PSAT Writing and Language Question 97: Answer and Explanation

Question: 97

• A. NO CHANGE
• B. helplessly,
• C. helplessly
• D. helplessly;

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

C

Punctuation changes in the answer choices, so this question tests STOP, HALF-STOP, and GO punctuation. Use the Vertical Line Test and identify the ideas as complete or incomplete. Draw the vertical line between the words helplessly and as. The first part of the sentence, The medical establishment sat back helplessly, is a complete idea. The second part of the sentence, as the disease ravaged the city, is an incomplete idea. To connect a complete idea to an incomplete idea, HALF-STOP or GO punctuation can be used. Eliminate (D) because the semicolon is STOP punctuation. Eliminate (A) and (B) because there is no need to have any punctuation between the two parts of the sentence. The correct answer is (C).