PSC SLE English Writing: Find and correct an error

Every original question, with optional answers, explanations and official references. Open an answer to study, or take the test above for instant feedback.

1. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] Your draft [2] contains fewer pages [3] than our [4] but keeps every table.

   Locate the grammatical error in the draft-length comparison.

   1. [1] Your draft
   2. [2] contains fewer pages
   3. [3] than our
   4. [4] but keeps every table.
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: [3] than our

   Correction: “than ours”. The comparison needs the independent possessive ours, meaning our draft. Our alone requires a noun.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

2. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] The room reminder [2] is displayed [3] in accordance to [4] the approved plan.

   In this room reminder, which numbered part is faulty?

   1. [1] The room reminder
   2. [2] is displayed
   3. [3] in accordance to
   4. [4] the approved plan.
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: [3] in accordance to

   Correction: “in accordance with”. The established construction is in accordance with, not in accordance to.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

3. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] One of the files [2] are missing [3] from the tray [4] beside the scanner.

   Identify the segment that makes the missing-file note ungrammatical.

   1. [1] One of the files
   2. [2] are missing
   3. [3] from the tray
   4. [4] beside the scanner.
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: [2] are missing

   Correction: “is missing”. One is the singular subject head, even though files is plural inside the following phrase.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

4. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] The supplier [2] has changed [3] it’s contact address [4] for future invoices.

   Check the supplier’s update and choose the segment to repair.

   1. [1] The supplier
   2. [2] has changed
   3. [3] it’s contact address
   4. [4] for future invoices.
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: [3] it’s contact address

   Correction: “its contact address”. Its is possessive; it’s is a contraction of it is or it has and cannot determine contact address.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

5. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] The technician [2] has already [3] inspect the lift [4] twice this week.

   Which numbered part of the inspection report contains the error?

   1. [1] The technician
   2. [2] has already
   3. [3] inspect the lift
   4. [4] twice this week.
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: [3] inspect the lift

   Correction: “inspected the lift”. Has already needs a past participle, inspected, to complete the present perfect.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

6. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] The folders [2] that we need [3] is stored [4] in the locked cabinet.

   One segment in this storage note needs correction. Which one?

   1. [1] The folders
   2. [2] that we need
   3. [3] is stored
   4. [4] in the locked cabinet.
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: [3] is stored

   Correction: “are stored”. The plural main subject folders requires are, regardless of the relative clause between subject and verb.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

7. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] The new checklist [2] is more detailed [3] then the old one [4] and includes dates.

   Read the checklist comparison and locate the incorrect segment.

   1. [1] The new checklist
   2. [2] is more detailed
   3. [3] then the old one
   4. [4] and includes dates.
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: [3] then the old one

   Correction: “than the old one”. A comparative uses than to introduce its second term. Then refers to time or sequence.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

8. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] The clerk [2] did not received [3] the booking request [4] before noon.

   Which part of the room-booking message needs a correction?

   1. [1] The clerk
   2. [2] did not received
   3. [3] the booking request
   4. [4] before noon.
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: [2] did not received

   Correction: “did not receive”. After did not, use the base verb receive rather than the past form received.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

9. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] The two badges [2] on the counter [3] needs replacement [4] before the visit.

   Identify the error in the note about damaged badges.

   1. [1] The two badges
   2. [2] on the counter
   3. [3] needs replacement
   4. [4] before the visit.
   Show answer and explanation

   Correct answer: [3] needs replacement

   Correction: “need replacement”. The plural head badges takes need. The singular counter in a modifier does not control agreement.

   Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

   Official reference ↗

10. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] The revised schedule [2] have been posted [3] near reception [4] for all visitors.

    Find the faulty segment in the schedule-change notice.

    1. [1] The revised schedule
    2. [2] have been posted
    3. [3] near reception
    4. [4] for all visitors.
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: [2] have been posted

    Correction: “has been posted”. The head schedule is singular, so the present-perfect auxiliary must be has.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

11. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] Please [2] to attach [3] the signed page [4] to your reply.

    Check this attachment request: which numbered segment is incorrect?

    1. [1] Please
    2. [2] to attach
    3. [3] the signed page
    4. [4] to your reply.
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: [2] to attach

    Correction: “attach”. The imperative after please uses the base verb attach, without to.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

12. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] This printer [2] is available [3] to Karim and I [4] during the workshop.

    In the printer-access note, which segment needs to be corrected?

    1. [1] This printer
    2. [2] is available
    3. [3] to Karim and I
    4. [4] during the workshop.
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: [3] to Karim and I

    Correction: “to Karim and me”. The pronoun is an object of to, so the coordinated phrase requires me, not I.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

13. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] We look forward [2] to announce [3] the final dates [4] after approval.

    Select the faulty wording in this announcement draft.

    1. [1] We look forward
    2. [2] to announce
    3. [3] the final dates
    4. [4] after approval.
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: [2] to announce

    Correction: “to announcing”. In look forward to, to is a preposition followed by the -ing form announcing.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗

14. Fictional workplace note — original exercise. [1] Could you [2] advice us [3] on the registration steps [4] before Friday?

    Which part of this registration-advice message should be rewritten?

    1. [1] Could you
    2. [2] advice us
    3. [3] on the registration steps
    4. [4] before Friday?
    Show answer and explanation

    Correct answer: [2] advice us

    Correction: “advise us”. The modal could requires the base verb advise. Advice is a noun.

    Based on: Original independent grammar exercise; the reference is for further grammar study, not the source of this sentence or an official PSC answer.

    Official reference ↗