PSAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #481 : 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.
The ash trees that line the long driveway up to the mansion is diseased and likely to die soon. No error.
that
No error.
soon
is diseased
up to
is diseased
This sentence has a problem with subject-verb agreement. The subject “trees” is plural, but the verb “is” is singular. The corrected sentence reads: "The ash trees that line the long driveway up to the mansion are diseased and likely to die soon."
Example Question #5 : Identifying Agreement 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 agencies collaborating on the investigation is preparing a joint statement to share their findings with the press. No error.
is preparing
to
collaborating on
No error.
their findings
is preparing
In this sentence, the verb “is preparing” does not match its plural subject “agencies.” The corrected sentence reads, "The agencies collaborating on the investigation are preparing a joint statement to share their findings with the press."
Example Question #6 : Identifying Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Purple glitter and a mysterious odor often signifies the presence of Peruvian Sea Slugs, animals that are both rare and beautiful. No error.
No error.
often
signifies
both rare and beautiful
animals that are
signifies
The verb “signifies” should match in number with the compound subject, “purple glitter and a mysterious odor.” For a plural subject, “signify” would be correct. The corrected sentence reads, "Purple glitter and a mysterious odor often signify the presence of Peruvian Sea Slugs, animals that are both rare and beautiful."
Example Question #481 : 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.
The glaring sun, the intense music, and the actor's solemn speech combines to form an overdramatic effect. No error.
combines
an overdramatic effect
the actor's
No error.
glaring
combines
The subject of this sentence is compound and plural, but the verb agrees with a singular subject. The corrected sentence reads, "The glaring sun, the intense music, and the actor's solemn speech combine to form an overdramatic effect."
Example Question #8 : Identifying Agreement 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 accusation that the new neighbors stole my family's container gardens are a blatant lie. No error.
stole
The accusation that
blatant
gardens are
No error.
gardens are
In this sentence, the main verb "are" agrees with a plural subject. However, its subject is singular: "the accusation." The corrected sentence reads, "The accusation that the new neighbors stole my family's container gardens is a blatant lie."
Example Question #9 : Identifying Agreement 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 railroad between the towns of Greensburg and Rodbury were destroyed in the alien invasion last week. No error.
last week
were destroyed
Greensburg and Rodbury
between
No error.
were destroyed
The verb “were” agrees with a plural noun, but here its subject is the singular noun “railroad.” The corrected sentence reads, "The railroad between the towns of Greensburg and Rodbury was destroyed in the alien invasion last week."
Example Question #482 : 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.
The rich and the famous often eats in the fancy restaurants on Main Street. No error.
fancy restaurants
and the famous
often
eats
No error.
eats
The subject “The rich and the famous” refers to many people, and should be treated as a plural subject. However, the verb “eats” agrees with a singular subject. The corrected sentence would read, "The rich and the famous often eat in the fancy restaurants on Main Street."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My favorite history professor, as well as some of his administrative staff, were asked to resign because fewer students were taking history courses than ever before. No error
because
No error
than
were
as well as
were
In this sentence, the verb does not agree with the subject. The subject "professor" is singular (“as well as some of the administrative staff” is a modifying phrase and doesn’t count), so the correct verb form should be “was,” not “were.”
Example Question #1 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Stephanie claims that she wants to attend college after graduation, but her poor attitude about studying during senior year do not indicate that she enjoys being a student. No error
to attend
do not indicate
wants
studying
No error
do not indicate
"Her poor attitude about studying" is the subject of this clause, so the verb must agree with the singular subject "attitude." Therefore, the correct verb should be "does"—her attitude "does not indicate."
Example Question #483 : 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.
James is a proactive police officer, so although the local rebellious teenagers are annoyed by his strict nature, the overall safety of the town have improved drastically since he was hired. No error
have improved
strict nature
No error
so although
are annoyed
have improved
This is an issue of subject-verb agreement within this independent clause: "the overall safety of the town have improved drastically since he was hired." Simplified, the subject is "safety," which is a singular noun, so the verb must also be singular, making "have improved" incorrect and "has improved" the corrected verb.
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