PSAT Writing : Identifying No Error Questions
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #11 : 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.
Though the soup’s flavor is best when cremini mushrooms are used, it is possible to substitute white button mushrooms. No error.
soup's flavor
No error.
when
used, it
to substitute
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! “Soup’s flavor” is an appropriate use of an apostrophe, “when” is the appropriate opener for an adverbial phrase, the comma in “used, it” is correct, and the form of the verb in “to substitute” is also correct.
Example Question #12 : 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.
Chewing furiously, Moe tried to break up a stubborn chunk of venison. No error.
of venison
Chewing furiously
tried to
No error.
stubborn
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! “Chewing furiously” is a phrase modifying the subject, “tried to” has the correct preposition following the verb, “stubborn” is an adjective modifying a noun, and “of venison” is an appropriately formed prepositional phrase.
Example Question #13 : 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.
On the genetic level, the difference between a dung beetle and a rhinoceros is quite small. No error.
is
and
No error.
quite small
genetic
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! “Genetic” is an adjective that modifies a noun, “and” is the appropriate conjunction, “is” is a verb that is in the right tense and matches its subject, and “quite small” is a correct adverb-adjective combination.
Example Question #31 : 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.
It is rare but not unheard of for goats to start chasing wild turkeys. No error.
but not unheard of
No error.
start chasing
It is
rare
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! "It is" is an appropriate pronoun-verb combination, "rare" is an adjective describing an idea, "but not unheard of" is an appropriately used idiom, and "start chasing" is the correct conjugation of the verb.
Example Question #32 : 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.
As to the astonishing amount of radishes piled on her front porch, Mrs. Lawton was flabbergasted. No error.
her
was flabbergasted
As to
piled
No error.
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! "As to" is an appropriate transition to introduce a new topic, "piled" is the correct form of the verb, "her" is a pronoun that agrees with its antecedent, and "was flabbergasted" is an appropriate verb-adjective combination.
Example Question #33 : 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 professor was certain that her research would provoke controversy and heated discussion throughout the academic community. No error.
was certain
her
would provoke
No error.
throughout the academic community
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! "Was certain" has a verb that agrees with its noun and an adjective that modifies that noun, "her" is a pronoun that agrees with its antecedent, "would provoke" is a verb in the correct tense, and "throughout the academic community" is a correctly-formed prepositional phrase.
Example Question #34 : 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.
Johnny much preferred flannel shirts and bluegrass music to suits and jazz. No error.
to
much
No error.
preferred
flannel shirts and bluegrass music
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! "Much" is an adverb modifying "preferred," "preferred" is a verb in the correct tense and person, "flannel shirts and bluegrass music" follows parallel structure, and "to" creates the comparison.
Example Question #35 : 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.
Gail voraciously attacked the steak dinner that Carl had prepared for her birthday. No error.
voraciously
No error.
had prepared
attacked
that
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! “Voraciously” is an adverb that modifies a verb, “attacked” is a verb in the correct tense, “that” is an appropriate relative pronoun, and “had prepared” is a verb in the correct tense.
Example Question #36 : 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.
Many countries have their own carnival celebrations where all of the people dress up and frolic in the streets. No error.
dress up and frolic
their
where
Many
No error.
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! “Many” is an adjective describing a noun, “their” is a pronoun that matches its antecedent, “where” is the appropriate relative pronoun, and “dress up and frolic” uses correct parallel structure.
Example Question #37 : 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 dancers hopped like frogs across the stage, and Duncan wondered what was going on. No error.
No error.
what
going
stage, and
hopped like frogs
No error.
This sentence is correct as written. “Hopped like frogs” is a correctly-formed verb phrase, the comma in “stage, and” is correct, “what” is the correct pronoun, and “going” is an appropriately-used gerund.
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