PSAT Writing Skills - Section 5

Writing Skills: Section 5
Writing Skills Question 1
Choice (D) is correct. It avoids the predication error of the original sentence by providing an appropriate noun phrase (the use of vibrant colors) to serve as subject complement after the verb is. Choice (A) produces a predication error. The verb is is improperly followed by an independent clause (he uses vibrant colors) instead of a noun or noun phrase. Choice (B) produces a pronoun error. The singular pronoun it does not agree with its apparent antecedent, the plural noun phrase Akira Kurosawas later films. Choice (C) produces a predication error. The verb is is improperly followed by a subordinate clause (when they use vibrant colors) instead of a noun or noun phrase. Choice (E) produces a predication error. The verb is is improperly followed by a prepositional phrase (by using vibrant colors) instead of a noun or noun phrase.
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Choice (C) is correct. It avoids the subordination error of the original sentence by using the relative pronoun that (instead of the conjunction while) to introduce the subordinate clause. Choice (A) produces improper subordination. The concessive conjunction while is inappropriately used to subordinate a clause (it may soon make videotapes obsolete) that does not contrast with the sentences main clause (The DVD is a recent invention). There is no logical opposition between the idea that the DVD is a recent invention and the idea that it may soon make videotapes obsolete. Choice (B) produces wordiness. The words Being that it is constitute an awkward and unnecessary addition to the sentence A recent invention, the DVD may soon make videotapes obsolete. Choice (D) produces a pronoun error. The pronoun they has no plural antecedent in the sentence and is, in any case, grammatically unnecessary: the verb may already has The DVD as its subject. Choice (E) produces a coordination error. The conjunction and improperly joins two expressions of unequal grammatical status: a prepositional phrase (Because the DVD is new) and an independent clause (it may soon make videotapes obsolete).
Choice (C) is correct. It avoids the error of the original sentence by using a participial phrase (Having come as far as the Great Salt Lake) to modify the subject (the homesteaders) of the sentences main clause. Choice (A) produces improper coordination. The conjunction and improperly joins two expressions of unequal grammatical status: a noun phrase (The homesteaders having come as far as the Great Salt Lake) and an independent clause (they did not want to turn back without establishing land claims). Choice (B) produces wordiness. The pronoun they is grammatically unnecessary: the verb phrase did not want to turn back already has the noun phrase the homesteaders as its subject. Choice (D) produces a verb form error. The infinitive phrase To come as far as the Great Salt Lake is improperly used instead of a participial phrase (Having come as far as the Great Salt Lake) to express an action occurring before the action of the sentences main verb (did not want). Choice (E) produces a sentence fragment. The sentence consists of three subordinate clauses (introduced by When and so and even though); it lacks the independent clause needed in a grammatically complete sentence.
Choice (B) is correct. It avoids the wordiness of the original sentence by eliminating unnecessary phrases. Choice (A) produces wordiness. The phrase in length unnecessarily specifies information implicit in the adjective shorter, and the relative clause he wrote unnecessarily specifies information implicit in the noun phrase the original work. Choice (C) produces an idiom error. The conjunction because is inappropriately used (instead of that) to complement the noun reason. Choice (D) produces an idiom error. The preposition of is inappropriately used (instead of the conjunction that) to complement the noun reason. Choice (E) produces wordiness. The participle being is needlessly inserted between the noun reason and the conjunction that.
Writing Skills Question 5 Choice (A) is correct. The relative pronoun whom is appropriately used after the preposition of to refer to powerful entertainment-industry figures. Choice (B) produces a comma splice. Two independent clauses (In 1968 the singer Eartha Kitt spoke . . . figures and many of them blacklisted her for several years) are improperly joined by only a comma. Choice (C) produces a comma splice. Two independent clauses (In 1968 the singer Eartha Kitt spoke . . . figures and many of these people blacklisted her for several years) are improperly joined by only a comma. Choice (D) produces a pronoun error. The pronoun which is improperly used (instead of who) to refer to humans. Choice (E) produces improper subordination. The expression that, out of many, is an unidiomatic and confusing variant of many of whom.
Choice (C) is correct. It avoids the modification error of the original sentence by using the superlative adjectival phrase most colorful in a comparison of more than two things (many deserts). Choice (A) produces a modification error. The comparative adjectival phrase more colorful is improperly used (instead of the superlative most colorful) in a comparison of more than two things (many deserts). Choice (B) produces a modification error. The comparative adjectival phrase more colorful is improperly used (instead of the superlative most colorful) in a comparison of more than two things (many deserts). Choice (D) produces a modification error. The comparative adjectival phrase more colorful is improperly used (instead of the superlative most colorful) in a comparison of more than two things (many deserts). Choice (E) produces a modification error. The positive adjective phrase strangely beautiful is improperly used (instead of the superlative phrase the most strangely beautiful) after the prepositional phrase Of the many deserts in the United States.
Choice (C) is correct. It avoids the idiom error of the original sentence by using the prepositional phrase from completing to complement the verb prevented. Choice (A) produces an idiom error. An infinitive (to complete) is inappropriately used to complement the verb prevented. Choice (B) produces an idiom error. The preposition of is inappropriately used to complement the verb having completed. Choice (D) produces diction and idiom errors. As the object of the verb prevented, the gerund phrase the completing . . . by Schubert is an awkward and unidiomatic variant of the noun phrase Schuberts completion. Choice (E) produces an idiom error within a weak passive construction. The preposition from is needed before the gerund phrase being completed in a clause that makes very awkward use of the passive voice.
Choice (D) is correct. It avoids the modification error of the original sentence by making Albert Einstein the subject of the sentences main clause. Choice (A) produces a dangling modifier. The phrase while still a clerk at the Swiss Patent Office does not logically modify the subject of the sentences main clause, four articles written by Albert Einstein. The sentence illogically suggests that the four articles were a clerk at the Swiss Patent Office. Choice (B) produces a dangling modifier. The phrase while still a clerk at the Swiss Patent Office does not logically modify the subject of the sentences main clause, four articles. The sentence illogically suggests that the four articles were a clerk at the Swiss Patent Office. Choice (C) produces a dangling modifier. The phrase while still a clerk at the Swiss Patent Office does not logically modify the subject of the sentences main clause, four articles that Albert Einstein wrote. The sentence illogically suggests that the four articles were a clerk at the Swiss Patent Office. Choice (E) produces a comma splice. Two independent clauses (In 1905 . . . Albert Einstein wrote four articles and they laid the foundation of modern physics) are joined by only a comma.
Choice (C) is correct. It avoids the tense sequence error of the original sentence by using the present tense (keep) in the first clause, which is consistent with the use of a future construction (will . . . help) in the second clause. Choice (A) produces a tense sequence error. The use of a past perfect construction (had kept) in the first clause is inconsistent with the use of a future construction (will . . . help) in the second clause. Choice (B) produces a tense sequence error. The use of a past construction (could have kept) in the first clause is inconsistent with the use of a future construction (will . . . help) in the second clause. Choice (D) produces a pronoun error. The plural pronoun they does not agree with its apparent antecedent, the singular noun phrase what you experience. Choice (E) produces a pronoun error. The plural pronoun they does not agree with its apparent antecedent, the singular noun phrase what you experience.
Choice (C) is correct. It avoids the modification error of the original sentence by making scientists the subject of the sentences main clause. The sentence logically suggests that scientists were constrained by the small amounts of pheromones available for them to study. Choice (A) produces a dangling modifier. The participial phrase Constrained by the small amounts typically available to them for study does not logically modify the subject of the sentences main clause, the analysis of pheromones. The sentence illogically suggests that the analysis of pheromones is constrained by the small amounts of something available for pheromones to study. Choice (B) produces a pronoun error. There is no noun phrase in the sentence to which the pronoun this can logically refer. Choice (D) produces redundancy. The pronoun they is unnecessary before the verb are, which already has the noun scientists as its subject. Choice (E) produces a sentence fragment. The participle becoming appears where a finite verb (become) is needed to create a grammatically complete sentence.
Choice (C) is correct. It avoids the logical comparison error of the original sentence by making bats wings the subject of the clause and birds wings the object of unlike, so that the wings of bats are logically compared with the wings of birds. Choice (A) produces wordiness and an illogical comparison. The participle being is awkward and unnecessary before unlike, and the sentence illogically compares bat wings with birds rather than with bird wings. Choice (B) produces wordiness and an illogical comparison. The phrase by being is awkward and unnecessary before unlike, and the sentence illogically compares the wings of bats with birds rather than with the wings of birds. Choice (D) produces a coordination error. The conjunction and improperly joins two expressions of unequal grammatical status: a noun phrase (bats wings) and an adjectival phrase (unlike birds wings). Choice (E) produces improper coordination. The verb phrase do not contain hollow bones is improperly joined to the verb phrase are unlike bird wings by a comma rather than by the conjunction and.
Choice (D) is correct. It avoids the pronoun error of the original sentence by using the singular pronoun its to refer to the singular noun phrase The blue whale. Choice (A) produces a pronoun error. The plural pronoun their does not agree with its apparent antecedent, the singular noun phrase The blue whale. Choice (B) produces a pronoun error. The plural pronoun their does not agree with its apparent antecedent, the singular noun phrase The blue whale. Choice (C) produces a coordination error. The conjunction and is improperly used to join two expressions of unequal grammatical status: a noun phrase (a long, streamlined body) and an independent clause (almost one-fourth of the total length of its body is its head). Choice (E) produces a pronoun error. The plural pronoun their does not agree with its apparent antecedent, the singular noun phrase The blue whale.
Choice (C) is correct. It avoids the comma-splice error of the original sentence by replacing the second independent clause with the appositive noun phrase a time when climate modeling was still in its infancy. Choice (A) produces a comma splice. Two independent clauses (The National Academy of Sciences undertook its first rigorous study of global warming in the late 1970s and this was a time when climate modeling was still in its infancy) are improperly joined by only a comma. Choice (B) produces a comma splice. Two independent clauses (The National Academy of Sciences undertook its first rigorous study of global warming in the late 1970s and it was a time when climate modeling was still in its infancy) are improperly joined by only a comma. Choice (D) produces wordiness. The words it being are unnecessarily placed before the appositive phrase a time when climate modeling was still in its infancy. Choice (E) produces a dangling modifier. The participial phrase being when climate modeling was still in its infancy does not logically modify the subject (The National Academy of Sciences) of the sentences main clause. The sentence illogically suggests that the National Academy of Sciences was a time when climate modeling was in its infancy.
Writing Skills Question 14 Choice (A) is correct. It appropriately uses the relative pronoun who without a comma to introduce a restrictive subordinate clause (who advocated both the abolition of slavery and the advancement of womens rights). Choice (B) produces a misplaced modifier. The word both is improperly placed immediately before an advocate rather than immediately before the abolition of slavery. As a result, the sentence illogically suggests that Sojourner Truth was the advancement of womens rights rather than an advocate of the advancement of womens rights. Choice (C) produces a misplaced modifier. The word both is improperly placed immediately before advocating rather than immediately before the abolition of slavery. As a result, the sentence illogically suggests that Sojourner Truth was the advancement of womens rights rather than advocating the advancement of womens rights. Choice (D) produces a sentence fragment. There is no main verb to accompany Sojourner Truth, the apparent subject of the sentence. The verb advocated cannot serve as the main verb because it is embedded in a subordinate clause. Choice (E) produces a sentence fragment. There is no main verb to accompany Sojourner Truth, the apparent subject of the sentence. The verbs was and advocated cannot serve as main verbs because they are embedded in a subordinate clause.
Choice (D) is correct. It avoids the idiom error of the original sentence by replacing an awkward relative clause (that have been treatment for centuries for common ailments locally ) with a passive participial phrase (used locally for centuries to treat common ailments) that logically modifies the sentences subject. Choice (A) produces an idiom error. The phrase have been treatment . . . for is an unidiomatic variant of have been used to treat. Choice (B) produces an idiom error. The preposition by is inappropriately used (instead of with) to indicate the instrument with which ailments were treated. The sentence illogically suggests that the African plants were themselves treating ailments rather than being used by humans to treat ailments. Choice (C) produces a dangling modifier. The present participle treating does not logically modify Some African plants, the subject of the sentences main clause. The sentence illogically suggests that the African plants were themselves treating ailments rather than being used by humans to treat ailments. Choice (E) produces a subject-verb disagreement. The singular verb phrase has been used does not agree with the plural antecedent (plants) of its subject (which).
Choice (E) is correct. It avoids the logical comparison error of the original sentence by allowing the conjunction than to correlate Restaurant patrons in the 1990s and restaurant patrons in the 1970s and 1980s, so that restaurant patrons of one period are logically compared with those of another period. Choice (A) produces an illogical comparison. The conjunction than correlates Restaurant patrons in the 1990s and the 1970s and 1980s, so that restaurant patrons in the 1990s are inappropriately compared with the decades of the 1970s and 1980s (rather than with restaurant patrons in the 1970s and 1980s). The sentence illogically suggests that the decades of the 1970s and 1980s ordered vegetarian dishes. Choice (B) produces an illogical comparison. The conjunction than correlates Restaurant patrons in the 1990s and the 1970s and 1980s, so that restaurant patrons in the 1990s are inappropriately compared with the decades of the 1970s and 1980s (rather than with restaurant patrons in the 1970s and 1980s). The sentence illogically suggests that the decades of the 1970s and 1980s ordered vegetarian dishes. Choice (C) produces an illogical comparison. The conjunction than correlates Restaurant patrons in the 1990s and the foods of the 1970s and 1980s, so that restaurant patrons in the 1990s are inappropriately compared with the foods of the 1970s and 1980s. The sentence illogically suggests that the foods of the 1970s and 1980s ordered vegetarian dishes. Choice (D) produces a correlation error. The conjunction than inappropriately correlates two expressions of unequal grammatical status: a noun phrase (Restaurant patrons in the 1990s and a prepositional phrase (with the restaurant patrons in the 1970s and 1980s).
Choice (E) is correct. It avoids the logical comparison and idiom errors of the original sentence by providing an appropriately impersonal pronoun (Nothing instead of No one) as subject of the main clause and using a proper conjunction (as instead of like) to subordinate the clause of comparison. An action, Mr. Bruces departure, is appropriately compared with a nonexistent thing rather than a nonexistent person. Choice (A) produces an illogical comparison and an idiom error. A nonexistent person (No one) is inappropriately compared with an action (Mr. Bruces departure). Moreover, the preposition like is in this context an unidiomatic substitute for as much as. Choice (B) produces an illogical comparison and an idiom error. A nonexistent person (No one) is inappropriately compared with an action (Mr. Bruces departure). Moreover, the preposition like is improperly used to introduce a subordinate clause (Mr. Bruces departure will). Choice (C) produces an idiom error. The expression like none other is an unidiomatic substitute for as nothing else will or as no one elses will. Choice (D) produces a vague pronoun. The referent of the pronoun any is unclear.
Choice (B) is correct. It avoids the pronoun error of the original sentence by using the singular pronoun its to refer to the singular noun phrase Every building within a twenty-mile radius of the downtown business district. Choice (A) produces a pronoun error. The plural pronoun their does not agree with its apparent antecedent, the singular noun phrase Every building within a twenty-mile radius of the downtown business district. Choice (C) produces a pronoun error. The plural pronoun their does not agree with its apparent antecedent, the singular noun phrase Every building within a twenty-mile radius of the downtown business district. Choice (D) produces a sentence fragment. The resulting expression is a long noun phrase, lacking the main verb needed to form a grammatically complete sentence. The verb interrupted cannot serve as the sentences main verb because it is embedded in a subordinate clause. Choice (E) produces a sentence fragment. The resulting expression is a long noun phrase, lacking the main verb needed to form a grammatically complete sentence. The verb had cannot serve as the sentences main verb because it is embedded in a subordinate clause.
Choice (C) is correct. It avoids the parallelism error of the original sentence by placing the infinitive phrase write letters after than, continuing the pattern of infinitive phrases (to send e-mails and make phone calls to colleagues and friends) established earlier in the sentence. Choice (A) produces a lack of parallelism. The use of a noun (letters) after the conjunction than breaks the pattern of infinitive phrases (to send e-mails and make phone calls to colleagues and friends) established earlier in the sentence. Choice (B) produces a misplaced modifier. The prepositional phrase instead of letters is illogically placed after the noun phrase colleagues and friends rather than after emails, the noun it logically modifies. Choice (D) produces a modification error. An infinitive phrase (to write letters) is improperly used as the object of a preposition (instead of). Choice (E) produces a misplaced modifier. The expression rather than written letters is illogically placed after the noun phrase colleagues and friends rather than after emails, the noun it logically modifies.
Writing Skills Question 20 Choice (A) is correct. The expression Although far more eloquent a speaker is an acceptable shortening of the subordinate clause Although he was far more eloquent a speaker. It is likewise acceptable to place a comparative adjectival phrase (more eloquent) before the noun phrase (a speaker) that it modifies . Choice (B) produces a comma splice. Two independent clauses (He was a far more eloquent speaker and the incumbent made fewer concrete proposals in his campaign speech than the challenger did in hers) are improperly joined by only a comma. Choice (C) produces a diction error. The complex preposition In contrast to is inappropriately used in place of the simple preposition Despite. Choice (D) produces a modification error. A nonpossessive pronoun with a participial modifier (him being) is inappropriately used instead of a possessive pronoun with a gerund (his being) or unmodified gerund (being) as the object of the preposition Despite. Choice (E) produces a comma splice. Two independent clauses (As a speaker he was more eloquent and the incumbent made fewer concrete proposals in his campaign speech than the challenger did in hers) are improperly joined by only a comma.
Writing Skills Question 21 The error occurs at (A). The use of the present tense (is traveling) in the sentences main clause is inconsistent with the use of the past tense (earned) in a clause introduced by After. There is no error at (B). The conjunction where is appropriately placed immediately after its logical antecedent, the United States. There is no error at (C). The preposition as is idiomatically used to complement the verb performed. There is no error at (D). The expression before large crowds begins a prepositional phrase that appropriately modifies the verb performed. Corrected sentence: After she earned her pilots license in 1921, Bessie Coleman traveled from Paris to the United States, where she performed as a stunt pilot before large crowds of admirers.
Writing Skills Question 22 The error occurs at (B). The use of the singular noun phrase a director of Westerns (instead of directors of Westerns) is inconsistent with the use of the plural noun phrase Anthony Mann and John Ford earlier in the sentence. There is no error at (A). The noun Much is properly used with of before the mass noun success. There is no error at (C). The preposition to is idiomatically used to complement the participle attributed. There is no error at (D). The infinitive to make is idiomatically used to complement the adjective necessary, and the adjective such has an appropriate antecedent in Westerns. Corrected sentence: Much of the success of Anthony Mann and John Ford as directors of Westerns has been attributed to their knowledge of the technical work necessary to make such films.
Writing Skills Question 23 The error occurs at (A). The use of the participle revealing (instead of the finite verb reveal) creates a sentence fragment; there is no main verb to accompany the sentences apparent subject, Customer surveys. There is no error at (B). The preposition as is properly used to continue the comparative construction begun by as important, and the gerund arriving is parallel to the gerund receiving later in the sentence. There is no error at (C). The conjunction and is properly used to coordinate two adverbial elements: safely and on time. There is no error at (D). The singular verb phrase is receiving agrees with its singular subject, a major concern of airline passengers. Corrected sentence: Customer surveys reveal that a major concern of airline passengers, almost as important as arriving safely and on time, is receiving accurate information from the airlines.
Writing Skills Question 24 The error occurs at (C). The plural verb appear does not agree with its singular subject, Calcium. There is no error at (A). The relative pronoun whose is appropriately placed after its antecedent (Calcium) and immediately before the noun phrase it modifies (role in metabolism). There is no error at (B). The singular verb is agrees with its singular subject, whose role in metabolism. There is no error at (D). The conjunction when is properly used to subordinate an elliptical clause in which consumed stands for it [calcium] is consumed. Corrected sentence: Calcium, whose role in metabolism is not yet fully understood by nutritionists, appears to stoke the bodys fat-burning furnace when consumed daily in recommended amounts.
The correct answer is (E). There is no error in the sentence. There is no error at (A). The conjunction Neither is properly used with its correlative nor to coordinate two noun phrases, the catalog of the exhibit and the museum guide. There is no error at (B). The verb explained is well suited to either of its alternative subjects, the catalog of the exhibit or the museum guide. There is no error at (C). The adverb enough is properly placed after the word it modifies, the adverb thoroughly, which is properly used to modify the verb explained. There is no error at (D). The infinitive to satisfy is idiomatically used to complement the adverb enough. Correct sentence: Neither the catalog of the exhibit nor the museum guide explained the technical aspects of Picassos paintings thoroughly enough to satisfy inquisitive art students.
Writing Skills Question 26 The error occurs at (D). Neither the singular pronoun his nor the singular pronoun her agrees with its apparent antecedent, the plural employees. There is no error at (A). The singular verb draws agrees with its singular subject, the Silver Key restaurant. There is no error at (B). The adverb there is properly placed after the noun employees to create the noun phrase employees there. There is no error at (C). The infinitive to sit is idiomatically used to complement the noun phrase a chance. Corrected sentence: Because the Silver Key restaurant draws such large crowds, employees there are extremely busy and seldom have a chance to sit and rest their feet.
Writing Skills Question 27 The error occurs at (A). The plural verb phrase have had does not agree with its singular subject, Political leadership in many countries. There is no error at (B). The preposition in is idiomatically used with the noun areas as object, and the adjective some is appropriately placed immediately before the noun phrase (nonpolitical areas) that it modifies. There is no error at (C). The expression such as is appropriately used to cite an example. There is no error at (D). The adverb even is properly placed before the verb phrase (influences everyday language) that it is intended to emphasize. Corrected sentence: Political leadership in many countries has had an impact in some nonpolitical areas, such as the arts, and even influences everyday language.
Writing Skills Question 28 The error occurs at (A). The insertion of the words the case with before Andrea creates a faulty comparison. The human author of the sentence is illogically contrasted with an abstraction (the case with Andrea) rather than with another human (Andrea herself). There is no error at (B). The adjective tired provides an appropriate subject complement after was, and the use of the preposition after is consistent with the use of the past tense was. There is no error at (C). The noun phrase all weekend functions adverbially, appropriately modifying the gerund working, and the pronoun I is properly cast in the nominative case to serve as subject of the sentence. There is no error at (D). The infinitive to hear is appropriately used to express purpose. Corrected sentence: Unlike Andrea, who was tired after working all weekend, I wanted to go to the state capitol building to hear the governors speech.
The correct answer is (E). There is no error in the sentence. There is no error at (A). The plural pronoun their agrees with its plural antecedent, Members of the debate team. There is no error at (B). The prepositional phrase in argumentation appropriately modifies the noun skills. There is no error at (C). The plural verb phrase have been practicing agrees with its plural subject, Members of the debate team. There is no error at (D). The participle competing is properly coordinated with practicing earlier in the sentence, and the preposition on is idiomatically used with occasion as object. Corrected sentence: Members of the debate team, determined to hone their skills in argumentation, have been practicing each day and competing on every possible occasion.
The error occurs at (A). The sentence has no referential subject for the initial participial phrase to modify; Not carefully watching the clock cannot modify the nonreferential expletive there, and it cannot logically modify the noun phrase enough time. There is no error at (B). The adjective enough is appropriately placed before time, the noun it modifies. There is no error at (C). The infinitive to explain is idiomatically used to complement the noun phrase enough time. There is no error at (D). The adverb clearly properly modifies the verb to explain.
Corrected sentence: Because he [she] had not been carefully watching the clock, there was not enough time for the teacher to explain clearly the assignment for the following week.
Writing Skills Question 31 The error occurs at (C). The adjective serious is improperly used (instead of the adverb seriously) to modify the verb phrase has . . . been taken. There is no error at (A). The expression Even though is properly used to introduce a contrasting clause. There is no error at (B). The auxiliary verb been is properly used as a marker of the passive voice in the verb phrase has . . . been taken. There is no error at (D). The conjunction than is properly used to subordinate an elliptical clause of comparison in which comedy stands for comedy has been taken.
Corrected sentence: Even though comedy can convey profound messages about humankind, tragedy has usually been taken more seriously than comedy.
Writing Skills Question 32 The error occurs at (C). The plain verb form suppose is improperly used (instead of the past participle supposed) to create a verb phrase in the passive voice. There is no error at (A). The conjunction Although is appropriately used to introduce a contrasting clause. There is no error at (B). The conjunction as is properly used to introduce the second element of a comparison begun by as meticulously prepared. There is no error at (D). The adjective unexpected is properly placed immediately before the noun phrase (resignations of several workers) that it modifies.
Corrected sentence: Although the work schedule had been as meticulously prepared as it was supposed to be, the completion of the job was delayed by the unexpected resignations of several workers.
Writing Skills Question 33 The error occurs at (B). The singular verb lies does not agree with its plural subject, Madagascar and the Seychelles. There is no error at (A). The prepositional phrase off the eastern coast of Africa is an appropriate adverbial complement for the verb lie. There is no error at (C). The past participle created is properly combined with were to form a verb phrase in the passive voice. There is no error at (D). The past participle preserved is properly coordinated with the past participle created, and the preposition by is properly used to indicate the agent (i.e., what performs the action) of the passive verb phrase. Corrected sentence: In the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of Africa lie Madagascar and the Seychelles, which were created and preserved by continental shifts.
Writing Skills Question 34 The error occurs at (A). The singular verb seems does not agree with its plural subject, many ways. There is no error at (B). The infinitive to solve is idiomatically used to complement the noun ways. There is no error at (C). The auxiliary will is properly combined with the plain form of the phrasal verb bring about to create a future construction that is consistent with the use of the present tense (seems) in the subordinate clause. There is no error at (D). The past participle desired is appropriately placed immediately before the noun (result) that it modifies. Corrected sentence: Although there seem to be many ways to solve the puzzle, only one method will bring about the desired result.
Writing Skills Question 35 Choice (D) is correct. It produces a grammatical sentence (The book is of historical importance because it is an eighteenth-century travelogue) that effectively develops a point made in sentence 1. Choice (A) is unsatisfactory. Adding The book based on history to the beginning of sentence 2 would produce an ungrammatical sentence: The book based on history, it is an eighteenth-century travelogue. The pronoun it needlessly duplicates the reference of The book, which is awkwardly modified by the participial phrase based on history. Choice (B) is unsatisfactory. Adding The book being historical to the beginning of sentence 2 would produce an ungrammatical sentence: The book being historical, it is an eighteenth-century travelogue. The pronoun it needlessly duplicates the reference of The book, which is awkwardly modified by the participial phrase being historical. Choice (C) is unsatisfactory. Adding It should be noted that the book, of historical import, to the beginning of sentence 2 would produce an ungrammatical sentence: It should be noted that the book, of historical import, it is an eighteenth-century travelogue. The pronoun it needlessly duplicates the reference of The book. Choice (E) is unsatisfactory. Adding In other words, historians like the book because to the beginning of sentence 2 would produce a misleading sentence: In other words, historians like the book because it is an eighteenth-century travelogue. The transitional phrase In other words suggests that the sentence paraphrases the previous sentence, when in fact sentence 1 says nothing about historians or their reasons for liking the book.
Writing Skills Question 36 Choice (C) is correct. Changing they were reading widely to was popular effectively eliminates the vague pronoun they from sentence 4. Choice (A) is unsatisfactory. Substituting that is for however would suggest that the sentence rephrases a thought the author had just expressed, when in fact sentence 4 moves on to a new and contrasting point. Moreover, the vague pronoun they would remain uncorrected. Choice (B) is unsatisfactory. Deleting however would eliminate a helpful indication that the point made in sentence 4 (about the books importance as a combination of spiritual autobiography and slave narrative) contrasts with the point made in sentence 1 (about the books importance as a historical and literary work). Moreover, the vague pronoun they would remain uncorrected. Choice (D) is unsatisfactory. Changing at the time to then would not alter the essential meaning or structure of the sentence. Moreover, the vague pronoun they would remain uncorrected. Choice (E) is unsatisfactory. Deleting which some say Equiano invented would eliminate a pertinent and interesting piece of information. Moreover, the vague pronoun they would remain uncorrected.
Writing Skills Question 37 Choice (B) is correct. It appropriately uses the conjunction but to coordinate contrasting clauses and eliminates the awkward and unnecessary of that that appeared after instead in the original sentence 9. Choice (A) is unsatisfactory. It introduces a confusing shift of tense. The use of the present tense (seeks) to continue the narrative is inconsistent with the use of the past tense (found) in sentence 7. Choice (C) is unsatisfactory. It introduces a confusing shift of tense. The use of the present tense (does) to continue the narrative is inconsistent with the use of the past tense (found) in sentence 7. Choice (D) is unsatisfactory. It fails to signal the contrast between the two clauses with an adversative connector such as but or even though. The use of instead to signal a contrast is ineffective here because it is unclear what alternative that word refers to. Choice (E) is unsatisfactory. It produces an ungrammatical sentence. A semicolon, which should join two independent clauses, is improperly used to join an awkwardly constructed independent clause (Becoming a man of virtue was what he was seeking) and an improperly punctuated subordinate clause (although, many other people would become corrupted).
Choice (A) is correct. The third paragraph simply indicates that Equiano initially accepted slavery but then came to be critical of it, so it would be appropriate for the writer to elaborate on Equianos changing views of slavery. Choice (B) is unsatisfactory. The third paragraph concerns Equianos attitude toward slavery as a general practice, so a distinction between the slave trade as practiced in England and the slave trade as practiced elsewhere would not be directly relevant. Choice (C) is unsatisfactory. Geographic details about the places to which Equiano traveled would not be pertinent to the third paragraphs discussion of Equianos changing views of slavery. Choice (D) is unsatisfactory. A survey of examples of eighteenth-century travel writing would have no direct relevance to the discussion of Equianos changing views of slavery in the third paragraph. Choice (E) is unsatisfactory. An explanation of the conditions on board British ships would not further the discussion of Equianos changing views of slavery in the third paragraph.
Writing Skills Question 39 Choice (B) is correct. A sentence explaining the meaning of spiritual autobiography would best be placed immediately after sentence 4, the first sentence in which the term is used. Choice (A) is unsatisfactory. A sentence explaining the meaning of an unfamiliar term should occur immediately after the term is first used. If placed before sentence 1, this sentence would occur long before the first use of the term spiritual autobiography in sentence 4. Choice (C) is unsatisfactory. A sentence explaining the meaning of an unfamiliar term should occur immediately after the term is first used. If placed immediately before sentence 8, this sentence would occur well after the first use of the term spiritual autobiography in sentence 4. Choice (D) is unsatisfactory. A sentence explaining the meaning of an unfamiliar term should occur immediately after the term is first used. If placed immediately after sentence 10, this sentence would occur long after the first use of the term spiritual autobiography in sentence 4. Choice (E) is unsatisfactory. A sentence explaining the meaning of an unfamiliar term should occur immediately after the term is first used. If placed immediately after sentence 13, this sentence would occur long after the first use of the term spiritual autobiography in sentence 4.

PSAT Writing Skills - Section 5

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PSAT Writing Skills - Section 5

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Writing Skills: Section 5

Writing Skills Question 1

Writing Skills Question 2

Writing Skills Question 3

Writing Skills Question 4

Writing Skills Question 6

Writing Skills Question 7

Writing Skills Question 8

Writing Skills Question 9

Writing Skills Question 10

Writing Skills Question 11

Writing Skills Question 12

Writing Skills Question 13

Writing Skills Question 15

Writing Skills Question 16

Writing Skills Question 17

Writing Skills Question 18

Writing Skills Question 19

Writing Skills Question 25

Writing Skills Question 29

Writing Skills Question 30

Writing Skills Question 38

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