PSAT Writing : Improving Sentences
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Example Questions
Example Question #131 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
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.
No one had a better curveball than the youngest kid which allowed him to compete with bigger boys in baseball.
than the youngest kid, which allowed him
than the youngest kid which allowed him
than the youngest of the kids that allowed him
than the youngest kid, which allowing him
than the youngest kid that allowed him
than the youngest kid, which allowed him
The only problem with the sentence is that it is a compound sentence, shoved into a run on sentence. The sentence consists of two complete thoughts, joined by the conjunction "which." All such sentences must be divided by a comma before the conjunction, making "than the youngest kid, which allowed him" the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Dependent Clauses
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The President initially vetoed the bill, in order to force Congress to revise it; he felt significant changes in the first clause would create more benefits for the working middle class. No error
middle class
initially
bill, in
revise it; he felt
No error
bill, in
A comma is not needed between independent and dependent clauses when the independent clause comes first: "The President initially vetoed the bill in order . . ."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Dependent Clauses
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.
He typically worked late with the only exception being Fridays.
He typically worked late with the only exception, being Fridays.
He typically worked late with the only exception being Fridays.
He typically worked late, with the only exception being Fridays.
He, typically, worked late with the only exception being Fridays.
He typically worked, late with the only exception being Fridays.
He typically worked late, with the only exception being Fridays.
The phrase "with the only exception being Fridays" is a dependent clause, and needs to be clearly distinguished from the main clause of the sentence. The best way to do this is by setting a comma between the two parts. The only answer choice that correctly places a comma in the sentence is "He typically worked late, with the only exception being Fridays."
Example Question #2 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Dependent Clauses
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 former bandleader still dreamed about conducting an ensemble despite having none to conduct.
The former bandleader still dreamed about conducting an ensemble despite having none to conduct.
The former bandleader still dreamed about conducting an ensemble, despite having none to conduct.
The former bandleader, still dreamed about conducting an ensemble, despite having none to conduct.
The former bandleader still dreamed around conducting an ensemble despite having none to conduct.
The former bandleader still dreams about conducting an ensemble despite having none to conduct.
The former bandleader still dreamed about conducting an ensemble, despite having none to conduct.
The phrase "despite having none to conduct" is a dependent clause, a clause that cannot stand as a complete sentence on its own, but provides extra explanation to the body of the sentence. A dependent clause always needs to be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. The only answer choice that does this is "The former bandleader still dreamed about conducting an ensemble despite having none to conduct."
Example Question #132 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
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 managers decided to make a change for no particular reason which stressed their underlings.
The managers decided to make a change, for no particular reason which stressed their underlings.
The managers, decided to make a change, for no particular reason which stressed their underlings.
The managers decided to make a change for no particular reason which stressed their underlings.
The managers decided to make a change for no particular reason which stressed, their underlings.
The managers decided to make a change for no particular reason, which stressed their underlings.
The managers decided to make a change for no particular reason, which stressed their underlings.
The phrase "which stressed their underlings" is a dependent clause, or a clause that relies on the main body of the sentence for its full meaning. Any dependent clause must be set apart from the main body of the sentence by a comma. The answer choice that appropriately uses such a comma is "The managers decided to make a change for no particular reason, which stressed their underlings."
Example Question #11 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Dependent Clauses
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 rise of violence throughout the decade has been the subject of speculation, by scholars.
speculation by scholars.
speculation by scholar's.
speculation, of scholars.
speculation, by scholars.
speculation by, scholars.
speculation by scholars.
The phrase underlined at the end of the sentence is one whole and complete phrase. Thus, the use of a comma anywhere in the phrase is grammatically incorrect. "Speculation by scholars" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #486 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
In the intervening years, the old man rarely talked to his children as the pain was too much for him to bear.
rarely talked to his children, as the pain was too much for him to bear.
rarely talking to his children, as the pain was too much for him to bear.
rarely talked to his children, as the pain too much for him to bear.
rarely talked to his children as the pain was too much for him to bear.
rarely talking to his children as pain was bearing too much for him.
rarely talked to his children, as the pain was too much for him to bear.
The underlined portion of the sentence contains a small punctuation problem. Specifically, the phrase "as the pain was too much to bear," is a phrase that explains the sentence, but is not necessary to its construction. All such phrases need a comma to separate them from the body of the sentence. "Rarely talked to his children as the pain was too much for him to bear," is the best answer choice.
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