All PSAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #41 : Simple Subject Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The boys in the class hates the movie.
The boys in the class hates the movie.
The boys in the class is hating the movie.
The boys in the class hate the movie.
The boys in the class hating the movie.
A boys in the class hates the movie.
The boys in the class hate the movie.
Although the verb "hates," which is used with singular nouns, is next to the singular noun "class," the subject of the sentence is the plural noun "boys." The verb needs to be changed to its plural form. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "The boys in the class hate the movie."
Example Question #11 : Correcting Agreement Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
One of the children were late in joining the group for the trip.
One of the children were late to join
One of the children were late in joining
One of the children were lately in joining
One of the children were later in joining
One of the children was late in joining
One of the children was late in joining
Although the plural verb "were" is next to the plural noun "children," the subject of the sentence is the singular "one." A subject and verb in a sentence must always be in agreement regarding number (whether a noun is singular or plural). Therefore, the correct answer choice is "One of the children was late in joining."
Example Question #271 : Improving Sentences
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
One of the boys were always coming late to class, but it was always a different one each day.
One of the boys were always come late to class
One of the boys were always came late to class
One of the boys were always coming late for class
One of the boys were always coming late to class
One of the boys was always coming late to class
One of the boys was always coming late to class
The use of "were" is incorrect in this sentence, as the subject is "one," a singular noun. Even though "were" is next to the word "boys," it needs to be a singular verb form. "One of the boys was always coming late to class" is the only answer choice that uses the correct verb form.
Example Question #42 : Simple Subject Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Every one of the kids like their new teacher, who arrived in the middle of the semester.
Every one kids like their new teacher
Every one of the kids like their new teacher
Every one of the kids likes their new teacher
Every one of the kids liking their new teacher
Every one of the kids like there new teacher
Every one of the kids likes their new teacher
The verb used in the sentence, "like," is a plural form, but the subject of the sentence is actually a singular form, "Every one." A subject and verb must always be in agreement. "Every one of the kids likes their new teacher" is the only answer choice to have appropriate subject-verb agreement.
Example Question #43 : Simple Subject Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The leader of the football players make all decisions for the entire group.
the football players makes all decisions
the football players making all decisions
the football players were making all decisions
the football players make all decisions
the football players to make all decisions
the football players makes all decisions
The use of the plural verb form "make" is incorrect in this sentence, as the subject, "The leader," is a singular noun. A subject and verb must always be in agreement, meaning the verb needs to be changed to a singular form. Only "the football players makes all decisions" uses the proper verb form, so it is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #23 : Correcting Agreement Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The first of the shows were much tamer than the shows that came later.
the shows was much tamer
the shows were more tamer
the show's were much tamer
the shows were much tamest
the shows were much tamer
the shows was much tamer
The subject of the sentence is a singular noun, "first," but the sentence is written with a plural verb, "were." A subject and the verb that describes its action must always be in agreement, meaning this verb needs to be changed to a singular form. The only answer choice to use the correct verb form is "the shows was much tamer."
Example Question #24 : Correcting Agreement Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
One of the boys were making trouble for everybody else.
the boys were make trouble
the boys were made trouble
the boys were making troubling
the boys were making trouble
the boys was making trouble
the boys was making trouble
The verb in the sentence, "were," is a plural verb, but the subject of the sentence is "one," a singular noun. Any subject and verb must be in agreement, so the verb has to be changed to the singular form, because "one" is not underlined in the sentence. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "the boys was making trouble."
Example Question #25 : Correcting Agreement Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The argument over the scandal and the authority of the governor have intensified greatly.
what the authority of the governor is has
whether the governor has authority has
the authority of the governor have
the authority of the governor has
the governor's authority have
the authority of the governor has
Because the subject of the sentence is the singular noun argument, the verb have is conjugated incorrectly. The sentence also has a list which requires parallel phrasing. The only choice that corrects both problems is "the authority of the governor has".
Example Question #44 : Simple Subject Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
All of the pack is involved in any nighttime hunt, and every wolf shares in the benefits of the prey.
The pack all is
All of the pack is
The pack are
All the pack is
All of the pack are
All of the pack are
The underlined portion has a very simple error, as "all" is a plural noun, and needs a plural form as the subject of the sentence. "The pack" is singular, but is not the subject of the sentence as it is written. The correct answer is "All of the pack are."
Example Question #271 : Improving Sentences
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Everyone in the villages know that the boy was in trouble from the moment he came home.
know which
know that
knows that
knows which
know of that
knows that
The subject of the sentence "Everyone" is a singular noun, but the verb "know" is plural. A subject and verb have to match in tense, so the verb needs to be in the singular form. The correct answer is "knows that."
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