PSAT Writing and Language Question 344: Answer and Explanation

Question: 344

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. diamonds, rubies, and
• C. diamonds; rubies and
• D. diamonds, rubies; and

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

B

Punctuation is changing in the answer choices, so this question is testing STOP, HALF-STOP, and GO punctuation. However, notice that punctuation is changing around three items in a list, so the question is also testing comma rules. In a list of three or more items, there needs to be a comma after each item in the list. Choice (A) has an extra comma after the word and, which is not correct, so eliminate (A). Choice (B) correctly uses a comma after every item in the list. Keep (B). Choices (C) and (D) each use a semicolon instead of a comma to separate two items in the list, which is not correct. Eliminate (C) and (D). The correct answer is (B).