Correcting Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage - PSAT Writing

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Question

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

Does one have a responsibility to help others, or do you only have a responsibility to help yourself?

Answer

In the sentence as it is written, "one" and "you" are both used. You should stick to using one of these pronouns or the other, and not switch between them in a sentence.

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Question

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

When you go to a buffet, one should make sure that you do not overeat.

Answer

The sentence begins by using the pronoun "you," but then switches to using the pronoun "one." These should be kept consistent.

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Question

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.

While limiting artificial sugars is a wise thing to do, dietitians warn that one must also monitor your intake of salt, carbohydrates, and saturated fat.

Answer

“One" is being used as a third person singular pronoun in this sentence, so instead of "your," "one's" should be used later in the sentence.

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Question

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

If one is to construct a comprehensive model of the global economy, we must first account for alternating periods of expansion and contraction in the business cycle.

Answer

The original text contains a pronoun consistency error. The underlined portion of the sentence contains the pronoun "we," but the sentence uses "one" before that. In order to maintain consistency, the underlined portion should use "one" rather than "we."

The answer choice "one had first accounted for" contains a tense error, even though it correctly uses "one" instead of "we."

The answer choice "one must first account to" is incorrect because the correct idiom is "account for."

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Question

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

If one wishes to understand a musical composition fully, we must consider the time period in which it was written.

Answer

The answer choice "one must consider the time period in which it was written" is correct because it contains the word "one," which matches the word "one" used in the first clause of the sentence.

All of the other answer choices are incorrect because they contain the pronoun "we," and therefore lead to pronoun agreement errors.

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Question

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Though one must respect the opinions of others, you do not have to change your values to become part of the crowd.

Answer

Since the third person pronoun "one" was used to describe the subject in the beginning, the subject must be referred to as "one" throughout the sentence. The correct answer is "one does not have to change one's values and become part of the crowd."

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