PSAT Writing : Improving Sentences
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #22 : Misplaced Or Interrupting Modifier 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 Zulu tribe was the British army's arguably most formidable opponent in the Colonial period.
was the British army's arguable most formidable opponent
was the British army's arguably most formidable opponent
was the British army's arguing most formidable opponent
was the British army's most formidable opponent arguably
was arguably the British army's most formidable opponent
was arguably the British army's most formidable opponent
The word "arguably" is an odd place in the sentence that makes it unclear exactly what is being modified by the word. As the thing that is arguable is the status of "the Zulu tribe" against other British opponents. Therefore, the clearest and best answer choice is "was arguably the British army's most formidable opponent."
Example Question #11 : Correcting Misplaced Or Interrupting Modifier 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 hill was a particularly difficult challenge for the racers, who could find nothing like it for practicing anywhere.
like it for practicing anywhere.
like it anywhere for practicing.
like practicing for it anywhere.
like for it practicing anywhere.
like it practicing for anywhere.
like it anywhere for practicing.
With "anywhere" placed after "practicing," the sentence reads as though the problem was in "practicing anywhere" rather than its intended meaning of finding something "anywhere" on which the racers could practice. The answer choice that best clarifies this is "like it anywhere for practicing."
Example Question #1211 : Improving Sentences
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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Only the cure for the common cold is rest, relaxation, and fluids.
The only cure for the common cold is rest, relaxation, and fluids.
Only a cure for the common cold is rest, relaxation, and fluids.
Only the cure for a common cold is rest, relaxation, and fluids.
Only the cure for the common cold is rest, relaxation, and fluids.
Only the cure for the common cold is rest relaxation and fluids.
The only cure for the common cold is rest, relaxation, and fluids.
The use of "only" at the very beginning of the sentence creates confusion throughout the rest of the sentence. As it needs to directly modify "cure," it should be moved directly next to it. The answer choice that appropriately does this is "The only cure for the common cold is rest, relaxation, and fluids."
Example Question #355 : 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.
In all of human history, such actions before had never been undertaken.
such actions had never before been undertaken.
actions before had never been undertaken.
such actions before had never been undertaken.
such actions before had never be undertaken.
such actions before never been undertaken.
such actions had never before been undertaken.
The main issue with the underlined phrase is one of word order, as "before" is stuck in a place that makes the meaning confusing. To improve this phrase, "before" should be moved to work with "never." "Such actions had never before been undertaken," is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #356 : 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 tickets only were able to be given out to people who called the radio station.
The tickets only were able to be given out to people who call the radio station.
The tickets were only able to be given out to people who called the radio station.
The tickets only were able to be given out to people who called the radio station.
The tickets only were able to be given out until people who called the radio station.
The tickets only were able to be gave out to people who called the radio station.
The tickets were only able to be given out to people who called the radio station.
The placement of "only" in the sentence is confusing, as it is unclear what "only" is modifying. By moving "only" after the verb, it makes it clear that "only" modifies "able," making the correct answer "The tickets were only able to be given out to people who called the radio station."
Example Question #111 : Correcting Modifier Placement 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.
With each passing year, the veterans of the war fewer grew in number.
the veterans of the war few grew in number.
the veterans of the war fewer grew in number.
the veterans of the war grew fewer in number.
the veterans of the war fewer grew on number.
the veterans of the war fewer growing in number.
the veterans of the war grew fewer in number.
The word "fewer" is in a strange and confusing place in the sentence. The sentence needs to be restrutured so that the veterans have "fewer" "in number." Therefore, the correct answer choice is "the veterans of the war grew fewer in number."
Example Question #131 : Modifier Placement 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.
Scientists believe the extinction now was caused by a variety of factors millions of years ago, rather than a single cause.
Scientists believe the extinction now was causing by a variety of factors millions of years ago, rather than a single cause.
Scientists believe the extinction now was caused by a variety of factors millions of years ago rather than a single cause.
Scientists believe the extinction now caused by a variety of factors millions of years ago, rather than a single cause.
Scientists now believe the extinction was caused by a variety of factors millions of years ago, rather than a single cause.
Scientists believe the extinction now was caused by a variety of factors millions of years ago, rather than a single cause.
Scientists now believe the extinction was caused by a variety of factors millions of years ago, rather than a single cause.
The placement of "now" before "was" makes the sentence read so that the "extinction" appears to be simultaneously "now" and "millions of years ago." The word order should be changed to demonstrate the thing happening "now" is what "scientists believe." Therefore, the correct answer choice is "Scientists now believe the extinction was caused by a variety of factors millions of years ago, rather than a single cause."
Example Question #361 : 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 flood was the beginning only of the area's experience with natural disasters that season.
The flood was the beginning only of the area's experiencing
The flood was the beginning only of the areas experience
The flood was only the beginning of the area's experience
The flood was the beginning only of the area's experience
The flood was the beginning only for the area's experience
The flood was only the beginning of the area's experience
The insertion of "only" between "beginning" and "of" makes the sentence confusing and awkward. The sentence is attempting to say that the flood began a sequence of awful natural disasters, but "only" should be moved to better indicate this. The answer choice that best clarifies the sentence is "The flood was only the beginning of the area's experience."
Example Question #441 : 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 king was the person only in the country who could exercise such power.
The king was the person in the country only who could exercise such power.
The king was the only person in the country who could exercise such power.
Only the king was the person in the country who could exercise such power.
The king was the person only in the country who could exercise such power.
The king was the person in the country who could exercise such power only.
The king was the only person in the country who could exercise such power.
In the sentence as it is written, "only" is floating between phrases, and it is not clear what exactly the word is modifying. The sentence is trying to say that the king was the singular person with the ability to exercise the power. So, "only" should be placed next to "person" to make this clear. The only answer choice that places "only" before "person" is "The king was the only person in the country who could exercise such power."
Example Question #442 : 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.
Just he was seventeen when he first got arrested, and he was charged with a minor shoplifting violation.
He was seventeen just when he first got arrested
Just seventeen he was when he first got arrested
He was seventeen when he just first got arrested
He was just seventeen when he first got arrested
Just he was seventeen when he first got arrested
He was just seventeen when he first got arrested
The use of "just" at the beginning of the sentence is awkward and confusing, making it unclear what exactly the adjective is modifying. The word makes the most sense if it modifies "seventeen," to emphasize the subject's youth during his "first arrest." "He was just seventeen when he first got arrested" is the answer choice that best makes use of the word "just" by placing it directly before "seventeen."
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