Just. One. Writing. Question.

Test Preparation
1

<p>So there's one question that is bothering me like no other. And i do not buy collegeboard's explanation. Anyone wanna take a stab at it for me? I think I just need to hear another explanation</p>

<p>Modify the underline phrase by selecting the best answer, you know the drill...</p>

<p>14)Acquaintances of Alexei have commented that he is at once annoying because of his unpredictability but his imagination is still a delight</p>

<p>Answers:
A) but his imagination is still a delight
B) although he is delightfully imaginative
C) and he is delightful in his imagination too
D) while being imaginative and they are delighted
E) and delightful because of his imagination</p>

<p>Okay, I realized that A and B were pretty awkward but they seemed the only possible solutions as they highlighted the contrast between his "annoying" qualities and his "positive" imaginative ones. </p>

<p>However, CB doesn't think there's a contrast at all...rather a parallel? Though I dont understand how being imaginative and annoying can have similar connotations. Well here's their explanation:</p>

<p>Choice (E) is correct. It avoids the error of the original by providing a phrase (“delightful because of his imagination”) that is parallel with the phrase that precedes it (“annoying because of his unpredictability”) and coordinates with the adverbial phrase “at once” (“at once annoying . . . and delightful”).</p>

<p>Thanks for the help!</p>

2

<p>I think some pretend punctuation would help you see it clearly. For visual purposes, pretend it was punctuated like this… </p>

<p>“Acquaintances of Alexei have commented that he is at once: annoying because of his unpredictability and delightful because of his imagination.”</p>

<p>See how both sides of “and” match? I agree this is a tricky one and a “but” would sound more natural; however, the explanation makes sense. Both annoying and delightful apply to the “at once.” The “at once” does not necessarily apply to only the “annoying;” therefore, because the other choices have issues of their own, this is the best answer. Hope that helps!</p>

3

<p>Ah, yes. Thank you. It’s beginning to become a little clearer to me. So those two adjectives are joined together in a way (even though they are contrasting) as initial observations?</p>

<p>Also realized I should’ve posted this in the SAT subforum. Sorry about that.</p>