belief in evil spirits remains quite widespread in many different part of the world.

Possible Answers:

many different part of the world.

many different parts of the world.

many different part of the world.

many different part of a world.

many differentiated part of the world.

Correct answer:

many different parts of the world.

Explanation:

The error in the underlined portion of the sentence is its use of the singular form "part" after the adjectives "many different." As both adjectives indicate the plurality of the noun they describe, the singular noun "part" needs to be a plural noun to correct the error. "Many different parts of the world" is the correct answer choice because it is the only one in which this error is corrected.

Example Question #321 : 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 appeal of art is largely a subjective experience that critics nonetheless take as an objective studies.

Possible Answers:

the study's objective.

an objective studies.

an objective study.

a studies of objectivity.

the objective studies.

Correct answer:

an objective study.

Explanation:

The key issue with the underlined phrase is the simultaneous use of "an" and the plural form "studies." Either the singular "an" or the plural "studies" needs to be changed to make the forms match. "An objective study" is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #322 : 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.

Dogs, unlike many types of birds, usually do not stay with their mate for life.

Possible Answers:

do not stay with there mate for life

do not stay with their mates for life

do not stay with they’re mates for life

do not stay with there mates for life

do not stay with their mate for life

Correct answer:

do not stay with their mates for life

Explanation:

Since we are talking about "dogs" (plural), they must have "mates" (plural). Also, “their” is the possessive form of “they.” “There” denotes a place, and “they’re” is the contraction of “they are.”

Example Question #323 : 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.

I hate wearing my shoes when they are wet; it squeaks and squishes when I walk. 

Possible Answers:

it squeaky and squishy when I walk. 

it squeak and squish when I walk. 

they squeaks and squishes when I walk. 

it squeaks and squishes when I walk. 

they squeak and squish when I walk. 

Correct answer:

they squeak and squish when I walk. 

Explanation:

Because the pronoun in the next sentence is describing the "shoes," plural, the pronoun must be the plural "they." The verbs must also then follow the plural form "squeak and squish," making the correct answer "they squeak and squish when I walk." Note that a semicolon is correctly used to separate the two independent clauses making up this sentence, and also note that since the two clauses are combined into one sentence, the pronouns must remain consistent within that sentence, even though each clause is independent.

 

 

Example Question #324 : 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.

When I moved out of town, all of my classmates gave me a suggestion for how to make friends in my new school.

Possible Answers:

giving me suggestions for how to make friends

gave me suggestions for how to make friends

give me a suggestion for how to make friends

gave me a suggestion for how to make friends

give me suggestions for how to make friends

Correct answer:

gave me suggestions for how to make friends

Explanation:

The plural "classmates" were suggesting, so he had to receive plural "suggestions." Also, since he "moved" (past tense) we have to say that the classmates "gave" (past tense) the suggestions. This means the correct answer is "gave me suggestions for how to make friends."

Example Question #325 : 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.

To Timmy, the best part of science fiction movies are the special effects.

Possible Answers:

To Timmy, the best parts of science fiction movie is the special effects.   

To Timmy, the best part of science fiction movies is the special effects.   

To Timmy, the best parts of science fiction movies is the special effects.   

To Timmy, the best part of science fiction movies are the special effects.

The best part of science fiction movies, the special effects are, to Timmy.

Correct answer:

To Timmy, the best part of science fiction movies is the special effects.   

Explanation:

"To Timmy, the best part of science fiction movies is the special effects."

This is the only correct answer because the subject ("part") agrees in number with the verb ("is"). Do not be misled by the plural "movies"; it is not the subject.

Example Question #1 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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 last time it snowed, that was in February, my dad lost control of his car and hit a tree.

Possible Answers:

was snowing, that was in February,

snowed, February was the month,

snowed, which was in February,

snowed, it was in February,

snows, that was in February,

Correct answer:

snowed, which was in February,

Explanation:

This is a case in which we need to decide whether to use the word "which" or "that" to introduce the clause set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. "That" is used to introduce information absolutely necessary to the sentence's meaning, whereas "which" is used to introduce information that would not change the sentence's meaning if it were removed from the sentence. Information that is not crucial to the sentence's meaning is usually set apart by commas.

In this case, the sentence "The last time it snowed, my dad lost control of his car and hit a tree" still makes sense, so we know that the information included between the commas isn't absolutely necessary to the sentence's meaning. Plus, the information in question is being set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. So, we should use "which," and not "that."

Example Question #3 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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 weather forecast predicted snow for today, and it is raining.

Possible Answers:

predicted snow around today, and it is 

predicted snow, for today and it is

predicted snow for today, and it is

predicted it to be snowing today, and it is

predicted snow for today, but it is

Correct answer:

predicted snow for today, but it is

Explanation:

Because the second independent clause contradicts the first in this compound sentence it is more correct to separate the two with the conjunction "but," not "and."

Example Question #1211 : 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.

In Emily Brontë's novel Wuthering Heights, the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love or social preeminence.

Possible Answers:

the heroine, Catherine, must have chosen between true love or social preeminence.

the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love and social preeminence.

the heroine, Catherine, must make a choice between true love or social preeminence.

the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love or social preeminence.

the heroine, Catherine, must have to be choosing between true love either or social preeminence.

Correct answer:

the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love and social preeminence.

Explanation:

Only answer choice "the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love and social preeminence" correctly uses "and" with the preposition "between."

The other answer choices, including the original text "the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love or social preeminence," contain an incorrect idiomatic expression. When we have "between," we typically need the word "and"—rather than "or"—to separate the entities that follow.

Example Question #252 : Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

When she went to the zoo, Lyndsey got to see not only tigers, but polar bears, iguanas, and toucans.

Possible Answers:

When she went to the zoo, Lyndsey got to see not only tigers, but also polar bears, iguanas, and toucans.

When she went to the zoo, Lyndsey got to see not only tigers, also polar bears, iguanas, and toucans.

When she went to the zoo, Lyndsey got to see not only tigers, although polar bears, iguanas, and toucans too.

When she went to the zoo, Lyndsey got to see not only tigers, and polar bears, iguanas, and toucans.

When she went to the zoo, Lyndsey got to see not only tigers, but polar bears, iguanas, and toucans.

Correct answer:

When she went to the zoo, Lyndsey got to see not only tigers, but also polar bears, iguanas, and toucans.

Explanation:

In standard English, when you use the phrase "not only" in a sentence, it should be followed by the phrase "but also." So, the correct answer is "When she went to the zoo, Lyndsey got to see not only tigers, but also polar bears, iguanas, and toucans."

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