PSAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #515 : 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.
Kiera only knits when she is upset, so her current desire to knit blankets for her entire family are a worrisome sign. No error
her
her current desire
are
No error
she
are
The verb "are" needs to agree with the subject "desire," so it must be singular—Kiera's desire to knit "is" a worrisome sign.
Example Question #516 : 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.
Mr. Fredrickson, who takes pride in acting as both a teacher and a mentor to his students, are ready for classes to begin next week. No error
No error
are
who
acting
to begin
are
Although the verb "are" is located close to the plural noun "students," it is actually referring to the subject of the sentence, "Mr. Fredrickson," so the verb should be the singular "is." When checking for subject-verb agreement, it can be helpful to identify just the subject and the verb, ignoring all descriptive phrases and focusing on whether the verb correctly matches the given subject.
Example Question #517 : 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.
Every morning, I eat a piece of whole grain toast with almond butter because the combination of carbohydrates and protein provide me with energy that lasts until lunch. No error
eat
because
provide
until
No error
provide
The verb "provide" refers to the subject "combination." Because "combination" is a singular noun, the verb needs be changed from "provide" to "provides." The verb may follow the two nouns "carbohydrates and protein," which makes the verb "provide" seem appropriate. However, those nouns are actually part of the prepositional phrase "of carbohydrates and protein." Breaking down a sentence to make sure that each verb agrees with its subject is a good start when looking for sentence errors!
Example Question #518 : 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.
Not one of Johnny's teachers believe he cheated on his exit exams; however, given the severity of the accusations, the school's administrators forced Johnny to retake all of his exit exams. No error
No error
believe
of
however
of Johnny's teachers
believe
In this sentence, "one" is the subject of the sentence, not "teachers," and "one" is a singular noun. As a result, the verb of the sentence ("believe") needs to match the subject's plurality. Therefore, the verb of the sentence must be singular, too: "Not one of the teachers believes."
Example Question #519 : 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.
The protest of students, professors, and community members were unsuccessful in their attempt to change the university's policy on sexual assault to include harsher punishments for assailants. No error
harsher
were unsuccessful in their
to change
No error
on
were unsuccessful in their
The subject of the sentence is "protest," not "students, professors, and community members." Thus, the verb of the sentence, "were," is incorrect. The verb must match the plurality of its subject. Since "protest" is singular, the verb must be singular, too: "The protest of students, professors, and community members was unsuccessful."
Example Question #520 : 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.
Neither Sheila nor Ann have ever gone to the fair without having bought tickets beforehand. No error
No error
having bought
beforehand
gone
have
have
The sentence features two subjects: "Sheila" and "Ann." The word "Neither" classifies them as singular, but the verb "have" is used with plural subjects. To correct this sentence, "have" should be changed to "has."
Example Question #521 : 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.
Early education programs, like the one started in that school district last year, has been shown to improve academic success later in life. No error
has been shown
No error
improve
later in life
like the one
has been shown
The subject of the sentence, "Early education programs," is plural, but the verb that refers to it, "has been shown," agrees with a singular subject. It can be easy to miss this because of the interrupting phrase that separates the sentence's subject from the verb that refers to it. Changing "has been shown" to "have been shown" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads, "Early education programs, like the one started in that school district last year, have been shown to improve academic success later in life."
Example Question #522 : Psat Writing Skills
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.
During the period of English colonialism, the reigning monarch, rather than elected officials, were responsible for nearly all political matters. No error
During
No error
were
rather than
for
were
The subject of this sentence is "the reigning monarch," which is singular, but the verb "were," which refers to "the reigning monarch," is plural. "Were" should be changed to "was" to match the singular subject.
Example Question #523 : 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.
Carefully crafted plots and a brilliantly developed main character is what makes the book so compelling. No error
No error
and
so compelling
brilliantly developed
is what makes
is what makes
This sentence has a plural, compound subject, but the verb "is" agrees with a singular subject. Changing "is" to "are" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads, "Carefully crafted plots and a brilliantly developed main character are what makes the book so compelling."
Example Question #524 : 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.
The rules posted in the lobby is intended to be guidelines only. No error
intended to be
No error
guidelines
is
posted
is
The subject of this sentence is plural ("rules"), but the verb "is" agrees with a singular subject. Changing "is" to "are" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads, "The rules posted in the lobby are intended to be guidelines only."
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