SHSAT ELA · Revising/Editing
Grammar & Usage Practice
Subject-verb agreement, verb tense, and pronoun usage. This is one of the skills tested on the SHSAT; the 2026 exam is computer-based with 50 ELA questions in a 90-minute section. Try the samples below, then practice the full topic with instant feedback and explanations.
Free sample questions
Question 1
Which change is needed in sentence 10?
- AChange "altered" to "altering"
- BChange "can still be seen" to "can still been seen"
- CAdd a comma after "civilization"
- DChange "its" to "it's"
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C
Sentence 10 contains two independent clauses joined by "and" without a comma. When "and" joins two independent clauses, a comma should precede it. "Its" (possessive) is correct, not "it's" (contraction of "it is").
Question 2
Which revision corrects the error in sentence 11?
- APreservation efforts is continuing to be an important priority for the Chinese government and international organizations.
- BPreservation efforts continuing to be an important priority for the Chinese government and international organizations.
- CPreservation efforts continue to be an important priority for the Chinese government and international organizations.
- DPreservation efforts has continued to be an important priority for the Chinese government and international organizations.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C
The plural subject "efforts" requires the plural verb "continue," not the singular "continues." Option B creates a fragment. Options C and D use singular verb forms ("has," "is") with a plural subject.
Question 3
Read this sentence.
The committee have decided to postpone the fundraiser until next month due to the weather forecast.
Which edit should be made to correct the sentence?
- AChange 'until' to 'untill'
- BChange 'have' to 'has'
- CNo change is needed.
- DChange 'decided' to 'deciding'
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B
In American English, collective nouns like 'committee' are treated as singular and take singular verbs. 'Has decided' is correct. B changes the verb form incorrectly. C is a misspelling. D is wrong because the verb agreement error exists.
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