PSAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #361 : 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.
Shaking himself out of his reverie, the author reflected that he had rarely been more wearier. No error
reflected
more wearier
Shaking himself
his reverie
No error
more wearier
This sentence combines two ways of forming comparisons. The “more” in unnecessary. The corrected sentence reads: "Shaking himself out of his reverie, the author reflected that he had rarely been wearier."
Example Question #362 : 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 chefs have discovered that they can cook most effectively using simple tools rather than electronic devices. No error
have discovered
No error
they
rather than
most effectively
most effectively
"Most" is a superlative that is only used when at least three items are being compared. Here, only two items are being compared ("simple tools" and "electronic devices"). Therefore, "more" is the proper word choice, not "most." "Most effectively" is therefore the part of this sentence that contains an error.
Example Question #33 : Identifying Comparative And Superlative 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 ideal option for us is to put Jane on the panel on globalization because she is the best of the two potential speakers, and no one else has shown any interest in participating. No error
the panel
No error
no one else has shown
best
is to put
best
When two items or people are being compared, the appropriate word for the comparison is "better," not "best." Therefore, "best" contains the error; there were two applicants, so "better" should have been used, not "best," which is used to compare three or more items or people.
Example Question #191 : 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.
Even though everyone's experiments at the science fair were very well done, Ashley's was by far the better out of all of them. No error
No error
at
was
were
better
better
When comparing more than two things, the superlative version of an adjective should be used. "Better" would be used to compare two experiments, but in this sentence, the word "best" should be used. So, "better" is the part of the sentence that contains the error.
Example Question #375 : 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.
We are very very excited about the change in the price of gas; it is great news. No error
We
very
about
great news
No error
very
The double use of "very" is an empty superlative; it serves no purpose in formal written American English, which is what the SAT is testing.
Example Question #192 : 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.
Maria had a gigantic bouncy castle at her birthday party, making it significantly more popular than Susie. No error
gigantic
No error
making
more popular than Susie
at her
more popular than Susie
In this sentence, there is an illogical comparison between Maria’s birthday party (a thing) and Susie (a person). Assuming that the comparison should be between two birthday parties, the corrected sentence reads: "Maria had a gigantic bouncy castle at her birthday party, making it significantly more popular than Susie’s party."
Example Question #31 : Identifying Comparative And Superlative Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I used to find information about public transportation on the printed schedules, but I have discovered that the online ones are the most helpful. No error
schedules, but
No error
the most helpful
have discovered
used to find
the most helpful
This sentence uses a superlative (“most”) when it is only comparing between two things. The comparative “more” would be better. The corrected sentence reads, "I used to find information about public transportation on the printed schedules, but I have discovered that the online ones are the most helpful."
Example Question #41 : Identifying Comparative And Superlative Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Most sweaters are made of acrylic, wool, or cashmere, and though they are the more expensive of the three, I prefer cashmere sweaters because they are so soft. No error
though
Most
acrylic, wool, or cashmere,
the more expensive of the three
No error
the more expensive of the three
The phrase "the more expensive of the three" contains this sentence's error. Three types of sweaters are being compared: acrylic sweaters, wool sweaters, and cashmere sweaters. The comparative adjective "more" is used; this is incorrect because comparative adjectives are only used for comparing two things, as in the sentence, "I like vanilla ice cream more than chocolate-covered strawberries." When comparing three or more things, a superlative adjective should be used. In this case, that means that "more" should be changed to "most" to correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Harold Harrison, the celebrated Olympic athlete, recently decided to retire on the age of twenty-seven. No error.
to retire on
age of twenty-seven
celebrated
recently
No error.
to retire on
This sentence uses a preposition that is not idiomatically correct. We say “retire at” an age and “retire on” some savings, lottery winnings, etc. The corrected sentence reads, "Harold Harrison, the celebrated Olympic athlete, recently decided to retire at the age of twenty-seven."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Preposition Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
There are some species of flatworm that, if split down the middle, will become into two new flatworms. No error.
No error.
will become into
There are
two new flatworms
if split
will become into
This sentence has an extra preposition thrown in it. Things "become" things; they do not "become into" things. The corrected sentence reads, "There are some species of flatworm that, if split down the middle, will become two new flatworms."
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