PSAT Writing : Improving Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #451 : Correcting Punctuation Errors

Everyday people wander into dangerous areas of the city, and do not appear the next day.

Possible Answers:

Every day people

Everyday people

Everyday, people

Everyday persons

Everyday, person

Correct answer:

Everyday, people

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

Lately family's

Lately, family's

Lately, families

Late, families

Lately families

Correct answer:

Lately, families

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

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

Correct answer:

On this date, an unspeakable evil

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

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

Correct answer:

Unfamiliar to most listeners, the band

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

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

Correct answer:

Working on a new book, the author

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

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

Correct answer:

Unquestionably, the most difficult thing

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

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.

Correct answer:

More than anyone else he had encountered, the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause.

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

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 

Correct answer:

Each year, thousands of animals 

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

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

Correct answer:

Under great stress, the president of the company

Explanation:

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.

Possible Answers:

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.

Correct answer:

Incidentally, the boy was never at the site of the crime he was accused of committing.

Explanation:

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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