PSAT Writing and Language Question 480: Answer and Explanation

Question: 480

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. special type, of farmer one
• C. special type of farmer; one
• D. special type of farmer one

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

(A) The main clause in our sentence is, "A food scientist is a special type of farmer . . . ." We must separate this from any information that comes after. In this case, that is, "one charged with the role of improving the productivity and sustainability of farms." Choices (B) and (D) neglect a pause between "farmer" and "one," so they can be eliminated accordingly. The problem with choice (C) is that a semicolon requires the joining of two complete clauses. As the second clause is a fragment, the sentence therefore requires a comma as appropriately used in choice (A).