Sample PSAT Questions---Writing Skills 1--Identify

kmngUID: 46975

Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The error in the sentence is (D): the pronoun "their" in the phrase "of their" should be "it" because the pronoun refers to the singular noun "starling." Note that the verb following "starling" is singular, forcing one to recognize that the noun "starling" is singular. The correct sentence reads: The starling is such a pest in rural areas that it has become necessary to find ways of controlling the growth of its population.

kmngUID: 46975

question 7 of 13

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(from the October 17, 1998 test)

kmngUID: 46975

Correct Answer: E
Explanation: Each of the parts of the sentence underlined with A, B, C, and D is correct as written. Therefore choice (E): no error is the appropriate answer.

kmngUID: 46975

question 8 of 13

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(from the October 20, 1998 test)

kmngUID: 46975

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The error in this sentence is (C): the word "heavy" in the phrase "heavy veiled" should not be in the form of an adjective but in the adverbial form since it is used to modify the participle "veiled." The correct sentence reads: Maude Adams, after her spectacular triumph as the original Peter Pan, went about heavily veiled and was accessible to only a handful of intimate friends.

kmngUID: 46975

question 9 of 13

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(from the October 20, 1998 test)

kmngUID: 46975

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The error in this sentence is (B): the verb "were" (which is plural) does not agree in number with the noun "thinking" (which is singular). The correct sentence reads: In the early twentieth century, new thinking about symbolism and the unconscious was greatly inspired by the writings of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung.

kmngUID: 46975

question 10 of 13

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(from the October 12, 1999 test)

kmngUID: 46975

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The error in this sentence is (C): the verb "has" (which is singular) does not agree in number with the noun "effects" (which is plural). The noun phrase "harmful effects" is the subject of the verb phrase "has become known." The correct sentence reads: Air pollution caused by industrial fumes has been studied for years, but only recently have the harmful effects of noise pollution become known.

kmngUID: 46975

question 11 of 13

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(from the October 12, 1999 test)

kmngUID: 46975

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The error in this sentence is (C): the pronouns "he or she" (which are both singular) do not agree the noun "drivers" (which is plural). The correct sentence reads: All states impose severe penalties on drivers who do not stop when they are involved in accidents. Note that the verb "is" has to be changed to "are" when the subject becomes plural.

kmngUID: 46975

question 12 of 13

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(from the October 16, 1999 test)

kmngUID: 46975

Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The error in this sentence is (C): the plural verb "are" does not agree in number with its singular subject, "pine." The correct sentence reads: Pine, like other softwoods that ignite quickly, is useful as kindling.

kmngUID: 46975

question 13 of 13

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(from the October 16, 1999 test)

kmngUID: 46975

Correct Answer: D
Explanation: The error in this sentence is (D): the superlative form of the phrase "the most spirit" is not appropriate when only two characters are being compared. The appropriate form for such a comparison is "more spirit." The correct sentence reads: In many respects Anna Karenina and Emma Bovary are very similar characters, but Bovary has more spirit and determination.