PSAT Writing and Language Question 158: Answer and Explanation

Question: 158

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. in Italy, he studied engineering in Turin, where he
• C. in Italy he studied engineering in Turin where he
• D. in Italy, he studied engineering in Turin; where he

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

B

Difficulty: Medium

Category: Sentence Structure: Commas, Dashes, and Colons

Getting to the Answer: Reread the sentence to determine how each portion relates to the others. Then, examine how the punctuation in the answer choices affects these relationships. The portion of the sentence discussing the family's move to Italy is an introductory element and needs a comma to offset it from the rest of the sentence. The portion discussing what Varèse learned in Turin is a parenthetical element and also requires a comma. Therefore, choice (B) is correct.