PSAT Identifying Sentence Errors Practice Test 2

Question – 1

For the following questions, you will have to identify whether or not there are any error/errors in the underlined sections in the given passages. If there are any error/errors, choose the correct option accordingly, otherwise select option (E) which is the ‘no error’ option.


1. Last fortnight, news of a significant development was (A) tucked away inside the pages of the newspapers (B). At last, the government has tabled (C) a bill in Parliament. This bill is for making primary education one of the fundamental rights (D). No error (E)

  • A.

  • B.

  • C.

  • D.

  • E.

  • Answer:B

  • Answer Explanation:Option A is incorrect. Here, ‘news’ is singular and the verb used is ‘was’ which is grammatically correct.Option B is correct. Here, the use of a definite article ‘the’ is incorrect since a specific newspaper is not mentioned in the article.Option C is incorrect. The use of present perfect tense ‘has tabled’ is apt here since it describes the accomplishment of the government.Option D is incorrect. There are many fundamental rights and the ‘bill’ in question is for making ‘primary education’ also one of it. Therefore, this segment is grammatically correct.Option E is incorrect. Since there is an error in segment B, ‘no error’ option cannot be chosen.


Question – 2

For the following questions, you will have to identify whether or not there are any error/errors in the underlined sections in the given passages. If there are any error/errors, choose the correct option accordingly, otherwise select option (E) which is the ‘no error’ option.


2. A fortnight ago, a Delhi based newspaper carried a report about (A) the Government’s ‘Education for all’ (B) program. It said that literacy centers in (C) the city were (D) closed down, volunteers beaten up and enrolment registers were burnt. No error (E)

  • A.

  • B.

  • C.

  • D.

  • E.

  • Answer:E

  • Answer Explanation:Option A is incorrect. Here, the use of preposition ‘about’ is apt and it is used to refer to the ‘report’Option B is incorrect. Here, the single quotation marks used for the expression ‘education for all’ are apt since it shows the name of the program.Option C is incorrect. The preposition ‘in’ is used to link the noun, ‘centers’ to the rest of the sentence and since there is a denotation to a place, ‘in’ is correct.Option D is incorrect. Here, a report on an incident that occurred a fortnight back is reported and the use of ‘were’ in past tense is correct.Option E is correct. Since there are no mistakes in any of the segments, ‘no error’ is incorrect.


Question – 3

For the following questions, you will have to identify whether or not there are any error/errors in the underlined sections in the given passages. If there are any error/errors, choose the correct option accordingly, otherwise select option (E) which is the ‘no error’ option.


3. The routine denials were issued. However, it is still (A) a pointer to the enormity of the task in (B) hand. Nearly 30 million children in the age group of 6 to 10 do not go (C) to school. This is reason enough to make (D) primary education compulsory. No error (E)

  • A.

  • B.

  • C.

  • D.

  • E.

  • Answer:B

  • Answer Explanation:Option A is incorrect. ‘Still’ here means that something is happening in spite of another action and the usage is grammatically and structurally correct.Option B is correct. The idiom ‘task at’ should be used since the task is present at this time. Therefore, the use of ‘task in’ is incorrect.Option C is incorrect. Here, the noun is ‘children’ and it is plural, therefore, ‘do not’ is the correct verb usage with it.Option D is incorrect. Here, ‘to make’ means ‘to draw a conclusion’ and the usage is apt here.Option E is incorrect. Since there is an error in segment B, option E cannot be chosen.


Question – 4

For the following questions, you will have to identify whether or not there are any error/errors in the underlined sections in the given passages. If there are any error/errors, choose the correct option accordingly, otherwise select option (E) which is the ‘no error’ option.


4. It is now known widely (A) that 14 states and four union territories have this law on their (B) statute books. Believe it or not, the list actually includes (C) Bihar, Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Rajasthan, where (D) literacy and education levels are miles below the national average. No error (E)

  • A.

  • B.

  • C.

  • D.

  • E.

  • Answer:A

  • Answer Explanation:Option A is correct. The usage of ‘known widely’ does not convey the meaning that ‘something is well known’; rather in this case, ‘widely’ is describing ‘known’ and it is lending an entirely different meaning to the sentence. The correct usage would be ‘widely known’.Option B is incorrect. In this segment, ‘their’ refers to the states and the union territories and therefore, the plural usage of the verb is correct.Option C is incorrect. Here, the word ‘actually’ is used to show that ‘though it is unbelievable, still it is there’ and its usage is grammatically and structurally correct.Option D is incorrect. The word ‘where’ refers to the states mentioned in the sentence and it is used in the correct manner.Option E is incorrect. Since there is an error in segment A, option E cannot be chosen.


Question – 5

For the following questions, you will have to identify whether or not there are any error/errors in the underlined sections in the given passages. If there are any error/errors, choose the correct option accordingly, otherwise select option (E) which is the ‘no error’ option.


5. If India’s record continues (A) to appall, it is because these intricacies have not been (B) adequately understood. The troubles have (C) been that the education policy has been designed by grizzled mandarins ensconced in Delhi and who are (D) totally out of touch with the ground reality. No error (E)

  • A.

  • B.

  • C.

  • D.

  • E.

  • Answer:C

  • Answer Explanation:Option A is incorrect. Here, ‘record’ is the noun and ‘continues’ is the verb and both are in singular form. There noun and verb match and therefore, this segment has no error.Option B is incorrect. Here, the verb, ‘have’ is used as a present perfect continuous verb which is apt since it refers to a recent happening.Option C is correct. The usage of trouble in the plural form is incorrect since the mention is of a single problem.Option D is incorrect. Here, the verb, ‘are’ refers to ‘grizzled mandarins’. The verb and noun are matched and therefore, this segment is grammatically correct.Option E is incorrect. Since there is an error in segment C, ‘no error’ cannot be chosen.


Question – 6

For the following questions, you will have to identify whether or not there are any error/errors in the underlined sections in the given passages. If there are any error/errors, choose the correct option accordingly, otherwise select option (E) which is the ‘no error’ option.


6. For proof, one has only to look into (A) the success of the district primary education program, which (B) was launched in 1994. It has met (C) with a fair degree of success in the 122 districts it covers (D). No error (E)

  • A.

  • B.

  • C.

  • D.

  • E.

  • Answer:A

  • Answer Explanation:Option A is correct. The expression ‘look into’ is used for when something is being inquired. Here, the success has to be examined and therefore, ‘look at’ is the apt usage here.Option B is incorrect. Here, ‘which’ is used as a determiner to refer to something previously mentioned and it also helps in introducing a clause to provide further information. The usage is grammatically and structurally apt here.Option C is incorrect. The expression ‘has met’ is used in the past participle tense to describe an experience and it is correct.Option D is incorrect. The word ‘covers’ refers to the program and since the verb and noun are matched, it is the correct usage.Option E is incorrect. Since there is an error in segment A, option E cannot be chosen.


Question – 7

For the following questions, you will have to identify whether or not there are any error/errors in the underlined sections in the given passages. If there are any error/errors, choose the correct option accordingly, otherwise select option (E) which is the ‘no error’ option.


7. Trade requires a settled government to put down (A) the habit of plundering strangers. This is not a habit of none of the (B) tribal people, who are often friendly and honest. It is what civilized men do (C) where there is (D) no law to restrain them. No error (E)

  • A.

  • B.

  • C.

  • D.

  • E.

  • Answer:B

  • Answer Explanation:Option A is incorrect. The expression ‘put down’ means ‘suppress’ and since it refers to something that must be curbed, the usage is correct.Option B is correct. There is a double negative, ‘not a habit’ and ‘none of the tribals’ and structurally it is incorrect.Option C is incorrect. The verb ‘do’ refers to civilized men and there is noun-verb match.Option D is incorrect. The word ‘is’ refers to the law and the verb and noun are matched.Option E is incorrect. Since there is an error in segment B, option E cannot be chosen.


Question – 8

For the following questions, you will have to identify whether or not there are any error/errors in the underlined sections in the given passages. If there are any error/errors, choose the correct option accordingly, otherwise select option (E) which is the ‘no error’ option.


8. The Chinese still remember (A) some astonishing outbursts of looting perpetrated by English ladies of high position (B), at moments when law and order were (C) suspended and priceless works of art were to be had (D) for the grabbing. No error (E)

  • A.

  • B.

  • C.

  • D.

  • E.

  • Answer:C

  • Answer Explanation:Option A is incorrect. The word ‘Chinese’ refers to the people of China and is plural and the verb ‘remember’ is also used in the plural form. Since there is noun-verb match, the segment is grammatically correct.Option B is incorrect. The words ‘high position’ is used to modify ‘English ladies’ and the preposition ‘of’ brings out the connection between the two. The usage is structurally correct.Option C is correct. The expression ‘law and order’ is used in the singular form here and therefore, the verb must be ‘was’. Since there is a verb-noun mismatch, this segment is grammatically incorrect.Option D is incorrect. When the subject is a thing, ‘to be had’ means the same as to be available and this segment conveys that ‘priceless works of art were available for grabbing’. The usage is structurally aptOption E is incorrect. Since there is an error in segment C option E cannot be chosen.


Question – 9

For the following questions, you will have to identify whether or not there are any error/errors in the underlined sections in the given passages. If there are any error/errors, choose the correct option accordingly, otherwise select option (E) which is the ‘no error’ option.


9. When trading with aborigines began (A) with the visit of a single ship (B), the cannons and cutlasses it carries may be quite sufficient to overawe the natives if they are troublesome. The real difficulty begins when a number of ships start arriving (C). This leads to the establishment of a little trading station of white men (D). No error (E)

  • A.

  • B.

  • C.

  • D.

  • E.

  • Answer:A

  • Answer Explanation:Option A is correct. The passage is in present tense and ‘began’ is in past tense. This is grammatically incorrect.Option B is incorrect. Here, one ‘ship’ is being referred to and the usage is right.Option C is incorrect. The expression ‘number of ships’ is plural and the verb ‘start’ is also in plural. Since there is noun-verb match this segment is grammatically correct.Option D is incorrect. The preposition ‘of’ is used here to indicate the connection between ‘trading station’ and ‘white men’. The usage is apt here.Option E is incorrect. Since there an error in segment A, option E cannot be chosen.


Question – 10

For the following questions, you will have to identify whether or not there are any error/errors in the underlined sections in the given passages. If there are any error/errors, choose the correct option accordingly, otherwise select option (E) which is the ‘no error’ option.


10. Such a trading station attracts (A) criminals and violent roughs. It is these riffraff which turn the place (B) into a sort of hell in which sooner or later (C) missionaries are murdered (D) and traders plundered. No error (E)

  • A.

  • B.

  • C.

  • D.

  • E.

  • Answer:B

  • Answer Explanation:Option A is incorrect. Verb (attract) -noun (station) match is correct and therefore, there is no error in this segment.Option B is correct. ‘Riffraff’ is used to indicate criminals. The word, ‘which’ is used for non-living things and since criminals are referred to here, usage of ‘which’ is incorrect.Option C is incorrect. The phrase ‘sooner or later’ is used to indicate that eventually the action leads to an effect. The usage is apt here.Option D is incorrect. The verb ‘are’ is plural and the noun ‘missionaries’ is also plural. Since there is noun-verb match, the usage is grammatically correct.Option E is incorrect. Since there is an error in segment B, ‘no error’ cannot be chosen.


Question – 11

For the following questions, you will have to identify whether or not there are any error/errors in the underlined sections in the given passages. If there are any error/errors, choose the correct option accordingly, otherwise select option (E) which is the ‘no error’ option.


11. Their (A) home governments are appealed to put a stop to this. A gunboat is sent out and an inquiry (B) made. The report after an inquiry is that there isn’t nothing (C) to be done but to set up a civilized government, with a post office, police, troops, and a navy (D). No error (E)

  • A.

  • B.

  • C.

  • D.

  • E.

  • Answer:C

  • Answer Explanation:A is incorrect. The determiner ‘their’ is used to denote that the ‘home governments’ is associated with the people previously mentioned. The usage is apt.B is incorrect. Here, ‘inquiry’ is the apt word since the reference is to an investigation. ‘Enquiry’ cannot be used since it does not denote a question.C is correct. Here, ‘isn’t’ and ‘nothing’ become double negatives. The correct usage would be ‘is nothing’ or isn’t anything.D is incorrect. Here, the intended meaning of the sentence is that there is a requirement of establishing a civilized government that has a post office, a navy, police and troops. The words ‘post office’ and ‘navy’ are used in the singular form and the words ‘police’ and ‘troops’ are in plural. The commas used here are appropriately placed since the meaning is conveyed properly.E is incorrect. Since there is an error in segment C, option E cannot be chosen.


Question – 12

For the following questions, you will have to identify whether or not there are any error/errors in the underlined sections in the given passages. If there are any error/errors, choose the correct option accordingly, otherwise select option (E) which is the ‘no error’ option.


12. Their home governments are appealed to put a stop to this. A gunboat is sent out (A) and an inquiry made. The report after an inquiry is that (B) there is nothing to be done but (C) to set up a civilized government with a post office, police, troops, and a navy (D). No error (E)

  • A.

  • B.

  • C.

  • D.

  • E.

  • Answer:D

  • Answer Explanation:Option A is incorrect. Here, ‘sent out’ is used to dispatch a command to do something and therefore, the phrasal use of ‘sent is appropriate.Option B is incorrect. ‘That’ is used as a conjunction here to introduce the subordinate clause and this segment is structurally correct.Option C is incorrect. The word ‘but’ is used as a conjunction here to introduce the clause contrasting with what has already been mentioned and the usage is apt here.Option D is correct. The underlined portion is suggesting that the requirement is of setting up four things: a civilized government with a post office, a navy, police and troops i.e. the navy, police and troops are not necessarily a part of the government. However, this meaning is incorrect and therefore, a comma must be used after government and the use of ‘with’ is incorrect.Option E is incorrect. Since there is an error in segment D, option E cannot be chosen.


Question – 13

For the following questions, you will have to identify whether or not there are any error/errors in the underlined sections in the given passages. If there are any error/errors, choose the correct option accordingly, otherwise select option (E) which is the ‘no error’ option.


13. In short, it can be said briefly that (A) the place is added to some civilized Empire. The riffraff who have created the emergency move out (B) just beyond the boundary of the annexed territory, and are as great a nuisance as (C) ever to the traders when they have (D) exhausted the purchasing power of the included natives. No error (E)

  • A.

  • B.

  • C.

  • D.

  • E.

  • Answer:A

  • Answer Explanation:Option A is correct. ‘In short’ and ‘in brief’ mean the same. Therefore, it is incorrect to use them simultaneously in a sentence with reference to the same subject.Option B is incorrect. Here, ‘move out’ is used as an adverb to mean that the ‘riffraff’ have vacated and the usage is appropriate.Option C is incorrect. The meaning the underlined segment conveys is that the ‘riffraff’ are a great nuisance as they always have been and therefore, the usage is apt here.Option D is incorrect. The word ‘have’ is the verb referring to the noun ‘riffraff’. Since the verb and noun are matched, the usage is correct.Option E is incorrect. Since there is an error in the segment A, option E cannot be chosen.


Question – 14

For the following questions, you will have to identify whether or not there are any error/errors in the underlined sections in the given passages. If there are any error/errors, choose the correct option accordingly, otherwise select option (E) which is the ‘no error’ option.


14. In short, it can be said that (A) the place is added to some civilized Empire. The riffraff who have created (B) the emergency move out just beyond (C) the boundary of the annexed territory, and are a great a nuisance as (D) ever to the traders when they have exhausted the purchasing power of the included natives. No error (E)

  • A.

  • B.

  • C.

  • D.

  • E.

  • Answer:D

  • Answer Explanation:A is incorrect. ‘That’ is used as a conjunction here to introduce the subordinate clause and this segment is structurally correct.B is incorrect. The statement is in present perfect tense and ‘have created’ is the appropriate usage.C is incorrect. Here, ‘just’ means ‘at a little distance’. ‘Just beyond’ means that the riffraff have moved a little distance outside the boundary. The usage is grammatically and structurally correct.D is correct. The underlined portion is making the sentence ambiguous and the correct usage would be ‘as great a nuisance as’ since there is a comparison.E is incorrect. Since there is an error in segment D, option E cannot be chosen.


Question – 15

For the following questions, you will have to identify whether or not there are any error/errors in the underlined sections in the given passages. If there are any error/errors, choose the correct option accordingly, otherwise select option (E) which is the ‘no error’ option.


15. The asteroid interception and diversion experts were mostly (A) hobbyists, planetary scientists, astronomers and engineers who (B) think up (C) these strategies in their own time (D). No error (E)

  • A.

  • B.

  • C.

  • D.

  • E.

  • Answer:A

  • Answer Explanation:Option A is correct. The latter part of the sentence brings out that these experts ‘think up’ strategies in their own time. Therefore, the usage of ‘were’ in the underlined portion is incorrect as it is in the past tense.Option B is incorrect. The pronoun ‘who’ is used to introduce a clause giving further information about a person or people previously mentioned. Here, it is used to introduce the scientists, hobbyists etc and the usage is apt.Option C is incorrect. Here, ‘think up’ is the verb and it means to ‘devise or invent’. The usage is structurally correct.Option D is incorrect. ‘Their’ referrers to the scientists, hobbyists, etc and the noun and verb are plural. Therefore, verb-noun match is correct.Option E is incorrect. Since there is an error in segment A, ‘no error’ cannot be chosen.


Score: 0/10

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