PSAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #51 : 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.
Susan, a fabulous salsa dancer, is also a brilliant data analyst. No error
a fabulous salsa dancer
analyst
brilliant
is
No error
No error
This sentence contains no grammatical errors and needs to stylistic adjustments made to it.
Example Question #52 : 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.
Unfortunately, the organization suffered from poor governance at the national level. No error
poor
suffered from
the national level
No error
Unfortunately
No error
This sentence is correct as written. "Unfortunately" is an adverb modifying the sentence as a whole, "suffered from" uses the correct tense and preposition, "poor" is an adjective modifying a noun, and "the national level" is a correctly formed noun phrase.
Example Question #53 : 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.
Because of a severe drought in the western half of the country, produce prices skyrocketed. No error
skyrocketed
western half
severe
No error
Because of
No error
This sentence is correct as written! It's okay to start a sentence with "because" if you have a main clause after, "severe" is an adjective modifying a noun, "western half" is formatted correctly (no capitalization!), and "skyrocketed" is a verb in the correct tense.
Example Question #54 : 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.
Never one to turn down a challenge, Pablo decided that he was going to revolutionize the classic canvas tote bag. No error
one
that
turn down
No error
was going to revolutionize
No error
This sentence is correct as written! "One" is the appropriate pronoun, "turn down" is a verb in the correct tense, "that" is the correct relative pronoun, and "was going to revolutionize" is a correctly formed verb phrase.
Example Question #55 : 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.
Since he arrived in Minnesota two weeks ago, my uncle Ted has gone fishing at least ten times. No error
arrived in
two weeks ago
my
has gone fishing
No error
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “Arrived in” is a conventional combination of verb and preposition, “two weeks ago” is a correctly formed adverbial phrase, “my” is a pronoun used correctly, and “has gone fishing” is in the appropriate tense.
Example Question #51 : Identifying No Error Questions
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Covered in tapestries, paintings, and maps, the cozy library looked like it held a million secrets. No error
cozy
No error
it
Covered in
looked
No error
Nothing in this sentence needs to be changed!
Example Question #52 : Identifying No Error Questions
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I would rather run an entire marathon than spend one more day sitting at that table nibbling crumpets. No error
entire
No error
that
nibbling
than spend one more day
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “Entire” is an adjective that modifies a noun, “than spend one more day” is a logical comparison, “that” is a demonstrative pronoun used correctly, and “nibbling” is a present progressive verb that describes a concurrent action.
Example Question #53 : Identifying No Error Questions
The author was a master at writing science fiction that transported his readers to another dimension.
that transporting his readers to another dimension.
that transported his readers to another dimension.
transported his readers to another dimension.
that transports his readers to another dimension.
transporting his readers to another dimension.
that transported his readers to another dimension.
The sentence is correct as is. The use of "was" indicates the second verb, in the underlined portion, also needs to be in the past tense. Additionally, "that" is needed to refer back to the author's writing.
Example Question #877 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Choose the best answer from the options given.
The reason Mary and Kelly got into a fight was not their personalities but instead their shared love interest.
as it was sharing love interest
but instead their shared love interest
but rather their shared love interest
than because of their shared love interest
than their shared love interest
but instead their shared love interest
The original sentence is most concise and effective.
Example Question #54 : Identifying No Error Questions
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
A salon, or a social gathering of important intellectuals and artists, is not to be confused with a Wild West saloon. No error
is not to be
with
salon, or
intellectuals and artists,
No error
No error
This sentence is correct as written.
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