PSAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #541 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The tennis courts, which are made of clay and often wet after a bad storm, is my least favorite place to play sports. No error
often wet
which
place
is
No error
is
This question separates the subject and verb with a complicated clause. Pay attention to whether the subject and verb agree. "Is" should be "are."
Example Question #542 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
When Mary was cleaning her house, she discovered that hidden behind the bookshelf were a pile books. No error
hidden
No error
discovered
were
was
were
This sentence puts the subject after the verb. "Pile" is singular and "were" should be "was."
Example Question #55 : 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 committee reviewing the programs offered by the center that the quality of the baking classes were generally subpar. No error
were generally subpar
offered
reviewing
decided that
No error
were generally subpar
In "were generally subpar," the verb "were" is used with plural subjects, so it does not correlate with the singular subject of the sentence, "quality." This is a tricky question, as some students might think that "baking classes" is the subject; however, "baking classes" appears in a prepositional phrase, so "baking classes" cannot be the subject, and "quality" is in fact the subject of the sentence.
Example Question #543 : 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.
The quetzal, a tropical bird, is famous for its brightly colored feathers, which is bright shades of green and red. No error.
green and red
which is
its
The quetzal, a tropical bird, is
No error.
which is
In this sentence, the plural noun "feathers" does not agree with the verb "is" that refers to it. So, instead of saying "which is," the sentence should say "which are" in order to be grammatically correct. So, the corrected sentence would read, "The quetzal, a tropical bird, is famous for its brightly colored feathers, which are bright shades of green and red."
Example Question #62 : 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 supply of oranges are limited this year because of freezing temperatures in California. No error
are limited
freezing temperatures
because of
this
No error
are limited
The verb "are" agrees with a plural noun, but here its subject is singular: "supply." The corrected sentence reads, "The supply of oranges is limited this year because of freezing temperatures in California."
Example Question #544 : 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.
The book of fairy tales are one of the grandfather's favorite books to read to his grandchildren before they fall asleep at night. No error
No error
asleep
grandchildren
books
are
are
The subject, "the book of fairy tales" is singular, as the phrase refers to a single book. The fact that there are multiple "tales" within the book does not make the subject plural. The corresponding verb in this case should be "is," not "are."
Example Question #371 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Many students have trouble learning the order of operations in math, which have led to the creation of many mnemonic devices to help them remember it. No error
have led to
many mnemonic devices
No error
math, which
Many students have
have led to
"Have led" refers to "the order of operations," or more specifically, "order," a singular noun. "Have" is a verb that is used with plural nouns, so it does not agree with the singular "order." To fix the sentence, "have" would need to be changed to "has."
Example Question #72 : 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.
We have all been taught that dinosaurs is a types of reptile that went extinct a long time ago. No error
that
have all been
No error
is a
dinosaurs
is a
"Dinosaurs" is in its plural form, and needs to be accompanied by a verb also in the plural form. Thus, "is a" contains the sentence's error, and should be changed to "are."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent 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 woolly mammoth, a relative of the elephant, roamed through northern Eurasia and North America before their extinction. No error.
No error.
and
roamed through
a relative of the elephant
their extinction
their extinction
In this sentence, the plural pronoun “their” does not agree with its singular antecedent, “the woolly mammoth.” The corrected sentence reads, "The woolly mammoth, a relative of the elephant, roamed through northern Eurasia and North America before its extinction."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent 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 ruby-tailed tree crawler is a rare species of caterpillar; they only live in isolated sections of the Amazon jungle. No error.
live in
they
isolated sections
No error.
a rare species
they
In this sentence, the pronoun “they” does not agree in number with its singular antecedent, “the ruby-tailed tree crawler.” The corrected sentence reads, "The ruby-tailed tree crawler is a rare species of caterpillar; it only lives in isolated sections of the Amazon jungle."
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