PSAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Identifying 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 ash trees that line the long driveway up to the mansion is diseased and likely to die soon. No error.

Possible Answers:

is diseased

soon

that 

No error.

up to 

Correct answer:

is diseased

Explanation:

This sentence has a problem with subject-verb agreement. The subject “trees” is plural, but the verb “is” is singular. The corrected sentence reads: "The ash trees that line the long driveway up to the mansion are diseased and likely to die soon."

Example Question #2 : Identifying 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 agencies collaborating on the investigation is preparing a joint statement to share their findings with the press. No error.

Possible Answers:

collaborating on

to

No error.

their findings

is preparing

Correct answer:

is preparing

Explanation:

In this sentence, the verb “is preparing” does not match its plural subject “agencies.” The corrected sentence reads, "The agencies collaborating on the investigation are preparing a joint statement to share their findings with the press."

Example Question #3 : Identifying 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.

Purple glitter and a mysterious odor often signifies the presence of Peruvian Sea Slugs, animals that are both rare and beautifulNo error.

Possible Answers:

animals that are

No error.

both rare and beautiful

signifies

often

Correct answer:

signifies

Explanation:

The verb “signifies” should match in number with the compound subject, “purple glitter and a mysterious odor.” For a plural subject, “signify” would be correct. The corrected sentence reads, "Purple glitter and a mysterious odor often signify the presence of Peruvian Sea Slugs, animals that are both rare and beautiful."

Example Question #4 : Identifying 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 glaring sun, the intense music, and the actor's solemn speech combines to form an overdramatic effectNo error.

Possible Answers:

combines

glaring

the actor's

an overdramatic effect

No error.

Correct answer:

combines

Explanation:

The subject of this sentence is compound and plural, but the verb agrees with a singular subject. The corrected sentence reads, "The glaring sun, the intense music, and the actor's solemn speech combine to form an overdramatic effect."

Example Question #5 : Identifying 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 accusation that the new neighbors stole my family's container gardens are a blatant lie. No error.

Possible Answers:

The accusation that 

No error.

blatant

gardens are

stole

Correct answer:

gardens are

Explanation:

In this sentence, the main verb "are" agrees with a plural subject. However, its subject is singular: "the accusation." The corrected sentence reads, "The accusation that the new neighbors stole my family's container gardens is a blatant lie."

Example Question #6 : Identifying 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 railroad between the towns of Greensburg and Rodbury were destroyed in the alien invasion last weekNo error.

Possible Answers:

were destroyed

No error.

Greensburg and Rodbury

last week

between

Correct answer:

were destroyed

Explanation:

The verb “were” agrees with a plural noun, but here its subject is the singular noun “railroad.” The corrected sentence reads, "The railroad between the towns of Greensburg and Rodbury was destroyed in the alien invasion last week."

Example Question #7 : Identifying 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 rich and the famous often eats in the fancy restaurants on Main Street. No error.

Possible Answers:

often

fancy restaurants

and the famous

eats

No error.

Correct answer:

eats

Explanation:

The subject “The rich and the famous” refers to many people, and should be treated as a plural subject. However, the verb “eats” agrees with a singular subject. The corrected sentence would read, "The rich and the famous often eat in the fancy restaurants on Main Street."

Example Question #1 : Identifying Subject Verb 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.

My favorite history professor, as well as some of his administrative staff, were asked to resign because fewer students were taking history courses than ever before. No error

Possible Answers:

as well as

were

because

than 

No error

Correct answer:

were

Explanation:

In this sentence, the verb does not agree with the subject. The subject "professor" is singular (“as well as some of the administrative staff” is a modifying phrase and doesn’t count), so the correct verb form should be “was,” not “were.”

Example Question #481 : 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.

Stephanie claims that she wants to attend college after graduation, but her poor attitude about studying during senior year do not indicate that she enjoys being a student. No error

Possible Answers:

to attend

studying

do not indicate

No error

wants

Correct answer:

do not indicate

Explanation:

"Her poor attitude about studying" is the subject of this clause, so the verb must agree with the singular subject "attitude." Therefore, the correct verb should be "does"—her attitude "does not indicate."

Example Question #2 : Identifying Subject Verb 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.

James is a proactive police officer, so although the local rebellious teenagers are annoyed by his strict nature, the overall safety of the town have improved drastically since he was hired. No error

Possible Answers:

so although

No error

strict nature

are annoyed

have improved 

Correct answer:

have improved 

Explanation:

This is an issue of subject-verb agreement within this independent clause: "the overall safety of the town have improved drastically since he was hired." Simplified, the subject is "safety," which is a singular noun, so the verb must also be singular, making "have improved" incorrect and "has improved" the corrected verb.

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