PET Error Identification & Correction 4

Question 1

Find the error: 'The teacher, along with her students, are planning a field trip.'

Accepted Answer

are planning

Answer

Phrases beginning with 'along with' do not change the number of the main subject; it should be 'is planning'.

Question 2

Which sentence contains an article error?

Accepted Answer

The honesty is the best policy.

Answer

Abstract nouns used in a general sense do not take 'the': 'Honesty is the best policy'.

Question 3

Identify the error: 'She told me to not speak during the exam.'

Accepted Answer

to not speak

Answer

The negative of an infinitive places 'not' before 'to': 'not to speak'.

Question 4

Find the error: 'If I was you, I would apologize immediately.'

Accepted Answer

If I was you

Answer

In formal/standard English, the subjunctive 'were' is used in hypothetical conditions: 'If I were you'.

Question 5

Which sentence has a word-order error?

Accepted Answer

He always is late for meetings.

Answer

Frequency adverbs go after the auxiliary verb 'is': 'He is always late'.

(PET) Preliminary English Test Practice Test