SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #2731 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Paul was having a hard time in training; his instructor Duncan was forcing him to work incredibly hard. No error
No error
was forcing
incredibly hard.
training;
Paul was having
No error
In this sentence a semicolon is correctly used to connect two independent clauses into a compound sentence. The verb tenses are all correct, and all grammatical elements of the sentence agree with the subject. There is no error in the sentence above: it is correct as it is written.
Example Question #2732 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I bought several things from the store last night: I bought cheese, I bought tortillas, and I bought tomatoes. No error
No error
I bought tortillas,
I bought
I bought tomatoes.
store last night:
No error
In this sentence, a colon correctly introduces a list, which itself correctly uses a parallel structure. Note that the same verb structure is used in the list, and that the clause preceding the colon is an independent clause that does not end with a verb. There is no error in the sentence above: it is correct as it is written.
Example Question #2733 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After days of indecision, the school's Board of Athletic Safety and Welfare has decidedto delay further discussion of the new agenda until its next annual meeting. No error
further
indecision
No error
of the new agenda
has decided to delay
No error
This sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #2734 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I like to eat many desserts: cookies, ice cream, and cake, but I really shouldn't eat them every single day. No error
really shouldn't
No error
ice cream, and cake,
single day.
I like to eat many desserts:
I like to eat many desserts:
The example sentence correctly uses a colon to introduce a list of items, in this case desserts. Since the clause preceding the colon is a complete independent clause, and the last word of that clause is a noun, the colon is correctly placed. The rest of the sentence is also correctly punctuated.
Example Question #2735 : Sat Writing
The United States has been a country of immigrants since its foundation. This is still true today. The United States allows more people to immigrate to it then any other country. This stream of immigration have resulted in an extremely diverse population with many different cultures and languages. As most public schools in the United States provide a monolingual education, immigrant parents are often unsure of whether or not they should teach their children their heritage language.
There are many myths surrounding the idea of bilingual education that prevent its widespread implementation in public schools. However, bilingual education has actually been shown to produce higher achievements in both languages. As well as enhance problem solving and critical thinking skills. Because some public school systems have successfully implemented bilingual education, there are still enormous difficulties in terms of resources and support from the U.S. Board of Education.
Which of the following sentences contains an error in subject-verb agreement?
However, bilingual education has actually been shown to produce higher acheivements in both languages.
As the United States School system provides a monolingual education, immigrant parents are often unsure of whether or not to teach their children their heritage language.
As most public schools in the United States provide a monolingual education, immigrant parents are often unsure of whether or not they should teach their children their heritage language.
This stream of immigration have resulted in an extremely diverse population with many different cultures and languages.
There are many myths surrounding the idea of bilingual education that prevent its widespread implementation in public schools.
This stream of immigration have resulted in an extremely diverse population with many different cultures and languages.
The sentence which contains an error is "This stream of immigration have resulted in an extremely diverse population with many different cultures and languages." The verb used should be "has" rather than "have" because the subject of the sentence is the singular "stream."
Example Question #2736 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The flock of geese that we saw yesterday as we were driving home from the swim meet is flying south for the winter. No error.
No error.
were driving
for the winter
is flying
that
is flying
"That" is the correct relative pronoun to describe a flock of geese. "Were driving" is the correct verb tense. The choice "for the winter" is also correctly phrased. The incorrect answer in this sentence is the verb phrase "is flying. While it agrees in number with the singular subject "a flock of geese," it does not agree with the sentence's timeline. The speaker describes the flock of geese "that we saw yesterday," so this observation takes place in the past. We can't know for sure whether or not the geese are still flying south for the winter when the speaker says his or her statement the day after the observation, so to make the sentence consistent, the verb phrase "is flying" would need to be changed to the past tense: "was flying."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Other Errors
Select the underlined word that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
We could never understand why Lee and Polly had never been to California, as so many of there friends lived in the Los Angeles area. No error
No error
as
there
had never
could never
there
The error in this sentence reflects a common misuse of the word "there" (which means a specific place at a specified distance away) in place of "their" (the possessive form of the pronoun "they"). As the phrase "Lee and Polly" is the antecedent of "they" in this sentence, the correct word to use is "their" rather than "there."
Example Question #3 : Identifying Other Errors
Select the underlined word that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I always wondered how you could be so comfortable in your bedroom, since your always piling your laundry up in there. No error.
No error
could be
always
your
in there
your
The given form of the sentence misuses the possessive pronoun "your" in place of the contraction "you're" ("you are"). To correct the sentence, "your" must be changed to "you're."
Example Question #4 : Identifying Other Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Michael could never understand why the children were so tired in the afternoon, since they always had there nap every day at noon. No error.
why
there
could
were
No error
there
The sentence contains an incorrect use of the word "there." "Their" should be used as the possessive form of "they."
Example Question #5 : Identifying Other Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Daisy asked if she could use your black pen, since your going to lunch in a few minutes. No error.
No error
asked
your
few
could
your
The given form of the sentences uses the possessive pronoun form, "your," instead of the correct contraction form, "you're."
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