PSAT Writing and Language Question 659: Answer and Explanation

Question: 659

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. enough and therefore, doesn't have enough gravity, to clear its orbit.
• C. enough and therefore doesn't have enough gravity to clear, its orbit.
• D. enough, and, therefore, doesn't have enough gravity, to clear its orbit.

Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

(A) The parenthetical element here was tricky to diagnose. Nonetheless, "and therefore doesn't have enough gravity" was the parenthetical element. If you remove it from the sentence, the clause still functions perfectly well. As a rule, a parenthetical element can be surrounded by two dashes or two commas to separate it from the rest of the sentence. Choice (B) uses the two commas but actually splits the parenthetical element into pieces. Choice (C) omits the first comma. Choice (D) has entirely too many commas within the parenthetical element, preventing continuity. Choice (A) is the best option.