PSAT Writing and Language Question 371: Answer and Explanation

Question: 371

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. The study, though,
• C. As previously stated, the study
• D. The study additionally

Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

D

Transitions are changing in the answer choices, so this question is testing consistency of ideas. A transition must be consistent with the relationship between the ideas it connects. The sentence before the transition states that A 2017 study…showed a 95 percent overall success rate for robotic surgeries, and the sentence that starts with the transition states that the same study showed that no patients had complications from the surgeries mentioned in the previous sentence. These ideas agree, so a same-direction transition is needed. Surprisingly implies that the second sentence will provide information that is unexpected to follow the first sentence. Since both ideas are positive, this is not the correct direction. Eliminate (A). The two sentences agree, so eliminate (B), which contains an opposite-direction transition. As previously stated indicates that the positive recoveries of patients was previously mentioned. This is not true, so eliminate (C). The second sentence provides an additional outcome of the study mentioned in the first sentence, so additionally is an appropriate link between the two ideas. Keep (D). The correct answer is (D).