PSAT Writing : PSAT Writing Skills
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #3 : Identifying No Error Questions
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
As globalizing forces reach out to remote corners of the globe, some worry that we will become a homogenous universal culture. No error.
globalizing
will become
some
reach out to
No error.
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! “Globalizing” can be used as an adjective, “reach out to” uses the correct prepositions following the verb, “some” is an appropriate pronoun, and “will become” correctly uses future tense.
Example Question #4 : Identifying No Error Questions
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The first landing of a man on the moon, a feat that many people considered impossible, was a historical highlight of the 1960s. No error.
considered impossible
No error.
that
historical
first landing
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! “First landing” is an appropriate adjective-noun combination, “that” is the correct relative pronoun, “considered impossible” is an appropriate verb-adjective combination, and “historical” is an adjective that correctly modifies a noun.
Example Question #8 : 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.
A born performer, Maria would much rather sing and dance on stage all day than work in her isolated cubicle. No error.
would
A born performer
on stage
than work in her isolated cubicle
No error.
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! “A born performer” is a correctly placed phrase modifying “Maria,” “would” is appropriate use of the conditional voice, “on stage” is the correct idiom, and “than work in her isolated cubicle” is a correctly-formed comparison.
Example Question #11 : 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.
The stores filled with chocolates and hearts as Valentine’s Day approached, but Dave scoffed at the trite romantic commercialism. No error.
No error.
filled with
as
romantic commercialism
but
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! “Filled with” uses the right preposition after the verb, “as” starts off an adverbial phrase correctly, “but” is the right conjunction for the logic of the sentence, and “romantic commercialism” is a correct adjective-noun combination.
Example Question #12 : 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.
The music lilted over the hills, creating a lovely soundtrack to the townspeople’s day. No error.
townspeople's day
No error.
music lilted
lovely
creating
No error.
This sentence is correct as written. “Music” and “lilted” agree, “creating” is the correct way to start a gerund phrase, “lovely” is an adjective that modifies a noun, and “townspeople’s day” uses apostrophes correctly.
Example Question #13 : 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.
Bicycles need regular maintenance to keep them performing well. No error.
No error.
them
need
regular
performing well
No error.
This sentence is correct as written. “Need” is a verb that agrees with its plural subject, “regular” is an adjective that modifies a noun, “them” is a pronoun that agrees with its antecedent, and “performing well” is an appropriate verb-adverb combination.
Example Question #6 : Identifying Other Errors Or No Error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Fueled by a grim determination, Jonathan pushed the wheelbarrow full of bricks up to the top of the last hill. No error.
Fueled by
Jonathan pushed
No error.
grim
the last hill
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! “Fueled by” is the correct verb-preposition combination, “grim” is an adjective modifying a noun, “Jonathan pushed” has a verb in the right tense and person, and “the last hill” is an appropriate adjective-noun combination.
Example Question #11 : Identifying Other Errors Or No Error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Though the soup’s flavor is best when cremini mushrooms are used, it is possible to substitute white button mushrooms. No error.
when
soup's flavor
to substitute
used, it
No error.
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! “Soup’s flavor” is an appropriate use of an apostrophe, “when” is the appropriate opener for an adverbial phrase, the comma in “used, it” is correct, and the form of the verb in “to substitute” is also correct.
Example Question #12 : Identifying Other Errors Or No Error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Chewing furiously, Moe tried to break up a stubborn chunk of venison. No error.
of venison
tried to
stubborn
Chewing furiously
No error.
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! “Chewing furiously” is a phrase modifying the subject, “tried to” has the correct preposition following the verb, “stubborn” is an adjective modifying a noun, and “of venison” is an appropriately formed prepositional phrase.
Example Question #13 : Identifying Other Errors Or No Error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
On the genetic level, the difference between a dung beetle and a rhinoceros is quite small. No error.
is
and
quite small
genetic
No error.
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! “Genetic” is an adjective that modifies a noun, “and” is the appropriate conjunction, “is” is a verb that is in the right tense and matches its subject, and “quite small” is a correct adverb-adjective combination.
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