PSAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If under a lot of stress, your much more likely to make mistakes that you otherwise would not make if operating under normal circumstances. No error
your
No error
otherwise
operating under
under
your
“Your” is the possessive form of the pronoun "you," which doesn't make sense in the sentence. The word “you’re,” the contracted form of “you are," should be used instead.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My cousin insists on eating hole wheat bread because it is supposed to contain more fiber than the white bread that the rest of our family eats. No error
than
on
hole
it is
No error
hole
The "whole" in "whole wheat" refers to the use of whole grains. "Hole" is a noun, and conveys a physical hole. In this context, the underlined word should be spelled "whole," not "hole."
Example Question #4 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Like a mussel, patience can be strengthened with exercise, time, practice, and persistence. No error
mussel
No error
can be
and
with
mussel
A "mussel" is a type of shellfish and is not appropriate for this sentence. The word that the sentence needs to use is "muscle."
Example Question #3394 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Even though the teacher told the student, "You have to remove you're shoes," the advice made no impact. No error
you're
No error
though
made
student,
you're
The underlined word, "you're" should be "your," as it is reflecting the student's possession of his or her shoes. "You're" is used when intending to communicate "you are," which would not be appropriate for this sentence.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It doesn’t matter weather it is rainy or sunny tomorrow, because the volleyball team is sure to hold practice. No error
sure to
or
weather
because
No error
weather
When describing two possibilities, the appropriate word is “whether,” not “weather,” which refers to the climate.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Bill, who was not looking forward to seeing his mean cousins, told his mother, “There going to make fun of me.” No error
forward to
No error
his
who
There
There
"They’re" is a contraction that means “they are," whereas "there" refers to a specified location. “They’re” is the appropriate word to use in this sentence, not “there.”
Example Question #6 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Mario yelled, “You’re not the only one whose tired; it’s been a long day, and practice was truly exhausting.” No error
it's
No error
you're
whose
yelled,
whose
The contraction “who’s," which is a shortened form of "who is," should replace “whose,” which is a possessive pronoun and doesn't make sense in the sentence.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Many people are not aware of the duel function of honey; it’s both a natural sweetener and an antiseptic for lesions and other wounds. No error
No error
Many people are
honey;
it's
duel
duel
A "duel” is a fight that adheres to a specific set of rules, while “dual” means having the quality of two. So, "duel" is being incorrectly used in this sentence, and to correct the sentence's error, you would need to replace "duel" with "dual."
Example Question #421 : Identifying 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.
They're really excited that their are so many flavors to choose from for the birthday cake. No error
No error
their
to
They're
that
their
"Their" is a possessive pronoun that means "belonging to them," but nothing is being possessed by anyone here; the flavors do not belong to anyone in this sentence. "There" would be more appropriate.
Example Question #422 : Identifying 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.
Randy warned his children that they’re family would stand out once they moved to Tokyo, simply because of how different they would look compared to many other people in Japan. No error
how
once
they're
his
No error
they're
“They’re” is used to abbreviate the phrase “they are,” while “their” is used to show possession. Since possession is being shown, “their” should be used, not “they’re.”
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