PSAT Writing : Correcting Agreement Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Antecedent Agreement 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 loss of a parent at a young age can traumatize a person for the rest of your life.
for the rest of yourself's life.
on the rest of your life.
for the rest of your living.
for the rest of your life.
for the rest of his or her life.
for the rest of his or her life.
The use of "your" at the end of the sentence is confusing, as the only reference in the sentence is "a person," and the second person pronoun has no place in the sentence. Changing "your" to a third person possessive pronoun will straighten out this problem. Because we do not know whether the "person" in question is male or female, we should use the phrase "his or her." The correct answer choice, therefore, is "for the rest of his or her life."
Example Question #18 : Correcting Pronoun Antecedent Agreement 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 rites of ancient Roman religion are nearly impossible to recreate centuries after it was no longer an active faith.
after it was not an active faith.
after the faith not being active.
after the faith was no longer active.
after it was no longer an active faith.
after it was no longer active as a faith.
after the faith was no longer active.
The phrase as written in the underlined portion makes an odd reference. The subject of the sentence are the "rites," and not the religion. The faith needs to be specifically referenced, as well as being fully grammatically correct; therefore, "after the faith was no longer active" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #61 : Correcting Agreement 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
The belief in evil spirits remains quite widespread in many different part of the world.
many different part of the world.
many different parts of the world.
many different part of the world.
many differentiated part of the world.
many different part of a world.
many different parts of the world.
The error in the underlined portion of the sentence is its use of the singular form "part" after the adjectives "many different." As both adjectives indicate the plurality of the noun they describe, the singular noun "part" needs to be a plural noun to correct the error. "Many different parts of the world" is the correct answer choice because it is the only one in which this error is corrected.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Modifier Word Modified Agreement 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 appeal of art is largely a subjective experience that critics nonetheless take as an objective studies.
a studies of objectivity.
an objective studies.
an objective study.
the objective studies.
the study's objective.
an objective study.
The key issue with the underlined phrase is the simultaneous use of "an" and the plural form "studies." Either the singular "an" or the plural "studies" needs to be changed to make the forms match. "An objective study" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #311 : Correcting Word 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.
Dogs, unlike many types of birds, usually do not stay with their mate for life.
do not stay with there mates for life
do not stay with their mates for life
do not stay with there mate for life
do not stay with their mate for life
do not stay with they’re mates for life
do not stay with their mates for life
Since we are talking about "dogs" (plural), they must have "mates" (plural). Also, “their” is the possessive form of “they.” “There” denotes a place, and “they’re” is the contraction of “they are.”
Example Question #312 : Correcting Word 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.
I hate wearing my shoes when they are wet; it squeaks and squishes when I walk.
it squeaky and squishy when I walk.
they squeak and squish when I walk.
they squeaks and squishes when I walk.
it squeaks and squishes when I walk.
it squeak and squish when I walk.
they squeak and squish when I walk.
Because the pronoun in the next sentence is describing the "shoes," plural, the pronoun must be the plural "they." The verbs must also then follow the plural form "squeak and squish," making the correct answer "they squeak and squish when I walk." Note that a semicolon is correctly used to separate the two independent clauses making up this sentence, and also note that since the two clauses are combined into one sentence, the pronouns must remain consistent within that sentence, even though each clause is independent.
Example Question #313 : Correcting Word 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.
When I moved out of town, all of my classmates gave me a suggestion for how to make friends in my new school.
gave me suggestions for how to make friends
gave me a suggestion for how to make friends
give me a suggestion for how to make friends
giving me suggestions for how to make friends
give me suggestions for how to make friends
gave me suggestions for how to make friends
The plural "classmates" were suggesting, so he had to receive plural "suggestions." Also, since he "moved" (past tense) we have to say that the classmates "gave" (past tense) the suggestions. This means the correct answer is "gave me suggestions for how to make friends."
Example Question #314 : Correcting Word 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.
To Timmy, the best part of science fiction movies are the special effects.
The best part of science fiction movies, the special effects are, to Timmy.
To Timmy, the best parts of science fiction movies is the special effects.
To Timmy, the best part of science fiction movies are the special effects.
To Timmy, the best part of science fiction movies is the special effects.
To Timmy, the best parts of science fiction movie is the special effects.
To Timmy, the best part of science fiction movies is the special effects.
"To Timmy, the best part of science fiction movies is the special effects."
This is the only correct answer because the subject ("part") agrees in number with the verb ("is"). Do not be misled by the plural "movies"; it is not the subject.
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