All PSAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #511 : 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 rules posted in the lobby is intended to be guidelines only. No error
posted
guidelines
intended to be
No error
is
is
The subject of this sentence is plural ("rules"), but the verb "is" agrees with a singular subject. Changing "is" to "are" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads, "The rules posted in the lobby are intended to be guidelines only."
Example Question #511 : 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 frequency with which her father was bringing home bushels of raw beets were concerning to Kathy. No error
were concerning
with which
No error
raw
was bringing home
were concerning
In this sentence, the verb “were” does not agree with the singular subject “frequency.” The corrected sentence reads, "The frequency with which her father was bringing home bushels of raw beets was concerning to Kathy."
Example Question #512 : 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 rhododendrons and lilacs that line the garden path seems out of place in the shadow of the concrete structure. No error
structure
rhododendrons and lilacs
in the shadow
seems
No error
seems
In this sentence, the verb does not agree with the subject. The subject “rhododendrons and lilacs” is plural, but “seems” agrees with a singular noun. The corrected sentence reads, "The rhododendrons and lilacs that line the garden path seem out of place in the shadow of the concrete structure."
Example Question #513 : 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 doctor told me to spend more time gardening, watching movies, and playing board games, because doing things that make me feel good are actually good for my health. No error
feel good
playing
are
actually good
No error
are
The subject here is the singular gerund (verbal noun) "doing"—not the plural noun "things." Thus, the main verb should be the singular—"is," not "are."
Example Question #514 : 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.
A spread, such as honey or syrup, are often used to sweeten pancakes and give them more flavor. No error
sweeten
them
or
No error
are often
are often
The subject of the sentence is "spread," which is being used as a singular noun; however, the sentence's verb, "are," agrees with plural nouns, not singular ones. To correct the sentence's error, "are" should be changed to "is."
Example Question #27 : 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.
Massage and physical therapy helps to alleviate pain for many individuals who otherwise would suffer chronically from their conditions. No error
from
helps
No error
would
for
helps
The subject in this sentece is "Massage and physical therapy." Because the sentence's subject consists of multiple nouns connected by the conjunction "and," it is a compound subject; compound subjects take plural verbs, so "helps," which agrees with singular nouns, is incorrect. The corresponding verb should be "help," not "helps."
Example Question #515 : 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 politician, along with his many constituents, are opposed to the new reforms being enacted by the government. No error
being enacted
No error
opposed to
along with
constituents, are
constituents, are
It is easy to think that the verb "are" refers to "constituents," but in this case ("The politician, along with his many constituents, are . . ."), the verb refers back to "politician," since "along with his many constituents" is a prepositional phrase. So, the plural verb "are" is incorrect since it refers to the singular "politician," and should be replaced with the singular verb "is." The corrected sentence reads, "The politician, along with his many constituents, is opposed to the new reforms being enacted by the government."
Example Question #31 : 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.
While I don't mind training on the school track, running on trails in our town's local parks are my favorite workout. No error
No error
While
are
in our town's
on
are
Don't be confused here by the plural nouns "trails" and "parks"—neither of these is the subject of the sentence's main clause; they merely add information about the subject. "Running," may initially seem to be a verb, but here it is functioning as a gerund, a verbal ending in "-ing" that functions as a noun. As such, it is a singular subject and needs to take the singular verb "is," making "are" incorrect.
Example Question #516 : 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.
Rabbits spend more time caring for their young than does other types of rodents such as hamsters and gerbils. No error
such as
No error
caring
spend
than does
than does
The verb "does" is used with singular nouns, but in the sentence as it is written, it refers to "types," a plural noun. To correct the sentence's error, we would need to change "does" to "do," or omit "do" completely, as just the "than" is sufficient to make the comparison.
Example Question #33 : 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 two families developed their farms in friendly competition and eventually became the leader of the region’s dairy production. No error
friendly
No error
the region's dairy production
their
the leader
the leader
This sentence is about two families (plural) that are successful. The sentence has them becoming the leader (singular) in the region. This discrepancy in number is an error. The corrected sentence reads: The two families developed their farms in friendly competition and eventually became the leaders of the region’s dairy production.
Certified Tutor