PSAT Writing : PSAT Writing Skills
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #261 : 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 don’t understand why I can’t come to the movies with you,” cried Tina’s younger brother, whom had a strict 8:00 bedtime. No error
don't understand
to the movies
No error
cried
whom
whom
The word "whom" is incorrect because it refers to the brother, who is the subject of the sentence (it is the younger brother who does the crying here). Therefore, the correct word choice would be "who."
Example Question #5 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My boyfriend and me went to the animal shelter, and together, we adopted a dog. No error
went
together
adopted
No error
me
me
This sentence contains an error in its use of the pronoun "me." The proper subjects of the sentence are "my boyfriend" and "I." "Me" is an objective pronoun, not a subjective pronoun (e.g., "My boyfriend gave the puppy to me." is correct, but "Me went to the animal shelter" is not correct.)
Example Question #4 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It was a frightening experience when our camping leader left my friend and I to set up camp by ourselves while the wolves were howling. No error
when
by ourselves
I
No error
were
I
When someone is left behind, that person is the object of the action. "Me" is the first person pronoun that is used as an object, not "I." Therefore, the word "I" should be changed to the word "me" in the sentence.
Example Question #262 : 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.
Startled by the sudden darkness that fell upon the town, Margaret, Thomas, and me stumbled and clutched at each other. No error
that fell upon
Startled by
clutched at
me
No error
me
This sentence has a problem with pronoun case. Since “me” is a subject, it should be “I.” The corrected sentence reads, "Startled by the sudden darkness that fell upon the earth, Margaret, Thomas, and I stumbled and clutched at each other."
Example Question #5 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My father told Jon and I that we could keep the stray dog, but the responsibility of caring for it would fall on us. No error
but
Jon and I
fall on us
No error
caring for it
Jon and I
The pronoun "I" should be changed to "me" because it is not the subject of the sentence, so the phrase "Jon and I" contains the sentence's error.
Example Question #81 : Identifying 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.
I was almost to the exit of the building, but standing between the doors and I was a gigantic security guard looking right at me. No error
the doors and I
looking right at me
standing
No error
exit of
the doors and I
This sentence uses the wrong pronoun case. If a first person pronoun is the object of a preposition, it should be “me,” not “I.” The corrected sentence reads, "I was almost to the exit of the building, but standing between me and the doors was a gigantic security guard looking right at me."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
At the start of the soccer season, Coach Stan paid a visit to my parents and I to explain why I was cut from varsity. No error
No error
why
parents and I
paid a visit
At
parents and I
"Parents and I" is the object of the preposition "to," so it should instead be "parents and me."
Example Question #82 : Identifying 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.
My sister took my hand and solemnly swore that nothing would ever come between her and I. No error
would ever come
No error
her and I
solemnly
hand and
her and I
In this sentence, the wrong pronoun case is used. “I” is a subject, but here it appears as the object of a preposition. The corrected sentence reads: My sister took my hand and solemnly swore that nothing would ever come between her and me.
Example Question #251 : 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.
There was a new person whom I had never seen before standing between my sister and I in the line. No error
There was
and I
standing
No error
whom
and I
This sentence uses the wrong case of pronoun. As an object, the first person pronoun should always be “me.” The corrected sentence reads, "There was a new person who I had never seen before standing between my sister and me in the line."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Verb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Seafarers have not been able to measure longitude during their journeys until the 18th century, when clockmaker William Harrison solved the problem with a very precise clock. No error.
when
their journeys
have not been able to
No error.
solved the problem with
have not been able to
The verb tenses in this sentence do not work together. The first part of the sentence takes place before a point in the past (when Harrison solved the problem), so the correct verb would be “had not been able.” The corrected sentence reads, "Seafarers had not been able to measure longitude during their journeys until the 18th century, when clockmaker William Harrison solved the problem with a very precise clock."
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