PSAT Writing : Identifying Other Errors or No Error
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #55 : 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.
Since he arrived in Minnesota two weeks ago, my uncle Ted has gone fishing at least ten times. No error
arrived in
two weeks ago
my
has gone fishing
No error
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 #51 : Identifying No Error Questions
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
No error
it
Covered in
looked
No error
Nothing in this sentence needs to be changed!
Example Question #52 : Identifying No Error Questions
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
entire
No error
that
nibbling
than spend one more day
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.
Example Question #53 : Identifying No Error Questions
The author was a master at writing science fiction that transported his readers to another dimension.
that transporting his readers to another dimension.
that transported his readers to another dimension.
transported his readers to another dimension.
that transports his readers to another dimension.
transporting his readers to another dimension.
that transported his readers to another dimension.
The sentence is correct as is. The use of "was" indicates the second verb, in the underlined portion, also needs to be in the past tense. Additionally, "that" is needed to refer back to the author's writing.
Example Question #877 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Choose the best answer from the options given.
The reason Mary and Kelly got into a fight was not their personalities but instead their shared love interest.
as it was sharing love interest
but instead their shared love interest
but rather their shared love interest
than because of their shared love interest
than their shared love interest
but instead their shared love interest
The original sentence is most concise and effective.
Example Question #54 : Identifying No Error Questions
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
A salon, or a social gathering of important intellectuals and artists, is not to be confused with a Wild West saloon. No error
is not to be
with
salon, or
intellectuals and artists,
No error
No error
This sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #51 : Identifying Other Errors Or No Error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Henry was a fiercely stubborn child; he would carry out incredibly successful hunger strikes if he was not served macaroni and cheese for dinner. No error
child; he
incredibly successful
was
for dinner
No error
No error
This sentence is correct as written. The semi-colon between “child” and “he” is grammatical, “incredibly successful” uses adverbs and adjectives to modify the appropriate words, “was” is in the correct tense, and “for dinner” is an acceptable prepositional phrase.
Example Question #52 : Identifying Other Errors Or No Error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Melissa and Tom dream of becoming owners of a gourmet ice cream shop when they grow up, and they are already creating their flavor list. No error
when they grow up
their
dream of
owners
No error
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “Dream of” is a conventional combination of verb and preposition, “owners” is a noun that agrees in number with the subject, “when they grow up” is an acceptable adverbial phrase, and “their” is a pronoun that agrees with its antecedent “Melissa and Tom.”
Example Question #53 : Identifying Other Errors Or No Error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One of the first abstract impressionists, Jackson Pollock was concerned with neither the praise of his supporters nor the criticism of his detractors. No error
One of the first abstract impressionists
No error
criticism of his detractors
nor
concerned with
No error
This sentence contains no errors. The modifying phrase at the beginning of the sentence, "One of the first abstract impressionists," correctly modifies the subject right after it, "Jackson Pollock." The answer choice "concerned with" is correctly phrased. The answer choice "nor" is fine; it goes with the "neither" to form a correct "neither . . . nor" construction. Finally, the answer choice "criticism of his detractors" is fine because it preserves the parallel structure introduced earlier in the sentence by the phrase "praise of his supporters."
Example Question #54 : Identifying Other Errors Or No Error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Thomas invited us over for a home-cooked meal at his place, but I doubt he could so much as scramble an egg. No error
but
No error
invited us over for
doubt
his
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “Invited us over for” is a conventional use of prepositions, “his” is a pronoun that agrees with “Thomas,” “but” is the appropriate conjunction, and “doubt” is a verb in the correct tense.
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