PSAT Writing and Language Question 695: Answer and Explanation

Question: 695

The author is considering changing the second-person "you" to the third-person "one" throughout the passage. Should the writer make this change?

• A. Yes, because it would make the essay more formal.
• B. Yes, because it would be consistent with general grammatical practices.
• C. No, because the essay would lose the sense of directly addressing the reader.
• D. No, because it would take away the primary focus of the essay on glassblowing.

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

(C) Changing from "you" to "one" would be especially problematic in the first paragraph, where the author focuses on engaging the reader's interest in glassmaking. Choice (D) is incorrect because changing from "you" to "one" would in no way shift the focus away from glassblowing.