PSAT Writing : PSAT Writing Skills
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #2 : Identifying Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Neither the dog or the cat could climb the trees outside the house, for the trees were too tall. No error
outside the house
or
too tall
were
no error
or
The proper conjunction here would be "nor," as it agrees with "neither."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Choosing between the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting or the marble cake with chocolate ganache was an agonizing decision. No error
was
agonizing
Choosing
No error
or
or
This sentence does not follow conventions regarding the use of phrase “between X and Y.” The conjunction “and,” not “or,” should always be used when setting up a sentence using "between" to describe a choice or a comparison. The corrected sentence reads, "Choosing between the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and the marble cake with chocolate ganache was an agonizing decision."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Because it is not a holiday, neither the church or the bank is closed early. No error
or
No error
holiday
Because
is
or
"Neither" always takes "nor," never "or." It may be tempting to choose "is." Neither may use plural or singular verbs, depending on the plural or singular quality of the subjects it refers to.
Example Question #5 : Identifying Correlative Conjunction 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 detective knew someone at the bakery committed a crime, but neither the baker or the customer would confess. No error
The detective
the customer
someone
or
No error
or
The example sentence incorrectly uses "or" as a correlative conjunction to "neither," which is incorrect. The correct conjunction to match "neither" is "nor."
Example Question #69 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And 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.
John enjoys foods from many different culinary backgrounds, so it will be difficult for him to choose which dish he likes better between the Japanese sushi rolls or the Thai curry. No error
which dish
No error
or
from
so it will
or
Given that John is choosing between two different options and the sentence uses the word "between" to describe his choosing between these options, "and" should be used to describe his selection of options, not "or."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Subordinate Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Marie aspired to be a professional opera singer someday, and she could not be bothered to practice every day. No error.
No error.
aspired to be
and
could not be bothered
every day
and
The logic of this sentence calls for a different conjunction. Since the two parts of the sentence are contradictory, “but” would be more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "Marie aspired to be a professional opera singer someday, but she could not be bothered to practice every day."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Subordinate Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Some experts have proposed that one’s physical health may have more to do with genetics then diet, exercise habits, or lifestyle choices. No error.
to do with
one's
or
No error.
then
then
“Then” is used to describe a sequence of events (e.g. "First I went home, and then I went to the store"). “Than” is used for making comparisons (e.g. "I have more books than Julie").
Example Question #3 : Identifying Subordinate Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Returning from a deep and troublesome existential crisis, Bob decided that his sole purpose in life was to perfect the process which was making oven-baked macaroni and cheese. No error.
to perfect
Bob decided that
which was making
Returning from
No error.
which was making
The relative pronoun “which” in this sentence is not used correctly. It should add extra information about a noun, and it should follow a comma. There is a better, shorter way of phrasing this sentence: "Returning from a deep and troublesome existential crisis, Bob decided that his sole purpose in life was to perfect the process of making oven-baked macaroni and cheese."
Example Question #4 : Identifying Subordinate Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Before she traveled to Peru, she decided to start learning Quechua, that is one of the most popular local languages. No error.
No error.
decided to
Before she traveled
the most popular
that is
that is
This sentence uses “that” to introduce a non-restrictive clause (added information rather than details central to the meaning of the sentence). It would be correct to use “which” instead: "Before she traveled to Peru, she decided to start learning Quechua, which is one of the most popular local languages."
Example Question #5 : Identifying Subordinate Conjunction Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although the popular image of a Viking is a large man with horns on his helmet, and there is no evidence that Vikings actually wore horns. No error.
No error.
image of a Viking
actually wore horns
with horns
and there is
and there is
This sentence is not coordinated correctly. When the first phrase starts with “although,” the main phrase should start after the comma without using another conjunction in between the comma and the main phrase. The corrected sentence reads, "Although the popular image of a Viking is a large man with horns on his helmet, there is no evidence that Vikings actually wore horns."
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