PSAT Writing : Improving Sentences
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Correcting Parallel Structure Errors
The entertainer viewed himself as a multifaceted performer who excelled at acting, singing, and an ability to dance.
at acting, singing, and an ability to dance.
at acting, singing, and to dance.
at acting, singing, and dancing.
in acting, singing, and an ability to dance.
at acting, singing, and the ability to dance.
at acting, singing, and dancing.
The list in the underlined portion of the sentence does not feature a parallel structure among the listed items, which makes it confusing and strange. The list needs to have a parallel structure, with all elements featuring the same form. The only answer choice with a parallel structure is "at acting, singing, and dancing."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Young children need equal time during the day to devote to playing, learning, and to relax.
to playing, learning, and relax.
to playing, learning, and to relax.
to play, to learn, and to relax.
to playing, learning, to relax.
to playing, to learning, and to relax.
to play, to learn, and to relax.
The list of verbs in the underlined portion of the sentence, as in any such list, all need to follow a parallel form. In the sentence as written, they do not have a parallel structure. Of all the answer choices, the only that does have a parallel structure is "to play, to learn, and to relax."
Example Question #11 : Correcting Parallel Structure Errors
Very few professional athletes are in the top percentile for running, jumping, and the ability to throw.
for running, jumping, and the ability to throw.
for running jumping and the ability to throw.
for running, jumping, and throwing.
for the abilty in running, jumping, and to throw.
for running jumping and throwing.
for running, jumping, and throwing.
The list at the end of the sentence features different verb forms. Any list of such verbs all need to take the same form for a parallel structure; therefore, the correct answer is "for running, jumping, and throwing."
Example Question #71 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
The boys all enjoyed swimming, hiking, and to run on the camp's property.
to swim, to hike, and to run on the camp's property.
to swim, hiking, and to run on the camp's property.
swimming, to hike, and to run on the camp's property.
to swimming, to hiking, and to running on the camp's property.
swimming, hiking, and to run on the camp's property.
to swim, to hike, and to run on the camp's property.
The three activities in the list all need to have a parallel structure, and be grammatically correct, ruling out the answer choice featuring the construction "to running . . ." The best answer choice, therefore, is "to swim, to hike, and to run on the camp's property."
Example Question #72 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
The actor's moods would swing wildly, and in the span of five minutes he could want to fight, to sing, and discussing important topics.
to fight, to sing, and to discuss important topics.
to fight to sing and discussing important topics.
to fight, to sing, and discussing important topics.
to fight, to sing and discussing important topics.
to fight, singing, and discussing important topics.
to fight, to sing, and to discuss important topics.
Any list like the one underlined in the sentence must feature a parallel structure in word form. Otherwise, as in the sentence, it compares unlike things such as a "want to fight" and "discussing important topics." The sentence needs to be improved to feature a parallel structure, something only done by the answer choice "to fight, to sing, and to discuss important topics."
Example Question #73 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
The overbearing woman relentlessly criticized the girls for wearing makeup, having parties, and their inappropriate dress.
for wearing makeup, having parties, and their inappropriately dressed.
for wearing makeup, having parties, and there inappropriate dress.
for wearing makeup, having parties, and their inappropriate dress.
for wearing makeup, in having parties, and their inappropriate dress.
for wearing makeup, having parties, and dressing inappropriately.
for wearing makeup, having parties, and dressing inappropriately.
The list that forms the underlined portion of the sentence has three items, but one is in a different format to the others, meaning unlike things are grouped together. Any such list needs to feature a parallel structure, where all the forms match each other. The only answer choice that appropriately does this is "for wearing makeup, having parties, and dressing inappropriately."
Example Question #11 : Correcting Parallel Structure Errors
To fish, hunting, and forage are necessary survival skills the group wanted to teach children.
Fishing, hunting, and foraging
To fish, hunting, and forage
Fishing, hunting, and forage
To fish, hunt, and foraging
To fish, hunting, and foraging
Fishing, hunting, and foraging
The list underlined in the sentence contains three unlike things, as the forms of the words are all quite different. All such lists need to feature a parallel structure to show it is a list of similar things. The correct answer choice, therefore, is "Fishing, hunting, and foraging."
Example Question #42 : Parallel Structure Errors
The father was concerned about his children reading too little and to watch too much TV.
reading too little and watching too much TV.
reading little and to watch much TV.
reading too little and watch too much TV.
reading too little and to watch too much TV.
reading very little and to watch very much TV.
reading too little and watching too much TV.
The two elements in the underlined portion of the sentence describe two different kinds of action, "reading" and "to watch." They need to be changed to have a similar structure to be described in the same clause; therefore, the correct answer choice is "reading too little and watching too much TV."
Example Question #21 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
The rejection of classical art was disturbing to neither pundits and laymen.
Which option best improves the underlined section of this sentence?
neither pundits nor laymen.
pundits or laymen.
either pundits and laymen.
pundits nor laymen.
both pundits and laymen.
both pundits and laymen.
Logically, the rejection of art would be disturbing to pundits (a noun defined as learned individuals) and laymen. Using this knowledge, students could eliminate any answer choice that would say that this would not be disturbing. Even without this knowledge, based on the rule of concordance, students would know that the only plausible options are "both pundits and laymen" or "neither pundits nor laymen," because "neither" always goes with "nor" and "either" always goes with "or." So, the correct answer is "both pundits and laymen."
Example Question #71 : 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.
My mother has always been amazing at cutting, sewing, and the design of clothing.
cutting, sewing, and the designing of clothing.
to cut, to sew, and to design clothing.
cutting, sewing, and designing clothing.
cutting, sewing, and the design of clothing.
cutting, sewing, and designing clothings.
cutting, sewing, and designing clothing.
The verb structure in a sentence involving parallel structure, such as this one, should remain constant. In the original sentence, there are two progressive verbs followed by a noun that would be better written as a verb. Changing "design of clothing" to "designing clothing" results in a more consistent parallel structure that involves three progressive verbs.
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