SAT READING AND WRITING PSAT 8&9 FBSA A Form, Structure, and Sense (Hard)Question ID 9f8d0acb Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Rea Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense During the American Civil War, Thomas Morris Chester braved the front lines as a war correspondent for the Philadelphia Press. Amplifying the voices and experiences of Black soldiers ___of particular importance to Chester, who later became an activist and lawyer during the postwar Reconstruction period. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Awere B.have been Care D. was DRED tae Greg Correct Answer: D Rationale Choice D is the best answer, The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement, The singular verb "was" agrees in number with the singular subject “amplifying,” Gerunds such as "amplifying are always singular. Choice A is incorrect because the plural verb "were" doesn't agree in number with the singular subject "amplifying." Choice B is incorrect because the plural verb “have been’ doesn't agree in number with the singular subject "amplifying" Choice ¢ is incorrect because the plural verb “are” doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject “amplifying,” Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 11583a81 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense ID: 11583481 African American Percy Julian was a scientist and entrepreneur whose work helped people around the world to see. Named in 1999 as one of the greatest achievements by a US chemist in the past hundred years, __led to the first mass-produced treatment for glaucoma Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? ‘A Julian synthesized the alkaloid physostigmine in 1935; it 8. in 1935 Julian synthesized the alkaloid physostigmine, which C. Julian’s 1935 synthesis of the alkaloid physostigmine D. the alkaloid physostigmine was synthesized by Julian in 1935 and ID: 11583a81 Answer Correct Answer: C Rationale Choice C is the best answer, The convention being tested is subject-modifier placement, This choice makes the noun phrase "Julian's 1935 synthesis” the subject of the sentence and places it immediately after the modifying phrase "named..years." In doing so, this choice clearly establishes that Julian's 1935 synthesis of the alkaloid physostigmine—and not another noun in the sentence—was named in 1999 as one of the greatest achievements by a US chemist in the past hundred years. Choice A is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier, The placement of the noun “Julian” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that Julian himself was named as one of the greatest achievements by a US chemist in the past hundred years. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier, The placement of the prepositional phrase “in 1935" immediately after the modifying phrase illogically and confusingly suggests that “in 1935" was named as one of the greatest achievements by a US chemist in the past hundred years. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “the alkaloid physostigmine” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically and confusingly suggests that the alkaloid physostigmine itself (not the synthesis of it) was named as one of the greatest achievements by a US chemist in the past hundred years. Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID ca1a7097 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense DIE YA Professional American football player Fred Cox invented one of the world's most popular toys. In the 1970s, he came up with the idea for the Nerf football, which ___of the harder and heavier regulation football Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? ‘A.were a smaller, foam version B. are smaller, foam versions . were smaller, foam versions Dis a smaller, foam version IPCC Ger Correct Answer: D Rationale Choice D is the best answer, The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement and agreement between nouns. The singular verb is” and the singular noun “version” both agree in number with the relative pronoun “which.” In this context, which’ functions as a singular subject because it refers to the singular noun “the Nerf football” Choice A is incorrect because the plural verb “were” doesn't agree in number with the singular noun phrase “the Nerf football” that it's modifying. Choice B is incorrect because the plural verb “are” and the plural noun “versions” don't agree in number with the singular noun phrase “the Nerf football” that they're modifying. Choice Cis incorrect because the plural verb “were” and the plural noun "versions” don’t agree in number with the singular noun phrase “the Nerf football” that they're modifying, Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 2ff2efad Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Rea Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense D: 2ff2efad Rabinal Ach‘ is a precolonial Maya dance drama performed annually in Rabinal, a town in the Guatemalan highlands. Based on events that occurred when Rabinal was a city-state ruled by aking, ___had once been an ally of the king but was later captured while leading an invading force against him. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? ‘A. Rabinal Ach‘ tells the story of K'iche’ Achi, a military leader who. B. K'iche’ Achi, the military leader in the story of Rabinal Achi, C. the military leader whose story is told in Rabinal Achi, K'iche’ Achi, D. there was a military leader, K’iche’ Achi, who in Rabinal Achi ID: 2ff2efad Answer Correct Answer: A Rationale Choice A is the best answer, The modifier "Based on events...by a king,’ is describing the drama “Rabinal Achi" Modifiers need to be next to the subjects they describe, so "Rabinal Achi" needs to be the first word after the comma. Choice B is incorrect. This doesn't complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. The modifier "Based on events..by a king’ is describing the drama “Rabinal Achi” Modifiers need to be next to the subjects they describe, so "Rabinal Achi” needs to be the first word after the comma, Choice Cis incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. The modifier "Based on events..by a king,’ is describing the drama “Rabinal Achi.” Modifiers need to be next to the subjects they describe, so “Rabinal Achi" needs to be the first word after the comma. Choice D is incorrect, This doesn't complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. The modifier “Based on events..by a king,” is describing the drama "Rabinal Achi.” Modifiers need to be next to the subjects they describe, so “Rabinal Achi” needs to be the first word after the comma Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 4af66001 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Rea Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense Cheng Dang and her colleagues at the University of Washington recently ran simulations to determine the extent to which individual snow ___affect the amount of light reflecting off a snowy surface. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A grain’s physical properties’ B. grains’ physical properties . grains’ physical property's D. grains physical properties Deer Urs Correct Answer: B Rationale Choice B is the best answer, The convention being tested is the use of plural and possessive nouns, The plural possessive noun “grains” and the plural noun “properties” correctly indicate that the simulations involved multiple snow grains and that those snow grains had several properties, Choice A is incorrect because the context requires the plural possessive noun “grains” and the plural noun properties,’ not the singular possessive noun “grain's” and the plural possessive noun “properties.” Choice Cis incorrect because the context requires the plural noun "properties, not the singular possessive noun “property's” Choice D is incorrect because the context requires the plural possessive noun “grains,” not the plural noun “grains” Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 10eaa628 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense ID: 10eaa628 In 1930, Japanese American ar Chiura Obata depicted the natural beauty of Yosemite National Park in two memorable woodcuts: Evening at Carl Inn and Lake Basin in the High Sierra. In 2019, ___ exhibited alongside 150 of Obata’s other works in a single-artist show at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Ait was B, they were this was D, some were DBC Cor g Correct Answer: B Rationale Choice B is the best answer, The convention being tested is pronoun-antecedent agreement, The plural pronoun "they" agrees in number with the plural antecedent “woodcuts” and clearly identifies what was exhibited at the ‘Smithsonian American Art Museum, Choice A is incorrect because the singular pronoun “it” doesn't agree in number with the plural antecedent “woodcuts” Choice C is incorrect because the singular pronoun “this” doesn’t agree in number with the plural antecedent “woodcuts.” Choice D is incorrect because the plural pronoun “some” is illogical in this context (referring to “some” of two woodcuts), Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 680c128e Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense Inventor John Friedman created a prototype of the first flexible straw by inserting a screw into a paper straw and, using dental floss, binding the straw tightly around the _ When the floss and screw were removed, the resulting corrugations in the paper allowed the straw to bend easily over the edge of a glass. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A. screw’s thread's, B, screws’ threads, C. screws threads. D, screws threads’ Da Coe Grd Correct Answer: C Rationale Choice C is the best answer, The convention being tested is the use of plural and possessive nouns, The singular possessive noun “screw’s” and the plural noun “threads” correctly indicate that there is only one screw and it has multiple threads Choice A is incorrect because the context requires the plural noun “threads; not the singular possessive noun “thread's” Choice B is incorrect because the context requires the singular possessive noun "screw’s” not the plural possessive noun "screws’” Choice D is incorrect because the context requires the singular possessive noun “screw’s” and the plural noun “threads’’ not the plural noun “screws” or the plural possessive noun “threads” Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 15d94e8f Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Rea Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense ID: 15d94e8f A pioneer in the field of taphonomy (the study of how organic remains become fossil the fossil record as those of thick-shelled organisms. may be just as prevalent in Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A fossils of thin-shelled organisms, Anna Behrensmeyer demonstrated in a 2005 analysis, B, Anna Behrensmeyer demonstrated in a 2005 analysis that fossils of thin-shelled organisms C. it was demonstrated in a 2005 analysis by Anna Behrensmeyer that fossils of thin-shelled organisms D.a 2005 analysis—by Anna Behrensmeyer—demonstrated that fossils of thin-shelled organisms ID: 15d94e8f Answer Correct Answer: B Rationale Choice B is the best answer, The convention being tested is subject-modifier placement, This choice makes the noun phrase "Anna Behrensmeyer” the subject of the sentence and places it immediately after the modifying phrase "a pioneer..fossils” In doing so, this choice clearly establishes that Anna Behrensmeyer—and not another noun in the sentence—is a pioneer in the field of taphonomy. Choice A is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “fossils of thin- shelled organisms" immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that the “fossils” are a pioneer in the field of taphonomy, Choice C is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier, The placement of the pronoun “it” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that “it” is a pioneer in the field of taphonomy. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “a 2005 analysis" immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that “a 2005 analysis” is a pioneer in the field of taphonomy. Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 40ab858b Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense DEEL The violins handmade in the seventeeth century by Italian craftsman Antonio Stradivari have been celebrated as some of the finest in the world, In close collaboration with musicians, Stradivari introduced changes to the shape of a traditional violin, flattening some of the instrument's curves and making ___ lighter overall. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A.those B.one them Dit ID: 40ab858b Answer Correct Answer: D Rationale Choice D is the best answer, The convention being tested is pronoun~antecedent agreement, The singular pronoun “it” agrees in number with the singular antecedent “violin” and thus indicates that the traditional violin (and not its curves) was made lighter. Choice A is incorrect because the plural pronoun “those” doesn't agree in number with the singular antecedent “violin” Choice B is incorrect because the singular pronoun “one’ is ambiguous in this context; the resulting sentence leaves unclear what Stradivari made lighter, Choice C is incorrect because the plural pronoun "them" doesn't agree in number with the singular antecedent “violin.” Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 83cc4b6e Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Rea Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense ID: 83cc4b6e In 2015, a team led by materials scientists Anirudha Sumant and Diana Berman succeeded in reducing the coefficient of friction (COF) between two surfaces to the lowest possible level—superlubricity. A nearly frictionless (and, as its name suggests, extremely slippery) state, Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? ‘A. when their COF drops below 0.01, two surfaces reach superlubricity B. two surfaces, when their COF drops below 0.01, reach superlubricity. C. reaching superlubricity occurs when two surfaces’ COF drops below 0.01 D. superlubricity is reached when two surfaces’ COF drops below 0.01. ID: 83cc4b6e Answer Correct Answer: D Rationale Choice D is the best answer, The subject of the modifier "a nearly frictionless state” is "superlubricity” Subject- modifier placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to one another, so “superlubricity” must be the first word in the missing clause. Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a subject-modifier placement error. The subject of the modifier “a nearly frictionless state” is “superlubricity.” Subject-modifier placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to one another, so “superlubricity” must be the first word in the missing clause, Choice B is incorrect. This, choice creates a subject-modifier placement error, The subject of the modifier “a nearly frictionless state” is “superlubricity.” Subject-modifier placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to one another, so “superlubricity” must be the first word in the missing clause. Choice C is incorrect. This choice creates a subject- modifier placement error. The subject of the modifier “a nearly frictionless state” is “superlubricity” Subject- modifier placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to one another, so “superlubricity” must be the first word in the missing clause Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 63141bea Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense ID: 63141bea A model created by biologist Luis Valente predicts that the rate of speciation—the rate at which new species form—on an isolated island located approximately 5,000 kilometers from the nearest mainland triple the rate of speciation on an island only 500 kilometers from the mainland, Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A.being B to be C.to have been D. will be ID: 63141bea Answer Correct Answer: D Rationale Choice D is the best answer, The convention being tested is finite and nonfinite verb forms within a sentence. Relative clauses, such as the one beginning with “that” require a finite verb, a verb that can function as the main verb of a clause. This choice correctly supplies the clause with the finite future tense verb “will be” Choice A is incorrect because the nonfinite participle "being" doesn’t supply the clause with a finite verb. Choice Bis incorrect because the nonfinite to-infinitive "to be” doesn't supply the clause with a finite verb. Choice Cis incorrect because the nonfinite to-infinitive "to have been” doesn't supply the clause with a finite verb. Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 8f4de9c2 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Rea Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense ID: 8f4de9c2 In Death Valley National Park's Racetrack Playa, a flat, dry lakebed, are 162 racks—some weighing less than a pound but others almost 700 pounds—that move periodically from place to place, seemingly of their own volition, Racetrack-like trails in the _ mysterious migration. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A playas sediment mark the rock’s 8. playa's sediment mark the rocks C. playa’s sediment mark the rocks’ D. playas’ sediment mark the rocks’ DEEICC Cee ang Correct Answer: C Rationale Choice C is the best answer, The convention being tested is the use of plural and possessive nouns, The singular possessive noun “playa's” and the plural possessive noun "rocks" correctly indicate that the sediment is that of one playa (the Racetrack Playa) and that there are multiple rocks that have mysteriously migrated across the sediment. Choice A is incorrect because the context requires the singular possessive noun “playa’s” and the plural possessive noun “rocks’” not the plural noun “playas” and the singular possessive noun “rock's,” Choice B is incorrect because the context requires the plural possessive noun “rocks’” not the plural noun “rocks.” Choice D is incorrect because the context requires the singular possessive noun “playa's’ not the plural possessive noun “playas’” Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID a9f8dd79 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense DELLE) In 1966, Emmett Ashford became the first African American to umpire a Major League Baseball game. His energetic gestures announcing when a player had struck out and his habit of barreling after a hit ball to see if it would land out of transform the traditionally solemn umpire role into a dynamic one. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? ‘A. bounds helped B, bounds, helping C. bounds that helped D. bounds to help DR Ler Gerd Correct Answer: A Rationale Choice A is the best answer, The convention being tested is finite verb use in a main clause, A main clause requires a finite verb to perform the action of the subject (in this case, Ashford’s “gestures” and “habit’), and this choice supplies the finite past tense verb “helped” to indicate what Ashford’s gestures and habit helped accomplish. Choice B is incorrect because the non-finite participle “helping” doesn't supply the main clause with a finite verb. Choice C is incorrect because the relative clause "that helped” doesn't supply the main clause with a finite verb. Choice D is incorrect because the non-finite to-infinitive "to help” doesn’t supply the main clause with a finite verb. Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 6c41e2fb Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Rea Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense ID: 6c41e2fb ‘The Progressive Era in the United States witnessed the rise of numerous Black women’s clubs, local organizations that advocated for racial and gender equality. Among the clubs’ leaders _ Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin, founder of the Women's Era Club of Boston, Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A.was B. were Care D. have been Dees Cog Correct Answer: A Rationale Choice A is the best answer, The convention being tested here is subject-verb agreement, The singular verb “was” agrees in number with the singular subject "Josephine St, Pierre Ruffin” Choice B is incorrect because the plural verb “were” doesn't agree in number with the singular subject “Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin” Choice C is incorrect because the plural verb “are” doesn't agree in number with the singular subject "Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin.” Choice D is incorrect because the plural verb “have been” doesn't agree in number with the singular subject “Josephine St, Pierre Ruffin.” Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 7944e9f4 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Rea Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense DEE CCL! Nuhad al-Haddad, known as Fairuz, was one of the most beloved Lebanese singers of the twentieth century. Her broad singing repertoire—which included traditional forms, such as the Arabic qasida and maqam, alongside modern pop and Jazz styles—lent Fairuz a timeless, cross-generational appeal, __her the moniker “the soul of Lebanon.” Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A.earned B. had earned earning D. earn DEEP CC we Ung Correct Answer: C Rationale Choice C is the best answer, The word “earning” is being used to introduce an additional modifying phrase, which describes how Fairuz's repertoire lent her cross-generational appeal. When a verb ends in -ing and doesn't have a helper verb like "is" before it, it can be used to modify a noun or verb. This is appropriate here. Choice A is incorrect. The underlined verb is being used to introduce additional descriptive information, which is set off from the rest of the sentence by a comma. Because there is no subject here, a finite form of the verb (like earned’) creates an error, We need another form of the verb that doesn’t require a subject and can introduce descriptive information. Choice B is incorrect, The underlined verb is being used to introduce additional descriptive information, which is set off from the rest of the sentence by a comma, Because there is no subject here, a finite form of the verb (like "had earned’) creates an error. We need another form of the verb that doesn’t require a subject and can introduce descriptive information. Choice D is incorrect. The underlined verb is being used to introduce additional descriptive information, which is set off from the rest of the sentence by a comma. Because there is no subject here, a finite form of the verb (like “earn’) creates an error. We need another form of the verb that doesn’t require a subject and can introduce descriptive information. Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 0b3c05ab Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense ID: 0b3c05: By the time Hawaiian king Kamehameha Ill the throne, the number of longhorn cattle, fist introduced to the islands in 1793, had drastically increased, and so too had the need for paniolo (Hawaiian cowboys) to manage the wild herds that then roamed throughout the voleanic terrain, Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A. ascended B. will ascend C ascends D.is ascending DA EE Unni Correct Answer: A Rationale Choice A is the best answer, “Ascended’ is in the simple past tense, Since Kamehameha became king in the past, this makes the most sense, Choice B is incorrect, “Will ascend’ is in the future tense, but we wouldn't know about Kamehameha III's ascent if it hadn't happened yet. The information in the sentence, as well as the tense of other verbs, tells us that the events described happened in the past. Choice C is incorrect. “Ascends" is in the simple present tense. However, the information in the sentence, as well as the tense of other verbs, tells us that the events described happened in the past. Choice D is incorrect, "Is ascending’ is in the continuous present tense, which we use to show that, something is ongoing, but this doesn't make sense here—the information in the sentence, as well as the tense of, other verbs, tells us that the events described happened in the past. Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 775aa448 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense ID: 775aa448 Based on genetic evidence, archaeologists have generally agreed that reindeer domestication began in the eleventh century CE. However, since uncovering fragments of a 2,000-year-old reindeer training harness in northern Siberia, may have begun much earlier. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A researcher Robert Losey has argued that domestication B. researcher Robert Losey's argument is that domestication C. domestication, researcher Robert Losey has argued, D. the argument researcher Robert Losey has made is that domestication ID: 775aa448 Answer Correct Answer: A Rationale Choice A is the best answer, The convention being tested is subject-modifier placement, This choice makes the noun phrase "researcher Robert Losey” the subject of the sentence and places it immediately after the modifying phrase ‘since..Siberia.” In doing so, this choice clearly establishes that researcher Robert Losey—and not another noun in the sentence—is who uncovered fragments of a 2,000-year-old reindeer training harness in northern Siberia Choice B is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier, The placement of the noun phrase “researcher Robert Losey's argument” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that the “argument” is what uncovered fragments of a 2,000-year-old reindeer training harness in northem Siberia. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier, The placement of the noun “domestication” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that “domestication” is what uncovered fragments of a 2,000-year-old reindeer training harness in northern Siberia, Choice D is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “the argument” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that the “argument" is what uncovered fragments of a 2,000-year-old reindeer training harness in northem Siberia Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 1fda4fb5 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Rea Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense ID: 1fdadfb: Far from being modern inventions, _more than 5,000 years ago. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? ‘A, Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia used drinking straws B. drinking straws were used by Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia . the use of drinking straws by Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia happened D. ancient Mesopotamia was home to Sumerians who used drinking straws PARC ee Uo Correct Answer: B Rationale Choice B is the best answer. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The modifier “far from being modern inventions" must be describing "drinking straws” because those are the only possible inventions in this sentence Choice A is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The modifier “far from being modern inventions" can't be describing “Sumerians,” because they are a group of people, not an invention. Choice Cis incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The modifier “far from being modern inventions" can't be describing “the use of drinking straws,” because it is not “the use” of drinking straws that is an invention—it is the drinking straws themselves, Choice D is incorrect, Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other, The modifier “far from being modem inventions” can’t be describing "Ancient Mesopotamia” because that is a place, not an invention, Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 49fbe443 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense Known as Earth's “living skin,” biocrusts are thin layers of soil held together by surface-dwelling microorganisms such as fungi, lichens, and cyanobacteria. Fortfying soil in arid ecosystems against erosion, Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A. a recent study's estimate is that these crusts reduce global dust emissions by 60 percent each year. B. an estimated 60 percent reduction in global dust emissions each year is due to these crusts, according to a recent study. C. these crusts reduce global dust emissions by an estimated 60 percent each year, according to a recent study. D. a recent study has estimated that these crusts reduce global dust emissions by 60 percent each year. ID: 49fbe443 Answer Correct Answer: C Rationale Choice C is the best answer, The subject of the modifier “fortifying soil in arid ecosystems against erosion’ is "biocrusts." Subject-modifier placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to each other, so "biocrusts” or some variant meaning "biocrusts” (in this case, "these crusts") must begin the missing clause. Choice A is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The subject of the modifier “fortifying soil in arid ecosystems against erosion” is “biocrusts,’ not “a recent study's estimate." Choice B is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other, The subject of the modifier "fortifying soil in arid ecosystems against erosion” is "biocrusts," not “an estimated 60 percent reduction," Choice D is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other, The subject of the modifier "fortifying soil in arid ecosystems against erosion” is "biocrusts,’ not "a recent study.” Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID bb804798 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense DAE} Official measurements of the Mississippi River's length vary: according to the US Geologic Survey, the river is 2,300 miles long, whereas the Environmental Protection Agency records its length as 2,320 miles. This disparity can be explained in part by the fact that rivers such as the Mississippi expand and contract as__ sediment. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A. they accumulate B. one accumulates C it accumulates D. we accumulate DASE EEE Unt Correct Answer: A Rationale Choice A is the best answer, The noun that goes with "expand and contract’ is "rivers," a plural noun. "They" is a third-person plural pronoun, so it can correctly stand in for “rivers.” Choice B is incorrect. This choice creates a pronoun-antecedent agreement error, “One’ is a singular pronoun, but the noun that goes with "expand and contract is “rivers,’a plural noun. Choice C is incorrect. This choice creates a pronoun-antecedent agreement error. “It’ is a singular pronoun, but the noun that goes with "expand and contract" is rivers’ a plural noun, Choice D is incorrect, This choice creates a pronoun-antecedent agreement error, The noun that goes with "expand and contract” is the plural noun “rivers.” Rivers are not people, so "we" can't be used to stand in for it. Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 9b158590 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense ID: 96158590 Author Madeline L'Engle, to create a suspenseful tone that draws the reader in, begins her novel A Wrinkle in Time with descriptions of "wraithlike shadows" and "the frenzied lashing of the wind.” Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A. looked B. looks Cis looking D. looking PAE Ung Correct Answer: D Rationale Choice D is the best answer, The convention being tested is the use of verb forms within a sentence. The nonfinite present participle verb "looking" is correctly used to form a subordinate clause that describes the intent behind how L'Engle begins her novel. Choice A is incorrect because the finite past tense verb “looked” can't be used in this way to form a subordinate clause. Choice B is incorrect because the finite present tense verb “looks” can't be used in this way to form a subordinate clause. Choice C is incorrect because the finite present progressive tense verb “is looking” can't be used in this way to form a subordinate clause, Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 864ca5aa Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Rea Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense ID: 864ca5aa In 2016, engineer Vanessa Galvez oversaw the installation of 164 bioswales, vegetated channels designed to absorb and divert stormwater, along the streets of Queens, New York. By reducing the runoff flowing into city sewers, Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A the mitigation of both street flooding and the resulting pollution of nearby waterways has been achieved by bioswales. B. the bioswales have mitigated both street flooding and the resulting pollution of nearby waterways. C. the bioswales’ mitigation of both street flooding and the resulting pollution of nearby waterways has been achieved D. both street flooding and the resulting pollution of nearby waterways have been mitigated by bioswales. DEES Ee Unig Correct Answer: B Rationale Choice B is the best answer, The convention being tested is subject-modifier placement, This choice makes the noun phrase "the bioswales” the subject of the sentence and places it immediately after the modifying phrase "By reducing..sewers." In doing so, this choice clearly establishes that the bioswales—and not another noun in the sentence~are reducing runoff flowing into city sewers, Choice A is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier, The placement of the noun phrase “the mitigation...waterways” immediately after the modifying phrase results in unclear modification, The resulting sentence makes it hard to determine what is responsible for "reducing the runoff”: the bioswales or some other noun in the sentence. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “the bioswales’ mitigation..waterways” immediately after the modifying phrase results in unclear modification, The resulting sentence makes it hard to determine what is responsible for “reducing the runoff”: the bioswales or some other noun in the sentence. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “street flooding and the resulting pollution” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that the “flooding and pollution” are reducing runoff flowing into city sewers Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 377a2b12 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense D: 377a2b12 Ten of William Shakespeare's plays are classified as histories. Although each one of these plays, which include Henry V and Richard Il, ___onva single historical figure (specifically, an English king), some, such as Henry VI Part One and Henry VI Part Two, feature different episodes from the same monarch's life. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A. focuses B. focus Care focused D. were focused D: 377a2b12 Answer Correct Answer: A Rationale Choice A is the best answer, The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement, The singular verb "focuses" agrees in number with the singular subject "each one of these plays,” which refers to each play individually. Choice B is incorrect because the plural verb “focus” doesn't agree in number with the singular subject "each one of these plays.” Choice C is incorrect because the plural verb ‘are focused” doesn't agree in number with the singular subject “each one of these plays” Choice D is incorrect because the plural verb "were focused” doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "each one of these plays.” Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 130d56e7 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense ID: 130d56e7 In the canon of North African literature, Moroccan author Driss Chraibi’s 1954 novel The Simple Past (Le Passé simple) looms large. A coming-of-age story, a social meditation, and a sober gaze into the dark maw of French colonialism, interrogates systemic power with memorable intensity. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? ‘A. Morocco gained its independence two years before the publication of Chraibi’s debut novel, which 8. Chraibi’s debut novel, published two years before Morocco gained its independence, C. Chraibi wrote a debut novel that, published two years before Morocco gained its independence, D. published two years before Morocco gained its independence, Chraibi wrote a debut novel that ID: 130d56e7 Answer Correct Answer: B Rationale Choice B is the best answer, Subject-modifier placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to each other. The subject of the modifier "a coming-of-age story..colonialism' is Chraibi’s novel The Simple Past, so the subject "Chraibi's debut novel' fits perfectly after this introductory modifying phrase. Choice A is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The introductory modifier "a coming-of-age story..colonialism" is describing Chraibi's novel, not Morocco. However, this choice places Morocco directly next to that modifier, Choice Cis incorrect, Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The introductory modifier "a coming-of-age story...colonialism’ all describes Chraibi's novel, not Chraibi himself. However, this choice places Chraibi directly next to that modifier, Choice D is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The modifier "a coming-of-age story.." is describing Chraibi’s novel, so that needs to be the subject immediately after the modifier. This choice adds another modifier that describes Chraibi’s novel, but then puts "Chraibi" himself—not the novel—right after that modifier, which doesn’t make sense. Chraibi wasn't “published two years before" Moroccan independence; his novel The Simple Past was Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID ad8461af Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Rea Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense Researchers studying the “terra-cotta army," the thousands of life-size statues of warriors found interred near the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang of China, were shocked to realize that the shape of each statue's ears, like the shape of each person's ears, ___ unique. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Aare B. is C.were D. have been ID: ad8461af Answer Correct Answer: B Rationale Choice B is the best answer, The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement, because the singular verb “is” agrees in number with the singular subject "the shape” Choice A is incorrect because the plural verb “are” doesn't agree in number with the singular subject "the shape.” Choice C is incorrect because the plural verb “were” doesn't agree in number with the singular subject "the shape” Choice D is incorrect because the plural verb “have been” doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "the shape” Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 6df64957 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense ID: 6df64957 Known for her massive photorealistic paintings of African American figures floating or swimming in pools, Calida Garcia was the logical choice to design the book cover for Ta-Nehisi Coates's The Water Dancer, a novel about an African ‘American man who can travel great distances through water. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A. Rawles— B. Rawles: C. Rawles, D, Rawles DAC Ger Correct Answer: D Rationale Choice D is the best answer, The convention being tested is punctuation between a subject and a verb. When, as. in this case, a subject (‘Calida Garcia Rawles") is immediately followed by a verb ("was"), no punctuation is needed, Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the subject and the verb. Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the subject and the verb, Choice C is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the subject and the verb, Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID ca73d064 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense ID: ca73d064 ‘The human brain is primed to recognize faces—so much so that, due to a perceptual tendency called pareidolia, will even find faces in clouds, wooden doors, pieces of fruit, and other faceless inanimate objects. Researcher Susan Magsamen has focused her work on better understanding this everyday phenomenon. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Ashe B. they cit D, those ID: ca73d064 Answer Correct Answer: C Rationale Choice C is the best answer, "It" is a singular pronoun used to stand in for objects, Since the antecedent in this case is the singular noun phrase "the human brain,’ "it" is a perfect pronoun to use here, Choice A is incorrect. Although "she" is a singular pronoun, it is reserved for people and animals, not objects like “the human brain." Choice B is incorrect. "They" is a plural pronoun, but we need a singular pronoun to represent the antecedent "the human brain." Choice D is incorrect. "Those" is a plural pronoun, but we need a singular pronoun to represent the antecedent "the human brain," Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID bc92b330 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense ID: bc92b330 In the 1950s, a man named Joseph McVicker was struggling to keep his business afloat when his sister-i law Kay Zufall advised him to repurpose the company's product, a nontoxic, clay-like substance for removing soot from wallpaper, as a modeling putty for kids, In addition, Zufall___selling the product under a child-friendly name: Play-Doh. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A. suggested B. suggests Chad suggested D. was suggesting Dae eve USC Correct Answer: A Rationale Choice A is the best answer, The convention being tested is the use of verbs to express tense, In this choice, the simple past tense verb “suggested” properly indicates that Zufall offered her suggestion for the product's name in the past. This verb tense is consistent with the previous sentence’s use of a simple past tense verb (‘advised’) to describe Zufall’s advice to McVicker in the 1950s. Choice B is incorrect because the present tense verb “suggests” doesn't indicate that Zufall offered her suggestion in the past, Choice C is incorrect because the past perfect verb “had suggested” isn’t consistent with the previous sentence’s use of the simple past tense verb “advised” to describe Zufall’s advice to McVicker. Choice D is incorrect because the past progressive verb "was suggesting” isn't consistent with the previous sentence’s use of the simple past tense verb “advised” to describe Zufall’s advice to McVicker. Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 03ca25bb Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense Slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo's debut novel The Poet X, winner of the 2018 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, is composed of ___ protagonist, fifteen-year-old Xiomara Batista. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A. poems putatively written by the novel's 8. poem's putatively written by the novel's C. poem's putatively written by the novels’ D. poems putatively written by the novels’ peered eng Correct Answer: A Rationale Choice A is the best answer, Nothing belongs to the "poems" in the sentence, so it should not be possessive—just a simple plural noun, The protagonist does belong to the novel—it's the protagonist of the novel—so “novel” needs to be a singular possessive noun, Choice B is incorrect. This doesn't complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. This choice uses the singular possessive “poem's, but the text indicates that it should be the simple plural "poems": there is more than one poem, and nothing belongs to the poems. Choice C is incorrect. This doesn't complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English, This choice uses the singular possessive “poem's” but the text indicates that it should be the simple plural "poems": there is more than one poem, and nothing belongs to the poems. This choice also uses the plural possessive “novels'” which is incorrect because there is only one novel. Choice D is incorrect. This doesn't complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. This choice uses the plural possessive “novels'’ which is incorrect because there is only one novel, so it should be the singular possessive “novel's.” Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 17afa161 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Rea Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense DER PIeN CHT “Praise Song for the Day," Elizabeth Alexander's 2009 inaugural poem, asserts that "We cross dirt roads and highways...to see what's on the other side.” Alexander's use of "wi ‘Americans’ collective efforts and shared desire to seek new opportunity. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? ‘A. evokes: 8. are evoking C. have evoked D. evoke D: 17afa161 Answer Correct Answer: A Rationale Choice A is the best answer, The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement, The singular verb "evokes" agrees in number with the singular subject “Alexander's use.” Choice B is incorrect because the plural verb ‘are evoking’ doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject “Alexander's use.” Choice C is incorrect because the plural verb "have evoked" doesn't agree in number with the singular subject “Alexander's use,” Choice D is incorrect because the plural verb "evoke" doesn't agree in number with the singular subject "Alexander's use.” Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 8e23d0c7 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense 1D: 8e23d0c7 Despite being cheap, versatile, and easy to produce, not biodegrade in landfills. they are made from nonrenewable petroleum, and most do Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A there are two problems associated with commercial plastics: 8B. two problems are associated with commercial plastics: €. commercial plastics’ two associated problems are that, D. commercial plastics have two associated problems: [paEED ae Ung Correct Answer: D Rationale Choice D is the best answer, The convention being tested is subject-modifier placement, This choice ensures that the modifying phrase "despite being cheap, versatile, and easy to produce” appears immediately before the noun it modifies, “commercial plastics’ clearly establishing that the commercial plastics—and not another noun in the sentence—are being described as cheap, versatile, and easy to produce, Choice A is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the function word “there” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically and confusingly suggests that “there” is cheap, versatile, and easy to produce, Choice B is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier, The placement of the noun “two problems” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that the "problems" are cheap, versatile, and easy to produce. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase ‘commercial plastics’ two associated problems” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that the “problems” are cheap, versatile, and easy to produce. Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID ea3954b5 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense ID: ea3954b5 Oglala Lakota poet Layli Long Soldier's star quilt poems offer an unusually open-ended reading experience. With eight panels of text stitched together in the shape of a traditional eight-pointed Lakota star quilt, the poems present viewers with a seemingly infinite number of ways to read them. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A.their Bit's C. they're D. its ID: ea3954b5 Answer Correct Answer: A Rationale Choice A is the best answer, The convention being tested is the use of possessive determiners, The plural possessive determiner “their” agrees in number with the plural noun "the poems; thus indicating that the poems had eight panels of text stitched together in the shape of a traditional eight-pointed Lakota star quilt. Choice B is incorrect because “it's" is the contraction for "it is" or it has," not a possessive determiner. Choice Cis, incorrect because "they're" is the contraction for "they are," not a possessive determiner. Choice D is incorrect because the singular possessive determiner "its" doesn’t agree in number with the plural noun "the poems.” Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 25121983 Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense In assessing the films of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, Japanese artistic traditions such as Noh theater. have missed his equally deep engagement with Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? ‘A. many critics have focused on Kurosawa’s use of Western literary sources but B, Kurosawa's use of Western literary sources has been the focus of many critics, who . there are many critics who have focused on Kurosawa’s use of Western literary sources, but they D. the focus of many critics has been on Kurosawa’s use of Western literary sources; they ID APA PACE eo Correct Answer: A Rationale Choice A is the best answer, The convention being tested is subject-modifier placement, This choice makes the noun phrase "many critics" the subject of the sentence and places it immediately after the modifying phrase “in assessing...Kurosawa." In doing so, this choice clearly establishes that it is the critics—and not another noun in the sentence—who assess Kurosawa's films. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “Kurosawa’s sources” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that his use of Western literary sources is what assesses Kurosawa’s films, Choice C is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier, The placement of the function word there” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that “there” is what assesses Kurosawa's films. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “the focus..critics" immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that the critics’ focus is what assesses Kurosawa’s films. Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 8f5987cb Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Rea Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense ID: 8f5987cb Bonnie Buratti of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory __ data about Saturn's rings collected by the Cassini spacecraft when she made an interesting discovery: the tiny moons embedded between and within Satum’s rings are shaped by the buildup of ring material on the moons’ surfaces. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A studies B. has been studying will study D. was studying DEE Gog Correct Answer: D Rationale Choice D is the best answer, The convention being tested is the use of verbs to express tense ina sentence. In this choice, the past progressive tense verb “was studying’ is consistent with the other past tense verbs (e.g, “made” and ‘collected") used to describe Buratti’s discovery. Further, the past progressive tense correctly indicates that an ongoing action in the past was occurring (she was studying) at the same time that another event occurred in the past (she made an interesting discovery) Choice A is incorrect because the present tense verb “studies” isn’t consistent with the past tense verbs used to describe Buratti’s discovery, Choice B is incorrect because the present perfect progressive tense verb “has been studying” isn't consistent with the past tense verbs used to describe Buratti’s discovery. Choice C is incorrect because the future tense verb “will study” isn’t consistent with the past tense verbs used to describe Buratti’s discovery. Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID b995581c Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Reading and Writing | Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense ID: b995581¢ ‘A second-generation Japanese American, Wataru Misaka in World War II (1941-45) and won two amateur national basketball championships at the University of Utah when he joined the New York Knicks for the 1947-48 season, becoming the first non-white basketball player in the US's top professional league, Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A. already served 8B. was already serving C already serves D. had already served DEE Unt Correct Answer: D Rationale Choice D is the best answer, Misaka served in World War II before he joined the New York Knicks in 1947. To show that a past occurrence took place before another past occurrence, we need to use “had” + the past tense form of the verb. This is called the past perfect tense. Choice A is incorrect. Misaka served in World War Il before he joined the Knicks. Both events are in the past, but his service in World War Il happened earlier, so we need a verb that makes it clear that his service (and the two national championships) had ended by the time he joined the Knicks, Choice B is incorrect, "Was already serving" forms the continuous past tense, which we use when we're showing a past action that was ongoing. Misaka served in World War I before he joined the Knicks. Both events are in the past, but they're not happening at the same time, so we shouldn't use the continuous past tense here. Choice C is incorrect. Misaka served in World War II in the past, so we shouldn't use the present tense “serves” Question Difficulty: HardQuestion ID 4a1283fc Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty PSAT 8/9 Rea Standard English Form, Structure, nnn Conventions and Sense D: 4a1283fc Because a cycle of lunar phases _ 29.5 days to complete, it's possible to observe two full moons in a single month, one at the beginning and one at the end. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Aare taking B. have taken C.take D. takes ID: 4a1283fc Answer Correct Answer: D Rationale Choice D is the best answer, The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement, The singular verb "takes" agrees in number with the singular subject “a cycle of lunar phases," Choice A is incorrect because the plural verb "are taking" doesn't agree in number with the singular subject "a cycle of lunar phases." Choice B is incorrect because the plural verb "have taken" doesn't agree in number with the singular subject "a cycle of lunar phases." Choice C is incorrect because the plural verb "take" doesn't agree in number with the singular subject "a cycle of lunar phases.” Question Difficulty: Hard