All PSAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #451 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Everyday people wander into dangerous areas of the city, and do not appear the next day.
Every day people
Everyday people
Everyday, people
Everyday persons
Everyday, person
Everyday, people
The word "everyday" in the sentence acts as a conditional phrase, indicating how often people do what is described in the sentence. Such a phrase, must be set off by a comma from the rest of the sentence. Therefore, "Everyday, people" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #731 : Act English
Lately families have begun moving back to the city's core and sparking a revitalization of downtown businesses.
Lately family's
Lately, family's
Lately, families
Late, families
Lately families
Lately, families
The underlined portion of the sentence contains a slight punctuation error. Speciifically, the word "Lately" is used as an introductory phrase, explaining the condition under which the action takes place, and such clauses need to be set off by a comma from the rest of the sentence. "Lately, families" is the correct answer.
Example Question #732 : Act English
On this date an unspeakable evil befell the world, changing the way people thought forever.
On this date an unspeakable evil
On this date unspeakable evil
On this date, an unspeakable evil
On that date an unspeakable evil
On this date the unspeakable evil
On this date, an unspeakable evil
The phrase "On this date" is an introductory clause, describing when the action of the sentence took place. An introductory clause must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. Therefore, "On this date, an unspeakable evil" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #733 : Act English
Unfamiliar to most listeners the band was highly influential among its most devoted fans.
Unfamiliar to most, listeners of the band
Unfamiliar, to most listeners the band
Unfamiliar, to most, listeners the band
Unfamiliar to most listeners, the band
Unfamiliar to most listeners the band
Unfamiliar to most listeners, the band
The phrase "Unfamiliar to most listeners" is used in this sentence as an introductory phrase, something that explains the actions of the rest of the sentence. All such sentences must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "Unfamiliar to most listeners, the band" is the correct answer.
Example Question #61 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Working on a new book the author refused to answer any press questions about his previous novels.
Working, on a new book, the author
Working on a new book, the author
Working, on a new book the author
Working on a new book for the author
Working on a new book the author
Working on a new book, the author
The phrase "Working on a new book" is an introductory phrase that explains the condition upon the action of the sentence. All such phrases must be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "Working on a new book, the author" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #41 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Unquestionably the most difficult thing in professional sports is hitting a baseball.
Unquestionably the most difficult thing,
Unquestionably the most difficult, thing
Unquestionably, the most difficult thing
Unquestionably, the most difficult thing,
Unquestionably the most difficult thing
Unquestionably, the most difficult thing
The word "unquestionably" is used in this sentence as an introductory phrase, giving a condition for the rest of the sentence (namely that the statement can not be questioned). An introductory phrase must always be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "Unquestionably, the most difficult thing" is therefore the correct answer choice.
Example Question #42 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
More than anyone else he had encountered the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause.
More than anyone else he had encountered the preacher was convinced, of the rightness of his cause.
More than anyone else, he had encountered the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause.
More than anyone else he had encountered the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause.
More than anyone else he encountered the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause.
More than anyone else he had encountered, the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause.
More than anyone else he had encountered, the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause.
The phrase "More than anyone else he had encountered" is an introductory clause, a clause that conditions the information provided in the main body of the sentence. All such clauses need to be set off from the rest of the sentence by a comma, making "More than anyone else he had encountered, the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause."
Example Question #51 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Each year thousands of animals contract the rare virus despite vaccination efforts.
Each year thousands of animals
Each year, thousands of animals
Each year thousands of animals'
Every year thousands of animals
Each year a thousand animals
Each year, thousands of animals
The phrase "Each year" in the sentence is an introductory phrase, a phrase that conditions the main part of the sentence but is not a necessary part of its structure. All introductory phrases must be set apart by a comma. As this is the only issue with the sentence as it is written, the correct answer choice is "Each year, thousands of animals."
Example Question #52 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Under great stress the president of the company was forced to take a leave of absence.
Under great stress, the president of the company
Under, great stress the president of the company
Under great stress the company's president
Under great stress, the president, of the company
Under great stress the president of the company
Under great stress, the president of the company
The phrase "Under great stress" is an introductory phrase, one that conditions the meaning of the sentence but is separate from the main sentence structure. All such phrases need to be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. The only answer choice to appropriately do this is "Under great stress, the president of the company."
Example Question #53 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases
Incidentally the boy was never at the site of the crime he was accused of committing.
Incidentally the boy was never at a site of crime he was accused of committing.
Incidentally the boy was never at the site of the crime he was accused of committing.
Incidentally, the boy was never at the site of the crime he was accused of committing.
Incidentally the boy never being at the site of the crime he was accused of committing.
Incidentally the boy was never at the site of the crime he was accusing to be committing.
Incidentally, the boy was never at the site of the crime he was accused of committing.
The issue with the sentence is that its single word introductory clause, "Incidentally," is not appropriately set off from the rest of the sentence with a comma. The only answer choice that does that is "Incidentally, the boy was never at the site of the crime he was accused of committing." All other answer choices are grammatically incorrect.
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