PSAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #41 : Identifying Agreement 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 vibrant colors and unique patterns that decorate the doorway makes the house stand out from the rest of the suburban clones. No error
stand out from the rest
makes
No error
vibrant
unique patterns that decorate
makes
The problem with this sentence is that the verb “makes” does not agree with the plural subject “colors and . . . patterns.” The corrected sentence reads, "The vibrant colors and unique patterns that decorate the doorway make the house stand out from the rest of the suburban clones."
Example Question #39 : Identifying Agreement 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 cans of paint, although seemingly light, was too heavy for me to move to the corner of the room where they wouldn't be in anyone's way. No error
wouldn't
No error
anyone's
although
was
was
People get these kinds of questions wrong because of the phrase set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. That little seperation between the first and second part of the sentence is a distraction to subject-verb agreement. When read quickly, it may seem like "paint," which is singular, is the subject. The real subject, however, is "cans." This means our verb has to agree with a plural noun, and so "was" contains the error, because "was" should be "were."
Example Question #40 : Identifying Agreement 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 closet of shoes are hard to open; the door has swollen due to the massive amount of rain this spring. No error
this
has swollen
No error
are
closet
are
This question tries to confuse you by putting "shoes" after "closet." "Are" should be "is" as "closet" is the subject of the verb.
Example Question #31 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement 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 trail of ants, which crossed the entire kitchen floor and disappeared into the cabinet, were new arrivals this morning. No error
No error
trail of ants
disappeared
entire
were new arrivals
were new arrivals
The predicate of this sentence does not match in number with the single subject “trail.” The corrected sentence reads: The trail of ants, which crossed the entire kitchen floor and disappeared into the cabinet, was a new arrival this morning.
Example Question #32 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement 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 events director, along with the administrative staff, are responsible for making sure the entire program runs smoothly. No error
along with
No error
making sure
smoothly
are
are
In this sentence, the verb does not agree with the number of the subject. The subject is singular (the administrative staff is in a modifying phrase and doesn’t count), so the correct verb form would be “is.” The corrected sentence reads, "The events director, along with the administrative staff, is responsible for making sure the entire program runs smoothly."
Example Question #33 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement 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 sloth, out of all the zoo animals, were what fascinated Peter the most. No error
the most
No error
all
were
sloth, out
were
In this sentence, the verb does not agree with the subject. “Were” should go with a plural subject, but here the subject “the sloth” is singular. The corrected sentence reads, "The sloth, out of all the zoo animals, was what fascinated Peter the most."
Example Question #34 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement 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 physicality in the performance of each and every one of the dancers overwhelm the audience; nobody can describe what they have just witnessed. No error
audience; nobody
overwhelm
they
of each and every one
No error
overwhelm
In this sentence, the verb “overwhelm” does not agree with the singular subject “the physicality.” The corrected sentence reads: "The physicality in the performance of each and every one of the dancers overwhelms the audience; nobody can describe what they have just witnessed."
Example Question #41 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement 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 many facets of the problem leads to a variety of approaches that we could use to solve it. No error
No error
that
leads
many
it
leads
In this sentence, the verb “leads” does not agree in number with the subject “facets.” The subject is plural, but the “leads” works with a singular subject. The corrected sentence reads: The many facets of the problem lead to a variety of approaches that we could use to solve it.
Example Question #41 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement 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 unexpected donation, along with the other annual contributions, are among the reasons the opera remained open this season. No error
No error
remained open
contribution, are
along with
the reasons the
contribution, are
Watch out for subject/verb agreement. Here the subject is "donation," which is singular, so the verb should be "is."
Example Question #42 : Identifying Subject Verb Agreement 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 list of items to buy for the parade were given to the treasurer to approve. No error
to approve
to buy
were given
No error
of items
were given
Look for subject/verb agreement: here the subject is "list," not "items," so the correct verb would be "was."
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