PSAT Writing and Language Question 358: Answer and Explanation

Question: 358

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. crabs, perchance,
• C. crabs, perhaps,
• D. crabs, possibly,

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

A

The word after crabs is changing in the answer choices, so this question is testing precision and concision. First determine whether any of the words after crabs is necessary. The non-underlined portion of the sentence includes the word suspect and the phrase may have, so there is no need to further emphasize that Pope's statement (crabs may have…abilities) is a theory. Eliminate (B), (C), and (D) because perchance, perhaps, and possibly are all redundant. The correct answer is (A).