SAT Writing : Improving Paragraphs

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Inserting Content

1 French high-wire artist Philippe Petit has a long history of daredevil and breathtaking performances. 2 Although none are so well known as his 1974 tightrope walk between the Twin Towers in New York City. 3 Petit made more than two hundred trips to the Twin Towers in surrogate preparation for the eminent walk. 4 Supposedly, he spent more than six years practicing on a low wire at a property in upstate New York and laying his plans. 5 He first read an article about the Twin Towers in his dentist’s office while they were still being built.

6 On August 7, 1974 Philippe Petit made the walk. 7 With the help of his tepid friends, he snuck into the buildings, strung a cable more than a quarter mile above the ground, and began the walk. 8 The buildings were still under construction. 9 The performance lasted for more than half an hour and included Petit walking, running, and even lying down on the rope. 10 Whereas Petit was arrested when he returned to the ground, the judge only sentenced him to perform for city children in Central Park. 11 After the Twin Tower walk, Petit continues to give lectures, write books, and perform everywhere from the Eiffel Tower to Niagara Falls.

What is the best title for this passage?

Possible Answers:

A Brief Biography of Philippe Petit

Philippe Petit’s Infamous Walk

The Tightrope: Brilliance or Madness? 

Tightrope Walking: Risks and Rewards

Tightrope Walking in the 1970s

Correct answer:

Philippe Petit’s Infamous Walk

Explanation:

This passage is primarily concerned with outlining the history and circumstances behind Philippe Petit’s notorious tightrope walk, so “Philippe Petit’s Infamous Walk” is the best title. It does not give a detailed or chronological history of Petit's life, nor does it trace a broader history of the practice of tightrope walking in general, or in any particular period.

Example Question #232 : Improving Paragraphs

1 French high-wire artist Philippe Petit has a long history of daredevil and breathtaking performances. 2 Although none are so well known as his 1974 tightrope walk between the Twin Towers in New York City. 3 Petit made more than two hundred trips to the Twin Towers in surrogate preparation for the eminent walk. 4 Supposedly, he spent more than six years practicing on a low wire at a property in upstate New York and laying his plans. 5 He first read an article about the Twin Towers in his dentist’s office while they were still being built.

6 On August 7, 1974 Philippe Petit made the walk. 7 With the help of his tepid friends, he snuck into the buildings, strung a cable more than a quarter mile above the ground, and began the walk. 8 The buildings were still under construction. 9 The performance lasted for more than half an hour and included Petit walking, running, and even lying down on the rope. 10 Whereas Petit was arrested when he returned to the ground, the judge only sentenced him to perform for city children in Central Park. 11 After the Twin Tower walk, Petit continues to give lectures, write books, and perform everywhere from the Eiffel Tower to Niagara Falls.

What is the best introductory phrase to begin Sentence 3?

Possible Answers:

Nevertheless, for the sake of the stunt,

While this stunt was difficult,

Because of this, 

On the other hand,

To prepare for this stunt, 

Correct answer:

To prepare for this stunt, 

Explanation:

Sentence 3 discusses the preparations Petit made for his tightrope walk, so the logical choice is “To prepare for this stunt.” The preparations were not set up in opposition to any other statement or idea, so "nevertheless" and "on the other hand" are not appropriate. While the preparations certainly sound difficult, the difficulty itself was not the focus of this sentence.

Example Question #233 : Improving Paragraphs

1 French high-wire artist Philippe Petit has a long history of daredevil and breathtaking performances. 2 Although none are so well known as his 1974 tightrope walk between the Twin Towers in New York City. 3 Petit made more than two hundred trips to the Twin Towers in surrogate preparation for the eminent walk. 4 Supposedly, he spent more than six years practicing on a low wire at a property in upstate New York and laying his plans. 5 He first read an article about the Twin Towers in his dentist’s office while they were still being built.

6 On August 7, 1974 Philippe Petit made the walk. 7 With the help of his tepid friends, he snuck into the buildings, strung a cable more than a quarter mile above the ground, and began the walk. 8 The buildings were still under construction. 9 The performance lasted for more than half an hour and included Petit walking, running, and even lying down on the rope. 10 Whereas Petit was arrested when he returned to the ground, the judge only sentenced him to perform for city children in Central Park. 11 After the Twin Tower walk, Petit continues to give lectures, write books, and perform everywhere from the Eiffel Tower to Niagara Falls.

Where should the following sentence be added to the passage? “The stunt has been the inspiration for several artistic projects, including films and novels."

Possible Answers:

After Sentence 2

After Sentence 11

After Sentence 9

After Sentence 10

After Sentence 8

Correct answer:

After Sentence 10

Explanation:

Since this sentence discusses events that happened after the walk and subsequent arrest, it should appear after those sentences; however, it’s not a broad enough sentence to wrap up the entire passage, so it should appear immediately after Sentence 10 and immediately before Sentence 11, the conclusion.

Example Question #234 : Improving Paragraphs

1 The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction has been awarded to writers in the United States for nearly one hundred years. 2 It is one of twenty-one different categories of the Pulitzer Prize, that is named after newspaper baron Joseph Pulitzer and admonished by Columbia University. 3 Each year, the Pulitzer Prize Board generally chooses more than 100 judges to serve on 20 different juries, and each jury nominates three finalists for its respectful category.

4 Because the fiction award is usually given annually, there have also been years when it was not given to anyone. 5 This occurred when no winner was chosen from the three finalists (Denis Johnson’s collection Train Dreams, Karen Russell’s novel Swamplandia!, and David Foster Wallace’s unfinished The Pale King) in 2012. 6 As could be expected there was general outcry in the literary community following the announcement that no award would be given that year. 7 The Pulitzer Prize in Fiction was also not awarded to anyone in 1920, 1946, 1956, or 1971.

8 While some authors believe that winning the Pulitzer is up to random luck or connections in the publishing world, others think that the judges consistently choose exemplifies of American fiction. 9 In their minds, the Pulitzer recognizes and honors literature’s greatest powers; to entertain, enlighten, instruct, transcend, and astonish.

What would be the best title for this passage?

Possible Answers:

Pulitzer: Gatekeeper to the Art World

Joseph Pulitzer’s Prize-Winning Legacy

American Fiction and the Pulitzer Prize

Pulitzer Qualms and Quarrels

A Brief History of the Pulitzer Prize

Correct answer:

American Fiction and the Pulitzer Prize

Explanation:

Although the title “A Brief History of the Pulitzer Prize” is tempting, this passage deals more with the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction than the Pulitzer Prizes in general. The best choice is “American Fiction and the Pulitzer Prize.”

Example Question #235 : Improving Paragraphs

1 The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction has been awarded to writers in the United States for nearly one hundred years. 2 It is one of twenty-one different categories of the Pulitzer Prize, that is named after newspaper baron Joseph Pulitzer and admonished by Columbia University. 3 Each year, the Pulitzer Prize Board generally chooses more than 100 judges to serve on 20 different juries, and each jury nominates three finalists for its respectful category.

4 Because the fiction award is usually given annually, there have also been years when it was not given to anyone. 5 This occurred when no winner was chosen from the three finalists (Denis Johnson’s collection Train Dreams, Karen Russell’s novel Swamplandia!, and David Foster Wallace’s unfinished The Pale King) in 2012. 6 As could be expected there was general outcry in the literary community following the announcement that no award would be given that year. 7 The Pulitzer Prize in Fiction was also not awarded to anyone in 1920, 1946, 1956, or 1971.

8 While some authors believe that winning the Pulitzer is up to random luck or connections in the publishing world, others think that the judges consistently choose exemplifies of American fiction. 9 In their minds, the Pulitzer recognizes and honors literature’s greatest powers; to entertain, enlighten, instruct, transcend, and astonish.

The sentence “Along with the other categories, the fiction prize was established in 1917 in order to recognize outstanding contributions to the arts in America – specifically, a distinguished novel or story collection concerning American life.” would best be inserted between which two sentences?

Possible Answers:

Sentences 4 and 5

Sentences 3 and 4

Sentences 2 and 3

Sentences 5 and 6

Sentences 7 and 8

Correct answer:

Sentences 2 and 3

Explanation:

This sentence elaborates upon an idea introduced in Sentence 2 (the various Pulitzer Prize categories) and provides information about a topic (the fiction prize) that will be discussed in more detail in subsequent sentences. For this reason, the sentence belongs immediately after Sentence 2.

Example Question #231 : Improving Paragraphs

1 The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction has been awarded to writers in the United States for nearly one hundred years. 2 It is one of twenty-one different categories of the Pulitzer Prize, that is named after newspaper baron Joseph Pulitzer and admonished by Columbia University. 3 Each year, the Pulitzer Prize Board generally chooses more than 100 judges to serve on 20 different juries, and each jury nominates three finalists for its respectful category.

4 Because the fiction award is usually given annually, there have also been years when it was not given to anyone. 5 This occurred when no winner was chosen from the three finalists (Denis Johnson’s collection Train Dreams, Karen Russell’s novel Swamplandia!, and David Foster Wallace’s unfinished The Pale King) in 2012. 6 As could be expected there was general outcry in the literary community following the announcement that no award would be given that year. 7 The Pulitzer Prize in Fiction was also not awarded to anyone in 1920, 1946, 1956, or 1971.

8 While some authors believe that winning the Pulitzer is up to random luck or connections in the publishing world, others think that the judges consistently choose exemplifies of American fiction. 9 In their minds, the Pulitzer recognizes and honors literature’s greatest powers; to entertain, enlighten, instruct, transcend, and astonish.

What transitional word or phrase would best begin Sentence 5?

Possible Answers:

Most recently,

However,

Heretofore,

Stereotypically,

On the other hand,

Correct answer:

Most recently,

Explanation:

Because we know there were multiple times when the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction wasn’t awarded over the years, we can infer that the case in 2012 was the most recent one. “Most recently” is the best introductory phrase of the options provided. In context, the sentence is not discussing stereotypes, nor does it offset the statement against the preceding sentence.

Example Question #237 : Improving Paragraphs

1 Wedding customs range between families and social classes, but also between countries. 2 Since the dawn of time, human couples have been entering into long-term romantic commitments with each other. 3 In Ethiopia, for example, one of the groom’s friends sprays perfume inside the house of the groom’s future wife; while in Finland, engaged women go door-to-door with pillowcases to accept wedding gifts. 4 Certain celebratory traditions, such as eating special food and reciting some sort of vows or prayers, are so widely practiced today that they seem almost unilateral.

5 Recently, the very definition of marriage has shifted to include same-sex couples, both in popular culture and in certain nations’ and American states’ laws. 6 Dancing is an important part of many marriage ceremonies and celebrations, and festive wedding music can be found across a wide variety of cultures. 7 The presence of family members is also common to weddings in nearly every nation, although fathers do not always “give away” brides; sometimes mothers, grandparents, or even siblings play this role instead.

Where should the following sentence be inserted in the passage? “All in all, wedding traditions can provide not only fascinating insight into a particular culture’s beliefs and practices but also a lovely testament to enduring love.”

Possible Answers:

After Sentence 4

After Sentence 7

After Sentence 5

After Sentence 3

After Sentence 1

Correct answer:

After Sentence 7

Explanation:

As a rhetorical question and a generally broad sentence, this would be an excellent conclusion for the entire passage. The fact that it begins with “All in all” is another hint that this would be a good conclusion. It belongs after Sentence 7.

Example Question #238 : Improving Paragraphs

1 Although many people have heard of the seven wonders of the world, most don’t know who made the original list. 2 Both Herodotus, an ancient Greek historian, and Callimachus, a scholar at the famous Library of Alexandria, composed early lists of the seven wonders. 3 Although, an extract copy of these lists has not survived.

4 Still, historians know that the original seven wonders were. 5 They included Colossus of Rhodes, the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, and the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus. 6 Only the Great Pyramid still exists today. 7 Ruins or evidence of five of the other wonders have been found, but the Hanging Gardens have never been located by archaeologists.

8 What do these seven wonders have in common? 9 Since ancient times, scholars have made their own lists of seven wonders of the world. 10 Some of these wonders include Stonehenge, the Great Wall of China, the Hagia Sophia, Macchu Pichu, and the Golden Gate Bridge. 

What would be the best title for this passage?

Possible Answers:

An Ancient Mystery: The Famous Gardens of Babylon

Modern Wonders of the World

Ancient Wonders of the World

The Wondrous World

From Giza to Rhodes: Early Architects

Correct answer:

The Wondrous World

Explanation:

All the titles except for “The Wondrous World” are too specific and narrow in too closely on one particular aspect of the passage while ignoring the broad focus of the passage.

Example Question #239 : Improving Paragraphs

1 Wedding customs range between families and social classes, but also between countries. 2 Since the dawn of time, human couples have been entering into long-term romantic commitments with each other. 3 In Ethiopia, for example, one of the groom’s friends sprays perfume inside the house of the groom’s future wife; while in Finland, engaged women go door-to-door with pillowcases to accept wedding gifts. 4 Certain celebratory traditions, such as eating special food and reciting some sort of vows or prayers, are so widely practiced today that they seem almost unilateral.

5 Recently, the very definition of marriage has shifted to include same-sex couples, both in popular culture and in certain nations’ and American states’ laws. 6 Dancing is an important part of many marriage ceremonies and celebrations, and festive wedding music can be found across a wide variety of cultures. 7 The presence of family members is also common to weddings in nearly every nation, although fathers do not always “give away” brides; sometimes mothers, grandparents, or even siblings play this role instead.

What is the best title for this passage?

Possible Answers:

To Wed or Not To Wed

Shifting Marital Customs

Arguments For and Against Marriage

A Short History of Coupledom

Marriage Traditions: A Brief Overview

Correct answer:

Marriage Traditions: A Brief Overview

Explanation:

While the passage does discuss some new or shifted marital customs as well as a brief mention of marriage’s historical role, neither “Shifting Marital Customs” nor “A Short History of Coupledom” fully encompasses the passage. “Arguments For and Against Marriage” and “To Wed or Not To Wed” both suggest topics that this passage does not include. The best answer is “Marriage Traditions: A Brief Overview.” 

Example Question #240 : Improving Paragraphs

1 The history of mathematics is a long and storied one. 2 Filled with many characters and enigmas. 3 Ancient Babylonian and Egyptian texts reveal some of the earliest mathematical concepts, most involving counting and record keeping. 4 At it’s heart, mathematics represents inquiries about the nature of number and magnitude as well as form and function, some people liken the subject to quantitative philosophy.

5 Modern day mathematics involves signified amounts of creativity. 6 Mathematicians must be not only well versed in old formulas and also they must be able to think daftly and imaginatively. 7 While some scholars see mathematics solely as a useful tool to aid scientific discoveries (in physics and chemistry), most recognize mathematics’ immanent importance and beauty. 8 Some of modern-day math’s areas of investigation are game theory, chaos theory, and economics.

What is the best title for this passage?

Possible Answers:

Roots of Game Theory

Chaos Theory Today

Math’s Mystery and Meaning

From Egyptians to Enigmas

A Brief History of Mathematics

Correct answer:

Math’s Mystery and Meaning

Explanation:

Don’t be fooled into choosing “A Brief History of Mathematics”; although the text starts with a mention of math’s long history, that isn’t the main point of the passage. “From Egyptians to Enigmas” is overly vague, and “Roots of Game Theory” and “Chaos Theory” today are too specific. The text is primarily concerned with math’s beauty and significance, so “Math’s Mystery and Meaning” is the best title choice.

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