SAT Writing : Improving and Correcting Sentences
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Example Questions
Example Question #14 : Correcting Grammatical Errors In A Sentence Fragment
1 E.J. Bellocq, who was he? 2 Those outside the photography coterie may not have heard of him, but his life’s work inspired innumerable films and works of literature. 3 Born into a rich family in the French Quarter of New Orleans Bellocq made a living, taking official photographs of ships, machinery, and other commercial items for local companies. 4 As a result, he became known for his portraits of Chinatown opium dens, and prostitutes in Storyville, one of the seediest districts of early 20th century New Orleans.
5 Bellocq’s work is categorized by its attention to detail and its rich aesthetic sensibility. 6 In his personal life, he was known for being eccentric, unfriendly, partially crippled, and possibly insane. 7 In his veritable Storyville portraits, the women are nude or clothed, looking at or away from the camera, and posed reclining or standing up, revealing great versatility on Bellocq’s part. 8 Tragically many of his negatives and prints were destroyed or damaged by an uncertain hand (mostly likely his or his Jesuit brother).
How should the underlined portion of Sentence 3 be rewritten?
Bellocq made a living with the taking official photographs of ships, machinery, and other commercial items for local companies.
Bellocq made a living taking official photographs of ships, machinery, and other commercial items for local companies.
Bellocq made a living, regarding the taking official photographs of ships, machinery, and other commercial items for local companies.
Bellocq made a living, having taken official photographs of ships, machinery, and other commercial items for local companies.
Bellocq made a living, taking official photographs of ships, machinery, and other commercial items for local companies. (no change)
Bellocq made a living taking official photographs of ships, machinery, and other commercial items for local companies.
No comma is necessary after “living” in this independent clause; in fact, a comma impedes the flow of the sentence. Although it’s a bit clunky to have two gerunds in a row, we need both of them in order to convey the meaning of the sentence: Bellocq’s livelihood was taking official photographs. (The sentence could be further improved by inserting the word “by” between “living” and “taking.”)
Example Question #471 : Improving Paragraphs
1 E.J. Bellocq, who was he? 2 Those outside the photography coterie may not have heard of him, but his life’s work inspired innumerable films and works of literature. 3 Born into a rich family in the French Quarter of New Orleans Bellocq made a living, taking official photographs of ships, machinery, and other commercial items for local companies. 4 As a result, he became known for his portraits of Chinatown opium dens, and prostitutes in Storyville, one of the seediest districts of early 20th century New Orleans.
5 Bellocq’s work is categorized by its attention to detail and its rich aesthetic sensibility. 6 In his personal life, he was known for being eccentric, unfriendly, partially crippled, and possibly insane. 7 In his veritable Storyville portraits, the women are nude or clothed, looking at or away from the camera, and posed reclining or standing up, revealing great versatility on Bellocq’s part. 8 Tragically many of his negatives and prints were destroyed or damaged by an uncertain hand (mostly likely his or his Jesuit brother).
How should the underlined portion of Sentence 4 be rewritten?
of Chinatown opium dens, and prostitutes in Storyville, one (no change)
of Chinatown opium dens; and prostitutes in Storyville one
of Chinatown opium dens and prostitutes in Storyville, one
of Chinatown opium dens; and prostitutes in Storyville, one
of Chinatown opium dens, and prostitutes in Storyville one
of Chinatown opium dens and prostitutes in Storyville, one
A comma is only needed before a conjunction word if that conjunction is separating two independent clauses, which it is not in this sentence. A comma is, however, necessary, to offset a dependent clause from an independent clause, hence the comma after the word “Storyville.”
Example Question #21 : Correcting Grammatical Errors In A Sentence Fragment
1 E.J. Bellocq, who was he? 2 Those outside the photography coterie may not have heard of him, but his life’s work inspired innumerable films and works of literature. 3 Born into a rich family in the French Quarter of New Orleans Bellocq made a living, taking official photographs of ships, machinery, and other commercial items for local companies. 4 As a result, he became known for his portraits of Chinatown opium dens, and prostitutes in Storyville, one of the seediest districts of early 20th century New Orleans.
5 Bellocq’s work is categorized by its attention to detail and its rich aesthetic sensibility. 6 In his personal life, he was known for being eccentric, unfriendly, partially crippled, and possibly insane. 7 In his veritable Storyville portraits, the women are nude or clothed, looking at or away from the camera, and posed reclining or standing up, revealing great versatility on Bellocq’s part. 8 Tragically many of his negatives and prints were destroyed or damaged by an uncertain hand (mostly likely his or his Jesuit brother).
How should the underlined portion of Sentence 8 be rewritten?
(mostly likely his or Jesuit brother’s).
(mostly likely his or his Jesuit brother). (no change)
(mostly likely his or the Jesuit brother).
(mostly likely his or his Jesuit brother’s).
(mostly likely by his or his Jesuit brother).
(mostly likely his or his Jesuit brother’s).
We must make sure that our comparisons are between like items. “His” is a possessive pronoun and “Jesuit brother” is an object, so they cannot be compared. Since the parentheses is explaining whose hand may have tampered with the photographs, it makes sense to make “Jesuit brother” into a possessive to match “his.” Correctly written, the underlined portion would read (mostly likely his or his Jesuit brother’s).
Example Question #21 : Correcting Grammatical Errors In A Sentence Fragment
1 Unlike most languages, Esperanto was created artificially and not arrived naturally from other language’s evolution. 2 If you’ve ever traveled in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, you’ll be familiar with the motives of the creators of Esperanto; a universal language constructed in 1887. 3 It was invented by the linguist L.L. Zamenhof, its name translating roughly to “the hopeful one,” and it was intended as a simple, neutral language that could transfer national differences and promote international harmony.
4 Implementing Esperanto, although, was more difficult than anticipated. 5 Yet more than two million people world-wide are fluent in Esperanto, far more are fluent in so-called global languages, such as English, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Hindi. 6 Linguistically, Esperanto relies within a Latin alphabet and a grammar and vocabulary based primarily on Indo-European languages. 7 Luckily, free online resources, local clubs, and interminable school-sponsored instruction have kept this valuable linguistic experiment from dying out altogether.
How should the underlined portion of Sentence 5 be rewritten?
far more are fluent in so-called global languages, such as: English, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Hindi.
far more are fluent: in so-called global languages such as English, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Hindi.
far more are fluent: in so-called global languages, such as English, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Hindi.
far more are fluent in so-called global languages, such as English, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Hindi. (no change)
far more are fluent in so-called global languages such as English, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Hindi.
far more are fluent in so-called global languages such as English, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Hindi.
The phrase “such as” only requires a comma before it if the subsequent phrase is part of a non-restrictive clause. No colon is required to introduce the list; the phrase “such as” already serves that role.
Example Question #22 : Correcting Grammatical Errors In A Sentence Fragment
1 Unlike most languages, Esperanto was created artificially and not arrived naturally from other language’s evolution. 2 If you’ve ever traveled in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, you’ll be familiar with the motives of the creators of Esperanto; a universal language constructed in 1887. 3 It was invented by the linguist L.L. Zamenhof, its name translating roughly to “the hopeful one,” and it was intended as a simple, neutral language that could transfer national differences and promote international harmony.
4 Implementing Esperanto, although, was more difficult than anticipated. 5 Yet more than two million people world-wide are fluent in Esperanto, far more are fluent in so-called global languages, such as English, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Hindi. 6 Linguistically, Esperanto relies within a Latin alphabet and a grammar and vocabulary based primarily on Indo-European languages. 7 Luckily, free online resources, local clubs, and interminable school-sponsored instruction have kept this valuable linguistic experiment from dying out altogether.
How should the underlined portion of Sentence 5 be rewritten?
two million people world wide
two million people worldwide
two-million people worldwide
two million people world-wide (no change)
two-million people world wide
two million people worldwide
“Worldwide” is one word, not two hyphenated or separate words. The number “two million” is never hyphenated, even when it’s modifying a noun (as in this sentence).
Example Question #471 : Improving Paragraphs
1 Unlike most languages, Esperanto was created artificially and not arrived naturally from other language’s evolution. 2 If you’ve ever traveled in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, you’ll be familiar with the motives of the creators of Esperanto; a universal language constructed in 1887. 3 It was invented by the linguist L.L. Zamenhof, its name translating roughly to “the hopeful one,” and it was intended as a simple, neutral language that could transfer national differences and promote international harmony.
4 Implementing Esperanto, although, was more difficult than anticipated. 5 Yet more than two million people world-wide are fluent in Esperanto, far more are fluent in so-called global languages, such as English, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Hindi. 6 Linguistically, Esperanto relies within a Latin alphabet and a grammar and vocabulary based primarily on Indo-European languages. 7 Luckily, free online resources, local clubs, and interminable school-sponsored instruction have kept this valuable linguistic experiment from dying out altogether.
How should the beginning of Sentence 6 be rewritten?
Linguistically, Esperanto relies upon
Linguistically, Esperanto is relying with
Linguistically, Esperanto relies within (no change)
Linguistically Esperanto relies upon
Linguistically Esperanto relies within
Linguistically, Esperanto relies upon
As an introductory word, “Linguistically” requires a comma after it. Things always rely “upon” other things, not “within” or “with” them.
Example Question #23 : Correcting Grammatical Errors In A Sentence Fragment
1 The lost-wax casting method may sound cryptic, but its really a fairly simple and comprehendible process. 2 It is also known as investment or precision casting. 3 It involves twelve steps in that an artist makes an original wax model; creates rubber and plaster molds from the model; fills the molds with wax; coats the new wax models with a ceramic material; and fires the wax-ceramic mixture into a kiln so that the outer layer becomes a reusable mold and the inner wax melts away. 4 Despite involves technical jingo such as spruing, metal-chasing, and burnout, it is a very versant process that can be applied to everything from jewelry making and sculpture, automobile and gun manufacturing.
5 Lost-wax has been used by sculptors from ancient Greece all the way to modern day Germany. 6 Lost-wax has even been applied to dentistry, it is most frequently used to make gold crowns and inlays.7 Why not give it a try?
How should the underlined portion of Sentence 4 be rewritten?
everything from jewelry making and sculpture to automobile and gun manufacturing.
everything from jewelry making and sculpture, to automobile and gun manufacturing.
everything from jewelry making to sculpture, and automobile and gun manufacturing.
everything from jewelry making and sculpture, automobile and gun manufacturing. (no change)
everything from jewelry making and sculpture, automobile, and gun manufacturing.
everything from jewelry making and sculpture to automobile and gun manufacturing.
The correct grammatical construction is always “everything from __________ to ___________.” No commas are used in this phrase.
Example Question #24 : Correcting Grammatical Errors In A Sentence Fragment
1 E.J. Bellocq, who was he? 2 Those outside the photography coterie may not have heard of him, but his life’s work inspired innumerable films and works of literature. 3 Born into a rich family in the French Quarter of New Orleans Bellocq made a living, taking official photographs of ships, machinery, and other commercial items for local companies. 4 As a result, he became known for his portraits of Chinatown opium dens, and prostitutes in Storyville, one of the seediest districts of early 20th century New Orleans.
5 Bellocq’s work is categorized by its attention to detail and its rich aesthetic sensibility. 6 In his personal life, he was known for being eccentric, unfriendly, partially crippled, and possibly insane. 7 In his veritable Storyville portraits, the women are nude or clothed, looking at or away from the camera, and posed reclining or standing up, revealing great versatility on Bellocq’s part. 8 Tragically many of his negatives and prints were destroyed or damaged by an uncertain hand (mostly likely his or his Jesuit brother).
How should the underlined portion of Sentence 8 be rewritten?
Tragically many of his negatives and prints were destroyed (no change)
Tragically, many of his negatives and prints were destroyed
Tragically, with many of his negatives and prints were destroyed
Tragically, many of his negatives and prints were destroyed,
Tragically many of his negatives and prints having been destroyed,
Tragically, many of his negatives and prints were destroyed
"Tragically" is an introductory word that must be set off from the rest of the sentence with a comma. No other changes are necessary.
Example Question #25 : Correcting Grammatical Errors In A Sentence Fragment
1 E.J. Bellocq, who was he? 2 Those outside the photography coterie may not have heard of him, but his life’s work inspired innumerable films and works of literature. 3 Born into a rich family in the French Quarter of New Orleans Bellocq made a living, taking official photographs of ships, machinery, and other commercial items for local companies. 4 As a result, he became known for his portraits of Chinatown opium dens, and prostitutes in Storyville, one of the seediest districts of early 20th century New Orleans.
5 Bellocq’s work is categorized by its attention to detail and its rich aesthetic sensibility. 6 In his personal life, he was known for being eccentric, unfriendly, partially crippled, and possibly insane. 7 In his veritable Storyville portraits, the women are nude or clothed, looking at or away from the camera, and posed reclining or standing up, revealing great versatility on Bellocq’s part. 8 Tragically many of his negatives and prints were destroyed or damaged by an uncertain hand (mostly likely his or his Jesuit brother).
In Sentence 1, what punctuation mark should replace the comma?
Semicolon
Colon
Exclamation point
Comma (no change)
Question mark
Colon
Although colons are most frequently used to introduce lists, they can also occasionally introduce a full clause, as in this case. None of the other punctuation marks would be correct. A semicolon is inapropriate here since a name, by itself, is not an independent clause.
Example Question #26 : Correcting Grammatical Errors In A Sentence Fragment
1 Unlike most languages, Esperanto was created artificially and not arrived naturally from other language’s evolution. 2 If you’ve ever traveled in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, you’ll be familiar with the motives of the creators of Esperanto; a universal language constructed in 1887. 3 It was invented by the linguist L.L. Zamenhof, its name translating roughly to “the hopeful one,” and it was intended as a simple, neutral language that could transfer national differences and promote international harmony.
4 Implementing Esperanto, although, was more difficult than anticipated. 5 Yet more than two million people world-wide are fluent in Esperanto, far more are fluent in so-called global languages, such as English, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Hindi. 6 Linguistically, Esperanto relies within a Latin alphabet and a grammar and vocabulary based primarily on Indo-European languages. 7 Luckily, free online resources, local clubs, and interminable school-sponsored instruction have kept this valuable linguistic experiment from dying out altogether.
In Sentence 2, what punctuation change needs to be made?
replace the comma with a colon
delete the comma
delete the semicolon
replace the comma with a semicolon
replace the semicolon with a comma
replace the semicolon with a comma
Here we have (in order) a dependent clause, an independent clause, and a dependent clause. Independent and dependent clauses are always separated by commas.
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