PSAT Writing : PSAT Writing Skills
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #23 : Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Lindsey, Krista, and Whitney pooled their allowances to buy a new game for them to share. No error
their
to buy
for them to share
and Whitney
No error
No error
This sentence has no grammatical errors. It correctly utilizes the oxford comma to separate "Krista" from "Whitney" in the list of subjects, the plural pronoun "their," the infinitive "to buy," and the prepositional phrase "for them to share."
Example Question #24 : Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Charlie preferred tackling new and exciting challenges to repeating the same boring procedures. No error
new and exciting
No error
preferred
the same boring procedures
to
No error
The sentence is correct as written! "Preferred" is in the correct tense, "new and exciting" are adjectives modifying a noun, "to" is the correct word to make a comparison, and "the same boring procedures" is an appropriate noun phrase.
Example Question #25 : Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Joan always wanted to be a famous surgeon when she grew up, but my ambition was to be a landscape architect. No error
No error
was to be a
but
famous
she
No error
This sentence is correct as written! "Famous" is an adjective describing a noun, "she" is a pronoun that agrees with its antecedent, "but" is the appropriate conjunction, and "was to be a" is a correct combination of verbs and an indefinite article.
Example Question #26 : Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Susan, a fabulous salsa dancer, is also a brilliant data analyst. No error
No error
a fabulous salsa dancer
analyst
is
brilliant
No error
This sentence contains no grammatical errors and needs to stylistic adjustments made to it.
Example Question #27 : Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Unfortunately, the organization suffered from poor governance at the national level. No error
Unfortunately
No error
poor
suffered from
the national level
No error
This sentence is correct as written. "Unfortunately" is an adverb modifying the sentence as a whole, "suffered from" uses the correct tense and preposition, "poor" is an adjective modifying a noun, and "the national level" is a correctly formed noun phrase.
Example Question #28 : Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Because of a severe drought in the western half of the country, produce prices skyrocketed. No error
skyrocketed
western half
No error
Because of
severe
No error
This sentence is correct as written! It's okay to start a sentence with "because" if you have a main clause after, "severe" is an adjective modifying a noun, "western half" is formatted correctly (no capitalization!), and "skyrocketed" is a verb in the correct tense.
Example Question #29 : Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Never one to turn down a challenge, Pablo decided that he was going to revolutionize the classic canvas tote bag. No error
was going to revolutionize
that
turn down
one
No error
No error
This sentence is correct as written! "One" is the appropriate pronoun, "turn down" is a verb in the correct tense, "that" is the correct relative pronoun, and "was going to revolutionize" is a correctly formed verb phrase.
Example Question #30 : Identifying Sentences That Contain No 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 he arrived in Minnesota two weeks ago, my uncle Ted has gone fishing at least ten times. No error
my
has gone fishing
two weeks ago
No error
arrived in
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “Arrived in” is a conventional combination of verb and preposition, “two weeks ago” is a correctly formed adverbial phrase, “my” is a pronoun used correctly, and “has gone fishing” is in the appropriate tense.
Example Question #31 : Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Covered in tapestries, paintings, and maps, the cozy library looked like it held a million secrets. No error
cozy
it
looked
No error
Covered in
No error
Nothing in this sentence needs to be changed!
Example Question #32 : Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I would rather run an entire marathon than spend one more day sitting at that table nibbling crumpets. No error
than spend one more day
No error
entire
nibbling
that
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “Entire” is an adjective that modifies a noun, “than spend one more day” is a logical comparison, “that” is a demonstrative pronoun used correctly, and “nibbling” is a present progressive verb that describes a concurrent action.
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