PSAT Writing and Language Question 322: Answer and Explanation

Question: 322

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. feature. A
• C. feature—a
• D. feature a

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

Punctuation is changing in the answer choices, so this question is testing STOP, HALF-STOP, and GO punctuation. Use the Vertical Line Test and identify the ideas as complete or incomplete. Draw the vertical line through the word and, between the words feature and a, because the FANBOYS word and is part of the STOP punctuation. The first part of the sentence, A remote control could lock or unlock the door from a distance, and the invention included an additional feature, is a complete idea. The second part, a panic button that would call the police immediately, is an incomplete idea. To connect a complete idea to an incomplete idea, HALF-STOP or GO punctuation is needed. Eliminate (A) because a comma + and is STOP punctuation. Eliminate (B) because a period is STOP punctuation. Keep (C) because a long dash is HALF-STOP punctuation and supports the idea that the phrase after the dash explains the idea before the dash. Eliminate (D) because, though a lack of punctuation is GO punctuation, the phrase additional feature a panic button is not a continuous idea, so it needs to be interrupted. The correct answer is (C).