PSAT Writing : Identifying Word Usage Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #23 : 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 threat of the winter storm caused Bob to delay his flight to New York to visit their family for Christmas. No error
caused
No error
to delay
to visit
their
their
In this sentence, an error occurs when the possessive plural pronoun "their" is used to refer to a singular masculine antecedent, "Bob." Instead of using the plural possessive pronoun "their," one should use the singular masculine possessive pronoun "his."
Example Question #3 : Identifying Modifier Word Modified 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.
Jon's mother did not let him organize a garage sale for the family because she did not like the idea of strangers being able to peruse their many belonging. No error
idea of
for
belonging
No error
let him
belonging
Given that the descriptor "many" is used to describe "belonging," "belonging" should be plural. Therefore "belonging" should actually be "belongings."
Example Question #24 : 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 toucan is primarily recognized by its bright colors; they are painted a vibrant mixture of red, yellow, and blue. No error
they are
primarily
No error
its
red, yellow, and blue
they are
The plural pronoun "they" refers back to the subject of the first part of the sentence, "The toucan." Since this noun is singular, the pronoun should be too. Changing "they" to "it" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads, "The toucan is primarily recognized by its bright colors; it is painted a mixture of vibrant red, yellow, and blue."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Modifier Word Modified 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.
While this claims are unverified, some people report that garlic is a powerful panacea. No error
this
powerful
No error
some
While
this
This sentence has a singular demonstrative adjective (“this”) that does not agree with its plural noun (“claims”). These should be consistent. The corrected sentence reads, "While these claims are unverified, some people report that garlic is a powerful panacea."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Modifier Word Modified 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.
Bob's story was not only more interesting than John, but it was more realistic. No error
more
John
it
was
No error
John
This is an illogical comparison. To be grammatically correct, the sentence needs to say "John's story" or "that of John's" instead of just "John."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Modifier Word Modified 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.
Let's not get caught up in all this problems; we should solve them and move forward. No error
No error
forward
this
Let's not
we should
this
The use of "this" needs to be plural since it refers to multiple problems: "these problems" would be correct.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Noun Noun 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.
Chastised by their teacher for their unacceptable behavior, all of the students returned sheepishly to their desk. No error.
No error.
Chastised
desk
for their unacceptable behavior
sheepishly
desk
In this sentence, there are multiple students who (presumably) have multiple desks. “Desk,” therefore, needs to be plural. The corrected sentence reads, "Chastised by their teacher for their unacceptable behavior, all of the students returned sheepishly to their desks."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Noun Noun 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.
Suzy and Joe entered the county's fair and won the first and second place prize. No error.
county's
first and second place
prize
No error.
fair and
prize
This sentence refers to two prizes, first and second place. The noun "prize" should therefore be plural. The corrected sentence reads, "Suzy and Joe entered the county's fair and won the first and second place prizes."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Noun Noun 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.
All four of Martha’s children became a varsity athlete in high school; she was incredibly proud of her family. No error
proud of
was
No error
a varsity athelete
All four
a varsity athelete
Given that Martha has four children, the number of athletes should be plural. Therefore, “a varsity athlete” should be “varsity athletes."
Example Question #401 : 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.
Two out of four teenagers who become addicted to drugs will go on to become a high school dropout. No error
out of
No error
a high school dropout
will
who
a high school dropout
Given that this sentence is talking about the fate of “two out of four teenagers,” multiple teenagers are being referred to. Therefore, “a high school dropout” should also be plural, and therefore read, “high school dropouts.”
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