PSAT Writing and Language Question 254: Answer and Explanation

Question: 254

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. In 1890, first introduced by Senator John Sherman of Ohio, the U.S. Congress passed the Sherman Antitrust Act.
• C. The U.S. Congress passed the Sherman Antitrust Act, first introduced by Senator John Sherman of Ohio, in 1890.
• D. The U.S. Congress, first introduced by Senator John Sherman of Ohio, passed the Sherman Antitrust Act in 1890.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

Difficulty: Medium

Category: Agreement: Modifiers

Getting to the Answer: Modifying phrases must be placed as close as possible to what they modify. The intended meaning is not that the U.S. Congress was "first introduced by Senator John Sherman of Ohio"; rather, the phrase describes the Sherman Antitrust Act. Only (C) correctly places the modifying phrase adjacent to the Act, so (C) is correct.