SAT Writing : Identifying Modifier-Word Modified Agreement Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Modifier Word Modified Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Bob's story was not only more interesting than John, but it was more realistic. No error
John
was
No error
more
it
John
This is an illogical comparison. To be grammatically correct, the sentence needs to say "John's story" or "that of John's" instead of just "John."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Modifier Word Modified Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Let's not get caught up in all this problems; we should solve them and move forward. No error
this
forward
we should
No error
Let's not
this
The use of "this" needs to be plural since it refers to multiple problems: "these problems" would be correct.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Modifier Word Modified Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jon's mother did not let him organize a garage sale for the family because she did not like the idea of strangers being able to peruse their many belonging. No error
belonging
idea of
No error
let him
for
belonging
Given that the descriptor "many" is used to describe "belonging," "belonging" should be plural. Therefore "belonging" should actually be "belongings."
Example Question #3 : Identifying Modifier Word Modified Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After learning that many experts believe that fear is a healthy evolutionary responses, he felt significantly less afraid of the dark. No error
responses
No error
After learning
believe
less
responses
"Responses" is incorrect in this sentence as it is part of the phrase "a healthy evolutionary responses." The use of the singular indefinite article "a" means that the noun to which it refers has to be singular for the phrase to be grammatically correct. Changing "responses" to "response" would correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Modifier Word Modified Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Even though many people think of them as needy and time-consuming, a cat is actually a self-reliant and easygoing pet to own. No error
No Error
easygoing
is actually
them
many people
them
In the above sentence, the plural pronoun "them" is incorrectly used to modify the singular antecedent "cat."
Example Question #5 : Identifying Modifier Word Modified Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Sarah didn't end up buying this pizza, but instead chose those pizza over there. No error
those
end up
No error
over there
this
those
The sentence incorrectly uses the plural demonstrative pronoun "those" to modify the singular noun "pizza." Changing "those" to "that" would correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #6 : Identifying Modifier Word Modified Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
She runs very fast; sometimes it's quite uncanny. No error
No error
uncanny
fast
it's
very
fast
In the example sentence, the word "fast" is used to describe how the subject of the sentence runs, and the word "very" is being used to modify this description. Therefore, it is correct should use an adverb (for instance swiftly or quickly) in place of "fast." Anytime the manner in which an action is performed is described it is correct to use an adverb, rather than a modified adjective (or any adjective at all). Adverbs describe some of the most important aspects of life, not merely the subject and the verb that subject did, but the way that thing was done.
Example Question #7 : Identifying Modifier Word Modified Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
"That blond man is real suspicious," said John. No error
blond
No error
is
real
suspicious," said
real
Here, the world "real" is being used to describe "the blonde man's" level of suspicion, and it seeks to do so by modifying the verb "is." Given that the word in question should be an adverb, you need to replace it with a word such as "really."
Example Question #3 : Identifying Modifier Word Modified Agreement Errors
The football coach took being fired really serious. No error
No error
The
coach
serious.
being
serious.
In the sentence above, "serious" is intended to describe how the coach reacted to his firing, therefore "seriously" is required.
Example Question #8 : Identifying Modifier Word Modified Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The replacement referee is supposedly just as good as the regular Mr. Peterson, but I don't trust them. No error
replacement
as good as
No error
them.
is
them.
In the example sentence, the plural pronoun "them" is used to incorrectly refer to the singular "replacement referee." To fix this sentence, "them" should be switched to "him."
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