PSAT Writing and Language Question 2: Answer and Explanation

Question: 2

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. time's for their different reason's.
• C. times for they're different reasons.
• D. times for their different reasons.

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

Apostrophes change in the answer choices, so the question tests apostrophe usage. When used with a noun, on the PSAT, an apostrophe indicates possession. In this sentence, there are two nouns with apostrophes: time and reason. Nothing belongs to either time or reason, so no apostrophes are needed. Eliminate (A) and (B) because both use apostrophes with time and reason. When used with a pronoun, an apostrophe indicates a contraction. In this sentence, the different reasons belong to the different groups, so the correct pronoun must show possession. Eliminate (C) because they're is a contraction of "they are," which is not necessary in this sentence. Choice (D) correctly uses the possessive pronoun their. The correct answer is (D).