SAT Writing : Rewriting a Single Word

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 No one wants to live in the swamp. 2 But swamps are an incredibly important part of the Earth’s ecosystem. 3 They are defined as forested wetlands and can be found from Africa and Asia and in Europe and the Americas. 4 In fact: the only continent to not contained swamps is Antarctica. 5 Because swamps are rarely arid, meaning able to be farmed, and because it usually is not conducive to hunting, they are undervalued by human society. 6 In swamps, a portion of dry land that protects from the water is known as a “hammock.” 7 Moreover, swamps are actually integrity to our world, providing clean water and oxygen for people as well as breeding grounds for animals big and small. 

In Sentence 7, what word should replace “integrity”?

Possible Answers:

Integrity

Integument

Integrated

Integer

Integral

Correct answer:

Integral

Explanation:

Based on context, we can supply our own synonym for the word in question. We’re looking for a word that means essential or invaluable, and “integral” has exactly this meaning. (“Integrity” is the quality of honesty and uprightness, an “integer” is a whole number, “integument” is a type of skin covering, and “integrated” is mixed or combined into.)

Example Question #62 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 Many people have an imminent dislike of crows, few know much at all about the bird. 2 “Crow” actually refers to a genus not a species that includes jackdaws, ravens, rooks and other birds. 3 Their dark color, striated cries, and appearance in horror movies all make it seem very omnivorous. 4 The truth about this genus is that the birds in it are incredibly intelligent – often nearly so as some apes. 5 Appearing on all continents except South America and Antarctica. 6 These perspicacious birds were once thought to predict the future, including weather and war plans. 7 Today, they are used for scientific research, hunting, or even being kept as pets.

In Sentence 3, what word should replace “morbid”?

Possible Answers:

stringendo

stricture

strident

striated (no change)

stringent

Correct answer:

strident

Explanation:

“Striated” describes a striped or ridged quality and is not a sensible adjective to describe the noise of a crow’s cry. “Strident,” or harsh and grating, is a word often used to describe unpleasant sounds. (“Stringent” means strict or severe, a “stricture” is a type of rule or constraint, and “stringendo” is a musical marking indicating an increase in tempo.)

Example Question #63 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 Many people have an imminent dislike of crows, few know much at all about the bird. 2 “Crow” actually refers to a genus not a species that includes jackdaws, ravens, rooks and other birds. 3 Their dark color, striated cries, and appearance in horror movies all make it seem very omnivorous. 4 The truth about this genus is that the birds in it are incredibly intelligent – often nearly so as some apes. 5 Appearing on all continents except South America and Antarctica. 6 These perspicacious birds were once thought to predict the future, including weather and war plans. 7 Today, they are used for scientific research, hunting, or even being kept as pets.

In Sentence 1, what word should replace “imminent”?

Possible Answers:

illimitable

immanent

imminent (no change)

effervescent

eminent

Correct answer:

immanent

Explanation:

“Immanent,” or inherent, makes more sense in the passage than does “imminent,” or impending. (“Eminent,” or prominent; “effervescent,” or fizzy; and “illimitable,” or without limits, do not make sense in this sentence.)

Example Question #71 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 Many people have an imminent dislike of crows, few know much at all about the bird. 2 “Crow” actually refers to a genus not a species that includes jackdaws, ravens, rooks and other birds. 3 Their dark color, striated cries, and appearance in horror movies all make it seem very omnivorous. 4 The truth about this genus is that the birds in it are incredibly intelligent – often nearly so as some apes. 5 Appearing on all continents except South America and Antarctica. 6 These perspicacious birds were once thought to predict the future, including weather and war plans. 7 Today, they are used for scientific research, hunting, or even being kept as pets.

In Sentence 6, what word should replace “perspicacious”?

Possible Answers:

perspicuous

perceptive

perspiring

perspective

perspicacious (no change)

Correct answer:

perspicacious (no change)

Explanation:

“Perspicacious,” which means keen and clever, is the best choice to describe crows’ intelligence. "Perspiring" refers to the action of sweating; "perceptive" describes an insightful person; "perspicuous" means clear or lucid; "perspective" refers to a point of view.

Example Question #72 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 Many people have an imminent dislike of crows, few know much at all about the bird. 2 “Crow” actually refers to a genus not a species that includes jackdaws, ravens, rooks and other birds. 3 Their dark color, striated cries, and appearance in horror movies all make it seem very omnivorous. 4 The truth about this genus is that the birds in it are incredibly intelligent – often nearly so as some apes. 5 Appearing on all continents except South America and Antarctica. 6 These perspicacious birds were once thought to predict the future, including weather and war plans. 7 Today, they are used for scientific research, hunting, or even being kept as pets.

In Sentence 3, what word should replace “omnivorous”?

Possible Answers:

ominous

omniscient

omnipotent

omnivorous (no change)

omissive

Correct answer:

ominous

Explanation:

“Ominous,” or threatening and foreboding, fits this description of crows’ appearance much better than does “omnivorous,” or eating both plants and animals. "Omniscient" means all knowing, "omnipotent" means all powerful, and "omissive" means neglectful.

Example Question #3246 : Sat Writing

1 One of America’s most inflammatory early disasters, the Johnstown Flood. 2 It was occurring in 1889 after the collapse of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 3 Heavy rainfall invigorated a reservoir upriver, causing the dam to burst and more than 20 million tons of water pouring down the Conemaugh River. 4 The Johnstown Flood has been immortalized in poems, novels, songs, and films. 5 The committal flood killed more than 2,000 people and it required the attention of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton, and various lawsuits. 6 Compounding the disaster was the Stone Bridge, causing a fire that killed at least 80 people when burning debris caught fire. 7 Later people would fault the rich business tycoons who had weakened the reservoir for their own leisure, building cottages and a spillway along the dam to create the swarthy South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club.8 Nearly $4 million would be donated to relief funds, for Pennsylvanians the true horror never preceded.

In Sentence 1, what word should replace “inflammatory”?

Possible Answers:

infamous

infectious

inflammatory (no change)

indefatigable

infatuated

Correct answer:

infamous

Explanation:

A flood is unlikely to be “inflammatory” (causing anger or inflammation), but it is likely to be “infamous” (famous for a bad reason). "Infatuated" means being romantically interested in someone. "Infectious" refers to having the property of or potential to cause infection. "Indefatigable" means persisting without stopping.

Example Question #3247 : Sat Writing

1 One of America’s most inflammatory early disasters, the Johnstown Flood. 2 It was occurring in 1889 after the collapse of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 3 Heavy rainfall invigorated a reservoir upriver, causing the dam to burst and more than 20 million tons of water pouring down the Conemaugh River. 4 The Johnstown Flood has been immortalized in poems, novels, songs, and films. 5 The committal flood killed more than 2,000 people and it required the attention of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton, and various lawsuits. 6 Compounding the disaster was the Stone Bridge, causing a fire that killed at least 80 people when burning debris caught fire. 7 Later people would fault the rich business tycoons who had weakened the reservoir for their own leisure, building cottages and a spillway along the dam to create the swarthy South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club.8 Nearly $4 million would be donated to relief funds, for Pennsylvanians the true horror never preceded.

In Sentence 3, what word should replace “invigorated”?

Possible Answers:

inveigled

inundated

inured

invoked

invigorated (no change)

Correct answer:

inundated

Explanation:

Rainfall wouldn’t strengthen, or “invigorate” a reservoir; it would flood, or “inundate” it. "Inveigled" means to deceive someone with flattery. "Inured" means to make someone accustomed to something over time (usually a negative thing). "Invoked" means to have called upon something in a argument or point.

Example Question #3248 : Sat Writing

1 One of America’s most inflammatory early disasters, the Johnstown Flood. 2 It was occurring in 1889 after the collapse of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 3 Heavy rainfall invigorated a reservoir upriver, causing the dam to burst and more than 20 million tons of water pouring down the Conemaugh River. 4 The Johnstown Flood has been immortalized in poems, novels, songs, and films. 5 The committal flood killed more than 2,000 people and it required the attention of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton, and various lawsuits. 6 Compounding the disaster was the Stone Bridge, causing a fire that killed at least 80 people when burning debris caught fire. 7 Later people would fault the rich business tycoons who had weakened the reservoir for their own leisure, building cottages and a spillway along the dam to create the swarthy South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club.8 Nearly $4 million would be donated to relief funds, for Pennsylvanians the true horror never preceded.

In Sentence 5, what word should replace “committal”?

Possible Answers:

concomitant

comatose

committal

concordant

comical

Correct answer:

concomitant

Explanation:

Based on the context of Sentences 3 and 4, we’re looking for a word that means resultant. “Concomitant” is the only choice that has that meaning. "Committal" refers to the action of sending a person into an institution (usually a mental hospital or prison). "Concordant" is to agree with, or work in concert with. "Comatose" is a medical term referring to a state of unconsciousness, usually over an extended period of time. "Comical" means funny.

Example Question #73 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 One of America’s most inflammatory early disasters, the Johnstown Flood. 2 It was occurring in 1889 after the collapse of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 3 Heavy rainfall invigorated a reservoir upriver, causing the dam to burst and more than 20 million tons of water pouring down the Conemaugh River. 4 The Johnstown Flood has been immortalized in poems, novels, songs, and films. 5 The committal flood killed more than 2,000 people and it required the attention of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton, and various lawsuits. 6 Compounding the disaster was the Stone Bridge, causing a fire that killed at least 80 people when burning debris caught fire. 7 Later people would fault the rich business tycoons who had weakened the reservoir for their own leisure, building cottages and a spillway along the dam to create the swarthy South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club.8 Nearly $4 million would be donated to relief funds, for Pennsylvanians the true horror never preceded.

In Sentence 7, what word should replace “swarthy”?

Possible Answers:

swarthy (no change)

stalwart

swanky

swathed

smarmy

Correct answer:

swanky

Explanation:

“Swarthy” is a word used to describe complexions. The correct choice, “swanky,” means luxurious and expensive. "Smarmy" means insincere and overly flattering. "Stalwart" means loyal or steadfast. "Swathed" means wrapped in or surrounded by.

Example Question #3250 : Sat Writing

1 One of America’s most inflammatory early disasters, the Johnstown Flood. 2 It was occurring in 1889 after the collapse of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 3 Heavy rainfall invigorated a reservoir upriver, causing the dam to burst and more than 20 million tons of water pouring down the Conemaugh River. 4 The Johnstown Flood has been immortalized in poems, novels, songs, and films. 5 The committal flood killed more than 2,000 people and it required the attention of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton, and various lawsuits. 6 Compounding the disaster was the Stone Bridge, causing a fire that killed at least 80 people when burning debris caught fire. 7 Later people would fault the rich business tycoons who had weakened the reservoir for their own leisure, building cottages and a spillway along the dam to create the swarthy South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club.8 Nearly $4 million would be donated to relief funds, for Pennsylvanians the true horror never preceded.

In Sentence 8, what word should replace “preceded”?

Possible Answers:

proceeded

succeeded

preceded (no change)

superseded

receded

Correct answer:

receded

Explanation:

Although they sound alike, “preceded” and “receded” have two very different meanings. To "precede" something is to come before it; to "recede" is to fade away. The latter word is the correct choice for this sentence.

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