PSAT Writing : PSAT Writing Skills
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #37 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Imported turmeric, often valued for it’s exotic flavor, also has the health benefit of helping to prevent the mental deterioration of older adults. No error
No error
flavor
mental deterioration
older adults
it's
it's
"It's" is an abbreviated form of "it is." "Its" is the possessive form of "it," and therefore "it's" is the part of the sentence that contains an error.
Example Question #38 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Ginger is valued not only because of its flavorful properties as a spice and garnish, but also because they have significant health benefits. No error
flavorful properties
No error
not only
but also
they
they
"Ginger" is singular, therefore the pronoun that refers to it in the sentence, "they," should be singular as well. The pronoun "they" is used with plural antecedents, and should be changed to the pronoun "it," which is used with singular neuter antecedents.
Example Question #39 : Identifying Pronoun 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 committee had a tradition of voting bimonthly for their quarterly meeting, in which the members discussed important matters. No error
discussed
had
their
in which
No error
their
This is a pronoun agreement error. "Committee" is a group noun, so it is singular. The pronoun "their" refers to the committee but it is plural. "Their" should become "its."
Example Question #221 : 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.
I've had more teachers than I can count, but by far the best one was Mr. Brown, that taught second grade. No error
Mr. Brown, that
No error
than
but
I've had
Mr. Brown, that
Because the dependent clause "that taught second grade" is modifying a person, it needs to be introduced by "who," not "that," so "Mr. Brown, that" is the part of the sentence that contains an error.
Example Question #222 : 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.
While on vacation in the Smokey Mountains, Jack saw a brown bear and it's cub run across the road. No error
While on vacation
in the Smokey Mountains,
a brown bear and it's cub
No error
run across the road
a brown bear and it's cub
The phrase "a brown bear and it's cub" contains this sentence's error because it uses "it's," which is the contracted form of "it is," instead of "its," which is the possessive form of the singular pronoun "it." Changing "it's" to "its" would correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #223 : 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.
If one puts meticulous effort into your studies day after day, one will most likely succeed. No error
after
No error
your studies
one
most likely
your studies
Pronouns must agree with their antecedents. Since the sentence uses the pronoun "one," and remains consistent with that pronoun in the final clause, the pronoun is "your" is incorrect." Pronouns must remain consistent throughout a sentence. One could correct the sentence's error by changing "your" to "one's."
Example Question #43 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One should always take care to file away the operation instructions of new machinery in a safe place, because you never know when you might need to troubleshoot a problem. No error.
No error.
in a safe place
might need to troubleshoot
One should always
to file away
One should always
This sentence switches between “one” and “you.” These should be kept consistent. The corrected sentence reads, "You should always take care to file away the operation instructions of new machinery in a safe place, because you never know when you might need to troubleshoot a problem."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One should always locate all of the exits in a new location before you find yourself in an emergency situation. No error.
in a new location
emergency
always
No error.
One
One
This sentence uses both “one” and “you” as pronouns. These should be kept consistent; if you start a sentence by using "one," you shouldn't switch to using "you" in the middle of the sentence. The corrected sentence reads, "You should always locate all of the exits in a new location before you find yourself in an emergency situation."
Example Question #3 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It is always important for one to be alert when driving because you never know when another driver might come into your lane, or when a pedestrian might cross the street illegally. No error
when
No error
to be
always
you never know
you never know
When a sentence uses "one" as a neutral third-person pronoun, the sentence should not then switch to using "you" instead of "one." Therefore, "you never know" contains the error in this sentence.
Example Question #72 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If you are being attacked, it is important not to provoke the other person because one never knows whether the attacker has weapons. No error
it is
No error
one
are
other person
one
If a sentence is describing how “you” should behave, it creates discontinuity if it then begins to use the word “one” in place of "you" later in the sentence. Therefore, “one" should be replaced by the word “you" to correct the sentence's error.
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