All PSAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #362 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
In demand as magazine editor and resident gossip queen, Paulina has never been more busier than she is this week. No error
as
has never been
more busier
she is
No error
more busier
The phrase "more busier" is redundant—it should just be "busier," which implies the "more" aspect already. As seems like an attractive choice, but the phrase "in demand as magazine editor" displays proper idiomatic usage.
Example Question #363 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Alex has less ideas than his brother on how to convince their mother to buy them new television. No error
has
than
to convince
less
No error
less
We use the word "less" to describe a quantity that doesn't have discrete parts. For example, we can say that we have "less money," because money doesn't have an inherent discrete unit; however, we cannot say that we have "less dollars" because a dollar is a discrete unit of dollars. In the case of the sentence above, since ideas have a discrete unit of a single idea, we say "fewer ideas," not "less ideas."
Example Question #364 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Among the twins, Lisa seems to be the more athletic one because she participates in more sports and also works in the health and fitness industry. No error
health and fitness industry
Among
more athletic one
more sports
No error
Among
When two subjects are being compared (such as the twins in this sentence), the appropriate preposition to use for comparison is "between." "Among" is only appropriate when three or more subjects are being compared.
Example Question #365 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After Bobby counted how many Christmas presents he had compared to his brother, he became very upset when he realized that he had less presents. No error
how many
less
No error
became
compared
less
When describing the quantity of an item that is countable, like "presents," "fewer" should be used. "Less" should only be used when a particular item is not countable, as in "less water" or "less fuel."
Example Question #61 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Between Melville’s Moby Dick and Cervantes’ Don Quixote, I find the latter to be most compelling. No error
No error
Between
most
find
latter
most
This sentence uses a superlative incorrectly. Since there are only two options, “more” should be used instead of “most.” The corrected sentence reads, "Between Melville’s Moby Dick and Cervantes’ Don Quixote, I find the latter to be more compelling."
Example Question #367 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Of English and biology, I find English to be the most challenging subject—nothing is logical! No error
most
Of English and biology
No error
logical
nothing
most
This sentence uses a superlative (“most”) when comparing between only two items. The comparative “more” is better here. The corrected sentence reads: Of English and biology, I find English to be the more challenging subject—nothing is logical!
Example Question #21 : Identifying Comparative And Superlative 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 mushroom-topped cheeseburger and the roasted beet salad both sounded appealing, but Henry decided that the cheeseburger was likely to keep him full longest. No error
both sounded
but
longest
No error
was likely to keep
longest
This sentence uses a superlative adjective (“longest”) to make a comparison between only two items (the cheeseburger and the salad). Superlative adjectives are used to compare three or more items. A comparative adjective would be grammatically correct. The corrected sentence reads: "The mushroom-topped cheeseburger and the roasted beet salad both sounded appealing, but Henry decided that the cheeseburger was likely to keep him full longer."
Example Question #62 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb 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 my friends Jenny, Tom, and Beth all enjoy breaking into spontaneous song and dance routines, Beth gets the bigger kick out of it. No error
While
No error
and
bigger
enjoy breaking into
bigger
This sentence uses a comparative adjective “bigger” when there are three elements being compared. With three or more elements, a superlative (in this case “biggest”) is required. The corrected sentence reads, "While my friends Jenny, Tom, and Beth all enjoy breaking into spontaneous song and dance routines, Beth gets the biggest kick out of it."
Example Question #63 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Richard debated endlessly between two options on the drug store shelf: the sour candies were fun because they made you pucker, but the lollipops were the most convenient because they came on little white sticks. No error
the most convenient
they
were fun
debated endlessly
No error
the most convenient
This sentence uses a superlative (“the most convenient”) that only compares two things. A comparative is more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "Richard debated endlessly between two options on the drug store shelf: the sour candies were fun because they made you pucker, but the lollipops were more convenient because they came on little white sticks."
Example Question #371 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The toddler could not decide which he liked most: chasing the dog around the house or throwing his spoon down the laundry chute. No error
most
could not decide
No error
he
throwing
most
This sentence uses a superlative (most) when it is only comparing two things. A comparative would be better. The corrected sentence reads, "The toddler could not decide which he liked more: chasing the dog around the house or throwing his spoon down the laundry chute."
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