PSAT Writing : Improving Sentences
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
All PSAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #55 : 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 new curriculum sought to expand what was taught in the classroom, developing students' passions for painting, acting, and to play a musical instrument.
students' passions to painting, acting, and to play a musical instrument.
student's passions for painting, acting, and to play a musical instrument.
students' passions for painting, acting, and to play a musical instrument.
students' passions for painting, acting, and playing a musical instrument.
students' passions from painting, acting, and to play a musical instrument.
students' passions for painting, acting, and playing a musical instrument.
Any list like the one in the underlined portion of the sentence needs to feature three similar items, which the list in the sentence does not have. The three items need to have a parallel structure so that they can appropriately be linked together. The only answer choice that features a correct parallel structure is "students' passions for painting, acting, and playing a musical instrument."
Example Question #101 : 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 coach always wanted athletes with skills and have awareness on the field.
The coach always wanted athletes with skills and have awareness on the field.
The coach always wanting athletes with skills and have awareness on the field.
The coach always wanted athletes with skills and awareness on the field.
The coach always wants athletes with skills and have awareness on the field.
The coach had always wanted athletes with skills and have awareness on the field.
The coach always wanted athletes with skills and awareness on the field.
The compound object of the sentence features two unlike elements, "with skills" and "have awareness." The phrase needs to feature a parallel structure with like elements that describe a similar process. The only answer choice with an appropriate parallel structure is "The coach always wanted athletes with skills and awareness on the field."
Example Question #71 : 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.
A good artist does not just have an ability to draw figures, but also excels at shading, coloring, and to frame.
but also excels in shading, coloring, and to frame
but also excels at shading, coloring, and framing
but also excels at shading, coloring, and to frame
but excels at shading, coloring, and to frame
but also excelling at shading, coloring, and to frame
but also excels at shading, coloring, and framing
The list that ends this sentence contains three unlike items, two gerunds ("shading" and "coloring") and an infinitive ("to frame"). Any such list needs to feature a parallel structure, with all items being the same kind of word. The only answer choice that features a correct parallel structure is "but also excels at shading, coloring, and framing."
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 entire process was overseen by a small committee of select members who were required to read documents, to argue contentious points, and making judgement calls.
who were required to read documents, to argue contentious points, and making judgement calls
who were required in reading documents, to argue contentious points, and making judgement calls
who were required to read documents, to argue contentious points, and to make judgement calls
who were requiring to read documents, to argue contentious points, and making judgement calls
who was required to read documents, to argue contentious points, and making judgement calls
who were required to read documents, to argue contentious points, and to make judgement calls
The list of requirements of the committe contains two infinitive phrases ("to read documents" and "to argue contentious points") and one gerund phrase ("making judgment calls"). Any such list needs every one of its items to be the same kind of item, so they can be properly grouped together. The only answer choice to feature a correct parallel structure is "who were required to read documents, to argue contentious points, and to make judgement calls."
Example Question #41 : 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.
The car began having problems after a long road trip, after which it had a faulty battery and the brakes were not working.
after which it had a faulty battery and non-working brakes
after which it had the faulty battery and the brakes were not working
after that it had a faulty battery and the brakes were not working
after which it having a faulty battery and the brakes were not working
after which it had a faulty battery and the brakes were not working
after which it had a faulty battery and non-working brakes
The phrase at the end of the sentence has two very different constructions for its objects, one simple description involving an object that is a noun ("it had a faulty battery"), and the other a verbal phrase ("the brakes were not working"). In a dependent clause with two objects, both need to have the same structure. The only answer choice with a correct parallel structure is "after which it had a faulty battery and non-working brakes."
Example Question #61 : 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.
Children today are involved in too many activities, between art classes, language lessons, and participating in sports.
between art classes, language lessons, participating in sports.
between art classes, language lessons, and sports.
among art classes, language lessons, and participating in sports.
between art classes, language lessons, and participating in sports.
between the art classes, the language lessons, and the participating in sports.
between art classes, language lessons, and sports.
The list that finishes this sentence must feature three similar items, so they can be properly grouped together. The list is written with two simple nouns ("art classes" and "language lessons") and one gerund phrase ("participating in sports"), meaning they need to be changed to matching items. The only answer choice that features a correct parallel structure is "between art classes, language lessons, and sports."
Example Question #1582 : 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.
Her new trainer's methods were slightly different, as she deemphasized running and emphasized breathing, balancing, and to focus.
as she was deemphasized running and emphasized breathing, balancing, and to focus.
as she deemphasized running and emphasized breathing, balancing, and focusing.
as she deemphasized running and emphasized breathing, balancing, and to focus.
as she deemphasized, running, and emphasized breathing, balancing, and to focus.
as she deemphasized: running, and emphasized breathing, balancing, and to focus.
as she deemphasized running and emphasized breathing, balancing, and focusing.
The list that finishes this sentence features unlike word forms in its items: it includes two gerunds ("breathing" and "balancing") and one infinitive ("to focus"). Any such list needs to feature words in the same form so that they can be properly grouped together, so the infinitive is not grammatically correct in this sentence. The only answer choice with an appropriate parallel structure is "as she deemphasized running and emphasized breathing, balancing, and focusing."
Example Question #71 : 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.
The new players were much more athletic, and excelled at running, jumping, and their ability to kick.
and excelled at running, jumping, and an ability to kick.
and excelled at running, jumping, and kicking.
and excelled at running, jumping, and their ability to kick.
and excelled in running, jumping, and their ability to kick.
and excelling at running, jumping, and their ability to kick.
and excelled at running, jumping, and kicking.
The list that finishes this sentence inappropriately groups together unlike items. It features two gerunds, "running" and "jumping," and the noun phrase "their ability to kick." Any such list needs to feature similar items that feature the same construction. The only answer choice that features a correct parallel structure is "and excelled at running, jumping, and kicking."
Example Question #51 : 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 new enrollee must choose to have either specific benefits or working a set shift.
to have either specific benefits or a set work shift.
to have neither specific benefits or working a set shift.
to have either specific benefits, or working a set shift.
to have either specific benefits or working a set shift.
having either specific benefits or working a set shift.
to have either specific benefits or a set work shift.
Any "either . . . or" phrase must feature similar items, so they can be properly grouped in the same phrase. However, the sentence is written so that its "either . . . or" phrase contains unlike elements, a noun ("specific benefits") and a gerund phrase ("working a set shift"). The only answer choice that features correct parallel structure in the phrase is "to have either specific benefits or a set work shift," which changes the gerund phrase to a noun so that the "either . . . or" phrase contains two nouns.
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 executives scrapped the project because it had problems in design, expenses, and to fulfill its timetable.
it had problems for design, expenses, and to fulfill its timetable.
it had problems in design, expenses, and timetable fulfillment.
it having problems in design, expenses, and to fulfill its timetable.
it had problems in design, expenses, and to fulfill its timetable.
that had problems in design, expenses, and to fulfill its timetable.
it had problems in design, expenses, and timetable fulfillment.
A list like the one that finishes this sentence needs to include three similar items, so that they can be properly grouped together. The sentence in this question, though, features two nouns ("design" and "expenses") and an infinitive phrase ("to fulfill its timetable"), meaning that the list needs to be changed so that all of its elements match. The only answer choice with a correct parallel structure is "it had problems in design, expenses, and timetable fulfillment," which changes the infinitive phrase "to fulfill its timetable" to a noun, "timetable fulfillment," that matches the other two nouns in the list.
All PSAT Writing Resources
