PSAT Writing : Improving Sentences
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #32 : 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.
His management style was to always be remarkably energetic, neither too intense nor too calming.
neither too intense nor too calm.
neither too intense nor too calmed.
neither too intense or too calming.
neither too intense, nor too calming.
neither too intensely nor too calming.
neither too intense nor too calm.
"Intense" and "calming" are two different parts of speech, but are joined in the same "neither...nor" phrase. In any such phrase, the two items described must have a parallel structure. The only answer choice with a parallel structure is "neither too intense nor too calm."
Example Question #1562 : 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.
The boys had to choose either playing with the new video game or to run outside.
either playing with a new video game or to run outside.
either playing with the new video game or to be run outside.
either playing with the new video game, or to run outside.
either playing with the new video game or running outside.
either playing with the new video game or to run outside.
either playing with the new video game or running outside.
Any "either...or" construction has to feature a parallel structure that includes each item given, and this sentence uses a gerund and an infinitive. The two forms must be the same to be grammatically correct. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "either playing with the new video game or running outside."
Example Question #81 : 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.
From a young age, she enjoyed outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, and her kayak.
like hiking, climbing, and kayaking.
like hiking, climbing, and her kayak.
such as hiking, climbing, and her kayak.
like hiking, to climb, and her kayak.
like hiking climbing and her kayak.
like hiking, climbing, and kayaking.
The list featured in the underlined portion of the sentence contains unlike items (two gerunds and one straightforward noun) as its objects. A list that forms the objects of the sentence must feature a parallel structure, so that the verb is describing similar objects. The only answer choice with the correct parallel structure is "like hiking, climbing, and kayaking."
Example Question #31 : 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.
The veteran favored his left leg because of an old war injury in his right leg that never healed properly or settling well.
that ever healed properly or settling well.
that never healed properly or settled well.
that never healed properly or settling well.
that never healing properly or settled well.
that never healed properly nor settling well.
that never healed properly or settled well.
The underlined portion of the sentence features an "or" phrase with two different kind of verb phrases as the final elements of a dependent clause. The phrase actually needs to feature a parallel structure among its two parts. The only answer choice with a proper parallel structure is "that never healed properly or settled well."
Example Question #62 : 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.
As a ballplayer, he was creative, imaginative, and worked hard.
creatively, imaginatively, and worked hard.
creatively, imaginative, and worked hard.
creative, imaginative, and hard working.
creative, imaginative, and he worked hard.
creative, imaginative, and worked hard.
creative, imaginative, and hard working.
The list contained in the underlined portion of the sentence has three items with three different forms: two adjectives and a verbal phrase. Any such list needs to have a parallel structure, where all three items are similar. The only answer choice to feature such a parallel structure is "creative, imaginative, and hard working," in which "hard working" is a participle.
Example Question #82 : 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 obstacle course was fun for the new recruit, as he enjoyed running, crouching, and to find new paths.
because he enjoyed running, crouching, and to find new paths.
as he had enjoyed running, crouching, and to find new paths.
as he enjoyed running, crouching, and finding new paths.
as he enjoying running, crouching, and to find new paths.
as he enjoyed running, crouching, and to find new paths.
as he enjoyed running, crouching, and finding new paths.
The list that forms the objects of the second independent clause contains objects that have different forms. Any such list needs to feature all three items as similar things that can be compared. The only answer choice with such a parallel structure is "as he enjoyed running, crouching, and finding new paths."
Example Question #31 : Correcting Parallel Structure Errors
Under the guidance of the new manager, the salesman saw an improvement in his hours worked, deals made, and earning wages.
the salesman saw an improvement in his hours worked, deals made, and wages earned.
the salesman saw an improvement in his hours worked, making deals, and earning wages.
the salesman sees an improvement in his hours worked, deals made, and earning wages.
the salesman saw an improvement in his hours worked, deals made, and earning wages.
the salesman saw improvements in his hours worked, deals made, and earning wages.
the salesman saw an improvement in his hours worked, deals made, and wages earned.
The three items making up the list at the end of the sentence are different kinds of descriptions. Any list needs to have the same types of words among the elements. The only answer choice to feature a correct parallel structure is "the salesman saw an improvement in his hours worked, deals made, and wages earned."
Example Question #41 : 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.
Neither professional sports nor acting in film are as lucrative as most people think they are.
Neither professional sports or acting in film
Neither professional sports nor acting in film
Neither professional sports nor acting for film
Neither playing professional sports nor acting in film
Either professional sports nor acting in film
Neither playing professional sports nor acting in film
In any "neither . . . nor" phrase, the two elements mentioned in the phrase must be the same kind of word, but they are not the same kind of word in the above sentence. "Professional sports" is a simple noun, while "acting" is a gerund, or a verb form that functions as a noun. "Neither playing professional sports nor acting in film," featuring two gerunds, features a correct parallel structure in the "neither . . . nor" phrase.
Example Question #81 : 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.
Neither football nor playing tag were allowed at recess under the school's new ruled.
Neither football nor playing tag were allowing at recess
Neither football nor playing tag were allowed on recess
Neither football nor playing tag was allowed at recess
Neither football nor playing tag were allowed at recess
Neither football nor tag were allowed at recess
Neither football nor tag were allowed at recess
The two items in the "Neither . . . nor" phrase describe different things: a noun, "football," and a gerund phrase, "playing tag." Any such phrase needs to have the same kinds of items described in its parts. "Neither football nor tag were allowed at recess" is the only answer choice that features a correct parallel structure.
Example Question #41 : 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.
The differences between the two groups were quite small, and mostly had to do with severance pay, unemployment benefits, and searching for employment.
and mostly had to do with severance pay, unemployment benefits, and searching for employment.
and mostly has to do with severance pay, unemployment benefits, and searching for employment.
and mostly had to do with severance pay, unemployment benefits, and employment searches.
and mostly had to do with severance pay unemployment benefits and searching for employment.
and mostly having to do with severance pay, unemployment benefits, and searching for employment.
and mostly had to do with severance pay, unemployment benefits, and employment searches.
The list featured at the end of the sentence contains unlike items, with two nouns ("pay" and "benefits") and a participle verb ("searching"). Any such list needs to have three similar items in order to appropriately complete the phrase in which it is the object. The only answer choice with a correct parallel structure is "and mostly had to do with severance pay, unemployment benefits, and employment searches."
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