PSAT/NMSQT-NATIONAL MERIT QUALIFICATION EXAM
TEST QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES -2026 |NSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which sentence best states the main idea of a passage
discussing renewable energy growth?
A. Renewable energy is expensive
B. Fossil fuels are disappearing
C. Renewable energy use is increasing due to innovation
D. Energy demand is decreasing
*Correct answer: C — The main idea focuses on overall growth
driven by innovation, not isolated details.
2. The word “inevitable” most nearly means:
A. Avoidable
B. Certain
C. Temporary
D. Unlikely
*Correct answer: B — “Inevitable” means something is sure to
happen.
3. Which choice best improves clarity in a sentence with
repeated ideas?
A. Add more detail
B. Combine overlapping sentences
C. Change verb tense
D. Add examples
,*Correct answer: B — Combining removes redundancy and
improves flow.
4. A passage written in a neutral tone would MOST likely:
A. Argue strongly
B. Use emotional language
C. Present facts objectively
D. Persuade readers
*Correct answer: C — Neutral tone avoids bias and emotion.
5. Which transition best shows contrast?
A. Similarly
B. Therefore
C. However
D. For example
*Correct answer: C — “However” signals contrast between
ideas.
6. The author’s primary purpose is to:
A. Entertain
B. Inform
C. Criticize
D. Persuade
*Correct answer: B — The passage explains information
without urging action.
7. Which sentence uses correct subject-verb agreement?
A. The group of students are ready
B. Each of the books were lost
C. The list of items is complete
, D. Everyone have arrived
*Correct answer: C — “List” is singular, so “is” is correct.
8. Which choice best maintains a formal tone?
A. Kids love this stuff
B. This is kinda important
C. This topic is significant
D. You won’t believe this
*Correct answer: C — Formal tone avoids slang and
exaggeration.
9. Which punctuation is correct?
A. Its raining outside
B. It’s raining outside
C. Its’ raining outside
D. Its raining outside!
*Correct answer: B — “It’s” = it is.
10. A strong conclusion should:
A. Introduce new ideas
B. Repeat word-for-word
C. Summarize key points
D. Ask unrelated questions
*Correct answer: C — Conclusions reinforce main ideas.
Math
11. If 2x+5=132x + 5 = 132x+5=13, what is xxx?
A. 3
TEST QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES -2026 |NSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which sentence best states the main idea of a passage
discussing renewable energy growth?
A. Renewable energy is expensive
B. Fossil fuels are disappearing
C. Renewable energy use is increasing due to innovation
D. Energy demand is decreasing
*Correct answer: C — The main idea focuses on overall growth
driven by innovation, not isolated details.
2. The word “inevitable” most nearly means:
A. Avoidable
B. Certain
C. Temporary
D. Unlikely
*Correct answer: B — “Inevitable” means something is sure to
happen.
3. Which choice best improves clarity in a sentence with
repeated ideas?
A. Add more detail
B. Combine overlapping sentences
C. Change verb tense
D. Add examples
,*Correct answer: B — Combining removes redundancy and
improves flow.
4. A passage written in a neutral tone would MOST likely:
A. Argue strongly
B. Use emotional language
C. Present facts objectively
D. Persuade readers
*Correct answer: C — Neutral tone avoids bias and emotion.
5. Which transition best shows contrast?
A. Similarly
B. Therefore
C. However
D. For example
*Correct answer: C — “However” signals contrast between
ideas.
6. The author’s primary purpose is to:
A. Entertain
B. Inform
C. Criticize
D. Persuade
*Correct answer: B — The passage explains information
without urging action.
7. Which sentence uses correct subject-verb agreement?
A. The group of students are ready
B. Each of the books were lost
C. The list of items is complete
, D. Everyone have arrived
*Correct answer: C — “List” is singular, so “is” is correct.
8. Which choice best maintains a formal tone?
A. Kids love this stuff
B. This is kinda important
C. This topic is significant
D. You won’t believe this
*Correct answer: C — Formal tone avoids slang and
exaggeration.
9. Which punctuation is correct?
A. Its raining outside
B. It’s raining outside
C. Its’ raining outside
D. Its raining outside!
*Correct answer: B — “It’s” = it is.
10. A strong conclusion should:
A. Introduce new ideas
B. Repeat word-for-word
C. Summarize key points
D. Ask unrelated questions
*Correct answer: C — Conclusions reinforce main ideas.
Math
11. If 2x+5=132x + 5 = 132x+5=13, what is xxx?
A. 3
