PSAT Club
Writing – Identifying Sentence Errors
General Hints
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Here are some general hints for Identifying Sentence
Errors.
Read the entire sentence carefully but quickly.
Look at choices (A) through (D) to see whether anything
needs to be changed to make the sentence correct.
Don't waste time searching for errors. Mark (E) No error,
on your answer sheet if you believe the sentence is
correct as written.
Move quickly through questions about Identifying
Sentence Errors. The other kinds of questions
(Improving Sentences and Improving Paragraphs) will
probably take more time.
Mark questions that seem hard for you and return to
them later.
Directions
 The following sentences test your knowledge of
grammar, usage, word choice, and idiom. Some
sentences are correct. No sentence contains more
than one error. You will find that the error, if there is
one, is underlined and lettered. Elements of the
sentence that are not underlined will not be changed.
In choosing answers, follow the requirements of
standard written English.
 Directions:
 If there is an error, select the one underlined part that
must be changed to make the sentence correct. If
there is no error, select E.
Practice Question 1
 Directions:
 If there is an error, select the one underlined
part that must be changed to make the
sentence correct. If there is no error, select E.
Answer 1
 Correct Answer: B
 Explanation:
This sentence illustrates a subject-verb agreement error. The
subject, "Sponsors of the Olympic Games who bought
advertising time on United States television," is plural; the word
underlined at choice B should be "include," to match the number
of the subject. The correct sentence reads: Sponsors of the
Olympic Games who bought advertising time on United
States television include at least a dozen international firms
whose names are familiar to American consumers.
Practice Question 2
Answer 2
 Correct Answer: D
 Explanation:
The error in this sentence is (D): the pronoun "you" is not
consistent with the pronoun "one" in the introductory clause. The
pronoun "you" should be changed to "one." The correct
sentence reads: If one is interested in learning even more
about Zora Neale Hurston, one should read Robert
Hemenway's biography.
Practice Question 3
Answer 3
 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.
Practice Question 4
Answer 4
 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.
Practice Question 5
Answer 5
 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.
Practice Question 6
Answer 6
 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.
Practice Question 7
Answer 7
 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.