SAT Writing : Identifying Other Phrase, Clause, and Sentence Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

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Example Question #1 : Identifying Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

As the substitute teacher wrote the homework assignment on the board, the last bell began to ring as well. No error

Possible Answers:

on

board, the last bell

No error

wrote

as well

Correct answer:

as well

Explanation:

Since the use of "as" in the introductory clause already establishes that another action is happening at the same time, the "as well" is redundant and should be omitted.

Example Question #951 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined portion of the sentence that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Darren spent most of the day sulking alone in his room, but however he came out once to eat dinner with his parents. No error

Possible Answers:

spent

but however

most of the day

No error

to eat

Correct answer:

but however

Explanation:

Using both "but" and "however" is redundant; there is no need for both of those conjunctions here. Only one is necessary (and, for what it's worth, "but" would sound better in this sentence).

Example Question #952 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error. 

In addition to providing lunch for the children, the camp counselors also gave them dessert and played educational games with them. No error

Possible Answers:

the children, the

also 

played

No error

them

Correct answer:

also 

Explanation:

The error in this sentence is redundancy, which is basically saying more than you need to. Since the beginning of the sentence already established that the counselors were going to provide something else besides lunch ("in addition"), saying "also" later is redundant. The solution for redundancy is almost always just cutting something out so the revised sentence would read "In addition to providing lunch for the children, the camp counselors gave them dessert and played educational games with them."

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