SAT Writing : Analyzing, Combining, and Moving Content
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #31 : Combining Sentences
1 Most of you probably know essays to be boring, tendentious assignments required for English class. 2 However the essay has a fascinating history.3 Did you know that the first known example of an essay came in the 16th-century? 4 Its author was Michel de Montaigne the French philosopher. 5 Today the genre includes such disparate types as the dialectic, the narrative, the critical, the historical, the descriptive, and the lyric essay. 6 The genre progressed with essays such as Robert Burton’s The Anatomy of Melancholy, Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s On Poesy or Art, and Virginia Woolf’s A Room of Her Own.” 7 It remains to be, see how the essay will evolve in the future.
How should Sentences 3 and 4 be combined?
The first known example of an essay came from Michel de Montaigne, the 16th-century French philosopher.
Did you know that the first known example of an essay came in the 16th-century; its author was Michel de Montaigne the French philosopher?
Did you know that the first known example of an essay came in the 16th-century? Its author was Michel de Montaigne the French philosopher. (no change)
Michel de Montaigne the French philosopher, is who came up with the first known example of an essay in the 16th-century.
The first known example of an essay came in the 16th-century by Michel de Montaigne the French philosopher.
The first known example of an essay came from Michel de Montaigne, the 16th-century French philosopher.
While grammatically correct, these two sentences could be combined and reworded for maximum concision and effectiveness.
Example Question #32 : Combining Sentences
1 Generally, a person will tell you they prefer not to have their food burned. 2 Because caramel: a delicious sticky dessert, is actually made by slowly burning sugar. 3 A copper saucepan, a candy thermometer, and sugar and water are all you need to make this lascivious treat. 4 Although some chefs prefer to use their eyes and nose rather than a thermometer. 5 Desserts that will be made from caramel, including ice cream, pies, crème brûlée, candy apples, nougats, flan, and pralines. 6 However it may take many disastrous attempts and scorched pans while the amateur caramel maker achieves the golden, buttery perfection of this tasty dessert.
How should Sentences 4 and 5 be combined?
Although some chefs prefer to use their eyes and nose rather than a thermometer, a copper saucepan, a candy thermometer, and sugar and water are all you need to make this lascivious treat.
All you need to make this lascivious treat are, although some chefs prefer to use their eyes and nose rather than a thermometer, a copper saucepan, a candy thermometer, and sugar and water are.
A copper saucepan, a candy thermometer, and sugar and water (although some chefs prefer to use their eyes and nose rather than a thermometer) – are all you need to make this lascivious treat.
A copper saucepan, a candy thermometer (although some chefs prefer to use their eyes and nose), and sugar and water are all you need to make this lascivious treat.
A copper saucepan, a candy thermometer, and sugar and water are all you need to make this lascivious treat; although some chefs prefer to use their eyes and nose rather than a thermometer.
A copper saucepan, a candy thermometer (although some chefs prefer to use their eyes and nose), and sugar and water are all you need to make this lascivious treat.
While “Although some chefs prefer to use their eyes and nose rather than a thermometer, a copper saucepan, a candy thermometer, and sugar and water are all you need to make this lascivious treat” is are grammatically correct, “A copper saucepan, a candy thermometer (although some chefs prefer to use their eyes and nose), and sugar and water are all you need to make this lascivious treat” is a more concise and therefore superior option.
Example Question #33 : Combining Sentences
1 Whether or not you are superstitious. 2 Fortunetelling has played a major role in many cultures.3 Also known as divination. 4 Western fortunetelling arose from the Romani people and such as reading tea leaves’, gazing into crystal balls, tarot reading, palmistry, and observing the flights, innards, or eating patterns of birds. 5 In William Shakespeare’s famous play “Julius Caesar,” for example, a soothsayer warns the soon to be assassinated Caesar to beware the Ides of March. 6 Western fortunetelling has also been influenced by Eastern divination methods such as the I Ching and to read coffee beans. 7 Unfortunately several major religions prescribe fortunetelling with very degrees of severity. 8 Despite, fortunetelling still thrives in contemporary culture, psychics and Magic-8 balls are just two of many fun ways to attempt to see into the future.
How should Sentences 2 and 3 be combined?
Fortunetelling has played a major role in many cultures, also known as divination.
Also known as divination: fortunetelling has played a major role in many cultures.
Fortunetelling has played a major role in many cultures; also known as divination.
Also known as divination; fortunetelling has played a major role in many cultures.
Also known as divination, fortunetelling has played a major role in many cultures.
Also known as divination, fortunetelling has played a major role in many cultures.
“Also known as divination” is a dependent clause that modifies “fortunetelling,” the first word in an independent clause. A comma is the correct punctuation mark to separate these two rearranged clauses.
Example Question #34 : Combining Sentences
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.
How should Sentences 1 and 2 be combined?
No one wants to live in the swamp but swamps are an incredibly important part of the Earth’s ecosystem.
No one wants to live in the swamp, but swamps are an incredibly important part, of the Earth’s ecosystem.
No one wants to live in the swamp; but swamps are an incredibly important part of the Earth’s ecosystem.
No one wants to live in the swamp; but, swamps are an incredibly important part of the Earth’s ecosystem.
No one wants to live in one, but swamps are an incredibly important part of the Earth’s ecosystem.
No one wants to live in one, but swamps are an incredibly important part of the Earth’s ecosystem.
The most efficient and grammatically correct choice is one that replaces the first noun with a pronoun and remembers to combine two independent clauses with a comma and conjunction.
Example Question #35 : Combining Sentences
1 While maybe he wasn’t as well known as Bluebeard or Captain Kidd, Bill Johnston was still known as a feared pirate and river smuggler in his day.2 That day being the War of 1812. 3 You see, he came from a British Loyalist family and settled in Upper Canada before beginning a career as a Lake Ontario schooner captain, he carried legal cargo as well as smuggled tea and rum into Canada. 4 When the War of 1812 began he spied on the British for several years. 5 In 1838, his most famous escapade occurred: in the capture and burning of the enemy ship Sir Robert Peel. 6 Because Johnston was arrested many times during his life (including for this crime against the Sir Robert Peel), he always either escaped jail or was not convicted because of juries sympathetic view of his activities. 7 Many people do not know that another name for pirate is “corsair.” 8 Nevertheless, Johnston played many roles in his lifetime – everything from fugitive and corsair, criminal and hero.
How should Sentences 1 and 2 be combined?
While maybe he wasn’t as well known as Bluebeard or Captain Kidd, Bill Johnston was still known as a feared pirate and river smuggler in his day: that of the War of 1812.
While maybe he wasn’t as well known as Bluebeard or Captain Kidd, Bill Johnston was still known as a feared pirate and river smuggler in his day of the War of 1812 era.
While maybe he wasn’t as well known as Bluebeard or Captain Kidd, Bill Johnston was still known as a feared pirate and river smuggler during the War of 1812.
While maybe he wasn’t as well known as Bluebeard or Captain Kidd, Bill Johnston was still known as a feared pirate and river smuggler in his day; that day being the War of 1812 era.
While maybe he wasn’t as well known as Bluebeard or Captain Kidd, Bill Johnston was still known as a feared pirate and river smuggler in his day, the War of 1812 era.
While maybe he wasn’t as well known as Bluebeard or Captain Kidd, Bill Johnston was still known as a feared pirate and river smuggler during the War of 1812.
In this case, we want the simplest and most concise option: “While maybe he wasn’t as well known as Bluebeard or Captain Kidd, Bill Johnston was still known as a feared pirate and river smuggler during the War of 1812.”
Also, describing the War of 1812 as one "day" is both historically inaccurate and linguistically imprecise.
Example Question #36 : Combining Sentences
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.
How should Sentences 1 and 2 be combined?
One of America’s most inflammatory early disasters, it occurred in 1889 after the collapse of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
One of America’s most inflammatory early disasters, the Johnstown Flood. It was occurring in 1889 after the collapse of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. (no change)
One of America’s most inflammatory early disasters, the Johnstown Flood; was occurring in 1889 after the collapse of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
One of America’s most inflammatory early disasters, the Johnstown Flood occurred in 1889 after the collapse of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
It occurred in 1889 after the collapse of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania: One of America’s most inflammatory early disasters, the Johnstown Flood.
One of America’s most inflammatory early disasters, the Johnstown Flood occurred in 1889 after the collapse of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Since Sentence 1 is a fragment, it must be rewritten in some way. Giving the subject of Sentence 1, “the Johnstown Flood,” an active verb from Sentence 2 will fix the problem.
Example Question #37 : Combining Sentences
1 Old fashioned candy also known as penny candy or pick ‘n’ mix was once sold in bulk at soda fountains and five-and-dime stores across the United States and England. 2 Penny candy includes many varieties of convections. 3 These varieties, such as lollipops, string licorice, ribbon candy, jelly beans, chocolate coins, taffy, wax lips, sour balls, and candy cigarettes and necklaces. 4 Many people think fondly on their childhood candy stores with wistfulness.
How should Sentences 2 and 3 be combined?
Penny candy includes many varieties of convections; these varieties, such as lollipops, string licorice, ribbon candy, jelly beans, chocolate coins, taffy, wax lips, sour balls, and candy cigarettes and necklaces.
Penny candy’s many varieties of convections includes varieties such as lollipops, string licorice, ribbon candy, jelly beans, chocolate coins, taffy, wax lips, sour balls, and candy cigarettes and necklaces.
Penny candy includes varieties, such as lollipops, string licorice, ribbon candy, jelly beans, chocolate coins, taffy, wax lips, sour balls, and candy cigarettes and necklaces, many varieties of convections.
Penny candy includes convections such as lollipops, string licorice, ribbon candy, jelly beans, chocolate coins, taffy, wax lips, sour balls, and candy cigarettes and necklaces.
Penny candy includes lollipops, string licorice, ribbon candy, jelly beans, chocolate coins, taffy, wax lips, sour balls, and candy cigarettes and necklaces: many varieties of convections.
Penny candy includes convections such as lollipops, string licorice, ribbon candy, jelly beans, chocolate coins, taffy, wax lips, sour balls, and candy cigarettes and necklaces.
Since Sentence 3 is a fragment, it does need to be combined with Sentence 2. We can delete a few words for concision’s sake, but the order does not need to be changed.
Example Question #38 : Combining Sentences
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.
How should Sentences 5 and 6 be combined?
These perspicacious birds, appearing on all continents except South America and Antarctica, were once thought to predict the future; including weather and war plans.
Appearing on all continents except South America and Antarctica, these perspicacious birds were once thought to predict the future, including weather and war plans.
Appearing on all continents except South America and Antarctica; these perspicacious birds were once thought to predict the future, including weather and war plans.
Appearing on all continents except South America and Antarctica. These perspicacious birds were once thought to predict the future, including weather and war plans. (no change)
Appearing on all continents except South America and Antarctica, and including weather and war plans, these perspicacious birds were once thought to predict the future.
Appearing on all continents except South America and Antarctica, these perspicacious birds were once thought to predict the future, including weather and war plans.
Sentence 5 is a dependent clause; Sentence 6 is an independent clause. A simple comma will link them nicely, turning sentence 5 into an introductory clause to sentence 6's main clause.
Example Question #39 : Combining Sentences
1 One of the most famous modern dancers of all times, the choreography of Martha Graham had a profound influence of the ballet world. 2 Based on “contraction and release,” the Graham technique, creating theatrical dramatic tension and deeply impassioned routines for audiences to see. 3 Graham used her inconsiderate flexibility to develop many innovative moves originating from the abdomen, back, and pelvis.4 Graham’s work rejected not only the tenants of classical ballet but instead the reactionary rebellions of early modern dance. 5 Like the work of dancer choreographers Helen Tamiris and Agnes de Mille. 6 After age forced her to retire from the stage; Graham sank into a deep depression and had difficulty watching other ballerinas dance her choreography. 7 Today, the Graham technique is taught almost universally between various dance academies, clinics, and universities. 8 Without it the world of modern day dance would indubitably not be the same.
How should Sentences 4 and 5 be combined?
Graham’s work rejected not only the tenants of classical ballet but instead the reactionary rebellions of early modern dance; like the work of dancer choreographers Helen Tamiris and Agnes de Mille.
Graham’s work, rejecting not only the tenants of classical ballet but instead the reactionary rebellions of early modern dance, like the work of dancer choreographers Helen Tamiris and Agnes de Mille.
Graham’s work, like that of dancer choreographers Helen Tamiris and Agnes de Mille, rejected not only the tenants of classical ballet but instead the reactionary rebellions of early modern dance.
Graham’s work, like Helen Tamiris and Agnes de Mille, rejecting not only the tenants of classical ballet but instead the reactionary rebellions of early modern dance.
Graham’s work rejected the tenants of classical ballet and instead the reactionary rebellions of early modern dance; but not the work of dancer choreographers Helen Tamiris and Agnes de Mille.
Graham’s work, like that of dancer choreographers Helen Tamiris and Agnes de Mille, rejected not only the tenants of classical ballet but instead the reactionary rebellions of early modern dance.
Since Sentence 5 is a fragment, it must be combined with Sentence 4. It makes most sense to incorporate the choreographers of Sentence 5 into the part of Sentence 4 that discusses Graham’s own choreography.
Example Question #40 : Combining Sentences
1 Seaweed; a type of algae that’s a promising resource for the future. 2 It can be used with a fuel, medicine, fuel source, and even fertilizer. 3 Often being both farmed or foraged. 4 In Indonesia, China, Korea, and the Philippines are among the world’s largest producers of seaweed, it is used for everything from sushi and bread to dessert. 5 Medically, speaking derivatives of seaweed can be optimized in bandages, dental molds, and microbiology cultures. 6 Girls especially will squeal when they hear that seaweed’s components are used to make many pretty makeup products. 7 It should come as no surprise, then, that countries around the world are investing significant capital in seaweed research.
How should Sentences 2 and 3 be combined?
It can be used with a fuel, medicine, fuel source, and even fertilizer: often being both farmed or foraged.
It often being both farmed or foraged, can be used, with a fuel, medicine, fuel source, and even fertilizer.
Often being both farmed or foraged, it can be used with a fuel, medicine, fuel source, and even fertilizer.
It can be used, often being both farmed or foraged, with a fuel, medicine, fuel source, and even fertilizer.
It can be used with a fuel, medicine, fuel source, and even fertilizer; often being both farmed or foraged.
Often being both farmed or foraged, it can be used with a fuel, medicine, fuel source, and even fertilizer.
Sentence 3 is a dependent clause that could modify the “it” in Sentence 2, an independent clause, so we should move Sentence 3 before Sentence 2 and use a comma between them.
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