SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
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 #811 : Identifying 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 #84 : 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.
would have been able
No error
As it turns out
wrong
that she gave me
No error
This sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #85 : 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.
and wished that
had thought
or maybe
No error
shivered in
No error
This sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #86 : 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.
No error
and anglers
typically
contact with
during
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 #91 : 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.
sprawling collection
is
makes it difficult
No error
but
No error
This sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Modifier Placement 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.
When she was young, living in her mother's garden, Helen liked to imagine there were fairies.
Living in her mother's garden, Helen liked to imagine there were fairies when she was young.
When she was young, living in her mother's garden, Helen liked to imagine there were fairies.
When she was young, Helen liked to imagine there were fairies living in her mother's garden.
Helen, when she was young, living in her mother's garden, liked to imagine there were fairies.
Helen liked to imagine, living in her mother's garden, there were fairies when she was young.
When she was young, Helen liked to imagine there were fairies living in her mother's garden.
In many of these examples, it is not clear if the modifier "living in her mother's garden" refers to Helen or the fairies. The modifier should appear as close to the noun that it modifies as possible so that the meaning is clear. For this reason, "When she was young, Helen liked to imagine there were fairies living in her mother's garden" is the most correct answer.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Dangling Modifier Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Observing from the summit, the valley that stood below Mike's tour group seemed unfathomably extensive and arid. No error
No error
Observing from the summit,
Mike's
unfathomably
arid
Observing from the summit,
“Observing” is apart of a misplaced modifier that should refer to Mike's tour group, not the valley. The way the sentence is written, it seems as if "the valley" is "observing from the summit," not "Mike's tour group."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Dangling Modifier Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Damaged beyond repair, the tow truck hauled the totaled car away from the accident scene and to the local junkyard. No error
scene and
No error
away from
Damaged beyond repair,
hauled
Damaged beyond repair,
“Damaged beyond repair” is a modifier that refers to the totaled car, but with its current placement it appears to be describing the (obviously functional) tow truck. The modifier should be moved next to “the totaled car.”
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