PSSA PSSA Writing and Grammar 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is subject-verb agreement?
- The subject and verb must be placed next to each other in a sentence
- A singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb (Correct answer)
- Verbs must match the object's number, not the subject's
- Subjects and verbs must always be in the same tense
Correct answer: A singular subject requires a singular verb, and a plural subject requires a plural verb
Subject-verb agreement means a singular subject takes a singular verb form, and a plural subject takes a plural verb form.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of a compound sentence?
- After the storm ended, we went outside.
- The dog barked loudly.
- She studied hard, and she passed the test. (Correct answer)
- Running through the park quickly.
Correct answer: She studied hard, and she passed the test.
A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
Question 3: What is the correct way to punctuate a direct quotation?
- Place quotation marks only at the start of the quote
- Enclose the speaker's exact words in quotation marks and use a comma to separate from the attribution (Correct answer)
- Use brackets around the entire quotation
- Place an apostrophe before and after the quoted words
Correct answer: Enclose the speaker's exact words in quotation marks and use a comma to separate from the attribution
Direct quotations are enclosed in quotation marks, with the quoted words separated from the attribution (he said/she said) by a comma.
Question 4: What is the function of an adjective?
- To modify a verb or adverb
- To describe or modify a noun or pronoun (Correct answer)
- To connect two independent clauses
- To show the action performed by the subject
Correct answer: To describe or modify a noun or pronoun
An adjective modifies (describes) a noun or pronoun, providing more information about its qualities.
Question 5: What is the difference between a narrative essay and an informational essay?
- A narrative essay uses formal language; an informational essay uses informal language
- A narrative essay tells a story, often from personal experience; an informational essay explains or informs (Correct answer)
- A narrative essay uses facts; an informational essay uses opinions
- Both types of essays are structurally identical
Correct answer: A narrative essay tells a story, often from personal experience; an informational essay explains or informs
A narrative essay tells a personal story with a beginning, middle, and end, while an informational essay explains, describes, or informs using facts and evidence.
Question 6: Which editing strategy is MOST helpful for catching errors in your own writing?
- Rereading your essay once immediately after writing it
- Having another person read your work or reading it aloud (Correct answer)
- Only checking spelling using a spell checker
- Skipping editing if you feel confident in your writing
Correct answer: Having another person read your work or reading it aloud
Having another person read your work or reading it aloud helps you catch errors and awkward phrasing that you might overlook when reading silently.
PSSA PSSA Writing and Grammar 2
What is subject-verb agreement?