PSSA Writing Review

Grammar

100

Which word is an adjective? A.) soft B.) requires C.) quickly D.) wrapped

A.) soft Can describe a noun

200

Which sentence shows the correct apostrophe placement? *More than 1 statue is being discussed. A.) The statue’s legs were molded solid. B.) The statues’ legs were molded solid. C.) The statues leg’s were molded solid. D.) The statues legs’ were molded solid.

B.) The statues’ legs were molded solid. Plural possessive form of "statue."

300

Which sentence needs a comma? A.) Ancient Romans used metal rods, some containing lead, that left light marks on early forms of paper. B.) While early American pencils were unpainted to show the quality of wood used, in the 1890s, American pencil makers wanted to show buyers that their pencils were made with Chinese graphite, the best quality graphite available. C.) One pencil can write 45,000 words or it can draw a line 35 miles long. D.) Pencils have been around a long time.

C.) One pencil can write 45,000 words or it can draw a line 35 miles long. Needs a comma to separate the two clauses.

400

Which sentence has an error in comma usage? A.) Even though his books are about serious subjects, they are written humorously and are filled with adventures and bizarre characters. B.) His books have been translated into thirty languages, and he has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize three times. C.) Although most of his novels are for adults, two of his most famous novels, Hoot (published in 2002) and Flush (published in 2005), are for young adults. D.) Hoot is about a group of students who strive to stop the construction of a pancake house, to protect the burrows of owls.

D.) Hoot is about a group of students who strive to stop the construction of a pancake house, to protect the burrows of owls. No comma is needed here because the clauses do not need to be separated.

500

What is the past perfect tense of the word talk? A.) Talking B.) Talked C.) Is talking D.) Had talked

D.) Had run For perfect tenses, add "have," "has," or "had" in front of the past tense of the verb.

Fixing Errors

100

What is wrong with this sentence and what change should be made to correct it? King Tut became pharaoh around the age of nine, he died suddenly at about age eighteen.

1.) Comma splice! 2.) Semicolon instead of a comma

200

Which conjunction correctly replaces the word "so" in the following sentence? Ask people what they think is the scariest creature in the sea, so most people will immediately think of a shark. A.) or B.) but C.) and D.) yet

C.) and "And" shows agreement and continuation of a thought, whereas "so" shows cause and effect.

300

What is wrong with this sentence and what should be changed to fix it? There be around 375 different known species of sharks living all over the world, and researchers discover new species all the time.

Be ---> are "Species" is the subject of the sentence, which is plural. "Be" is singular and is not the correct verb form.

400

What can be done to make the following dependent clause a complete sentence? Who often prey upon them. A.) Owls often prey. B.) Owls are often prey for them. C.) Owls often prey for flying squirrels. D.) Owls often prey upon flying squirrels.

D.) Owls often prey upon flying squirrels. Effectively adds a subject and completes the thought.

500

Find the error in agreement: After hours of futile debate, the committee has decided to postpone further discussion of the resolution until their next meeting. A.) After B.) To postpone C.) Of the resolution D.) Their

D.) Their Noun-pronoun agreement error. "The committee" counts as a singular noun, so "their" should be changed to "its." *This is an SAT prep question that is labeled "hard"!*

Sentences

100

Where should the word "only" be placed in sentence 2 to emphasize when King Tut’s popularity increased? A.) Only his widespread popularity came after the discovery of his tomb in 1922. B.) His only widespread popularity came after the discovery of his tomb in 1922. C.) His widespread popularity came only after the discovery of his tomb in 1922. D.) His widespread popularity came after the discovery of his tomb in 1922 only.

B.) His only widespread popularity came after the discovery of his tomb in 1922. The "only" emphasizes the period of time when King Tut's popularity increased. It shows that it happened only after his tomb was discovered.

200

Which sentence uses daylight saving time as the subject of the sentence? A.) In 1784, the idea of daylight saving time was first suggested by Benjamin Franklin. B.) In 1918, the United States also began a daylight saving time system, but most Americans did not like it, so it was stopped. C.)During World War II, however, the United States started daylight saving time again. D.)Beginning in 2007, daylight saving time starts at 2 AM on March 11, and it ends at 2 AM on November 4.

D.)Beginning in 2007, daylight saving time starts at 2 AM on March 11, and it ends at 2 AM on November 4. Daylight saving time is the "thing" (subject) that starts at 2AM on March 11 and ends at 2AM on November 4.

300

Why is the word "fire" in quotation marks in the following sentence? Kilns heated to 900°C were used to “fire” or bake the figures to maintain an even thickness and to harden the clay. A.) The word is part of a title. B.) The word is used in a new way. C.) The word is part of a dialogue. D.) The word is a foreign word.

B.) The word is used in a new way. "Fire" had always been used as a noun before, so using it as a verb was a new concept.

400

Which of the following sentences is correct? A.) Standing about five feet tall, these first ovens were very big, weighed over 700 pounds. B.) Weighed over 700 pounds and stood about five feet tall, these first ovens were very big. C.) These first ovens they were very big, weighing over 700 pounds and stood about five feet tall. D.) These first ovens were very big, weighing over 700 pounds and standing about five feet tall.

D.) These first ovens were very big, weighing over 700 pounds and standing about five feet tall. Comma is in the right place and the verb tense is consistent throughout the sentence.

500

Which is the best way to combine the following sentences? Graphite leaves a darker mark than lead. It is non-toxic. A.) Graphite leaves a darker mark than lead, so it is non-toxic. B.) Graphite leaves a darker mark than lead, but it is non-toxic. C.) Graphite leaves a darker mark than lead, for it is non-toxic. D.) Graphite leaves a darker mark than lead, and it is non-toxic.

D.) Graphite leaves a darker mark than lead, and it is non-toxic. Shows both of the sentences are equally important; shows continuation.

Spelling

100

Which word is misspelled? A.) probably B.) exhibited C.) similar D.) succesful

succesful ---> successful

200

Which word is misspelled? A.) scariest B.) threatening C.) truely D.) consists

Truely ---> Truly

300

Which word is misspelled? A.) dozens B.) mold C.) individaul D.) mustaches

C.) individaul ---> individual

400

Which word is spelled incorrectly? A.) chocolate B.) curious C.) refrigerators D.) akward

D.) akward ---> awkward

500

Which word is spelled incorrectly? A.) Different B.) Receive C.) Suprise D.) Frightened

C.) suprise ---> surprise

Miscellaneous

100

Choose the best transition to replace "In fact": Daylight saving time has three benefits: it saves energy, saves lives, and reduces crime. In fact, two states do not practice daylight saving time: Hawaii and Arizona. A.) Nevertheless, B.) Furthermore, C.) Therefore, D.) For example,

A.) Nevertheless The second sentence shows a contrast to the previous one, so "nevertheless" demonstrates contrast instead of similarity (like the other conjunctions).

200

Which is the correct form of the verb "use" in the following sentence? When the flying squirrel goes to fly, it use the extra skin on its legs as wings. A.) used B.) using C.) uses D.) has used

C.) uses The rest of the sentence is written in present tense, so this verb should be present tense as well.

300

Which word or phrase could replace the word "also" in the sentence without changing the meaning? They use these lengthy tails as rudders to control a glide’s direction. Also, while other North American squirrels are active during the day, flying squirrels are nocturnal. A.) Consequently B.) Nevertheless C.) In addition D.) For example

C.) In addition The other words change the meaning of the sentence, but "in addition" keeps the same meaning as "also."

400

Which phrase has an error in capitalization? A.) German inventor B.) type of scissors C.) around the globe D.) marble Tournaments

D.) marble Tournaments Not a specific title of the marble tournament

500

Choose the best placement for the word "today": A.) Today, these early marbles were made of clay or stone, but most marbles are made of glass. B.) These early marbles were made of clay or stone, today, but most marbles are made of glass. C.) These early marbles were made of clay or stone, but today most marbles are made of glass. D.) These early marbles were made of clay or stone, but most marbles are today made of glass.

C.) These early marbles were made of clay or stone, but today most marbles are made of glass. Emphasizes the fact that the marbles are currently made of glass; not in the past.