Correcting Colon Errors - PSAT Writing

The sentence is structured so that the list is given as the examples of the "three areas" the sentence mentions. When a list follows a phrase that can be a complete sentence and adds new information to the sentence, a colon should precede the list. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "in three areas: municipal finances, emergency services, and traffic enforcement."

In this sentence, two independent clauses were joined with a colon. Although this can sometimes be appropriate, in this case the clause following the colon did not further explain what came before it, so it makes more sense to use other punctuation. The correct answer choice replaces the colon with a semicolon.

"Although I found I had a lot in common with my pen pal, we stayed in touch all summer," is an option that may be tempting, as it grammatically correctly links a subordinate clause; however, the sentence does not make logical sense, as "although" would imply that the contact with the pen pal would be in opposition to the feeling of having a lot in common.

A colon can be used to separate these two clauses. A semi-colon cannot be used, because the second clause cannot stand independently as a full sentence. Both of the verbs used need to be conjugated in the same way. The only answer choice that corrects both of these issues is, "Upon entering the room, you will have two choices: either drink from the chalice or drink from the mug."

The sentence is structured so that the list is given as the examples of the "three areas" the sentence mentions. When a list follows a phrase that can be a complete sentence and adds new information to the sentence, a colon should precede the list. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "in three areas: municipal finances, emergency services, and traffic enforcement."

In this sentence, two independent clauses were joined with a colon. Although this can sometimes be appropriate, in this case the clause following the colon did not further explain what came before it, so it makes more sense to use other punctuation. The correct answer choice replaces the colon with a semicolon.

"Although I found I had a lot in common with my pen pal, we stayed in touch all summer," is an option that may be tempting, as it grammatically correctly links a subordinate clause; however, the sentence does not make logical sense, as "although" would imply that the contact with the pen pal would be in opposition to the feeling of having a lot in common.

A colon can be used to separate these two clauses. A semi-colon cannot be used, because the second clause cannot stand independently as a full sentence. Both of the verbs used need to be conjugated in the same way. The only answer choice that corrects both of these issues is, "Upon entering the room, you will have two choices: either drink from the chalice or drink from the mug."

The sentence is structured so that the list is given as the examples of the "three areas" the sentence mentions. When a list follows a phrase that can be a complete sentence and adds new information to the sentence, a colon should precede the list. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "in three areas: municipal finances, emergency services, and traffic enforcement."

In this sentence, two independent clauses were joined with a colon. Although this can sometimes be appropriate, in this case the clause following the colon did not further explain what came before it, so it makes more sense to use other punctuation. The correct answer choice replaces the colon with a semicolon.

"Although I found I had a lot in common with my pen pal, we stayed in touch all summer," is an option that may be tempting, as it grammatically correctly links a subordinate clause; however, the sentence does not make logical sense, as "although" would imply that the contact with the pen pal would be in opposition to the feeling of having a lot in common.

A colon can be used to separate these two clauses. A semi-colon cannot be used, because the second clause cannot stand independently as a full sentence. Both of the verbs used need to be conjugated in the same way. The only answer choice that corrects both of these issues is, "Upon entering the room, you will have two choices: either drink from the chalice or drink from the mug."

The sentence is structured so that the list is given as the examples of the "three areas" the sentence mentions. When a list follows a phrase that can be a complete sentence and adds new information to the sentence, a colon should precede the list. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "in three areas: municipal finances, emergency services, and traffic enforcement."

In this sentence, two independent clauses were joined with a colon. Although this can sometimes be appropriate, in this case the clause following the colon did not further explain what came before it, so it makes more sense to use other punctuation. The correct answer choice replaces the colon with a semicolon.

"Although I found I had a lot in common with my pen pal, we stayed in touch all summer," is an option that may be tempting, as it grammatically correctly links a subordinate clause; however, the sentence does not make logical sense, as "although" would imply that the contact with the pen pal would be in opposition to the feeling of having a lot in common.