PSAT/NMSQT Grammar & Writing Skills 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses an apostrophe?
- The dogs' bowls were empty. (Correct answer)
- The dog's bowls were empty's.
- The dogs bowl's were empty.
- The dogs's bowls were empty.
Correct answer: The dogs' bowls were empty.
'Dogs'' shows plural possession correctly.
Question 2: Select the most concise version: 'Due to the fact that it rained, we left.'
- Due to the fact that it rained, we left.
- Because it rained, we left. (Correct answer)
- On account of the fact it rained, we left.
- In light of the fact it rained, we left.
Correct answer: Because it rained, we left.
'Because' replaces the wordy phrase without losing meaning.
Question 3: Which transition best fits: 'The plan was risky. ___, the board approved it.'?
- Therefore
- Nevertheless (Correct answer)
- Likewise
- For example
Correct answer: Nevertheless
'Nevertheless' signals a contrast between risk and approval.
Question 4: Choose the correct word: 'They went ___ the store before dinner.'
- to (Correct answer)
- too
- two
- tou
Correct answer: to
'To' indicates direction or destination.
Question 5: Which sentence is free of a run-on error?
- I studied all night I was tired.
- I studied all night, I was tired.
- I studied all night, so I was tired. (Correct answer)
- I studied all night I was tired then.
Correct answer: I studied all night, so I was tired.
A comma plus coordinating conjunction correctly joins two clauses.
Question 6: Identify the correct comparative form: 'This problem is ___ than the last one.'
- more harder
- harder (Correct answer)
- hardest
- most hard
Correct answer: harder
'Harder' is the correct comparative for a one-syllable adjective.
Question 7: Where is the colon used correctly?
- She bought: apples, pears, and figs.
- She bought three fruits: apples, pears, and figs. (Correct answer)
- She bought three fruits apples: pears, and figs.
- She: bought three fruits, apples, pears, and figs.
Correct answer: She bought three fruits: apples, pears, and figs.
A colon follows a complete clause to introduce a list.
PSAT/NMSQT Grammar & Writing Skills 3
Which sentence correctly uses an apostrophe?