PSAT Writing : Improving Sentences
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #21 : 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 race's winner was actually only the driver to complete the full race.
The race's winner was actually the only driver to complete the full race.
The race's winner was actually only the driver to complete the full race.
The race's winner was actually the driver to only complete the full race.
The race's winner was only actually the driver to complete the full race.
The race's winner was actually the driver only to complete the full race.
The race's winner was actually the only driver to complete the full race.
The placement of "only" in the sentence is confusing and odd, as it seems to imply that the subject was merely the driver who finished. The sentence will make the most sense if "only" is used to show that the winner was the one driver to finish. The sentence which best does this is "The race's winner was actually the only driver to complete the full race."
Example Question #144 : 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.
The runner was the third person only from his home country to win a medal at the games.
the only third person from his home country
only the third person from his home country
the third person only from his home country
the third person from his home country only
the third person from only his home country
only the third person from his home country
The use of "only" in the sentence is confusing, and makes it unclear what is being modified by the adjective. The word can be better used by placing it at the front of the underlined phrase to show the subject was the third person from the country; therefore, the correct answer choice is "only the third person from his home country."
Example Question #1 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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 the night turned into dawn, her motivation faded; she put away the heavy books and crawled into bed.
Night turning into dawn, and her motivation fading; she
Night turning into dawn, her motivation faded; she
As into dawn the night turned, her motivation faded until she
As the night turned into dawn, her motivation faded; she
As the night turns into dawn, her motivation fades; she
As the night turned into dawn, her motivation faded; she
The original sentence is grammatically correct and reads well. The other choices complicate the sentence by switching the first half to present tense, making the first half into a fragment, or unnecessarily switching the word order.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing No 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 museum, which has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art, offers several different membership options.
The museum has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art; they offer several different membership options.
The museum, which has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art, offers several different membership options.
The museum, which has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art, have offered several different membership options.
The museum has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art, it offers several different membership options.
The museum, which has a sizeable collection to contemporary works of art, offers several different membership options.
The museum, which has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art, offers several different membership options.
The original text is fine. It correctly uses the singular predicate "offers" with the singular subject "The museum."
"The museum, which has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art, have offered several different membership options" is incorrect becuase it contains a plural verb "have offered" with a singular subject "The museum."
"The museum, which has a sizeable collection to contemporary works of art, offers several different membership options." is incorrect becuase it says "collection to" instead of "collection of"—an error in preposition usage.
"The museum has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art, it offers several different membership options." is incorrect becuase it incorrectly combines two independent clauses with a comma, creating a comma splice.
"The museum has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art; they offer several different membership options. " is incorrect becuase "they" is a vague pronoun—we don't know who the antecedent is.
Example Question #2 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.
Alexei had to run to catch the bus this morning, but luckily it stopped and he arrived at his interview on time.
but lucky for him, it stopped, allowing him to arrive at his interview on time.
but luckily it stopped and he arrived at his interview on time.
but luckily it stopped for him and he was on his way to arriving at his interview on time.
but luckily, it stopped and he was able to arrive on time for his interview.
luckily, it was just stopping and he arrived at his interview on time.
but luckily it stopped and he arrived at his interview on time.
The original sentence is grammatically correct and reads well. The other choices say the same thing but with more words. The most concise version (the original) is the best.
Example Question #3 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No Errors
The magician, known as the Magnificent Interrupter, was notable for stopping his tricks to explain them to the audience.
The magician, known as the Magnificent Interrupter was
The magician known as the Magnificent Interrupter, was
The magician known as the Magnificent Interrupter was
The magician was known as the Magnificent Interrupter, was
The magician, known as the Magnificent Interrupter, was
The magician, known as the Magnificent Interrupter, was
The phrase "known as the Magnificent Interrupter" is an interrupting phrase, a phrase that provides information, but is not necessary to the structure of the sentence. Such clauses need to be set apart from the sentence by commas, so the correct answer is to leave the sentence as it is written.
Example Question #1313 : Improving Sentences
For myself, I have no further reason to disbelieve what the committee says.
From myself,
For me,
For myself,
To myself,
For mine,
For myself,
The underlined phrase perfectly fits the sentence. The preposition "for" refers appropriately to the condition of the sentence. The use of the reflexive pronoun "myself" is also correct as the subject of the sentence is the first person pronoun "I," and "myself" can refer to the subject of the sentence when used in an introductory phrase.
Example Question #2 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No Errors
Among other critiques, Martin Luther attacked the Catholic Church for the sale of indulgences, the practice of allowing congregants to purchase expiation for their sins.
indulgences being the practice of
indulgences; the practice of
indulgences, the practice of
indulgences, whereupon the practice of
indulgences when
indulgences, the practice of
The original sentence, which contains an appositive noun phrase, is best. The other options lead to illogical statements or sentence fragments.
Example Question #4 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.
Joe’s mother ran out the door with the special bag lunch she prepared, but it was a vain attempt; the school bus had just left.
but it was a vain attempt, the school bus had just left.
but it was a vain attempt; the school bus had just left.
but it was a vain attempt: the school bus had just left.
but it was a vain attempt noticing that the school bus had just left.
but it was a vain attempt for the school bus had just left.
but it was a vain attempt; the school bus had just left.
This sentence contains no error. A semicolon is the most appropriate punctuation in this case. The semicolon separates two independent clauses that are closely related.
Example Question #5 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing No 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.
During her interview, the author claimed she had never felt as inspired as she did when she lived in New York City.
she had never felt as inspired as she had done living
she never felt as inspired as she was when living
she had never felt as inspired as she was when she was living
she was never feeling as inspired as she did when she lived
she had never felt as inspired as she did when she lived
she had never felt as inspired as she did when she lived
The gerund ("-ing" verb acting as a noun) has no place here because all of the actions in this sentence are completed and definite. The gerund is reserved for ongoing actions or actions that are viewed as a process.
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