Correcting Other Errors and Recognizing No Errors
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PSAT Writing › Correcting Other Errors and Recognizing No 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 museum, which has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art, offers several different membership options.
The museum, which has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art, offers several different membership options.
The museum, which has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art, have offered several different membership options.
The museum, which has a sizeable collection to contemporary works of art, offers several different membership options.
The museum has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art, it offers several different membership options.
The museum has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art; they offer several different membership options.
Explanation
The original text is fine. It correctly uses the singular predicate "offers" with the singular subject "The museum."
"The museum, which has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art, have offered several different membership options" is incorrect becuase it contains a plural verb "have offered" with a singular subject "The museum."
"The museum, which has a sizeable collection to contemporary works of art, offers several different membership options." is incorrect becuase it says "collection to" instead of "collection of"—an error in preposition usage.
"The museum has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art, it offers several different membership options." is incorrect becuase it incorrectly combines two independent clauses with a comma, creating a comma splice.
"The museum has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art; they offer several different membership options. " is incorrect becuase "they" is a vague pronoun—we don't know who the antecedent is.
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 museum, which has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art, offers several different membership options.
The museum, which has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art, offers several different membership options.
The museum, which has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art, have offered several different membership options.
The museum, which has a sizeable collection to contemporary works of art, offers several different membership options.
The museum has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art, it offers several different membership options.
The museum has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art; they offer several different membership options.
Explanation
The original text is fine. It correctly uses the singular predicate "offers" with the singular subject "The museum."
"The museum, which has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art, have offered several different membership options" is incorrect becuase it contains a plural verb "have offered" with a singular subject "The museum."
"The museum, which has a sizeable collection to contemporary works of art, offers several different membership options." is incorrect becuase it says "collection to" instead of "collection of"—an error in preposition usage.
"The museum has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art, it offers several different membership options." is incorrect becuase it incorrectly combines two independent clauses with a comma, creating a comma splice.
"The museum has a sizeable collection of contemporary works of art; they offer several different membership options. " is incorrect becuase "they" is a vague pronoun—we don't know who the antecedent is.
Among other critiques, Martin Luther attacked the Catholic Church for the sale of indulgences, the practice of allowing congregants to purchase expiation for their sins.
indulgences, the practice of
indulgences; the practice of
indulgences being the practice of
indulgences, whereupon the practice of
indulgences when
Explanation
The original sentence, which contains an appositive noun phrase, is best. The other options lead to illogical statements or sentence fragments.
Among other critiques, Martin Luther attacked the Catholic Church for the sale of indulgences, the practice of allowing congregants to purchase expiation for their sins.
indulgences, the practice of
indulgences; the practice of
indulgences being the practice of
indulgences, whereupon the practice of
indulgences when
Explanation
The original sentence, which contains an appositive noun phrase, is best. The other options lead to illogical statements or sentence fragments.
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.
Joe’s mother ran out the door with the special bag lunch she prepared, but it was a vain attempt; the school bus had just left.
but it was a vain attempt; the school bus had just left.
but it was a vain attempt, the school bus had just left.
but it was a vain attempt for the school bus had just left.
but it was a vain attempt noticing that the school bus had just left.
but it was a vain attempt: the school bus had just left.
Explanation
This sentence contains no error. A semicolon is the most appropriate punctuation in this case. The semicolon separates two independent clauses that are closely related.
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.
Joe’s mother ran out the door with the special bag lunch she prepared, but it was a vain attempt; the school bus had just left.
but it was a vain attempt; the school bus had just left.
but it was a vain attempt, the school bus had just left.
but it was a vain attempt for the school bus had just left.
but it was a vain attempt noticing that the school bus had just left.
but it was a vain attempt: the school bus had just left.
Explanation
This sentence contains no error. A semicolon is the most appropriate punctuation in this case. The semicolon separates two independent clauses that are closely related.
The magician, known as the Magnificent Interrupter, was notable for stopping his tricks to explain them to the audience.
The magician, known as the Magnificent Interrupter, was
The magician, known as the Magnificent Interrupter was
The magician known as the Magnificent Interrupter, was
The magician known as the Magnificent Interrupter was
The magician was known as the Magnificent Interrupter, was
Explanation
The phrase "known as the Magnificent Interrupter" is an interrupting phrase, a phrase that provides information, but is not necessary to the structure of the sentence. Such clauses need to be set apart from the sentence by commas, so the correct answer is to leave the sentence as it is written.
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.
As the night turned into dawn, her motivation faded; she put away the heavy books and crawled into bed.
As the night turned into dawn, her motivation faded; she
As the night turns into dawn, her motivation fades; she
Night turning into dawn, her motivation faded; she
Night turning into dawn, and her motivation fading; she
As into dawn the night turned, her motivation faded until she
Explanation
The original sentence is grammatically correct and reads well. The other choices complicate the sentence by switching the first half to present tense, making the first half into a fragment, or unnecessarily switching the word order.
The magician, known as the Magnificent Interrupter, was notable for stopping his tricks to explain them to the audience.
The magician, known as the Magnificent Interrupter, was
The magician, known as the Magnificent Interrupter was
The magician known as the Magnificent Interrupter, was
The magician known as the Magnificent Interrupter was
The magician was known as the Magnificent Interrupter, was
Explanation
The phrase "known as the Magnificent Interrupter" is an interrupting phrase, a phrase that provides information, but is not necessary to the structure of the sentence. Such clauses need to be set apart from the sentence by commas, so the correct answer is to leave the sentence as it is written.
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.
As the night turned into dawn, her motivation faded; she put away the heavy books and crawled into bed.
As the night turned into dawn, her motivation faded; she
As the night turns into dawn, her motivation fades; she
Night turning into dawn, her motivation faded; she
Night turning into dawn, and her motivation fading; she
As into dawn the night turned, her motivation faded until she
Explanation
The original sentence is grammatically correct and reads well. The other choices complicate the sentence by switching the first half to present tense, making the first half into a fragment, or unnecessarily switching the word order.