PSAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #93 : 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.
Spinning around to face the intruder, Jack stifled a cry of recognition. No error
No error
stifled
a cry of recognition
to face
Spinning
No error
This sentence is correct as written! "Spinning", "to face," and "stifled" are all the correct forms of the verbs, and "a cry of recognition" is a well-formed noun phrase.
Example Question #94 : Identifying No Error Questions
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.
My Aunt Carolyn was the one who answered the telephone, but she was not with whom I wanted to speak.
but she was not who I wanted to speak with.
but she was not with who I wanted to speak.
but she was not whom I wanted to speak with.
but she was not with whom I wanted to speak to.
but she was not with whom I wanted to speak.
but she was not with whom I wanted to speak.
No error. Because "whom" is the object of the preposition "with," it is correct. Also, English grammar dictates that sentences should not end with prepositions, so the preposition “with” cannot be the last word of the sentence.
Example Question #95 : 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.
Although I already bought tickets to the upcoming football game, I suddenly fell ill this afternoon, and will have to miss the game. No error
Although
No error
will have to
bought
suddenly fell ill
No error
This sentence correctly uses verb tenses. The speaker describes previously purchasing tickets, and "bought" correctly conveys that event as taking place in the past. In the present, the speaker gets sick, which "suddenly fell ill" indicates. Finally, the speaker states he or she will have to miss the game in the future, as "will have to" correctly conveys.
Example Question #96 : 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.
Increasing discretionary income, a result of the Industrial Revolution, fostered the creation of a unique working-class identity in Victorian Britain. No error
a result of
No error
Industrial Revolution
Increasing discretionary income,
of a unique
No error
There are no grammatical errors in this sentence. The interrupting phrase "a result of the Industrial Revolution" is correctly set-off from the the sentence with commas. "A unique working class identity" is correctly treated as singular, since this "identity", while applied to a whole class of people, is itself a singular, unified idea.
Example Question #101 : Identifying Other Errors Or No Error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The Black Death, which struck Europe around 1350 CE, was introduced through the Port of Venice and killed between one third and one half the population of Europe. No error
and killed
around 1350 CE
Death, which
No error
one third and one half
No error
There is no error in this sentence.
Example Question #1 : Identifying No Errors Or Other Errors
When I get home from school, I like to relax by playing my guitar, eating a snack, watching a television show, and taking a nap.
When I will have gotten home from school, I like to relax by playing my guitar, eating a snack, watching a television show, and taking a nap.
(No changes to original)
When I get home from school, I like to relaxing by playing my guitar, eating a snack, watching a television show, and taking a nap.
When I got home from school, I like to relax by playing my guitar, eating a snack, watching a television show, and taking a nap.
When I get home from school, I like to relax by playing my guitar, to eat a snack, watching a television show, and to take a nap.
(No changes to original)
There is no error in the original sentence.
Example Question #102 : Identifying Other Errors Or No Error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After days of indecision, the school's Board of Athletic Safety and Welfare has decidedto delay further discussion of the new agenda until its next annual meeting. No error
has decided to delay
further
indecision
No error
of the new agenda
No error
This sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Other Errors
The United States has been a country of immigrants since its foundation. This is still true today. The United States allows more people to immigrate to it then any other country. This stream of immigration have resulted in an extremely diverse population with many different cultures and languages. As most public schools in the United States provide a monolingual education, immigrant parents are often unsure of whether or not they should teach their children their heritage language.
There are many myths surrounding the idea of bilingual education that prevent its widespread implementation in public schools. However, bilingual education has actually been shown to produce higher achievements in both languages. As well as enhance problem solving and critical thinking skills. Because some public school systems have successfully implemented bilingual education, there are still enormous difficulties in terms of resources and support from the U.S. Board of Education.
Which of the following sentences contains an error in subject-verb agreement?
As the United States School system provides a monolingual education, immigrant parents are often unsure of whether or not to teach their children their heritage language.
This stream of immigration have resulted in an extremely diverse population with many different cultures and languages.
However, bilingual education has actually been shown to produce higher acheivements in both languages.
There are many myths surrounding the idea of bilingual education that prevent its widespread implementation in public schools.
As most public schools in the United States provide a monolingual education, immigrant parents are often unsure of whether or not they should teach their children their heritage language.
This stream of immigration have resulted in an extremely diverse population with many different cultures and languages.
The sentence which contains an error is "This stream of immigration have resulted in an extremely diverse population with many different cultures and languages." The verb used should be "has" rather than "have" because the subject of the sentence is the singular "stream."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The buzz of unfamiliar languages filled the room as international travelers swapped stories and comparing adventures. No error.
filled
buzz of unfamiliar languages
as international travelers
No error.
comparing
comparing
This sentence does not correctly use parallel structure between elements. “Swapped” and “comparing” should be formatted similarly. The corrected sentence reads, "The buzz of unfamiliar languages filled the room as international travelers swapped stories and compared adventures."
Example Question #122 : 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.
When I worked for Mr. Tipler, my daily duties included running the cash register, cleaning the store, and records of inventory. No error.
records of inventory
daily duties
When I worked
No error.
cleaning
records of inventory
This sentence does not demonstrate proper parallel structure among the elements in the list. Each should be formatted similarly. So, because the first two elements in the list are gerunds ("running" and "cleaning"), the noun phrase "records of inventory" should be changed to a gerund as well. The corrected sentence reads, "When I worked for Mr. Tipler, my daily duties included running the cash register, cleaning the store, and recording inventory."
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