PSAT Writing and Language Question 542: Answer and Explanation

Question: 542

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. specific trial, essentially jurors represent a panel of judges.
• C. specific trial: essentially jurors represent, a panel of judges.
• D. specific trial; essentially jurors, represent a panel of judges.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

(A) The clause up to the word "trial" is independent, as is the clause after "trial." Accordingly, sufficient punctuation is needed to separate the two. Eliminate choice (B) because it is a comma splice. In the second clause, "jurors represent a panel of judges," we want no punctuation separating the subject and predicate. Choices (C) and (D) both add unnecessary commas.