PSAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing

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Example Questions

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.

Unfamiliar customs and a sharp intelligence is intimidating, but a good sense of humor is very disarmingNo error

Possible Answers:

is

Unfamiliar

but

very disarming

No error

Correct answer:

is

Explanation:

This sentence lacks agreement between subject and verb. “Is” corresponds with a singular subject, but here the subject is plural. The corrected sentence reads: Unfamiliar customs and a sharp intelligence are intimidating, but a good sense of humor is very disarming.

Example Question #521 : 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 vibrant colors and unique patterns that decorate the doorway makes the house stand out from the rest of the suburban clones. No error

Possible Answers:

stand out from the rest

No error

vibrant

makes

unique patterns that decorate

Correct answer:

makes

Explanation:

The problem with this sentence is that the verb “makes” does not agree with the plural subject “colors and . . . patterns.” The corrected sentence reads, "The vibrant colors and unique patterns that decorate the doorway make the house stand out from the rest of the suburban clones."

Example Question #32 : 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 cans of paint, although seemingly light, was too heavy for me to move to the corner of the room where they wouldn't be in anyone's way. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

although

anyone's

was

wouldn't

Correct answer:

was

Explanation:

People get these kinds of questions wrong because of the phrase set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. That little seperation between the first and second part of the sentence is a distraction to subject-verb agreement. When read quickly, it may seem like "paint," which is singular, is the subject. The real subject, however, is "cans." This means our verb has to agree with a plural noun, and so "was" contains the error, because "was" should be "were."

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 closet of shoes are hard to open; the door has swollen due to the massive amount of rain this spring. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

this

has swollen

closet

are

Correct answer:

are

Explanation:

This question tries to confuse you by putting "shoes" after "closet." "Are" should be "is" as "closet" is the subject of the verb.

Example Question #522 : 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 trail of ants, which crossed the entire kitchen floor and disappeared into the cabinet, were new arrivals this morning. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

entire

trail of ants

were new arrivals

disappeared

Correct answer:

were new arrivals

Explanation:

The predicate of this sentence does not match in number with the single subject “trail.” The corrected sentence reads: The trail of ants, which crossed the entire kitchen floor and disappeared into the cabinet, was a new arrival this morning.

 

Example Question #523 : 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 events director, along with the administrative staff, are responsible for making sure the entire program runs smoothlyNo error

Possible Answers:

smoothly

No error

making sure

are

along with

Correct answer:

are

Explanation:

In this sentence, the verb does not agree with the number of the subject. The subject is singular (the administrative staff is in a modifying phrase and doesn’t count), so the correct verb form would be “is.” The corrected sentence reads, "The events director, along with the administrative staff, is responsible for making sure the entire program runs smoothly."

Example Question #524 : 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 sloth, out of all the zoo animals, were what fascinated Peter the mostNo error

Possible Answers:

were

all

the most

sloth, out

No error

Correct answer:

were

Explanation:

In this sentence, the verb does not agree with the subject. “Were” should go with a plural subject, but here the subject “the sloth” is singular. The corrected sentence reads, "The sloth, out of all the zoo animals, was what fascinated Peter the most."

Example Question #525 : 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 physicality in the performance of each and every one of the dancers overwhelm the audience; nobody can describe what they have just witnessed. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

of each and every one

audience; nobody

overwhelm

they

Correct answer:

overwhelm

Explanation:

In this sentence, the verb “overwhelm” does not agree with the singular subject “the physicality.” The corrected sentence reads: "The physicality in the performance of each and every one of the dancers overwhelms the audience; nobody can describe what they have just witnessed."

Example Question #41 : 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.

The many facets of the problem leads to a variety of approaches that we could use to solve itNo error

Possible Answers:

many

leads

it

No error

that

Correct answer:

leads

Explanation:

In this sentence, the verb “leads” does not agree in number with the subject “facets.” The subject is plural, but the “leads” works with a singular subject. The corrected sentence reads: The many facets of the problem lead to a variety of approaches that we could use to solve it.

Example Question #42 : 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.

The unexpected donation, along with the other annual contributions, are among the reasons the opera remained open this season. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

along with

contribution, are

remained open

the reasons the

Correct answer:

contribution, are

Explanation:

Watch out for subject/verb agreement. Here the subject is "donation," which is singular, so the verb should be "is."

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