PSAT Writing : Identifying Other Errors or No Error
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 :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.
The movementto builda community gardenin the empty lotwas slowly gaining momentum, and Mrs. Higginswasalreadyexcitedlyasking nurseries to donate plants.No error.
excitedly
to build
in the empty lot
was
No error.
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! The verb “to build” is correct in the infinitive, “in the empty lot” is an appropriate prepositional phrase, “was” is a verb in the correct tense, and “excitedly” is an adverb that modifies a verb.
Example Question #2 :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.
Thebright redof a matador’s capedoes not incitebulls to charge; cattle do notperceiveredas a bright color.No error.
bright red
as a bright color
perceive
does not incite
No error.
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! “Bright red” works here as a noun, “does not incite” is a verb that matches its subject, “perceive” is a verb that is correctly formed, and “as a bright color” is an appropriate prepositional phrase.
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.
The generalblatantlyignored the lessons of historyand commandedhis armyto invadeRussiain the winter.No error.
in the winter
and commanded
to invade
No error.
blatantly
No error.
This sentence is correct as written! “Blatantly” is an adverb that modifies a verb, “and commanded” uses parallel structure, “to invade” is correct as an infinitive, and “in the winter” is a correctly formed prepositional phrase.
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.
Asglobalizingforcesreach out toremote corners of the globe,someworry that wewill becomea homogenous universal culture.No error.
No error.
will become
globalizing
some
reach out to
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 #1 :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.
Thefirst landingof a man on the moon, a featthatmany peopleconsidered impossible, was ahistoricalhighlight of the 1960s.No error.
No error.
first landing
historical
considered impossible
that
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 #5 :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.
A born performer, Mariawouldmuch rather sing and danceon stageall daythan work in her isolated cubicle.No error.
A born performer
No error.
would
than work in her isolated cubicle
on stage
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 #1 :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.
The storesfilled withchocolates and heartsasValentine’s Day approached,butDave scoffed at the triteromantic commercialism.No error.
as
No error.
romantic commercialism
filled with
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 #1 :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.
Themusic liltedover the hills,creatingalovelysoundtrack to thetownspeople’s day.No error.
No error.
lovely
creating
townspeople's day
music lilted
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 #2 :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.
Bicyclesneedregularmaintenance to keepthemperforming well.No error.
need
No error.
performing well
them
regular
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 #3 :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 byagrimdetermination,Jonathan pushedthe wheelbarrow full of bricks up to the top ofthe last hill.No error.
Jonathan pushed
No error.
grim
the last hill
Fueled by
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.
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