PSAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #73 : 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 allow your work responsibilities to be taken over by another person. No error
to be taken over
should never
your
another
No error
your
In this sentence, the pronouns do not stay consistent. It starts out with the subject “one” and changes to the possessive “your,” but these should refer to the same thing. The corrected sentence reads, "One should never allow one’s work responsibilities to be taken over by another person."
Example Question #61 : 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 cannot see the conditions in a sweatshop and truthfully say you think they are acceptable work conditions for any human being. No error
One
truthfully
they
No error
any
One
The subject of the sentence is not consistent throughout the sentence. At the beginning of the sentence, it refers to "one" but later changes to "you." As changing the word "you" that is used later in the sentence is not an option, "one" is the incorrect word in this sentence. The sentence should read, "You cannot see the conditions in a sweatshop and truthfully say you think they are acceptable work conditions for any human being."
Example Question #61 : Identifying 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 try to adopt a baby lion, but you should be prepared for it to become quite ferocious when it grows up. No error
No error
it
you
might try
when
you
In this sentence, the pronouns do not stay consistent. It starts about speaking generally about “one,” then switches to a second-person “you.” The corrected sentence reads, "One might try to adopt a baby lion, but one should be prepared for it to become quite ferocious when it grows up."
Example Question #62 : Identifying 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.
Although you might think that teaching your parrot to curse is a fun idea, one quickly learns that parrots do not know to clean up their language around distinguished company. No error
one
No error
their
Although
is
one
This sentence switches between using the second-person pronoun (“you”) and the more general “one.” It’s better to keep these consistent. The corrected sentence reads, "Although you might think that teaching your parrot to curse is a fun idea, you will quickly learn that parrots do not know to clean up their language around distinguished company."
Example Question #63 : Identifying 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’s basic human need for love and acceptance will never overcome your preference to work independently. No error
independently
need for
will never overcome
One's
No error
One's
This sentence switches between a general pronoun “one’s” and the second person pronoun “your.” These should remain consistent. The corrected sentence reads: "Your basic human need for love and acceptance will never overcome one’s preference to work independently."
Example Question #64 : Identifying 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's eyes grow heavy with sleep, it's important for you to find a pillow quickly.
No error
grow heavy
quickly
it's
you
you
"You" does not agree with "one's." When using "one" as a pronoun to speak about an assumed general person, remember not to lapse into using the pronoun "you."
Example Question #81 : 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 must understand that even if it seems like your life will never be affected, an alien abduction could happen to anyone. No error
must understand
your
No error
could happen to anyone
will never be
your
This sentence uses “one” and “you” interchangeably. These should stay consistent. The corrected sentence reads, "One must understand that even if it seems like one’s life will never be affected, an alien abduction could happen to anyone."
Example Question #82 : 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.
When deciding what kind of car to buy, you must consider many different aspects of various vehicles, including milage, size, cost, and many other important details which might affect one's decision. No error
you
When
many other
of various vehicles
No error
you
"One" should be used in place of "you" in this sentence. When a setence is referring to a person nonspecifically in reference to an action, "one" should be used because "you" is a more direct pronoun used for talking directly to someone. Plus, "one" is used later in the sentence, and it is not correct to switch to using "one" in place of "you" (or vice-versa) in mid-sentence. So, "you" contains the error.
Example Question #68 : Identifying 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.
Although you have the highest grade in the class, one should still study for the final exam. No error
one
have
should
No error
for the final exam
one
The pronouns in a sentence must agree. If you use "you" to refer to one person, you cannot use "one" to refer to the same person in the same sentence.
Example Question #65 : Identifying 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.
Billy the cat used to be a tiny kitten that his owners could hold in one hand, but he had grown huge and rotund as it matured, and now his owners were barely able to pick him up at all. No error
that his owners could hold in one hand
No error
he had grown huge and rotund
as it matured
but
as it matured
This sentence's error occurs in the phrase "as it matured." Since Billy the cat is referred to as "he" in the rest of the sentence, it doesn't make sense to suddenly refer to him as "it" in this phrase. Changing "it" to "he" would correct the sentence's error.
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