PSAT Writing : Identifying Other Errors or No Error
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #61 : Identifying No Error Questions
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Despite the odd smell and the suspicious noise it made when I turned left too quickly, the old car served its basic function of traveling down the road. No error
when
and the suspicious noise
Despite
No error
served
No error
This sentence is correct as written! “Despite” works with the logic of the sentence, “and the suspicious noise” is grammatically parallel to “odd smell,” “when” introduces the dependent clause appropriately, and “served” is in the correct tense.
Example Question #62 : Identifying No Error Questions
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Performers are starting to move their art outdoors; they seek to engage a new audience by bringing theater to the sidewalks and public parks. No error
are starting
No error
they
and
by bringing
No error
This sentence is correct as written! The progressive tense works for “are starting,” “they” agrees with “performers,” “by bringing” is a correctly phrased transition, and “and” is the logical conjunction.
Example Question #63 : Identifying No Error Questions
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The agency’s response was swift and thorough: all agents were immediately removed from the field and told not to disclose any details of the incident. No error
told
immediately
swift and thorough
agency's response
No error
No error
This sentence is correct as written! “Agency’s response” is a correctly-formed possessive, “swift and thorough” are two adjectives coordinated correctly, “immediately” is an adverb that modifies a verb, and “told” is a verb in the correct tense.
Example Question #39 : Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I found it bothersome that the saleswoman said the cheetah-print ottoman did not come in purple, especially since we special ordered one to match our living room’s color palette. No error
one
No error
bothersome
said
especially
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “Bothersome” is an adjective that describes a pronoun, “said” is a verb in the correct tense, “especially” is an adverb that is used appropriately, and “one” is a pronoun that agrees with its antecedent.
Example Question #81 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Stooping down to tie her shoe, Margaret saw a tiny note scribbled onto the wall only a few inches above the floor. No error
No error
saw
above the floor
Stooping down
above the floor
Stooping down
saw
scribbled
scribbled
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “Stooping down” uses a conventional combination of verb and preposition, “saw” is in the correct tense, “scribbled” is also in the correct tense, and “above the floor” is an appropriate prepositional phrase.
Example Question #82 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Despite her insistence that Halloween was her favorite holiday, Melanie could never remember whether it was the 30th or 31st. No error
could never remember
her
was
it
No error
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “Her” is a pronoun that agrees with “Melanie,” “was” is a verb in the correct tense, “could never remember” is an appropriate combination of verb and adverb, and “it” is a pronoun that agrees with “Halloween.”
Example Question #42 : Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Upon the discovery that she couldn’t completely open her right eye, Joanna decided it was finally time to visit a doctor. No error
Upon the discovery
was
completely
eye, Joanna
No error
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “Upon the discovery” is an appropriate idiomatic use of a preposition, “completely” is an adverb that modifies a verb, the comma between “eye” and “Joanna” is grammatical, and “was” is a verb in the correct tense.
Example Question #83 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Seeking radical change in the way his second grade classroom was run, Joey tried to mobilize the students and motivate them to form a student union. No error
them
No error
was run
in the way
Seeking
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “Seeking” is a gerund verb that starts a correct modifying phrase, “in the way” is a conventional prepositional phrase, “was run” is an appropriate use of the passive voice, and “them” is a pronoun that agrees with its antecedent “the students.”
Example Question #84 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Margaret was full of nagging doubts; she couldn’t remember if Wednesday or Thursday was the last time she had seen her pet tarantula. No error
Wednesday or Thursday
doubts; she
full of
No error
had seen
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “Full of” is a conventional combination of adjective and preposition, the semi-colon between “doubts” and “she” is grammatical, “Wednesday or Thursday” is coordinated correctly, and “had seen” is in the correct tense.
Example Question #85 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
She found the cheerful, busy atmosphere of the café to be energizing, but her favorite place to spend time remained the reading room of the library. No error
remained
No error
but
to be
cheerful, busy
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “Cheerful, busy” is a correct combination of adjectives modifying a noun, “to be” is a conventional way to follow the very “found,” “but” is a logical conjunction, and “remained” is a verb in the correct tense.
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