SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #97 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I had wanted so badly to be charming and graceful, but instead I tripped over a stair and swore loudly. No error
tripped over
had wanted
but instead
badly
No error
No error
This sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #98 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
We both enjoy exploring grocery stores, so when we shop together it tends to be a long and unproductive trip. No error
long and unproductive
it
No error
We both
so
No error
This sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #99 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Although it appears cold and lifeless on its surface, the Bering Sea teems with aquatic life in its depths. No error
Although
in its depths
its
teems with
No error
No error
There is no error in this sentence.
Example Question #101 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jean’s favorite activities are playing with her dog, visiting her grandmother, and going to the library. No error
going
activities
favorite
No error
visiting
No error
This sentence is completely parallel. If it had said "to visit" instead of "visiting", that would have been incorrect.
Example Question #102 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Whether my aunt or uncle is arriving, it shouldn't matter—I really enjoy when either of them visit. No error
when either
Whether
No error
is arriving
or
No error
There is no error here. If you chose "is arriving," it's actually grammatically correct: two singular subjects connected by "or" require a singular verb.
Example Question #61 : Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Every single dollar has been spent on candy; the children ought to be taught about saving their money. No error
dollar has been
candy; the
Every
No error
their money
No error
There is no error. In particular, "every single dollar has been spent" is correct: "every" is a singular subject requiring a singular verb.
Example Question #901 : 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.
After hiking for three full days, the team of hikers arrived at the summit of the peak. No error
Hiking
the team of hikers
of the peak
at the summit
No error
No error
This sentence contains no errors.
Example Question #62 : Identifying Sentences That Contain No Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Making a quilt by hand takes a tremendous amount of planning, time, and effort, so should you ever be lucky enough to receive a handmade quilt, be sure to thank the person who made it for you! No error
No error
should you ever be lucky enough
Making a quilt by hand
be sure to thank the person who made it for you
a tremendous amount of planning, time, and effort
No error
This sentence is grammatically correct as written and needs no stylistic revisions: "Making a quilt by hand" is a noun phrase based on a gerund that functions as the subject of the sentence; "a tremendous amount of planning, time, and effort" correctly uses parallel structure and the Oxford comma; "should you ever be lucky enough" correctly uses the present tense and subjunctive mood, and "be sure to thank to person who made it for you" is a correct imperative statement.
Example Question #902 : 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.
A group of leading experts in entomology, the study of insects, is coming to speak to my biology class about career opportunities in that exciting field. No error
No error
in
about
is
in that
No error
Make sure that you identify the proper subject in this sentence. Many students are fooled by collective singulars: "a group of experts," "a team of players," "a school of fish," "a murder of crows," and so forth. In all of these cases, even though we are talking about many individual things, we are conceiving of them as single entities. As you may have noticed, the little word "of" will frequently alert you to the presence of a collective singluar in this kind of construction. This type of sentence can also confuse the eye, as there are two plural nouns ("experts" and "insects") between the subject ("group") and the main verb ("is").
Example Question #903 : 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.
Either house will do, but neither of the two is perfect. No error
is
No error
neither
will
Either
No error
There is no error. "Neither" uses the correct verb (singular) and "either" is used properly.
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