PSAT/NMSQT Writing: Standard English Conventions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The committee announced ___ decision to postpone the vote until next month. Which choice is correct?
- its (Correct answer)
- it's
- its'
- their
Correct answer: its
"Its" is the possessive pronoun, and a singular collective noun like "committee" takes a singular possessive.
Question 2: Neither the players nor the coach ___ satisfied with the referee's call. Which verb agrees?
- was (Correct answer)
- were
- have been
- are
Correct answer: was
With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the nearer subject, "coach," which is singular.
Question 3: Walking to school, ___ noticed that the leaves had begun to change color. Which choice avoids a dangling modifier?
- the students (Correct answer)
- it was clear that
- the morning seemed
- there was
Correct answer: the students
The modifier "Walking to school" must describe the people doing the walking, so a person must follow.
Question 4: The novel was praised for its vivid imagery ___ its complex characters. Which choice correctly joins the items?
- and (Correct answer)
- but
- or
- nor
Correct answer: and
"And" joins two complementary positive qualities in a parallel list.
Question 5: Which sentence uses the semicolon correctly?
- The storm passed; the streets soon dried. (Correct answer)
- The storm passed; and the streets dried.
- The storm passed, the streets dried.
- The storm; passed the streets dried.
Correct answer: The storm passed; the streets soon dried.
A semicolon joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
Question 6: Each of the volunteers ___ asked to bring a signed permission form. Which verb is correct?
- was (Correct answer)
- were
- have been
- are
Correct answer: was
"Each" is singular and takes a singular verb regardless of the plural noun that follows.
Question 7: The scientist explained that the experiment had ___ effect on the control group. Which choice is correct?
- an (Correct answer)
- a
- the affect of
- any affects
Correct answer: an
"Effect" is a noun, and "an" is needed before the vowel sound of "effect."
PSAT/NMSQT Writing: Standard English Conventions 2
The committee announced ___ decision to postpone the vote until next month.
Which choice is correct?