PSAT Writing : Identifying Other Errors or No Error

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #84 : 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.

We both enjoy exploring grocery stores, so when we shop together it tends to be a long and unproductive trip. No error 

Possible Answers:

long and unproductive

it

so

We both

No error

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

 This sentence is correct as written.

Example Question #2721 : Sat Writing

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

The penguins failed to understand that the trainer wanted them to twirl around in circles, so they continued to swim around their tank as usualNo error 

Possible Answers:

failed to understand

No error

them

as usual

around

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

This sentence is correct as written.

Example Question #56 : Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Although it appears cold and lifeless on its surface, the Bering Sea teems with aquatic life in its depthsNo error

Possible Answers:

its

No error

in its depths

teems with

Although

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

There is no error in this sentence.

Example Question #81 : 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.

Jean’s favorite activities are playing with her dog, visiting her grandmother, and going to the library. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

visiting

activities

favorite

going

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

This sentence is completely parallel. If it had said "to visit" instead of "visiting", that would have been incorrect.

Example Question #81 : 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.

Whether my aunt or uncle is arriving, it shouldn't matter—I really enjoy when either of them visit. No error

Possible Answers:

is arriving

when either

Whether

or

No error

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

There is no error here. If you chose "is arriving," it's actually grammatically correct: two singular subjects connected by "or" require a singular verb.

Example Question #85 : 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.

Every single dollar has been spent on candy; the children ought to be taught about saving their moneyNo error

Possible Answers:

dollar has been

their money

Every

candy; the

No error

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

There is no error. In particular, "every single dollar has been spent" is correct: "every" is a singular subject requiring a singular verb.

Example Question #81 : 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.

After hiking for three full days, the team of hikers arrived at the summit of the peak. No error

Possible Answers:

Hiking

No error

of the peak

the team of hikers

at the summit

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

This sentence contains no errors.

Example Question #62 : Identifying No Errors Or Other Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Making a quilt by hand takes a tremendous amount of planning, time, and effort, so should you ever be lucky enough to receive a handmade quilt, be sure to thank the person who made it for youNo error

Possible Answers:

Making a quilt by hand

a tremendous amount of planning, time, and effort

should you ever be lucky enough

be sure to thank the person who made it for you

No error

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

This sentence is grammatically correct as written and needs no stylistic revisions: "Making a quilt by hand" is a noun phrase based on a gerund that functions as the subject of the sentence; "a tremendous amount of planning, time, and effort" correctly uses parallel structure and the Oxford comma; "should you ever be lucky enough" correctly uses the present tense and subjunctive mood, and "be sure to thank to person who made it for you" is a correct imperative statement.

Example Question #89 : 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 group of leading experts in entomology, the study of insects, is coming to speak to my biology class about career opportunities in that exciting field. No error

Possible Answers:

in that

about

is

No error

in

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

Make sure that you identify the proper subject in this sentence. Many students are fooled by collective singulars: "a group of experts," "a team of players," "a school of fish," "a murder of crows," and so forth. In all of these cases, even though we are talking about many individual things, we are conceiving of them as single entities. As you may have noticed, the little word "of" will frequently alert you to the presence of a collective singluar in this kind of construction. This type of sentence can also confuse the eye, as there are two plural nouns ("experts" and "insects") between the subject ("group") and the main verb ("is").

Example Question #82 : 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.

Either house will do, but neither of the two is perfect. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

Either

neither

will

is

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

There is no error. "Neither" uses the correct verb (singular) and "either" is used properly.

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