PSAT Writing : Improving Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : 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 remake of the film was neither enjoyable and definitely not faithful to the original film.

Possible Answers:

nor were it faithful to the original film

and definitely not faithful to the original film

and it wasn't even faithful to the original film

nor faithful to the original film

nor was it faithful to the original film

Correct answer:

nor faithful to the original film

Explanation:

When "neither" is used in a sentence, "nor" should follow it, creating the structure "neither X nor Y," where X and Y are items formatted in the same manner. To correct the sentence, we need to change "and definitely not" to "nor." Several answer choices do this: "nor faithful to the original film," "nor were it faithful to the original film," and "nor was it faithful to the original film." "Nor were it faithful to the original film" and "nor was it faithful to the original film" might each look like potentially correct answers, but each introduces a verb that disrupts the parallel structure of "neither X nor Y," in which "nor" should be immediately followed by "faithful to the original film." The correct answer is thus "nor faithful to the original film," making the corrected sentence, "The remake of the film was neither enjoyable nor faithful to the original film."

Example Question #2 : 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.

Today, psychotherapy is one of the only treatments that has been shown to help treat, but even help prevent, most psychological disorders.

Possible Answers:

help treat and prevent, most 

help treat and even prevent most 

help treat, but even prevent, most 

help treat and prevent, most 

help treating and preventing

Correct answer:

help treat and even prevent most 

Explanation:

The best way to rephrase "help treat, but even help prevent, most psychological disorders" is "help treat and even prevent most psychological disorders." Commas can be used to denote an interrupting phrase, which is an idea connected to the main idea but not necessary to the understanding of the main idea of the sentence. For example, an interrupting clause may provide additional information about the main idea or a qualification (using "but" or "however"). In this example, the idea that psychotherapy can help prevent psychological disorders is part of the main idea of the sentence, so it does not have to be separated from the remainder of the sentence by commas.

Example Question #2 : 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.

In the future, not Ellen and not Marcia are allowed to go outside without asking the teacher for permission.

Possible Answers:

not Ellen and not Marcia is allowed

neither Ellen nor Marcia are allowed

not Ellen and not Marcia are allowed

neither Ellen and Marcia are allowed

neither Ellen nor Marcia is allowed 

Correct answer:

neither Ellen nor Marcia is allowed 

Explanation:

The correct form for this sentence is "neither . . . nor." In addition, "neither . . .nor" leads to use of the singular form "is" rather than "are."

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.

Teaching is a profession which can present many unforeseen challenges.

Possible Answers:

profession which can present

profession that can present

profession, but can present

profession, that can present

profession that may be presenting

Correct answer:

profession that can present

Explanation:

The comma is excessive and causes problems with the logic of the sentence. “Which” usually requires a comma before it and follows a fact, assertion, or statement. The sentence's use of "which" doesn't come after a comma, so it should be changed to "that."

Example Question #2 : 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 United States is one of just a few countries in the world which continues to use the British system of measurement.

Possible Answers:

which continues to use the British system of measurement.

that continues to use the British system of measurement.

which continues to use the british system of measurement.

that continues using the british system of measurement.

which continues using the British system of measurement.

Correct answer:

that continues to use the British system of measurement.

Explanation:

This sentence requires use of “that” because the United States is a country (e.g., a noun). Also, “British” must be capitalized because it is a nationality. 

Example Question #1793 : 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.

Because the giant squid is an elusive creature rarely seen by humans, scientists are beginning to gain a better understanding of the creature by studying it using remote cameras. 

Possible Answers:

Considering

As

Since

Because

Although 

Correct answer:

Although 

Explanation:

The sentence is trying to explain that in spite of the giant squid's elusiveness, scientists are finding new ways of studying it. The sentence therefore is trying to contrast two ideas, as opposed to showing causation with the word "because." The only answer choice that uses a contrasting conjunction is "Although," so it is the correct answer.

Example Question #1795 : 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.

Prisons are a relatively recent phenomenon in world history, because exorbitant costs.

Possible Answers:

exorbitant costs.

because exorbitant cost.

because exorbitant costs.

because exorbitant costs of prisons.

because they have exorbitant costs.

Correct answer:

because they have exorbitant costs.

Explanation:

The underlined phrase, a separate clause further explaining the first half of the sentence, does not work as a complet sentence. In order to appropriately fit after "because," the phrase needs to be turned into a complete thought. "Because they had exorbitant costs" is the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #1796 : 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.

Some prescription drugs can produce dangerous interactions when combined with other chemicals, and you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.

Possible Answers:

and you should always be telling your physician about any medications you take at home.

so you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.

and you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.

although you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.

but you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.

Correct answer:

so you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.

Explanation:

This sentence contains an error in its logic of cause and effect. The first part of the sentence is the reason for the advice offered in the second part. So, you should change "and" to a word that demonstrates the cause-and-effect relationship. Do not add a contrast word like "but" or "although" unless the sentence includes some sort of contradiction or opposition.

Example Question #1 : Correcting Parallel Structure 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.

Portraits painted during the Renaissance reveal a stricter adherence to the principles of realism than the Middle Ages.

Possible Answers:

reveal a stricter adherence to the principles of realism than the Middle Ages

reveal a stricter adherence to the principles of realism than did the Middle Ages

reveal a stricter adherence to the principles of realism than those painted during the Middle Ages

reveals a stricter adherence to the principles of realism than the Middle Ages

has revealed a stricter adherence to the principles of realism than the Middle Ages

Correct answer:

reveal a stricter adherence to the principles of realism than those painted during the Middle Ages

Explanation:

The original text contains a faulty compaison. It compares portraits painted during the Renaissance to the time period of the Middle Ages. Instead, portraits should be compared to other portraits. The only answer choice that correcly makes this comparison is "reveal a stricter adherence to the principles of realism than those painted during the Middle Ages."

Example Question #2 : Correcting Parallel Structure 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.

Every morning, the celebrated composer liked to make a pot of tea, sit down by the window, and began work on his symphony.

Possible Answers:

window, and begin work on his symphony

window, and beginning to work on his symphony

window, to begin work on his symphony

window, and began work on his symphony.

window; he began work on his symphony

Correct answer:

window, and begin work on his symphony

Explanation:

The original sentence does not follow employ parallel structure within the list of things that the composer does every morning. To make it consistent, each verb should be an infinitive ("to make . . . sit . . . begin"). None of the other answers fit into that pattern.

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