SAT Writing : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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 old, faded rug ran the course of the entire empty room, it having been left untouched for fifty years. No error
No error
it having been
old, faded
untouched for
ran
it having been
This sentence has some unnecessary words thrown in it. “It having been” is clunky and not needed. The corrected sentence reads: The old, faded rug ran the course of the entire empty room, left untouched for fifty years.
Example Question #85 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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 freedom continually trumpeted by the Greeks as the defining characteristic of their society is juxtaposed from the overwhelming lack of individual freedom exhibited by Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, and Iphigenia; the Greeks’ portrayal of the Eastern foreigners as barbaric, incontinent rapists is meanwhile paralleled with the often equally violent and impulsive behavior of Greek men and, in particular, of the Greek army. No error
continually
paralleled with
juxtaposed from
No error
Iphigenia; the Greeks' portrayal
juxtaposed from
“Continually” means “repeated regularly,” which fits the meaning of this sentence. The semicolon after “Iphigenia” correctly links two complete sentences. “Paralleled with” demonstrates the correct use of a preposition. “Juxtaposed from,” however, uses the wrong preposition. “Juxtaposed,” which means placed with or beside something in order to emphasize the contrast between the two things should be followed by the preposition “with,” as the two terms are being contrasted with each other.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Logan's high school puts on more plays than his sister.
than his sister's school
as opposed to his sister's school
compared to what his sister's school does
than his sister
than does his sister
than his sister's school
This question is looking for a logical comparision between one school (Logan's) and another (his sister's) rather than a comparison between a school (Logan's) and a person (his sister). Although "as opposed to his sister's school" and "than does his sister's school" both express this concept, they are unnecessarily wordy, leaving "than his sister's school" as the correct answer.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Before school started, Patrick needed to check off many more items on his to-do list, including buying more pencils, finishing his summer reading packet, and practice trumpet for his audition. No error
list, including
No error
and practice trumpet
Before school started
finishing
and practice trumpet
This question requires the three verbs listed to all be in the same grammatical form. Since the first two verbs are gerunds (verbs that end in "-ing" acting as nouns), the third verb ("practice") should be in that form as well: "practicing."
Example Question #3 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
As it turns out, she told the riddle wrong, and there was no way I would have been able to answer based on the information that she gave me.
that she gave me
wrong
No error
would have been able
As it turns out
No error
This sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #4 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
He shivered in the damp fog and wished that he had thought to bring a sweater, or maybe a parka.
shivered in
and wished that
had thought
or maybe
No error
No error
This sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #5 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
While grizzly bears typically avoid contact with people, and anglers and bears often meet near streams during the fall salmon run.
and anglers
contact with
during
typically
No error
and anglers
This sentence has a problem with coordination. The conjunction “and” does not make sense because the information that follows is contradictory to the information before. The corrected sentence reads: While grizzly bears typically avoid contact with people, anglers and bears often meet near streams during the fall salmon run.
Example Question #6 : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Her sprawling collection of books is impressive, but the total lack of organization makes it difficult to find anything.
but
sprawling collection
No error
makes it difficult
is
No error
This sentence is correct as written.
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