Improving Sentences

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PSAT Writing › Improving Sentences

Questions 1 - 10
1

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.

Coming back to the farm, the gruesome scene was seen by everyone in the car.

everyone in the car saw the gruesome scene.

the gruesome scene was seen by everyone in the car.

the gruesome scene saw by everyone in the car.

the gruesome scene was seen by everyone at the car.

the gruesome scene being seen by everyone in the car.

Explanation

The sentence is written with a dangling modifier, which makes the sentence read as though the "gruesome scene" was what was "coming back to the farm." The sentence needs to be restructured to clarify this problem. The only answer choice that does this is "everyone in the car saw the gruesome scene."

2

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.

Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night: studied physics before her final exam the next morning.

Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night: studying physics before her final exam the next morning.

Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night; studying physics before her final exam the next morning.

Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night, and studying physics before her final exam the next morning.

Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night: and that was studying physics before her final exam the next morning.

Janine only had one priority on Wednesday night: studied physics before her final exam the next morning.

Explanation

This sentence is structured as an independent clause about a priority and then a clarification of what that priority is.

The only appropriate punctuation here is a colon, which will provide that correct structural division and allow the second part of the sentence ("studying physics before her final exam the next morning") to act as an explanation of the noun "priority."

INCORRECT EXPLANATIONS:

A semicolon connects two separate independent clauses, so that is incorrect.

Janine's priority is "studying," which is a gerund, so the past tense "studied" is incorrect.

The option that uses a comma is incorrect because the second clause is dependent and is lacking a subject.

The option that uses a colon unnecessarily includes the connector "and that was." These superfluous words cloud the sentence's meaning and make the sentence grammatically incorrect.

3

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 students were shocked learning of their teacher's past life as a rock musician.

were shocked to learn

were shocked learning

were shocking to learn

were shocking learning

were shocking to learn

Explanation

The use of the verb "learn" is essentially as a modifier of the students "shock." This means that "learning" must be turned into a form that will describe why the students were "shocked." "Were shocked to learn," using an infinitive form, is the best choice among the answers.

4

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 students were shocked learning of their teacher's past life as a rock musician.

were shocked to learn

were shocked learning

were shocking to learn

were shocking learning

were shocking to learn

Explanation

The use of the verb "learn" is essentially as a modifier of the students "shock." This means that "learning" must be turned into a form that will describe why the students were "shocked." "Were shocked to learn," using an infinitive form, is the best choice among the answers.

5

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.

Coming back to the farm, the gruesome scene was seen by everyone in the car.

everyone in the car saw the gruesome scene.

the gruesome scene was seen by everyone in the car.

the gruesome scene saw by everyone in the car.

the gruesome scene was seen by everyone at the car.

the gruesome scene being seen by everyone in the car.

Explanation

The sentence is written with a dangling modifier, which makes the sentence read as though the "gruesome scene" was what was "coming back to the farm." The sentence needs to be restructured to clarify this problem. The only answer choice that does this is "everyone in the car saw the gruesome scene."

6

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 many problems accruing in the project seeming to get worse over time.

seemed to get worse over time.

seeming to get worse over time.

have seeming to get worse over time.

have been seemed to get worse over time.

seeming to getting worse over time.

Explanation

The use of the verb "seeming" in the sentence makes the sentence incomplete. As "seeming" is a gerund, or a verb form that functions as a noun, there is actually no verb in the sentence. The correct answer is "seemed to get worse over time."

7

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.

Moving into his new house, the wallpaper was completely renovated by the homeowner.

the homeowner completely renovated the wallpaper.

the wallpaper were completely renovated by the homeowner.

the wallpaper was completely renovated by the homeowner.

the wallpaper were completely renovation by the homeowner.

the wallpaper completely renovated by the homeowner.

Explanation

The sentence is written in such a way that it makes it seem like "the wallpaper" was "moving into his new house." The sentence needs to be rearranged to show that the "homeowner" is actually the one doing the moving. The only answer choice that does this is "the homeowner completely renovated the wallpaper."

8

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.

People spend a lifetime trying to finding happiness of life.

to find happiness.

to finding happiness of life.

to find happiness of life.

to finding happiness in life.

finding happiness of life

Explanation

The underlined phrase is extremely awkwardly worded, and can be cleaned up quite easily. "To find happiness" is the cleanest expression of the sentiment of the phrase's meaning.

9

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.

Leading the Transcendentalist movement, Ralph Waldo Emerson championed individualism; and spoke against slavery.

Leading the Transcendentalist movement, Ralph Waldo Emerson championed individualism and spoke against slavery.

Leading the Transcendentalist movement, Ralph Waldo Emerson championed individualism, and spoke against slavery.

Leading the Transcendentalist movement; Ralph Waldo Emerson championed individualism and spoke against slavery.

Leading the Transcendentalist movement; Ralph Waldo Emerson championed individualism, and spoke against slavery.

Leading the Transcendentalist movement, Ralph Waldo Emerson championed individualism; and spoke against slavery.

Explanation

A semi-colon separates two independent clauses. No punctuation between "individualism" and "and" is necessary.

10

Ascertaining the meaning of ancient writing is often beyond the reach of even the most learning scholars.

even the most learned scholars.

even the most learning scholars.

the most learning scholars.

even scholars most learning.

even the most learning of scholars.

Explanation

The underlined phrase has a problem with the phrase "most learning." The phrase is describing the word "scholars." While the scholars might have "the most learning," this would make them "the most learned." The correct answer is "even the most learned of scholars."

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