PSAT Writing : Identifying Conjunction Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My library normally only allows patrons to check out three books at a time, and when I explained that I needed to check out more than that because I was working on a term paper, they allowed me to do so. No error
time, and
No error
they allowed me to do so
My library normally only allows
when I explained that I needed to check out more than that
time, and
This sentence's error is one that has to do with the logic of conjunctions. The conjunction "and" is used to join two sentences that do not contradict each other. This is not the case with these two sentences: based on the first sentence, you would think that the speaker would only be allowed to check out three books, but this is not the case. So, "and" is not the correct conjunction to use; changing "and" to "but" would correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Other Conjunction 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 bake more cookies, and every time I do, my oven burns them. No error
every time I do, my oven
would
and
No error
them
and
This sentence begins with "I would bake more cookies" but then the speaker gives a reason why he or she does not bake more cookies, "every time [he or she] tries to bake cookies, [his or her] oven burns them." So, "and" is not the correct conjunction to use in this sentence. A conjunction like "but" is needed to contrast the two parts of the sentence and convey why the speaker does not bake more cookies even though he or she "would."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Other Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jonathan was a devoted fan of music of almost any kind, and he just could not tolerate reggae. No error
and
almost any
No error
could not tolerate
devoted
and
This sentence is not coordinated correctly. Logically, the second half contradicts the message of the first, so the conjunction “but” would be more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads: Jonathan was a devoted fan of music of almost any kind, but he just could not tolerate reggae.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Only six students attended the football game on Saturday, and many students went instead to the school dance. No error
and
on
No error
to
attended
and
This sentence contains an error in the logical expression of ideas. The original text uses the conjunction "and," which fails to capture the cause and effect relationship between low attendance at the football game and students going to the dance instead. A better conjunction to express the cause and effect relationship would be "because."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jack was the one who got us into this dangerous situation, but he has absolutely no right to complain. No error
dangerous
but
to complain
the one
No error
but
This sentence isn’t coordinated correctly. The conjunction “but” does not describe the logical connection between the two parts of the sentence. A better alternative would be, "John was the one who got us into this dangerous situation, so he has absolutely no right to complain."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
As his friends cut the triple layer chocolate cake, the author felt cheerful but newly energized. No error
newly energized
but
No error
felt
As
but
This sentence uses the wrong coordinating conjunction. Since “cheerful” and “newly energized” are similar, the conjunction “and” should be used. The corrected sentence reads, "As his friends cut the triple layer chocolate cake, the author felt cheerful and newly energized."
Example Question #5 : Identifying Other Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Unlike his mentor, acheiving the title of "partner" by the time he was thirty years old, Jon does not think that he will acheive this position until he is at least forty years old. No error
acheiving
at least
his
he will acheive
No error
acheiving
The error exists in the underlined portion of the sentence, "achieving." In order to explain the background of who the mentor is, it is not sufficient to place a comma after "mentor" without a transition, such as "who achieved." Simply using the word "achieving" is not sufficient. Therefore, "achieving" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Conjunction 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 choice between relationships or space travel can be excruciating to make. No error.
excruciating
or space travel
No error.
to make
The choice
or space travel
This sentence uses the wrong conjunction between “relationships” and “space travel.” If you use “between,” you also need to use the conjunction “and.” The corrected sentence reads, "The choice between relationships and space travel can be excruciating to make."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Conjunction 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 neighborhood’s changing cultural landscape is evident in everything from the people walking down the sidewalks and the products carried in the corner markets. No error.
and
products carried
No error.
evident in
neighborhood’s changing cultural landscape
and
This sentence has a problem with coordination. When “from” is used, it should trigger “to” as the coordinator between examples. That is, the phrasing should be "from (noun) to (other noun)" instead of "from (noun) and (other noun)." The corrected sentence reads, "The neighborhood’s changing cultural landscape is evident in everything from the people walking down the sidewalks to the products carried in the corner markets."
Example Question #4 : Identifying Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Neither the teachers or the students were told that the famous actor and actress would be visiting the school until the day before the visit; it was hard to tell which group was the more excited one when everyone found out. No error
until the day before the visit; it was hard to tell
No error
the more excited one
the famous actor and actress would be visiting
Neither the teachers or the students were
Neither the teachers or the students were
When using the word "neither" to introduce one of two things in a negative fashion, one needs to introduce the other thing using the word "nor," not "or." So, the correct answer is, "Neither the teachers nor the students were told that the famous actor and actress would be visiting the school until the day before the visit; it was hard to tell which group was the more excited one when everyone found out."
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