All PSAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 :Identifying Semicolon Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Joewas feelingparticularlyhappy onTuesday; sohe decided to treathimselfto a cup of coffee and a slice of pie.No error.
Tuesday; so
was feeling
particularly
No error.
himself
Tuesday; so
This is an incorrect use of a semi-colon. If you use a semi-colon, you should not follow it with a conjunction. In this case, it sounds best to keep the conjunction “so” and switch the semi-colon to a comma: "Joe was feeling particularly happy on Tuesday, so he decided to treat himself to a cup of coffee and a slice of pie."
Example Question #1 :Identifying Semicolon 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 sidewalkis coveredinblack ice; soyoushould becarefulwhen you walk outside.No error.
when you walk outside
should be
No error.
is covered
black ice; so
black ice; so
Semicolons should be used to separate two independent clauses that are not connected by a conjunction. "So" is a conjunction here, so a semicolon is not appropriate. Use a comma instead: "The sidewalk is covered in black ice, so you should be careful when you walk outside."
Example Question #172 :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.
Resting underthe shade ofthe elm tree,Troy feltrelaxed;but he knew itwould soon betime to go home.No error.
relaxed;
Resting under
No error.
would soon be
the elm tree,
relaxed;
The semicolon is used to combine two related sentences without a conjunction. This one should be replaced with a comma because the second part of the sentence would not be a complete sentence on its own. So, the correct answer is "relaxed ;" because this part of the sentence contains an error.
Example Question #1 :Identifying Semicolon Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Knitting mayappearcomplex, but evenits most complicated patternscan be createdfrom a combination ofjust two stitches;knit stitches and purl stitches.No error
No error
just two stitches;
can be created
complex, but even
appear
just two stitches;
This sentence's error lies in the incorrect way in which it uses a semicolon to introduce a list. "Knit stitches and purl stitches" are the "two stitches" that the sentence introduces earlier, so a colon is the most appropriate punctuation mark to use in this instance. The corrected sentence reads, "Knitting mayappearcomplex, but evenits most complicated patternscan be createdfrom a combination ofjust two stitches:knit stitches and purl stitches."
Example Question #2 :Identifying Semicolon Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Francestook a momentto collectherself; beforepressing the buttonandsealing the pneumatic doorforever.No error
took a moment
No error
and
herself; before
forever
herself; before
This sentence misuses a semicolon, which is generally used to separate two independent clauses. In this adverbial phrase, no punctuation is needed. The corrected sentence reads,"Frances took a moment to collect herself before pressing the button and sealing the pneumatic door forever."
Example Question #1 :Identifying Semicolon 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 community members voicedvariouscomplaints; such astheir distrustof the new energy companybuying up local property.No error
complaints; such as
No error
their distrust
buying up local property
various
complaints; such as
This sentence misuses a semi-colon. These should be used to separate two independent clauses, so either side should be able to stand on its own as a sentence. Here, the latter half of the sentence is not an independent clause and cannot stand on its own, so you should use a comma instead: "The community members voiced various complaints, such as their distrust of the new energy company buying up local property."
Example Question #1 :Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Everyone on the team agreed that thebest optionwas to forfeit thegame; withouttheir bestplayer; theteam didn't have achance of winning.No error
No error
best option
game; without
chance of winning
player; the
player; the
A comma should be used instead of a semicolon to separate the introductory phrase "without their best player" from the rest of the second independent clause "the team didn't have a chance of winning."
Example Question #1 :Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Thatbook overtherebelongs toEileen;so we should return it to her before she needsto studyfor the massive English test next week.No error
there
Eileen;
No error
to study
that
Eileen;
A semicolon is meant to connect two thoughts that are both independent clauses. However, the second clause here is dependent and is connected by the word "so." In this situation, a comma would be appropriate to link that subordinate clause to the first independent clause. So, the corrected sentence would read, "That book over there belongs to Eileen,so we should help return it to her before she needs to study for the massive English test next week."
Example Question #1 :Identifying Semicolon Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Abigail’sfavorite pastime washiking; and sheoften hikedwith friendsin the mountainsnear her house.No error
hiking; and she
with friends
No error
Abigail's
near her house
hiking; and she
The option with an error is “hiking; and she.” Semicolons can be used to separate two phrases that could each stand as their own sentence but are related to each other in topic. The problem with “hiking; and she” is that the semicolon is being used to separate two ideas that are related, but the material that follows the semicolon is a fragment and cannot stand as a sentence on its own. This problem could easily be corrected by removing the “and” so the entire passage reads, “Abigail’s favorite pastime was hiking; she often hiked with friends in the mountains near her house.”
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