2025 PSAT WRITING WARM-UP_VERBS

Aristotle famously argued that no more than five senses existed. His grasp of how each of these senses was experienced was understandably limited by a lack of knowledge of human biology, but the fact that these five senses _____________ considered the sum of human physical experience for centuries speaks to the brilliance of Aristotle's scientific observation.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

• are

• will be

• are being

• were

The type of writing known s muckraking_____________ very popular in America in the early 20th century, in both books and newspaper.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

• is

• has been

• was

• will be

On of the most enduring myths ever spread____________ to the reason for Christopher Columbus's voyage to the New World. Despite the lingering belief that Columbus took to the sea to disprove the notion the Earth was flat, there was no such notion to disprove in the 15th century. Since the time of the ancient Greeks, scholars had been aware that the Earth was spherical, just like the moon and visible planets.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

• had related

• will relate

• relates

• would have related

Historically, the preferred methods of mosquito control __________ harsh chemicals and pesticides. Today, however, strategies such as biocontrol, source reduction, habit modification, and trapping are preferred because they are less harmful to people and the environment.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

• was

• is

• has been

• were

Lionfish, which are native to the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, are considered invasive in the Atlantic Ocean. According to expert Mark Hixon, collecting individual lionfish and introducing fish that are known to prey on them are two options for helping the ecosystem recover before too much damage__________.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

• will be caused

• is caused

• was caused

• causes

Although American Samuel Morse worked for many years as a painter, he is known more for his inventions. He developed a single-wire telegraph and a way to communicate using dots and dashes, known as morse code. In Morse Code, each of the 26 basic Latin letters and 10 Arabic numerals _______ assigned a unique sequence of dots and dashes.

Which choice completes the test so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

• were

• are

• have been

• is