PSAT Writing and Language Question 108: Answer and Explanation

Question: 108

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. time, when
• C. time, as
• D. time:

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

A

Punctuation and words change in the answer choices, so this question tests STOP, HALF-STOP, and GO punctuation. The first part of the sentence, By this time, is an incomplete idea. The second part of the sentence, Rodgers had become the famous "Singing Brakeman," and his influence would be felt for many generations to come, is a complete idea. To connect an incomplete idea to a complete idea, GO punctuation is needed. Keep (A) because a comma is GO punctuation and can be used between an incomplete idea and complete idea. Eliminate (B) and (C) because adding when or as makes the sentence incomplete. Eliminate (D) because a colon is HALF-STOP punctuation and can only be used after a complete idea. The correct answer is (A).