All PSAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Correcting Grammatical Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The beach can be a fun place to visit about long weekends.
The beach can be a fun place to visit about long weekends.
The beach can be a fun place to visit on long weekends.
The beach is often a fun place to visit around long weekends.
The beach is always a fun place to visit beyond long weekends.
The beach is always a fun place to visit further long weekends.
The beach can be a fun place to visit on long weekends.
Here, the preposition "on" is most appropriate of the choices available.
Example Question #11 : Act English
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Never before did the members of the class see a sight such like that.
sight such like that.
a sight such that.
a sight such as that.
a sight such like that.
a sight such like.
a sight such as that.
"Such as" and "like" are related terms, with both being used to indicate examples of things mentioned earlier in the sentence. The correct usage, however, is either "such as" or "like," with "such like" being completely incorrect. The correct answer is "a sight such as that."
Example Question #221 : Correcting Usage Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The intrusion caught the family completely for surprise, barely making a sound in the middle of the night.
by
during
for
of
at
by
The correct idiomatic expression in English is "by surprise;" none of the other prepositions work as well.