PSAT Writing : PSAT Writing Skills
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #54 : Other Verb Usage 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.
The grandmother baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arrived.
The grandmother baking pies, in the kitchen, when everybody arrived.
The grandmother was baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arrived.
The grandmother, baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arrived.
The grandmother baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arrived.
The grandmother baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arriving.
The grandmother was baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arrived.
The use of the participle "baking" in the sentence means the sentence does not contain an actual verb. A participle needs to be preceded by some version of the verb "to be" in order to be a complete verbal phrase and act as a verb in a sentence. The only answer choice that makes such a change is "The grandmother was baking pies in the kitchen when everybody arrived."
Example Question #1071 : Gmat Verbal
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.
The group's biggest concerns centering on the political process itself.
The groups biggest concerns centering on the political process itself.
The group's biggest concerns centering on the political process itself.
The group's biggest concerns centering around the political process itself.
The group's biggest concerns centering on the political process its own self.
The group's biggest concerns centered on the political process itself.
The group's biggest concerns centered on the political process itself.
The use of the participle "centering" as the verb in this sentence actually makes the sentence not have a verb, as a participle needs to be preceded by some form of the verb "to be" in order to function as a verb. The only answer choice that takes care of this problem, by changing the participle to a past tense verb, is "The group's biggest concerns centered on the political process itself."
Example Question #1072 : Gmat Verbal
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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
Lots of voters pay little attention to the actual issues candidates advocating.
candidates advocate of issues.
candidates advocating.
candidates advocating them.
candidates advocate.
advocating of candidates.
candidates advocate.
The underlined portion needs to be improved by straightening out the verb "advocating." The verb tense in the final word needs to match with the use of "pay little attention" at the beginning of the sentence, which is in the present tense. "Candidates advocate" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #2472 : Act English
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.
Quite apart from the transportation issues, many consumers could not afford the cars once they having been arrived at the dealerships.
arriving
had arrived
having been arriving
having been arrived
have arriving
had arrived
The underlined portion of the sentence features an overwrought complex verb which also features an inappropriate verb usage. The use of "once" indicates the cars arrived in the past, so a past tense needs to be used. "Had arrived" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #2131 : Correcting Grammatical 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.
The allied movements are designed making their opponents uneasy.
make their opponents uneasy.
making opponents of theirs uneasy.
making their opponents uneasy.
to make their opponents uneasy.
make opponents of theirs uneasy.
to make their opponents uneasy.
The issue in the sentence is with the verb "making." It is used not as the verb, but as a modifier of "designed;" therefore, it needs to take a form that can appropriately do so, such as an infinitive. "To make their opponents uneasy," is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #2141 : Correcting Grammatical 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.
The guitar is an extremely difficult instrument learning as an adult.
learning that took place as an adult.
to learn in an adult.
learning as an adult.
learned for an adult.
to learn as an adult.
to learn as an adult.
The use of the verb "learning" is incorrect in the sentence. The correct answer needs to feature an infinitive as the sentence describes a capacity of learning. "To learn as an adult" is the only grammatically correct answer choice.
Example Question #271 : Verb Formation Errors
Since the foundation of the club, new members entering all the time.
new members entering
new members enters
new members enter
new members entered
new member entering
new members entered
The use of the phrase "Since the foundation of the club," indicates that the verb used in the underlined portion should be in the past tense. Additionally, the phrase needs to become a complete sentence on its own. "New members entered" is the only answer choice that fits both criteria.
Example Question #62 : Other Verb Usage Errors
Magicians use the fact people having trouble focusing on multiple things at once to fool their audiences.
had trouble focusing
having trouble focus
having trouble focusing
have trouble focusing
having troubles focused
have trouble focusing
The underlined words are a compound verb, or multiple words that function as one verb in the sentence. These still need to follow a correct tense and form, which is not done with just "having" being placed after people. "Have trouble focusing" is the best way to improve the sentences among the answer choices.
Example Question #1073 : Gmat Verbal
The young family was heavily reliance on the kindness of strangers.
was heavily relianced
was heavy reliance
was heavily reliant
was heavy reliant
was heavily reliance
was heavily reliant
The word "reliance" is inappropriate in the context of this sentence as it indicates the relationship of relying. "Reliant," in contrast, Connors the state of being; therefore, the correct answer choice is "was heavily reliant."
Example Question #561 : Correcting Word Usage Errors
Rita began work on the project last year, but she has yet to reach completion.
she has yet to reach completion.
it is not at completion yet.
she is still yet to be completed.
she has yet to complete it.
it has yet to reach completion.
she has yet to complete it.
The original sentence is wordy and awkward. The correct answer is concise, active, and clear.
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