SHSAT English Language Arts Quiz: Pronoun Agreement
20 questions · exam conditions
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Pronoun AgreementQuestion 1 of 20

Read this sentence.

All of the research data is stored on a secure server to protect   integrity.

their
it's
its
our
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SHSAT English Language Arts Quiz

SHSAT English Language Arts Quiz: Pronoun Agreement

Practice Pronoun Agreement in SHSAT English Language Arts with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Pronoun Agreement, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for SHSAT English Language Arts.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

Read this sentence.

All of the research data is stored on a secure server to protect   integrity.

  1. their
  2. it's
  3. its (correct answer)
  4. our
Explanation: This question tests your understanding of possessive pronouns and contractions, specifically when to use "its" versus "it's" and how to match pronouns with their antecedents. The correct answer is (C) its because you need a possessive pronoun to show that the integrity belongs to the research data. "Research data" is treated as a singular noun (even though "data" can be plural in some contexts, it's used as a mass noun here), so you need the singular possessive pronoun "its" to refer back to it. Let's examine why the other options don't work: (A) their is incorrect because "their" is a plural possessive pronoun, but "research data" is being treated as singular in this sentence. (B) it's is wrong because this is a contraction meaning "it is" or "it has" — if you substitute "it is" into the sentence, you get "to protect it is integrity," which makes no grammatical sense. (D) our doesn't work because there's no indication that the integrity belongs to "us" — the sentence establishes that we're talking about the data's integrity, not our integrity. Remember this key distinction: "its" (no apostrophe) shows possession, while "it's" (with apostrophe) is always a contraction. When you're unsure, try substituting "it is" or "it has" — if the sentence doesn't make sense, you need the possessive "its." Also, always check that your pronoun number (singular/plural) matches what it's referring to.

Question 2

Read this sentence.

Both the maple tree and the oak tree in our front yard lose   leaves in the autumn.

  1. its
  2. there
  3. it's
  4. their (correct answer)
Explanation: This question tests pronoun agreement, which requires matching pronouns to their antecedents in both number and person. When you see a sentence with multiple subjects connected by "and," you need to determine whether they form a compound subject that requires a plural pronoun. The subject here is "Both the maple tree and the oak tree" — two separate trees connected by "and," creating a compound subject. Since we're referring to multiple trees, we need a plural possessive pronoun to show that the leaves belong to both trees. Choice D) "their" correctly provides this plural possessive form, making the sentence read: "Both the maple tree and the oak tree in our front yard lose their leaves in the autumn." Choice A) "its" is a singular possessive pronoun that would only work for one tree, not two. Choice B) "there" is an adverb indicating location ("over there") or the expletive in constructions like "there are," but it's not possessive at all. Choice C) "it's" is a contraction meaning "it is" or "it has" — you can test this by substituting the full phrase, which would create the nonsensical "lose it is leaves." Remember this key rule: when subjects are joined by "and," they almost always create a plural compound subject requiring plural pronouns. Also, distinguish between "its" (possessive), "it's" (contraction), and "there" (location/expletive) versus "their" (plural possessive). The SHSAT frequently tests these easily confused words, so practice identifying what each sentence actually needs.

Question 3

(1) The museum's new exhibit on ancient Egypt is very popular. (2) It features a collection of artifacts from a recently discovered tomb. (3) The centerpiece is a sarcophagus that still has their original painted decorations. (4) Visitors are amazed by the level of detail and craftsmanship.

Which sentence should be revised to correct a pronoun agreement error?

  1. Sentence 1
  2. Sentence 2
  3. Sentence 4
  4. Sentence 3 (correct answer)
Explanation: Pronoun agreement errors occur when a pronoun doesn't match its antecedent in number, person, or gender. When you encounter questions about pronoun agreement, identify what noun the pronoun refers to and check if they match grammatically. In sentence 3, the pronoun "their" creates an agreement error. The sentence reads: "The centerpiece is a sarcophagus that still has their original painted decorations." The pronoun "their" is plural, but it refers to "a sarcophagus," which is singular. Since we're talking about one sarcophagus, the correct pronoun should be "its" (singular possessive). The sentence should read: "The centerpiece is a sarcophagus that still has its original painted decorations." Choice A (sentence 1) contains no pronouns, so there's no possibility of pronoun agreement error. Choice B (sentence 2) also lacks pronouns entirely. Choice C (sentence 4) has no pronoun agreement issues—all nouns and any implied references are properly aligned. The error in sentence 3 is particularly tricky because "their" might sound correct if you're thinking about multiple decorations. However, "their" must agree with the subject that possesses those decorations—the singular sarcophagus—not with the decorations themselves. Remember this strategy: when checking pronoun agreement, always trace the pronoun back to its specific antecedent (the noun it replaces), then verify they match in number. Don't be distracted by other nouns in the sentence that might influence your choice.

Question 4

(1) The city council will hold its monthly meeting this Tuesday to discuss the proposed park. (2) Every resident who plans to speak must sign up beforehand. (3) Each speaker should prepare their statement to be no longer than three minutes. (4) The agenda, with its detailed list of topics, has been posted online for public review.

Which sentence in the paragraph should be revised to correct an error in pronoun agreement?

  1. Sentence 3 (correct answer)
  2. Sentence 2
  3. Sentence 1
  4. Sentence 4
Explanation: When you encounter pronoun agreement questions, you need to check whether pronouns match their antecedents in number (singular/plural) and person. Look for mismatches where a singular noun is paired with a plural pronoun, or vice versa. In sentence 3, "Each speaker should prepare their statement," there's a pronoun agreement error. "Each speaker" is singular (the word "each" always creates a singular subject), but "their" is plural. This creates a mismatch. The sentence should read "Each speaker should prepare his or her statement" or be rewritten to avoid the issue entirely, such as "All speakers should prepare their statements." Choice B is incorrect because sentence 2 has proper agreement: "Every resident who plans to speak" (singular) matches with the implied singular verb and doesn't contain problematic pronouns. Choice C is wrong because sentence 1 contains no pronouns at all—it simply states facts about the city council meeting. Choice D is incorrect because sentence 4 correctly uses "its" to refer to "the agenda"—both are singular, so the agreement is proper. The key trap here is that "their" sounds natural in everyday speech, and many people use it informally with singular antecedents like "each" or "every." However, in formal writing tested on the SHSAT, this remains an error. Remember: words like "each," "every," "either," and "neither" create singular subjects that require singular pronouns, even when the meaning seems to refer to multiple people.

Question 5

(1) The library is hosting a summer reading challenge for young readers. (2) Each participant will set their own reading goal for the summer. (3) Prizes will be awarded to those who meet their goals. (4) The program aims to encourage reading during the school break.

Which sentence in the paragraph contains an error in pronoun-antecedent agreement?

  1. Sentence 1
  2. Sentence 4
  3. Sentence 3
  4. Sentence 2 (correct answer)
Explanation: When you encounter pronoun-antecedent agreement questions, you need to identify whether pronouns correctly match their antecedents in both number (singular/plural) and gender. The key is finding the noun that the pronoun refers to and checking if they agree. Let's examine sentence 2: "Each participant will set their own reading goal for the summer." The pronoun "their" is plural, but its antecedent "each participant" is singular. The word "each" always takes a singular verb and singular pronouns, so this should read "his or her own reading goal" or be rewritten to avoid the issue entirely. This creates a clear pronoun-antecedent disagreement, making D the correct answer. Looking at the wrong choices: A (sentence 1) contains no pronouns at all, so there can't be any pronoun-antecedent errors. B (sentence 4) also lacks pronouns entirely. C (sentence 3) uses "those who meet their goals" - here "their" correctly refers to the plural "those," so the agreement is proper. The trap in this question is that "their" sounds natural in everyday speech when referring to "each participant" because we often use plural pronouns to avoid specifying gender. However, formal grammar rules require singular pronouns to match singular antecedents. Watch for words like "each," "every," "anyone," and "everyone" - these indefinite pronouns are always singular and need singular pronoun references, even when the meaning seems to involve multiple people.

Question 6

(1) A hiker in the mountains should always be prepared for changing weather. (2) A clear morning can quickly turn into a stormy afternoon. (3) You should carry extra layers of clothing, a map, and plenty of water. (4) These preparations can make a significant difference in one's safety.

Which sentence should be revised to maintain a consistent point of view?

  1. Sentence 1
  2. Sentence 2
  3. Sentence 3 (correct answer)
  4. Sentence 4
Explanation: When you encounter a question about point of view consistency, you're being tested on whether all sentences use the same pronoun perspective throughout a passage. Writers should maintain either first person (I, we), second person (you), or third person (he, she, they, one) consistently. Looking at this passage, sentences 1, 2, and 4 all use third person language: "A hiker," "A clear morning," and "one's safety." However, sentence 3 shifts to second person by using "You should carry extra layers." This inconsistency breaks the established third-person perspective and should be revised to something like "A hiker should carry extra layers" or "One should carry extra layers." Choice A is incorrect because sentence 1 properly establishes the third-person point of view with "A hiker." Choice B is wrong because sentence 2 maintains third person consistently by discussing weather conditions without using personal pronouns. Choice D is incorrect because sentence 4 continues the third-person perspective with "one's safety," which aligns with the established point of view. On the SHSAT, point of view questions often test your ability to spot when a passage shifts between "you," "one," and third-person references like "a person" or "students." Always scan for pronoun consistency when you see revision questions, and remember that formal writing typically favors third person over the more casual second person "you."

Question 7

(1) The local wildlife preserve is a habitat for many species. (2) Every bird and mammal has their own unique role in the ecosystem. (3) The preserve's staff works hard to protect the animals. (4) They also educate the public about conservation.

Which sentence in the paragraph contains an error in pronoun agreement?

  1. Sentence 1
  2. Sentence 2 (correct answer)
  3. Sentence 3
  4. Sentence 4
Explanation: When you encounter pronoun agreement questions, you need to check whether pronouns match their antecedents in number (singular or plural) and person. Let's examine sentence 2: "Every bird and mammal has their own unique role in the ecosystem." The subject here is "Every bird and mammal." While this phrase mentions two types of animals, the word "every" makes it singular because it refers to each individual creature, not all creatures collectively. The singular verb "has" confirms this interpretation. However, the sentence uses "their," which is a plural pronoun. Since the subject is grammatically singular, it should be "its own unique role," not "their own unique role." Looking at the other options: Choice A presents sentence 1, which correctly uses "habitat" (singular) to match "preserve" (singular). Choice C shows sentence 3, where "staff" takes the singular verb "works" and no pronouns appear, so there's no agreement error. Choice D refers to sentence 4, where "They" correctly refers back to the plural "staff" (when considered as multiple individuals) and matches the plural verb "educate." The key trap here is that "every" creates singular subjects even when followed by compound phrases. Words like "every," "each," "either," and "neither" always create singular antecedents, regardless of what follows them. Remember: When you see "every," "each," or similar words, treat the subject as singular and use singular pronouns like "it," "his," "her," or "its" to refer back to it.

Question 8

(1) The principal announced a new policy for all students. (2) From now on, everybody must have their ID card visible at all times. (3) This is a measure to improve campus security. (4) The student council supports the policy and has offered its help in implementing it.

Which sentence in the paragraph has an error in pronoun-antecedent agreement?

  1. Sentence 2 (correct answer)
  2. Sentence 1
  3. Sentence 3
  4. Sentence 4
Explanation: Pronoun-antecedent agreement questions test whether pronouns correctly match their antecedents in both number (singular/plural) and person. When you encounter these questions, identify each pronoun and trace it back to the noun it refers to. Let's examine each sentence for pronoun-antecedent errors. In sentence 2, "everybody must have their ID card visible," there's a mismatch. "Everybody" is grammatically singular (like "everyone," "anyone," or "someone"), but "their" is plural. This creates a pronoun-antecedent disagreement. The sentence should read "everybody must have his or her ID card visible" or be restructured as "all students must have their ID cards visible." Looking at the wrong answers: Choice B (sentence 1) contains no pronouns, so there can't be a pronoun-antecedent error. Choice C (sentence 3) uses "this," which correctly refers to the singular concept of the policy mentioned in the previous sentences. Choice D (sentence 4) uses "its" to refer back to "student council," which is grammatically singular despite referring to a group—this agreement is correct. The key trap here is that "everybody" feels plural in meaning since it refers to many people, but it's grammatically singular. This is a common error in both formal writing and everyday speech. Remember that indefinite pronouns like "everybody," "everyone," "somebody," "anyone," and "no one" are always singular and require singular pronouns, even though they may refer to multiple people conceptually.

Question 9

(1) The school's robotics team is competing in the state finals this weekend. (2) The team has spent months designing and building their robot. (3) Everyone on the team hopes their hard work will lead to a victory. (4) The final competition will test both the robot's design and the team's strategy.

Which sentence in the paragraph contains an error that should be corrected?

  1. Sentence 1
  2. Sentence 3 (correct answer)
  3. Sentence 2
  4. Sentence 4
Explanation: This question tests your ability to identify pronoun-antecedent agreement errors, a common grammar issue on the SHSAT. When you encounter editing questions, always check that pronouns clearly match their antecedents in number and gender. The error occurs in sentence 3: "Everyone on the team hopes their hard work will lead to a victory." The pronoun "their" is plural, but its antecedent "everyone" is singular. Even though "everyone" refers to multiple people conceptually, it's grammatically singular and requires singular pronouns. The sentence should read "Everyone on the team hopes his or her hard work will lead to a victory" or be rewritten as "All team members hope their hard work will lead to a victory." Let's examine why the other options are incorrect. Choice A (sentence 1) correctly uses "is competing" with the singular subject "team" and has no grammatical errors. Choice C (sentence 2) properly uses "their" because it refers back to "team," which can take plural pronouns when referring to the team members collectively. Choice D (sentence 4) contains no errors—"competition" is the correct subject, and "robot's" and "team's" are properly formed possessives. Remember this key strategy: indefinite pronouns like "everyone," "somebody," and "each" are always singular, even when they seem to refer to multiple people. When you spot these words, immediately check that any pronouns referring back to them are also singular. This type of agreement error appears frequently on standardized tests because it contradicts how we often speak informally.

Question 10

(1) When a student volunteers in the community, you gain valuable experience and a sense of accomplishment. (2) Many local organizations rely on the help of young people. (3) For example, the food pantry and the animal shelter always need volunteers to help with their daily operations. (4) These experiences can also be a great addition to a college application.

Which sentence in the paragraph should be revised to correct an inappropriate shift in person?

  1. Sentence 4
  2. Sentence 2
  3. Sentence 3
  4. Sentence 1 (correct answer)
Explanation: When you encounter questions about "inappropriate shifts in person," you're looking for inconsistent pronoun usage within a sentence or paragraph. Writers should maintain the same point of view (first person "I/we," second person "you," or third person "he/she/they") throughout their work. Sentence 1 contains the error: "When a student volunteers in the community, you gain valuable experience..." This sentence inappropriately shifts from third person ("a student") to second person ("you") within the same sentence. It should either say "When a student volunteers in the community, he or she gains valuable experience" or "When you volunteer in the community, you gain valuable experience." Let's examine why the other choices are incorrect. Choice A (Sentence 4) uses third person consistently with "These experiences can also be a great addition" - no pronoun shift occurs here. Choice B (Sentence 2) maintains third person throughout: "Many local organizations rely on the help of young people" - again, no shift in person. Choice C (Sentence 3) provides examples using third person: "the food pantry and the animal shelter always need volunteers" - this sentence is grammatically consistent. The key strategy for these questions is to identify the subject and pronouns in each sentence, then check whether they maintain the same point of view. Look especially for sentences that begin with one type of subject (like "a student") but then switch to a different pronoun perspective (like "you"). These shifts confuse readers about who is being addressed.

Question 11

Read this sentence.

The company, known for its innovative products, will expand   operations overseas next year.

  1. their
  2. it's
  3. his or her
  4. its (correct answer)
Explanation: This question tests pronoun-antecedent agreement, specifically when to use possessive pronouns with singular collective nouns. When you encounter sentences with pronouns, always identify what noun the pronoun refers to and ensure they agree in number. The pronoun needs to refer back to "company," which is a singular collective noun. Even though a company consists of many people, grammatically it's treated as one entity. Therefore, you need a singular possessive pronoun to show that the operations belong to the company. Choice D, "its," is correct because it's the possessive form of "it" used for singular nouns and entities. "Its" shows ownership without an apostrophe—the company's operations belong to it. Choice A, "their," is incorrect because it's a plural possessive pronoun. While "their" might seem logical since companies have multiple employees, "company" is grammatically singular, so the pronoun must be singular too. Choice B, "it's," is wrong because this is a contraction meaning "it is" or "it has," not a possessive pronoun. If you substituted this choice, the sentence would read "will expand it is operations," which makes no grammatical sense. Choice C, "his or her," is incorrect because these pronouns refer to people, not organizations or entities. Companies aren't gendered, so you wouldn't use personal pronouns to refer to them. Remember: collective nouns like "company," "team," or "government" are singular and take singular pronouns. Also, "its" (possessive) never has an apostrophe, while "it's" (contraction) always does.

Question 12

Read this sentence.

Either the patient or the doctors will have to change   appointment time.

  1. his
  2. his or her
  3. their (correct answer)
  4. its
Explanation: When you encounter pronoun agreement questions with compound subjects joined by "or," you need to identify which part of the subject determines the pronoun choice. The key rule is that the pronoun agrees with the part of the subject closest to the verb. In this sentence, "Either the patient or the doctors" creates a compound subject where "doctors" (plural) is closest to the verb "will have." Since "doctors" is plural, the pronoun must also be plural, making "their" the correct choice. Answer C) "their" is correct because it agrees with "doctors," the plural noun closest to the verb. This follows the proximity rule for compound subjects joined by "or" or "nor." Answer A) "his" assumes the subject is singular and male, but this doesn't account for the plural "doctors" being closest to the verb, nor does it work if the patient is female. Answer B) "his or her" treats the subject as singular, which ignores the proximity rule. While this might seem logical since "patient" is singular, grammar rules require agreement with the nearest subject element. Answer D) "its" would only be appropriate for non-human subjects, and it's also singular, violating the same proximity rule that eliminates the other wrong answers. Remember this pattern: with "either...or" or "neither...nor" constructions, the pronoun always agrees with whichever subject is closest to the verb. This proximity rule overrides other considerations about gender or number of the first subject mentioned.

Question 13

Read this sentence.

Several of the candidates explained   views on the economy during the debate.

  1. his or her
  2. one's
  3. its
  4. their (correct answer)
Explanation: This question tests pronoun-antecedent agreement, a key grammar concept on the SHSAT. When you encounter pronoun questions, identify what noun the pronoun refers to (the antecedent) and ensure they match in number and gender. The antecedent here is "Several of the candidates." The key word is "Several," which indicates multiple people, making the antecedent plural. Therefore, you need a plural pronoun to match. Choice D) "their" is correct because it's a plural pronoun that agrees with the plural antecedent "Several of the candidates." The sentence logically means that multiple candidates each explained their own individual views. Choice A) "his or her" is incorrect because it's singular. While this construction works for singular antecedents like "each candidate," it doesn't match the plural "Several of the candidates." Choice B) "one's" is also singular and creates an awkward, overly formal tone that doesn't fit the straightforward meaning of the sentence. Choice C) "its" is used for non-human things or entities, not people. You'd use "its" with antecedents like "the company" or "the organization," but never with "candidates" referring to people. Remember this pattern: when the subject includes plural indicators like "several," "many," "both," or "all," use plural pronouns like "their," "them," or "they." Don't be thrown off by intervening phrases—focus on the true subject to determine whether you need singular or plural agreement.

Question 14

Read this sentence.

Dr. Evans is one of those professors who always challenge   students to think critically.

  1. her
  2. his
  3. their (correct answer)
  4. his or her
Explanation: This question tests pronoun-antecedent agreement with indefinite pronouns and relative clauses. When you encounter sentences with "one of those [people] who," pay careful attention to what the pronoun actually refers to. The correct answer is C) "their" because the pronoun refers to "professors," not to "Dr. Evans." Let's break down the sentence structure: "Dr. Evans is one of those professors who always challenge their students." The relative clause "who always challenge" modifies "professors" (plural), and since multiple professors are challenging students, we need the plural possessive pronoun "their." Here's why the other options don't work: A) "her" is incorrect because while Dr. Evans might be female, the pronoun doesn't refer back to Dr. Evans specifically—it refers to all the professors in this category. B) "his" makes the same error as choice A, incorrectly assuming the pronoun refers to Dr. Evans rather than to the group of professors. D) "his or her" attempts to be inclusive but is still wrong because it treats "professors" as singular when the verb "challenge" clearly indicates plural subject agreement. The key trap here is assuming the pronoun refers to the named individual (Dr. Evans) when it actually refers to the broader group. Always identify what word the pronoun logically replaces by looking at the complete sentence structure, especially in "one of those who" constructions where the action typically applies to the entire group, not just the individual mentioned.

Question 15

Read this sentence.

The United States has   own unique history and system of government.

  1. it's
  2. its (correct answer)
  3. their
  4. his or her
Explanation: This question tests your understanding of possessive pronouns, specifically when to use apostrophes and how to match pronouns with their antecedents. The key is identifying what "The United States" refers to and choosing the correct possessive form. "The United States" is a singular noun that refers to one country, even though it sounds plural. Since it's a country (not a person), you need a neutral possessive pronoun. The correct answer is (B) "its" because it's the possessive form of "it" used for singular, non-human nouns. "Its" shows ownership without an apostrophe - just like "his" and "her" don't use apostrophes when showing possession. Choice (A) "it's" is incorrect because this is a contraction meaning "it is" or "it has," not a possessive pronoun. If you substituted this, you'd get "The United States has it is own unique history," which makes no sense. Choice (C) "their" is wrong because it's a plural possessive pronoun, but "The United States" is grammatically singular. Even though the name contains "States" (plural), the country itself is treated as one entity. Choice (D) "his or her" is incorrect because these pronouns refer to people, not countries. Countries are referred to with neutral pronouns like "it" and "its." Remember this pattern: "it's" = "it is" (contraction), while "its" = belonging to it (possessive). When you see possessive pronoun questions on the SHSAT, always identify whether the noun is singular/plural and human/non-human first.

Question 16

Which sentence contains a pronoun agreement error?

  1. My dog and cat have their own separate food bowls.
  2. Many of the new recipes require their own special ingredients.
  3. The class of 2025 will have its graduation ceremony in June.
  4. Somebody on the boys' team left their water bottle on the bench. (correct answer)
Explanation: Pronoun-antecedent agreement questions test whether pronouns correctly match their antecedents in number (singular or plural). When you encounter these questions, identify each pronoun and trace it back to the noun it replaces, then check if they agree in number. The correct answer is D because "somebody" is a singular indefinite pronoun, but "their" is plural. Since "somebody" refers to one person (even though we don't know who), it requires a singular pronoun. The sentence should read "his," "her," or "his or her" instead of "their." Let's examine why the other options are correct. Choice A uses "their" to refer to "my dog and cat," which is plural because it connects two animals with "and" — this agreement is perfect. Choice B correctly pairs "their" with "many of the new recipes." While "many" might seem tricky, it's a plural indefinite pronoun referring to multiple recipes, so "their" fits. Choice C uses "its" to refer to "the class of 2025." Even though a class contains many students, "class" itself is a singular collective noun, making "its" the appropriate choice. Watch out for indefinite pronouns like "somebody," "anyone," "everyone," and "each" — these are grammatically singular even when they refer to groups of people. The SHSAT often tests this concept because it conflicts with how we sometimes speak casually. When you see indefinite pronouns, always pair them with singular pronouns, even if it sounds awkward.

Question 17

Read this sentence.

Economics, despite its complex theories and formulas, is a fascinating subject for   who are interested in how societies function.

  1. them
  2. that
  3. these
  4. those (correct answer)
Explanation: This question tests your understanding of pronoun reference and how to correctly connect pronouns to their antecedents in complex sentences. The sentence needs a pronoun that refers to people who are interested in how societies function. When you're looking for the right pronoun, you need to consider both grammar and meaning. The pronoun must be plural (since we're talking about multiple people) and must function as the subject of the clause "who are interested in how societies function." Choice D, "those," is correct because it's a demonstrative pronoun that refers to people in general - specifically, people who have the characteristic described in the "who" clause. "Those" naturally introduces a defining relative clause and creates the meaning "those people who are interested in how societies function." Choice A, "them," is incorrect because it's an object pronoun, not a subject pronoun. You can't say "for them who are interested" - it's grammatically wrong. Choice B, "that," doesn't work because "that" refers to things, not people, and creates an awkward construction when followed by "who." Choice C, "these," is technically grammatical but sounds unnatural because "these" typically refers to specific, nearby items rather than a general group of people with shared interests. Remember that demonstrative pronouns like "those" are often the answer when you need to refer to an unspecified group of people who share a particular characteristic. "Those who..." is a common and correct construction in formal English.

Question 18

Read this sentence.

Either my aunt or my cousins will bring   famous potato salad to the picnic.

  1. their (correct answer)
  2. his or her
  3. her
  4. its
Explanation: This question tests pronoun-antecedent agreement with compound subjects joined by "either...or." When you encounter these constructions, the pronoun must agree with the part of the subject closest to it. In "Either my aunt or my cousins will bring   famous potato salad," the compound subject consists of "my aunt" (singular) and "my cousins" (plural), connected by "either...or." Since "my cousins" appears closest to the blank, the pronoun must agree with this plural antecedent. Choice A) "their" is correct because it's a plural pronoun that agrees with "my cousins," the nearest part of the compound subject. Choice B) "his or her" is incorrect because these are singular pronouns. While "his or her" might seem logical since it acknowledges both possibilities, it doesn't follow the proximity rule for "either...or" constructions. Choice C) "her" is wrong because it's singular and only agrees with "my aunt." Even though "her" would work if only the aunt were mentioned, the proximity rule requires agreement with "my cousins." Choice D) "its" is incorrect because it's used for non-human subjects, and both "my aunt" and "my cousins" refer to people. Remember this key rule: with "either...or" and "neither...nor" constructions, the verb and any pronouns agree with the subject closest to them. If you switched the order to "Either my cousins or my aunt," the correct pronoun would be "her." Always identify which part of the compound subject sits nearest to the pronoun.

Question 19

What is the best way to revise the following sentence?

When a driver approaches a stop sign, you must come to a complete stop.

  1. When a driver approaches a stop sign, they must come to a complete stop.
  2. When you approach a stop sign, a driver must come to a complete stop.
  3. When a driver approaches a stop sign, he or she must come to a complete stop. (correct answer)
  4. When a driver approaches a stop sign, it must come to a complete stop.
Explanation: This question tests pronoun-antecedent agreement, a key grammar concept where pronouns must match their antecedents in person, number, and gender. When you see mismatched pronouns in a sentence, look for the shift between different grammatical persons (first person "I," second person "you," third person "he/she/they"). The original sentence contains a pronoun shift error: "driver" is third person, but "you" is second person. This creates an inconsistent and confusing reference. The correct revision maintains consistent third person throughout. Choice C is correct because it keeps both the subject ("a driver") and the pronoun ("he or she") in third person. This creates clear, consistent reference throughout the sentence. Choice A uses "they" to refer to "a driver." While "they" is increasingly accepted as a singular pronoun, it's grammatically inconsistent here because "driver" is singular and the traditional rule requires a singular pronoun match. Choice B actually makes the error worse by switching the terms around—now "you" (second person) refers to "a driver" (third person), creating the same mismatch in reverse. Choice D uses "it" to refer to "a driver," which is incorrect because "it" refers to things, not people. Drivers are people and require personal pronouns like "he," "she," or "they." When you encounter pronoun questions on the SHSAT, always identify the antecedent first, then check that the pronoun matches in person and number. Watch especially for shifts between "you" and third-person nouns—this is a common error pattern.

Question 20

What is the best way to revise the following sentence?

Each of the new employees received their training manual on the first day of work.

  1. Each of the new employees received our training manual on the first day of work.
  2. Each of the new employees receive their training manuals on the first day of work.
  3. Each of the new employees received his or her training manual on the first day of work. (correct answer)
  4. Each of the new employees received its training manual on the first day of work.
Explanation: This question tests pronoun-antecedent agreement, a fundamental grammar concept where pronouns must match their antecedents in number, gender, and person. The key challenge here is recognizing what the pronoun refers to and ensuring proper agreement. The correct answer is C because "each" is a singular pronoun that requires a singular pronoun reference. While "employees" appears in the prepositional phrase "of the new employees," the actual subject is "each," which is always singular. Therefore, the pronoun must be singular: "his or her." This construction properly maintains grammatical agreement while being inclusive. Choice A changes "their" to "our," which creates a pronoun shift and suggests the speaker is giving out training manuals, changing the intended meaning entirely. Choice B makes two errors: it uses "receive" (plural verb) with the singular subject "each," and it uses "their" (plural pronoun) to refer back to the singular "each." Choice D uses "its," which is reserved for non-human entities, making it inappropriate when referring to people. The phrase "his or her" might seem awkward, but it's the most grammatically correct option when you need a gender-neutral singular pronoun in formal writing. Some modern style guides now accept singular "they," but traditional grammar rules—which standardized tests typically follow—require "his or her" in this context. Remember: when you see "each," "every," "either," or "neither," these words are always singular and need singular pronouns, even when followed by plural nouns in prepositional phrases.