PSAT Writing : Improving Sentences
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Example Questions
Example Question #2001 : 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.
Does one have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
Does one have a responsibility to help others, or does one only have a responsibility to help themselves?
Does one have a responsibility to the helping of the others, or does one only have a responsibility to the helping of yourself?
Do ones have a responsibility to help others, or do ones only have a responsibility to help his or herself?
Do you have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
Does one have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
Do you have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?
In the sentence as it is written, "one" and "you" are both used. You should stick to using one of these pronouns or the other, and not switch between them in a sentence.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
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.
When you go to a buffet, one should make sure that you do not overeat.
then make sure
be sure of
and make sure
one should make sure
make sure
make sure
The sentence begins by using the pronoun "you," but then switches to using the pronoun "one." These should be kept consistent.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
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.
Though one must respect the opinions of others, you do not have to change your values to become part of the crowd.
you do not have to change one's values to become part of the crowd.
one does not have to change one's values to become part of the crowd.
you do not have to change your values to become part of the crowd.
one does not have to change their values to become part of the crowd.
one does not have to change your values to become part of the crowd.
one does not have to change one's values to become part of the crowd.
Since the third person pronoun "one" was used to describe the subject in the beginning, the subject must be referred to as "one" throughout the sentence. The correct answer is "one does not have to change one's values and become part of the crowd."
Example Question #71 : Correcting Usage 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 real estate lawyer could not recall with who he had his next meeting.
whom he had his next meeting with
with whom he had had his next meeting
with whom he had his next meeting
who he had his next meeting with
with who he had his next meeting
with whom he had his next meeting
“Who” must be changed to “whom” because it is the object of the preposition “with.” Also, it is not desirable to end a sentence with a preposition.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
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.
Many facts about astronomy have fascinated my brother and I ever since we were in elementary school.
has fascinated my brother and me ever since we were in elementary school
fascinate my brother and I ever since we were in elementary school
have fascinated my brother and me ever since we were in elementary school
have fascinated my brother and I ever since we were in elementary school
has fascinated my brother and I ever since we were in elementary school
have fascinated my brother and me ever since we were in elementary school
The original text contains a pronoun case error. It says "my brother and I" when it should say "my brother and me." Remember to use objective pronouns—like "me," "him," and "us"—as the objects of verbs (in this case, the verb "fascinated").
Although answer choice "has fascinated my brother and me ever since we were in elementary school" correctly uses "me" instead of "I," it incorrectly uses the singular predicate "has fascinated" with the plural subject "facts."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Errors: Case
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.
Between you and I, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.
Between you and I, we cannot send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.
Between you and I, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.
Between you and I, we could not send you to that private high school for the tuition was so expensive.
Between you and I, we couldn’t send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.
Between you and me, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.
Between you and me, we could not send you to that private high school because the tuition was so expensive.
After the preposition "between," one uses the objects pronouns "you" and "me."
Example Question #71 : Correcting Pronoun 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.
Me and the general always took a stroll in the morning.
The general, I
Me and the general
The general and I
The general and me
I and the general
The general and I
The underlined portion is an incorrect usage of "me." A good rule of thumb, and the best way to find the answer, is to see which pronoun is appropriate alone, "me" or "I." "The general and I" is the correct answer.
Example Question #71 : Correcting Usage 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.
She and him do not dance under any circumstances.
She and he do not
They does not
They do not
She and him does not
She and him do not
They do not
Using "she and him" is always incorrect, as "she" is a subject and "him" is an object. The best way to fix this is to use "they" and its correct verb usage, "do not."
Example Question #72 : Correcting Word Usage 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 archdeacon did not adopt Rigoberto out of pure pity or the goodness of his heart; rather, the archdeacon wanted to ensure that him and his brother Juan would be allowed entrance into heaven.
her
he
one
they
him
he
In the phrase "...to ensure that that him and his brother Juan would be allowed...", "him and his brother" are carrying out the action implied in "would be allowed". For this reason, the subject "he" is required, not the object "him".
Example Question #1 : Correcting Verb 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.
Early this morning, a purple bicycle was discovered by the old oak tree.
a purple bicycle by the old oak tree was discovered
someone found a purple bicycle near the old oak tree
the old oak tree discovered a purple bicycle
a purple bicycle was discovered near the old oak tree
a purple bicycle was discovered by the old oak tree
someone found a purple bicycle near the old oak tree
The active voice, which requires an agent (a “doer”), is preferred to the passive voice on the SAT exam. Also, the sentence presents a logical problem, as it does not clearly indicate whether the old oak tree discovered the bicycle or someone or something else did.
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