PSAT Writing and Language Question 7: Answer and Explanation

Question: 7

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. co-founder of Google. Sergey Brin,
• C. co-founder of Google, Sergey Brin,
• D. co-founder, of Google, Sergey Brin

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

Commas change in the answer choices, so this question tests the four ways to use a comma. The phrase of Google is necessary information, so it should not be surrounded by commas. However, Sergey Brin is unnecessary information in this sentence, so it should have commas both before and after it. Therefore, the correct answer must have no comma before of Google, but commas before and after Sergey Brin. Eliminate (A) and (D) because they use a comma before of Google. Eliminate (B) because the first phrase of the sentence, The co-founder of Google, is an incomplete idea and cannot end with STOP punctuation. Choice (C) appropriately places commas both before and after the unnecessary phrase. The correct answer is (C).