PSAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Semicolon Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Abigail’s favorite pastime was hiking; and she often hiked with friends in the mountains near her house. No error
hiking; and she
near her house
with friends
No error
Abigail's
hiking; and she
The option with an error is “hiking; and she.” Semicolons can be used to separate two phrases that could each stand as their own sentence but are related to each other in topic. The problem with “hiking; and she” is that the semicolon is being used to separate two ideas that are related, but the material that follows the semicolon is a fragment and cannot stand as a sentence on its own. This problem could easily be corrected by removing the “and” so the entire passage reads, “Abigail’s favorite pastime was hiking; she often hiked with friends in the mountains near her house.”
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Bianca and the sister were at odds because although they were members of the same family, they felt differently about their parents' divorce. No error
No error
because
the sister
their
differently
the sister
The error in this sentence arises where we are told that Bianca and her sister disagree over their parents' divorce, but her sister is presented abstractly; the correct usage of "her sister" allows the individual mentioned to be presented in relation to Bianca. Without the "her," we cannot be certain what the relation is, although it is clearly indicated elsewhere in the sentence.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Since Molly won first place and Meg won second, she was honored at the awards ceremony after dinner. No error
at
won
after dinner
No error
she was
she was
This sentence has an ambiguous pronoun. To whom does "she" refer? You could fix this either by referring to both women with "they," if it is indeed the case that both were honored at the awards ceremony after dinner, or by replacing "she" with the name of the woman being specified.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Mr. Harris told Mr. Jarvins that at the latest staff meeting, the owner of the company expressed a strong interest in promoting him to a senior executive position. No error
him
No error
executive
expressed
interest in
him
This sentence contains an ambiguous pronoun. We don't know whether "him" refers to Mr. Harris or Mr. Jarvins, so "him" is the error in the sentence. If we wanted to fix the error, we would have to replace "him" with the unique name of the person—Mr. Harris or Mr. Jarvins—being considered for the promotion.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jim and Tommy were late to work for the fourth time that week, since they had to pick her up at the airport and her flight was late. No error
since
were
No error
they
her
her
This is an ambiguous pronoun. We are not sure to whom "her" refers. The sentence should use her name.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Many experts advocate changing how children learn to write, theorizing that they will have more success in the long run. No error
theorizing
to write
changing
they
No error
they
"They" is an ambiguous pronoun reference—it could refer to either "experts" or "children."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After the party, Janet organized her bedroom, collected several bags of clothing for donation, and drove it to the local thrift store. No error
After the party,
it
No error
donation, and
bedroom, collected
it
The error in this sentence is the use of the word "it" to refer to "several bags of clothing." In this case, the pronoun—"it"— is singular when it should be plural ("them").
Example Question #4 : Identifying Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jeff gave up a lucrative private law practice to become an apprentice shoemaker, and his wife could not believe he did it. No error.
lucrative private law practice
did it
and
No error.
could not
did it
This sentence uses the pronoun “it” to describe an action: giving up a job and becoming an apprentice shoemaker. The pronoun “so” is used to refer to actions. The corrected sentence reads: "Jeff gave up a lucrative private law practice to become an apprentice shoemaker, and his wife could not believe he did so."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Despite it's positive critical reception, many members of the general public disliked the play, believing that the director betrayed his homegrown roots in order to appeal to a wealthier audience. No error
No error
appeal to
believing that the director
it's
members of the general public
it's
"It's" is an abbreviation for "it is." Here, "its" should be used in order to show possession. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "it's."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Incorrect Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Given that the mother walks very slowly and that the son never seems to be in much of a rush, it is safe to say that the family likes to take their time. No error
Given
their
No error
never
it is
their
"Family" is singular. Therefore, the possessive pronoun that refers to it should be singular as well. Thus, "its" should be used instead of "their."
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