All PSAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #72 : 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.
One might initially think that you understand the expression "I think therefore I am," but you might not fully understand it until you mull it over for a while. No error
fully understand it until
No error
understand
think
One
One
The "one" and "you" need to be properly distinguished in this sentence; choose one to use, and stick with it. The sentence uses "you" throughout except for the first word, "One," so it could be corrected by changing this "One" to "You."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After you play in the sand at the beach, it's very easy to get a lot of sand stuck in one's shoes. No error
a lot
it's
No error
you
stuck
you
It is not grammatically correct to use both "you" and "one" as pronouns in the same sentence. As written, the sentence begins by using "you," but then changes to using "one" when it ends with the phrase "one's shoes." So, to correct the sentence's error, "you" should be changed to "one."
Example Question #275 : 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.
One should never trust people who talk about others behind their backs, because you can safely assume they will do the same to you. No error
No Error
behind their backs
they will do
who talk
One should never
One should never
The sentence starts off by using "one" as a pronoun, but then switches to using "you." In a single sentence, you should pick one of these pronouns to use and stick with it, and not change from using one to using the other in the middle of the sentence. To correct the sentence's error, you would need to change "One" to "You."
Example Question #3 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If you plan to study physics in college, one should focus on taking science and math courses in high school. No error
and
to study
one
taking
No error
one
When using "you" or "one" as the subject of a sentence, you need to be consistent. Because the first half of this sentence uses "you" as the subject, the second half must also use "you"—not "one."
Example Question #222 : 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.
If you want to eat at a new restaurant on a Saturday night, one must make reservations as soon as possible to avoid a lengthy wait. No error
one
No error
lengthy
on
want
one
Sentences must consistently use either "you" or "one" as the subject, and because this sentence identifies "you" as the subject in the first clause, the second clause must also use "you" (not "one").
Example Question #81 : 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.
One should always guard your valuables when traveling in a crowded place. No error
when traveling
always
No error
a crowded place
your
your
This sentence uses both "you" and "one" to give general advice. These should be kept consistent. The corrected sentence reads, "One should always guard one's valuables when traveling in a crowded place."
Example Question #52 : 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.
When one is in the library, lower your voice so as not to disturb others. No error
When
to disturb others.
in the library
one
No error
one
The words "one and "you" are both acceptable pronouns, but they should not be used as pronouns in the same sentence because the third-person pronoun "you" does not agree with "one."
Example Question #71 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One should never underestimate the worth of double-checking your work. No error
your
double-checking
the worth
No error
never
your
This sentence uses both "one" and "you" as pronouns. These should be kept consistent—that is, if a sentence uses one of these pronouns, it should not suddenly start using the other afterwards. Changing "your" to "one's" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads, "One should never underestimate the worth of double-checking one's work."
Example Question #241 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although learning to balance on your head may be challenging at first, the sense of accomplishment one feels after finally mastering the skill is worth all of the effort. No error
one feels
is
Although learning
challenging
No error
one feels
This sentence switches between using the second-person pronoun “your” and the general pronoun “one.” These should stay consistent; if you begin by using one of these words as a pronoun in a sentence, you shouldn't suddenly switch to using the other. The corrected sentence reads: "Although learning to balance on your head may be challenging at first, the sense of accomplishment you feel after finally mastering the skill is worth all of the effort."
Example Question #51 : 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.
The research study supported the theory that one’s taste expectations are based off of your prior experience with foods of various colors and textures. No error
various
are based
No error
research study
your
your
This sentence first introduces the possessive pronoun "one's" in "one's taste expectations," but later, it switches to using the possessive pronoun "your" in "your prior experience with foods of various colors and textures." If you begin using one of these pronouns in a sentence, you should be consistent and only use that pronoun in that grammatical situation for the rest of the sentence; switching from one to the other mid-sentence is grammatically incorrect. To correct the sentence, you could either change "one's" to "your" or "your" to "one's"—either swap would result in a consistent use of one of the pronouns. One version of the corrected sentence would read, "The research study supported the theory that one’s taste expectations are based off of one’s prior experience with foods of various colors and textures."
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