PSAT Reading and Writing Practice Test Welcome to your PSAT Reading and Writing Practice Test 1. PSAT: Information and Ideas According to the passage, what is the main reason for the decline in bee populations? Climate change Pesticide use Habitat loss Disease None 2. PSAT: Information and Ideas Based on the passage, the author's view on the new environmental policy is best described as: Supportive Critical Neutral Uncertain None 3. PSAT: Information and Ideas In the context of the passage, what is the primary effect of automation on the job market? Increased productivity Job displacement Improved safety Lower costs None 4. PSAT: Information and Ideas What does the author suggest is the main cause of the recent increase in extreme weather events? Industrial pollution Deforestation Climate change Urbanization None 5. PSAT: Information and Ideas In the passage, the character's decision to leave the city is motivated by which factor? Family Career opportunities Financial troubles Desire for a simpler life None 6. PSAT: Information and Ideas According to the passage, which factor most significantly contributed to the growth of the tech industry in the past decade? Venture capital investment Government subsidies Technological innovation Globalization None 7. PSAT: Information and Ideas The author's perspective on the role of social media in modern communication can best be described as: Ambivalent Positive Negative Optimistic None 8. PSAT: Information and Ideas What does the passage suggest is the primary challenge facing the education system today? Budget cuts Outdated curricula Teacher shortages Student disengagement None 9. PSAT: Information and Ideas According to the passage, the primary motivation for the author's journey was: Academic research Family tradition Personal growth Professional advancement None 10. PSAT: Information and Ideas Based on the passage, what is the primary reason for the community's opposition to the proposed development project? Environmental concerns Economic factors Aesthetic reasons Traffic congestion None 11. PSAT: Information and Ideas In the passage, what is the most significant factor that led to the successful implementation of the new business strategy? Team collaboration Strong leadership Market analysis Customer feedback None 12. PSAT: Information and Ideas According to the passage, what is the underlying reason for the author's shift in career focus? Family obligations Changing interests Health concerns Job redundancy None 13. PSAT: Information and Ideas What does the author imply is the primary cause of the declining popularity of traditional media? Rise of digital platforms Increased competition Decreased quality of content Changing consumer behavior None 14. PSAT: Information and Ideas According to the passage, what is the main reason for the author's preference for independent film over mainstream cinema? Artistic freedom Smaller budgets Unconventional storytelling Limited distribution None 15. PSAT: Craft and Structure In a passage discussing the role of technology in modern education, which of the following statements best captures the author's tone? Skeptical and critical Enthusiastic and optimistic Neutral and objective Cautious and tentative None 16. PSAT: Craft and Structure In a passage about a historical event, the author uses the phrase "a turning point" to describe a specific moment. What is the intended effect of this phrase on the reader? To indicate a significant change in direction To emphasize a small but important detail To introduce a counterargument To suggest an outcome is inevitable None 17. PSAT: Craft and Structure Which of the following rhetorical devices is used when an author presents an exaggerated description of an event to create a humorous effect? Hyperbole Irony Understatement Allusion None 18. PSAT: Craft and Structure If an author writes, "The storm came in like a lion, fierce and unforgiving," which of the following literary techniques is being used? Simile Metaphor Personification Alliteration None 19. PSAT: Craft and Structure In a story where the protagonist discovers an old diary, which of the following literary elements does the diary represent? Symbol Foreshadowing Irony Motif None 20. PSAT: Craft and Structure An author uses parallel structure to emphasize a point. Which of the following is an example of parallel structure? "The sunset was vibrant, breathtaking, and beautiful." "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield." "She was fast like a cheetah." "It rained cats and dogs." None 21. PSAT: Craft and Structure If an author includes a scene that describes a character's nightmare, what might the author be trying to convey to the reader? The character's internal fears or anxieties The plot's climax and resolution A symbol of peace and tranquility A representation of the character's hopes and dreams None 22. PSAT: Craft and Structure An author uses foreshadowing to hint at an event that will occur later in the story. Which of the following is an example of foreshadowing? A storm begins brewing in the distance as the characters argue A character gives a long speech about their background An animal appears to communicate with the protagonist The story's setting is described in great detail None 23. PSAT: Craft and Structure An author uses an unreliable narrator to tell a story. What is the primary purpose of using an unreliable narrator? To create ambiguity and encourage readers to question the truth To provide a detailed, factual account of events To add humor and lightheartedness to the story To establish a clear perspective and structure None 24. PSAT: Craft and Structure If an author describes a character as having "a heart of stone," which of the following rhetorical devices is being used? Metaphor Simile Irony Hyperbole None 25. PSAT: Craft and Structure An author uses anachronism in a historical novel. What does this term refer to? Insertion of something that does not fit the time period A contradiction in terms or events A change in chronological order An error in historical accuracy None 26. PSAT: Craft and Structure In a passage describing a character's appearance, the author writes, "She moved with the grace of a swan." Which of the following literary devices is this? Simile Metaphor Personification Hyperbole None 27. PSAT: Craft and Structure An author uses dramatic irony to create tension in a play. What is dramatic irony? When the audience knows something that the characters do not When events take an unexpected turn When dialogue contains hidden meanings When a character says one thing but means another None 28. PSAT: Craft and Structure In a speech, the speaker uses rhetorical questions. What is the primary purpose of using rhetorical questions in a speech? To engage the audience and encourage reflection To confuse and mislead the audience To emphasize an important point To reduce the length of the speech None 29. PSAT: Expression of Ideas What is the best way to combine the following sentences? "The car was red. It was the fastest model in the dealership." The fastest model in the dealership, the car was red. The car was red, and it was the fastest model in the dealership. The fastest model in the dealership was red; it was a car. It was the fastest model in the dealership, and the car was red. None 30. PSAT: Expression of Ideas In which of the following sentences is the use of the passive voice most appropriate? The cake was eaten by the children before their parents arrived home. The children ate the cake before their parents arrived home. The parents arrived home before the children could eat the cake. The cake that the children ate was made by their grandmother. None 31. PSAT: Expression of Ideas Which of the following is the most concise way to express the idea in this sentence? "The teacher explained the concept of photosynthesis in great detail." The teacher explained photosynthesis. The teacher elaborated on photosynthesis. The teacher explained photosynthesis in detail. The teacher detailed photosynthesis at length. None 32. PSAT: Expression of Ideas What is the most appropriate transition between these two sentences? "Maria always loved science. She decided to major in biology in college." However Therefore In addition Nonetheless None 33. PSAT: Expression of Ideas Which of the following sentences contains correct subject-verb agreement? Neither John nor his friends was ready for the test. Neither John nor his friends were ready for the test. Neither John nor his friends is ready for the test. Neither John nor his friends are ready for the test. None 34. PSAT: Expression of Ideas Which of the following sentences uses parallel structure? She enjoys reading, writing, and to play music. She enjoys reading, writing, and playing music. She enjoys to read, to write, and to play music. She enjoys reading, to write, and to play music. None 35. PSAT: Expression of Ideas Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct use of commas in a list? The cake was made with flour, sugar, eggs, and butter. The cake was made with flour, sugar, eggs and butter. The cake was made with flour sugar, eggs, and butter. The cake was made with flour, sugar, eggs, and, butter. None 36. PSAT: Expression of Ideas What is the best way to correct the following sentence fragment? "Because she was late for school." She was late for school. She arrived late because of traffic. Because she was late for school, she missed the first period. Because she was late, she got in trouble. None 37. PSAT: Expression of Ideas Which of the following sentences uses proper punctuation for direct speech? "I will go to the store," said John. "I will go to the store" said John. I will go to the store, John said. "I will go to the store", said John. None 38. PSAT: Expression of Ideas Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct usage of a semicolon? I like apples; however, I don't like oranges. I like apples; and oranges. I like apples, but I don't like oranges. I like apples; oranges are too tart. None 39. PSAT: Expression of Ideas What is the best way to correct this dangling modifier? "Running down the street, the car nearly hit me." Running down the street, I was nearly hit by the car. The car nearly hit me while running down the street. I was running down the street, and the car nearly hit me. Running down the street, the car nearly hit me while I was walking. None 40. PSAT: Expression of Ideas Which of the following sentences uses a colon correctly? There were three items in the bag: a book, a pen, and a key. The bag contained: a book, a pen, and a key. The bag: contained a book, a pen, and a key. The bag had a book, a pen, and a key: in it. None 41. PSAT: Standard English Conventions Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct? The group of students enjoys their break during summer. Neither of the candidates were available for the meeting. The family went on its annual vacation to the beach. None of the books are suitable for reading in class. None 42. PSAT: Standard English Conventions In which of the following sentences is the verb tense consistent? When she had finished the report, she sends it to her supervisor. By the time the movie starts, they had already eaten dinner. After they cooked dinner, they cleaned the kitchen. After he calls the client, he will write the report. None 43. PSAT: Standard English Conventions Which of the following sentences contains correct punctuation? John's car; which was new, was already experiencing issues. My favorite hobbies include reading: writing, and cooking. The conference attendees had to bring their IDs, laptops, and business cards. She said that she wasn't going; but she did anyway. None 44. PSAT: Standard English Conventions Which of the following sentences uses a correct comparative form? This is the most easiest problem in the set. She is more happy than her sister. This restaurant serves better food than the one down the street. He is the least happiest person in the office. None 45. PSAT: Standard English Conventions Which of the following sentences uses an appropriate transition word? However, the team reached the finals for the first time. Moreover, the city is known for its natural beauty, not its pollution. Consequently, she always tried to avoid success. Instead, he enjoyed all the homework assigned to him. None 46. PSAT: Standard English Conventions Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct pronoun usage? Everyone should do their best to improve. Neither of the teachers gave their opinion. The coach distributed water bottles to all of us players. Each student needs to bring their book to class. None 47. PSAT: Standard English Conventions Which of the following sentences uses correct subject-verb agreement? The data was analyzed by the scientists. Each of the participants were given a survey. The committee have decided to postpone the meeting. Neither of the answers seem correct. None 48. PSAT: Standard English Conventions Which of the following sentences uses the correct adjective form? She is more taller than her brother. The sunset was more beautiful than any he had ever seen. The weather became coldest as the night fell. It was the most smallest town in the state. None 49. PSAT: Standard English Conventions Which of the following sentences uses a correct idiomatic expression? He is quite interested to sports. She excelled on her math test. The company is keen on exploring new markets. He is not that bad than expected. None 50. PSAT: Standard English Conventions Which of the following sentences uses the correct parallel structure? He likes to read, write, and painting. She enjoys singing, dancing, and to travel. The committee discussed the budget, planned the event, and they finalized the schedule. The team needs to practice, strategize, and execute. None 51. PSAT: Standard English Conventions Which of the following sentences uses the correct form of a possessive noun? The Smith's have a new car. The cars doors were damaged. The children's playground was closed. The cat's are asleep in the sunroom. None 52. PSAT: Standard English Conventions Which of the following sentences uses correct punctuation? The book, which I borrowed from you is really interesting. The cat's tail was stuck in the door, so it couldn't move. She said "I'll be there in five minutes." I can't believe it; she finally graduated! None 53. PSAT: Standard English Conventions Which of the following sentences uses correct subject-verb agreement? Neither of the players are available. The data were analyzed by the scientist. Either the coach or the players is at fault. Each of the participants receive a certificate. None 54. PSAT: Standard English Conventions Which of the following sentences uses correct punctuation and structure? The report's conclusions were, however, inconclusive. John said "I'll be back in an hour." She asked me if I could help her with her homework and I agreed. After the meeting, we went out to lunch; I had a great time. None 1 out of 54 Time is Up! Time's up
