PSAT Writing : PSAT Writing Skills
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
All PSAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1399 : Improving Sentences
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 school journal is self-governing and makes its own bylaws to be indicated the proper protocol for voting on who will be the next editor-in-chief.
to be indicated
indicating
when they indicate
that are indicating
that indicate
indicating
Here, "indicating" is being used as a participle, modifying "bylaws." The other answer choices introduce "indicate" as a verb, which causes the sentence to be more complex than it otherwise has to be.
Example Question #1400 : Improving Sentences
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.
Leonardo da Vinci is seen by many having been the most well-known painter in Italy, if not all of Europe.
for being
as
that he was
to be
having been
as
"As" is the most efficient, and therefore the most grammatically correct answer choice.
Example Question #2931 : Sat Writing
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.
Having been the one which was that which had been lost, the jewelry's discovery was considered a miracle.
Having been lost,
That was the one that had been lost,
That which was the one which was lost,
Having been the one which was that which had been lost,
That which had been lost,
Having been lost,
The underlined portion of the sentence is extremely long, confusing, and wordy, meaning that it needs to be simplified. The simplification still needs to be grammatically correct and retain the sentence's intended meaning, however. "Having been lost," is the answer choice that is both simplest and correct gramatically.
Example Question #2932 : Sat Writing
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.
That which was the thing that he did not want to do was his assignment from the officer.
The thing he did not want to do
That thing that he did not want to do
That thing he not want to do
That which was that which he did not want to do
That which was the thing that he did not want to do
The thing he did not want to do
The underlined portion of the sentence is extremely wordy and confusing, and needs to be simplified. While being simplified, the sentence must be kept grammatically correct, and it needs to retain its intended meaning. "The thing he most did not want to do" is the answer choice that best simplifies the sentence.
Example Question #191 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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.
Having been the one which was the thing she most desired, the little girl begged her parents for the toy.
Having been the one which was the thing she most desired
Being what she most desired
Having been the thing she most desired
Having been the one she most desired
Being the one which was the thing she most desired
Being what she most desired
The underlined portion of the sentence is extremely awkward and overly wordy, meaning it needs to be simplified. While being simplified, the sentence needs to retain its intended meaning and be grammatically correct. "Being what she most desired" is the only answer choice that correctly simplifies the sentence.
Example Question #192 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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 senator was very popular, and once at one point he was one which had been considered to have been a presidential contender.
once he was considered to have being a presidential contender
at one point he was considered a presidential contender
once at one point he was one which had been considered to have been a presidential contender
at once he was considered as been a presidential contender
once at one point he was considered a presidential contender
at one point he was considered a presidential contender
The underlined portion of the sentence needs to be simplified, as it is repetitive, confusing, and overly wordy. A simplification must still be grammatically correct and retain the sentence's intended meaning. The answer choice which best accomplishes both goals is "as at one point he was considered a presidential contender."
Example Question #181 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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 suspect was cornered because he was the one that was the only person who had been near what was the crime scene.
he was the one that was the only person who had been near what was the crime scene
he was the one that was the only person who was near the crime scene
he was the one that was near what was the crime scene
he was the only person who was near the crime scene
he was the only person who had been near what was the crime scene
he was the only person who was near the crime scene
The underlined phrase is extremely wordy, repetitive, and confusing, meaning it needs to be simplified. Any simplification still needs to be grammatically correct and retain the sentence's intended meaning. The only answer choice that accomplishes both of these goals is "he was the only person who was near the crime scene."
Example Question #182 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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.
Having been seen as that which was what was most problematic, the item was left off the table for discussion.
Having seen what was most problematic
Having been seen as that which was most problematic
Being seen as what was most problematic
Having being seen as that which was what was most problematic
Having been seen as that which was what was most problematic
Being seen as what was most problematic
The underlined portion of the phrase is extremely wordy and confusing, and it needs to be simplified. Any simplification needs to both retain the sentence's intended meaning and remain grammatically correct. "Being seen as what was most problematic" is the answer choice that best simplifies the phrase.
Example Question #183 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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.
Working toward what was that thing which he had always dreamed, the apprentice rarely slept.
Working toward his dream
Working toward what was he had dreamed
Working toward what was that thing which was his dream
Working was that thing which he was his dream
Working toward what that was the thing he dreamed
Working toward his dream
The underlined portion of the sentence is extremely awkward and overly wordy, meaning it must be simplified. While being simplified, though, the sentence needs to retain its intended meaning and remain grammatically correct. "Working toward his dream" is the answer choice that best accomplishes both goals.
Example Question #184 : Correcting Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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.
That which was what was having been agreed upon was then acted out by both sides.
That which was having been agreed upon was then acted out by both sides.
That was having been agreed upon was then acted out by both sides.
That which was what was having been agreed upon was acted by both sides.
What was agreed upon was then acted out by both sides.
That which was what was having been agreed upon was then acted out by both sides.
What was agreed upon was then acted out by both sides.
The sentence is overwrought and awkwardly worded, and it needs to be simplified. Any simplification, though, must retain the sentence's intended meaning and be grammatically correct. The answer choice which best simplifies the sentence is "What was agreed upon was then acted out by both sides."
All PSAT Writing Resources
