All PSAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #431 : 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.
Even though Sarah knew that going to the basketball game instead of studying was what lead to her bad grade on her math test, she felt it was worth it. No error
lead
though
that
instead of
No error
lead
“Lead” is the present tense form of the verb “to lead” for a plural noun. However, the appropriate form of the verb for the singular subject (Sarah) in the past tense is “led.”
Example Question #432 : 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.
Overexposure to ultraviolet rays has been linked to types of skin cancer, so if your staying outside for a long time, apply sunscreen regularly. No error
No error
has been linked
your
so
regularly
your
"Your" is a possessive pronoun. It should be replaced in the sentence with the contraction for "you are," which is "you're."
Example Question #65 : Identifying Other 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.
Weather or not you like stormy whether, I enjoy listening to the thunder, watching the lightning, and hearing the rain plunking against my house's tin roof. No error
listening to the thunder, watching the lightning, and hearing the rain
No error
against
my house's tin roof
Weather or not your like stormy whether,
Weather or not your like stormy whether,
"Weather or not you like stormy whether" contains the sentence's errors. "Weather" is a noun that means atmospheric phenomena like rain, snow, or sleet, and "whether" is a conjunction that presents two options, as in the sentence, "I couldn't decide whether or not to wear my heavy coat that day, because the weather was supposed to start off freezing warm up drastically." So, to correct this sentence's errors, "weather" and "whether" should be switched around, resulting in the sentence, "Whether or not you like stormy weather, I enjoy listening to the thunder, watching the lightning, and hearing the rain plunking against my house's tin roof."
Example Question #433 : 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.
My father came home from a particularly grueling day at work and decided to watch the baseball game on television rather then go for his nightly walk. No error
from
particularly
No error
then
decided
then
To answer this question correctly, you must understand the distinction between the homonyms "then" and "than." "Then" refers to an event that happens after something, as in the sentence, "He came home from work and then watched television." "Than" compares two words or phrases, as in the sentence, "I like chocolate chip cookies more than peanut butter cookies." So, "than" is the correct word to use in this situation, and "then" should be changed to "than" to correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #434 : 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.
That is a hotly contested issue in American politics, and politicians often exacerbate the debate with there inflammatory speeches. No error
No error
inflammatory
there
hotly
exacerbate
there
The sentence uses "there" incorrectly. This is an easy mistake to look over since "there," "their," and "they're" are all homonyms—words that sound the same but have different meanings. The speeches politicians make about the issue belong to the politicians, so the proper form is "their," the possessive pronoun.
Example Question #971 : 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.
Your mother's signature cookie recipe is incredibly delicious, and I'm incredibly jealous that your lucky enough to enjoy those sweet treats whenever you want them! No error
mother's
to
your
No error
whenever
your
The key here is to distinguish between the homonyms "your" and "you're."
"Your" is a possessive pronoun identifying something that belongs to you. The first usage here is correct because "your mother" refers to the mother that belongs to you.
"You're" is a contraction that combines "you" and "are," and this would be the correct choice for the second usage, making the corrected sentence "Your mother's signature cookie recipe is incredibly delicious, and I'm incredibly jealous that you're lucky enough to enjoy those sweet treats whenever you want them!"
Example Question #971 : 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.
Even though its only February, I am already excited for summer break and warmer weather. No error
already
No error
only February
its
warmer
its
This is an incorrect form of the word "its." Here, the sentence uses the possessive pronoun form of "its," but there is nothing being possessed here. Instead, this sentence needs to use "it's," the contracted form of "it is," to be grammatically correct. The corrected sentence reads, "Even though it's only February, I am already excited for summer break and warmer weather."
Example Question #972 : 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.
It was so great to here from you last weekend; we need to make these lunches happen more often! No error
No error
here
these lunches
last weekend
so great
here
"Here" is an adverb that means in this current location, but the sentence is using it as if it were the verb "hear," which means recognize sounds from or listen to.
Example Question #972 : 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.
Driving to the supermarket is normally much faster then walking there, but since Irene lives on the same street, she always saves gas by walking. No error
Driving
then
No error
faster
she
then
To catch this sentence's error, you must understand the distinction between the homonyms "then" and "than." "Then" refers to an event that happens after something, as in the sentence, "She went to the movies and then to the store." "Than" compares two words or phrases, as in the sentence, "Driving is much faster than walking." To correct the sentence's error, "then" should be changed to "than."
Example Question #22 : Identifying Errors Involving Commonly Confused Words
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
“I’m not sure who’s jacket this is, but I bet its owner is looking for it,” he said as he dug through the lost-and-found bin at his high school on a cold November morning. No error
its
No error
through
who's
I'm
who's
You must understand the distinction between common homonyms to pick out the error in this sentence, particularly between "its" and "it's," as well as between "whose" and "who's." "Its" is a possessive pronoun, identifying something that belongs to "it," so the phrase "I bet its owner is looking for it" is correct. You can eliminate that answer choice from your options. However, "who's" is a contraction of the words "who" and "is," which does not fit in this sentence ("I'm not sure who is jacket this is" wouldn't make sense) and is therefore an error. "Whose" is a possessive pronoun, signaling that the noun belongs to someone, so that would be the correct form here. ("I'm not sure whose jacket this is").
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