PSAT Writing : Improving Sentences
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
All PSAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #13 : 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 lightweight champion boxer may not have the brute strength of heavyweight fighters, but he makes up for it with ferocity and being quick.
fighters, but he makes up for it with ferocity and being quick.
fighters, but they make up for it with ferocity and being quick.
fighters; but he makes up for it with ferocity and being quick.
fighters, and he makes up for it with ferocity and being quick.
fighters, but he makes up for it with ferocity and quickness.
fighters, but he makes up for it with ferocity and quickness.
This sentence contains an error in parallelism. The listed attributes "ferocity" and "being quick" should be phrased the same way. Changing "being quick" to "quickness" fixes this.
Example Question #4 : Correcting Other 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.
Behaviors typical of early infancy include exchanging facial expressions with caregivers, focusing on visual objects, and the imitation of adult behavior.
exchanging facial expressions with caregivers, focusing toward visual objects, and the imitation of adult behavior
exchanging facial expressions to caregivers, focusing with visual objects, and the imitation of adult behavior
exchanging facial expressions with caregivers, focusing on visual objects, and the imitation of adult behavior
exchanging facial expressions to caregivers, focusing on visual objects, and the imitation of adult behavior
exchanging facial expressions with caregivers, focusing on visual objects, and imitating adult behavior
exchanging facial expressions with caregivers, focusing on visual objects, and imitating adult behavior
The underlined portion contains a list, the first two items of which end in "-ing." To maintain the parallel structure of the list, the third item should also end in "-ing." Only answer choice "exchanging facial expressions with caregivers, focusing on visual objects, and imitating adult behavior" represents the correct use of parallelism.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Parallel Structure Errors
In the following question, please choose the best sentence improvement.
The vineyards of Napa Valley are at once breathlessly vibrant, symmetrical, and the green is profound.
and the green is profound.
and profoundly green.
and so profound green.
and it is profoundly green.
and its green is quite profound.
and profoundly green.
This sentence requires parallelism across all elements. Only "profoundly green" matches "breathlessly vibrant" and "symmetrical."
Example Question #51 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
The kids took too much time cleaning their rooms, left little time to do outdoor chores.
leaving little time to doing outdoor chores.
left little time to had done outdoor chores.
left little time to do outdoor chores.
left few times to do outdoor chores.
leaving little time to do outdoor chores.
leaving little time to do outdoor chores.
The underlined phrase in the sentence, being the second part of a complex sentence, needs to have a parallel structure to the phrase in the first half of the sentence; therefore, "leaving little time to do outdoor chores," is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Parallel Structure Errors
In the following question, please choose the best sentence improvement.
When choosing a sport, youths are encouraged to consider its difficulty, its required skills, its necessary equipment, and its overall cost.
its overall cost.
the cost of it.
how much it costs overall.
if it costs money.
the money needed for it.
its overall cost.
In this question, only the original sentence shows parallelism. Any choice other than "its overall cost" would not exhibit parallel structure with the sentence's other elements.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
The teacher sought new ways of teaching, believing her students would get more from lessons featuring playing, acting, and creativity.
featuring playing, acting, and creative things.
featuring playing, acting, and creativity.
featuring playing, acting, and creating.
featuring play, act, and creativity.
featuring the playing, acting, and creativity.
featuring playing, acting, and creating.
The underlined portion of the sentence features a list of verbs, but they are not all in a parallel form. All such lists must feature a parallel structure for the verbs listed; therefore, the correct answer is "featuring playing, acting, and creating."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Stretching before physical workouts is important to improve flexibility and avoiding injury.
are important to improve flexibility and avoiding injury.
is important to improve flexibility and being injured less.
is important to improve flexibility and avoid injury.
is important to improve flexibility and in the avoidance of injury.
is important to both improve flexibility and also avoid injury.
is important to improve flexibility and avoid injury.
Paralellism: in a list of two or more items in a sentence, each should be worded in the same manner for consistency. One choice changes "is" to "are," which is incorrect because the subject is the singular "stretching," not the plural "workouts," which is part of a prepositional phrase.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Parallel Structure Errors
Writing an additional sentence for each paragraph you have is easier than the writing of a brand new paragraph altogether.
one's writing of
when you must write
writing
when one has to write
the writing of
writing
It is not a parallel comparison. The comparison should match, and state that writing something is easier than writing something.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
More than other children, he struggled adapting to middle school both academically and in his social life.
academically and in his social life.
both academcially and in his social life.
academics and in his social life.
both academically and socially.
both for academics and in socially.
both academically and socially.
The two items in the underlined portion are paried together, and as such should have a parallel structure. The only answer choice that has such a structure is "both academically and socially."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
She loved a number of creative activities as a child, always trying painting, singing, or to dance.
always trying to paint, to sing, or to dance.
always tries painting, singing, or to dance.
always trying painting, singing, or to dance.
always painting, singing, or to dance.
always try to paint, to sing, or to dance.
always trying to paint, to sing, or to dance.
The list in the underlined portion needs a parallel structure in its items, but does not, with "to dance" being different in structure. Of all the answer choices, "always trying to paint, to sing, or to dance" features a correct parallel structure.
All PSAT Writing Resources
