PSAT Writing : PSAT Writing Skills
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Example Questions
Example Question #51 : 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 physicality in the performance of each and every one of the dancers overwhelm the audience; nobody can describe what they have just witnessed. No error
overwhelm
No error
they
of each and every one
audience; nobody
overwhelm
In this sentence, the verb “overwhelm” does not agree with the singular subject “the physicality.” The corrected sentence reads: "The physicality in the performance of each and every one of the dancers overwhelms the audience; nobody can describe what they have just witnessed."
Example Question #52 : 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 many facets of the problem leads to a variety of approaches that we could use to solve it. No error
that
many
No error
it
leads
leads
In this sentence, the verb “leads” does not agree in number with the subject “facets.” The subject is plural, but the “leads” works with a singular subject. The corrected sentence reads: The many facets of the problem lead to a variety of approaches that we could use to solve it.
Example Question #594 : 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 unexpected donation, along with the other annual contributions, are among the reasons the opera remained open this season. No error
along with
contribution, are
No error
the reasons the
remained open
contribution, are
Watch out for subject/verb agreement. Here the subject is "donation," which is singular, so the verb should be "is."
Example Question #54 : 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 list of items to buy for the parade were given to the treasurer to approve. No error
No error
to approve
of items
were given
to buy
were given
Look for subject/verb agreement: here the subject is "list," not "items," so the correct verb would be "was."
Example Question #55 : 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 journalist is wrong: neither the President nor Congress were responsible for the unintended effects of the bill. No error
effects
No error
of the bill
were responsible
wrong: neither
were responsible
Watch for subject/verb agreement. Two singular nouns (President and Congress) connected by "or" require a singular verb—"was" instead of "were."
Example Question #595 : 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.
In the end, neither Jane nor her friends were able to discover where the treasure was buried. No error
were able
neither Jane nor
was buried
where
No error
No error
There is no error. Subjects all agree with their verbs, particularly with the phrase "neither Jane nor her friends were able to discover"—a singular and plural verb connected by "or/nor" requires a plural verb.
Example Question #57 : 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 tantalizing aromas issuing from the restaurant’s kitchen is its best marketing technique. No error
tantalizing
is
No error
its
issuing from
is
Here, the verb “is” does not agree with the plural subject “aromas.” The corrected sentence reads, "The tantalizing aromas issuing from the restaurant’s kitchen are its best marketing technique."
Example Question #541 : 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 days immediately following the treatment has always been the most difficult, but the discomfort will improve soon. No error
immediately following
has always been
No error
difficult,
but
has always been
In this sentence the verb “has always been” does not agree in number with the plural subject “days.” The corrected sentence would read: The days immediately following the treatment have always been the most difficult, but the discomfort will improve soon.
Example Question #59 : 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 children of the lady who brought us a cake yesterday is coming over to play tomorrow. No error
No error
is
who
children of
tomorrow
is
In this sentence, the verb does not match the plural subject. The corrected sentence reads, "The children of the lady who brought us a cake yesterday are coming over to play tomorrow."
Example Question #60 : 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.
To the dismay of the audience, neither the prime minister nor any of his aides were able to attend the banquet. No error.
any
neither
were
No error
To
were
The subject neither is singular, while the verb were is plural. Were should be was.
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