SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Question #3 : 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.
Facing snow, ice, and starvation, I can’t imagine how the early Arctic explorers survived their hazardous expeditions, some of which lasted for weeks. No error
No error
early Arctic
expeditions
Facing snow, ice, and starvation,
some of which
Facing snow, ice, and starvation,
“Facing snow, ice, and starvation” is a dangling modifier, since it is obviously meant to describe not the speaker of the sentence but rather the Arctic explorers. To correct the sentence, the modifier would have to be moved next to the phrase it modifies.
Example Question #4 : 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.
Jumping up and down in joy, Annie's excitement was evident when she saw her sister, who had been deployed for nearly a year and whom she had dearly missed. No error
nearly
who
Jumping up and down in joy,
No error
sister,
Jumping up and down in joy,
“Jumping up and down in joy” is a misplaced modifier that refers to “Annie," but as the sentence is currently written, is seems as if “Annie's excitement” is jumping up and down in joy, not Annie. The sentence should therefore be rephrased so that “Annie" is modified by the introductory phrase, e.g. "Jumping up and down in joy, Annie was excited when she saw her sister."
Example Question #4 : 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.
Smelling like old dirty socks, Andy threw the wheel of cheese into the dumpster at the end of the street. No error
No error
of
end
into the dumpster
Smelling like old dirty socks
Smelling like old dirty socks
"Smelling like old dirty socks" is a misplaced modifier that refers to the wheel of cheese, but in the current form of this sentence seems as if it is modifying Andy.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Modifier Placement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Barely hanging from the tree branch, the outstretched arms of its owner seemed like they were a million miles away from the scared kitten. No error
they were
No error
its owner
Barely hanging from the tree branch,
the scared kitten
Barely hanging from the tree branch,
"Barely hanging from the tree branch" is a misplaced modifier in the current incarnation of this sentence, as it is modifying "the outstretched arms" rather than correctly referring to "the scared kitten."
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.
Shaking the rafters of the old gymnasium, the varsity basketball team was overwhelmed by the hometown crowd's vigorous cheers after the epic championship victory. No error
No error
epic
vigorous cheers
was overwhelmed
Shaking the rafters of the old gymnasium,
Shaking the rafters of the old gymnasium,
"Shaking the rafters of the old gymnasium" is a misplaced modifier that is intended to refer to the crowd's vigorous cheers, but here incorrectly modifies "the varsity basketball team."
Example Question #5 : 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.
Facing a harsh winter and a lack of food in a new land, the students were engrossed in the story of how the Pilgrims survived their first winter in America. No error.
Facing a harsh winter and a lack of food in a new land
No error
how the Pilgrims
their first winter
were engrossed
Facing a harsh winter and a lack of food in a new land
"Facing a harsh winter and a lack of food in a new land" is a dangling modifier that should modify the Pilgrims, not the students. We will need to update the sentence so that the modifier more clearly reflects the correct noun.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Modifier Placement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Projecting a stately demeanor as he descended from the helicopter, the Secret Service officer immediately stepped up to protect the smiling President. No error.
immediately
to protect
smiling
No error
Projecting a stately demeanor as he descended from the helicopter
Projecting a stately demeanor as he descended from the helicopter
"Projecting a stately demeanor as he descended from the helicopter" is a dangling modifier that should refer to the President, not to the Secret Service.
Example Question #821 : Identifying 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.
Shaking every building in the downtown area, Winona crouched in the corner of her bedroom when the massive earthquake hit. No error.
No error
Shaking every building in the downtown area
in
when
hit
Shaking every building in the downtown area
"Shaking every building in the downtown area" is a dangling modifier that should correctly refer to "when the massive earthquake hit" and not to Winona.
Example Question #821 : 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.
Rustling in the summer breeze, Sam was impressed by the oak trees on his walk.
Rustles in the summer breeze, Sam admires the oak trees on his walk.
Rustling in the summer breeze, Sam admires the oak trees on his walk.
As they rustled in the summer breeze, Sam was impressed by the oak trees on his walk.
Rustling in the summer breeze, Sam is admiring the oak trees on his walk.
Rustling in the summer breeze, the oak trees impressed Sam on his walk.
Rustling in the summer breeze, the oak trees impressed Sam on his walk.
Since "rustling in the summer breeze" refers to the oak trees rather than Sam (since trees, not people, can rustle), "the oak trees" has to go directly after that modifying phrase. This construction only occurs in the answer choice of "Rustling in the summer breeze, the oak trees impressed Sam on his walk."
Example Question #822 : Identifying 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.
Running late to class, Tom's backpack fell off as he sprinted down the hall. No error
No error
down the hall
Tom's backpack
fell off
he sprinted
Tom's backpack
The dangling modifier "Running late to class" must be immediately followed by the subject Tom. In the question, the modifier is followed by Tom's backpack, which incorrectly suggests that the backpack is running late to class.
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