PSAT Writing and Language Question 70: Answer and Explanation

Question: 70

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. span; furs
• C. span, furs
• D. span, but furs

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

C

The punctuation is changing in the answer choices, so the question is testing STOP and GO punctuation. Use the Vertical Line Test, and identify the ideas as complete or incomplete. Draw the vertical line between the words span and furs. The phrase within a very short span is an incomplete idea and the phrase furs had become the dominant trade items in the region is a complete idea. Therefore, GO punctuation is needed. The period and the semicolon are STOP punctuation, so eliminate (A) and (B). The comma is GO punctuation, so keep (C). The word but is one of the FANBOYS, and a comma plus one of the FANBOYS is STOP punctuation; eliminate (D). The correct answer is (C).