PSAT Writing : PSAT Writing Skills
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #111 : 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.
Though not Oscar-worthy fare, the silly comedy about a simian baseball player managed to make me and him laugh.
Though not
No error
managed to
me and him
a simian
No error
Young children often misuse "me" as the subject of a sentence ("Can me and Timmy watch a movie?"); however, sometimes we can be corrected for making this mistake so many times that we grow to fear using the word "me" at all—even when it's properly the object of a clause! In this sentence, the phrase "make me and him laugh" may sound funny, but it correct. "Comedy" is the subject, "make . . . laugh" the verbal phrase, and "me and him" is the object, so we use the object forms of the pronouns.
Example Question #112 : Psat Writing Skills
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.
With excitement sparkling behind the tears in her eyes, Mary announced that her poodle, the pride and joy of her life, had just won the regional dog show.
had just won
eyes, Mary
No error
announced
behind
No error
This sentence is correct as written. “Behind” is the appropriate use of a preposition, the comma between “eyes” and “Mary” is grammatical, “announced” is a verb in the correct tense, and “had just won” is an appropriate combination of verb and adverb.
Example Question #71 : Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Experts agree that one's likelihood of developing heart disease is proportionate to the amount of cholesterol one ingests in one's food. No error
developing
ingests
proportionate
one's
No error
No error
There are no mistakes in this sentence.
Example Question #113 : 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.
Spinning around to face the intruder, Jack stifled a cry of recognition. No error
No error
to face
a cry of recognition
Spinning
stifled
No error
This sentence is correct as written! "Spinning", "to face," and "stifled" are all the correct forms of the verbs, and "a cry of recognition" is a well-formed noun phrase.
Example Question #117 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.
My Aunt Carolyn was the one who answered the telephone, but she was not with whom I wanted to speak.
but she was not with whom I wanted to speak to.
but she was not with whom I wanted to speak.
but she was not with who I wanted to speak.
but she was not who I wanted to speak with.
but she was not whom I wanted to speak with.
but she was not with whom I wanted to speak.
No error. Because "whom" is the object of the preposition "with," it is correct. Also, English grammar dictates that sentences should not end with prepositions, so the preposition “with” cannot be the last word of the sentence.
Example Question #114 : 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.
Although I already bought tickets to the upcoming football game, I suddenly fell ill this afternoon, and will have to miss the game. No error
No error
will have to
Although
bought
suddenly fell ill
No error
This sentence correctly uses verb tenses. The speaker describes previously purchasing tickets, and "bought" correctly conveys that event as taking place in the past. In the present, the speaker gets sick, which "suddenly fell ill" indicates. Finally, the speaker states he or she will have to miss the game in the future, as "will have to" correctly conveys.
Example Question #115 : 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.
Increasing discretionary income, a result of the Industrial Revolution, fostered the creation of a unique working-class identity in Victorian Britain. No error
Increasing discretionary income,
a result of
Industrial Revolution
of a unique
No error
No error
There are no grammatical errors in this sentence. The interrupting phrase "a result of the Industrial Revolution" is correctly set-off from the the sentence with commas. "A unique working class identity" is correctly treated as singular, since this "identity", while applied to a whole class of people, is itself a singular, unified idea.
Example Question #116 : 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 Black Death, which struck Europe around 1350 CE, was introduced through the Port of Venice and killed between one third and one half the population of Europe. No error
one third and one half
Death, which
around 1350 CE
and killed
No error
No error
There is no error in this sentence.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
When I get home from school, I like to relax by playing my guitar, eating a snack, watching a television show, and taking a nap.
When I get home from school, I like to relax by playing my guitar, to eat a snack, watching a television show, and to take a nap.
When I got home from school, I like to relax by playing my guitar, eating a snack, watching a television show, and taking a nap.
(No changes to original)
When I will have gotten home from school, I like to relax by playing my guitar, eating a snack, watching a television show, and taking a nap.
When I get home from school, I like to relaxing by playing my guitar, eating a snack, watching a television show, and taking a nap.
(No changes to original)
There is no error in the original sentence.
Example Question #117 : 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 days of indecision, the school's Board of Athletic Safety and Welfare has decidedto delay further discussion of the new agenda until its next annual meeting. No error
of the new agenda
has decided to delay
No error
indecision
further
No error
This sentence is correct as written.
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