SAT Writing : Improving Paragraphs

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Inserting Or Deleting Content

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.

Where should the following sentence be added? “Throughout recorded history, humans have attempted to articulate their ideas about amount and quantity.”

Possible Answers:

Before Sentence 7

Before Sentence 1

Before Sentence 5

Before Sentence 6

Before Sentence 3

Correct answer:

Before Sentence 1

Explanation:

This sentence provides an excellent introduction to the topic at hand, since it encompasses the various main ideas presented in the passage. For this reason, it belongs at the very beginning of the passage in front of Sentence 1.

Example Question #22 : Inserting Or Deleting Content

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.

Where should the following sentence be added to the text? “All things considered, there is much left to learn about the world we inhabit, and we must continue to turn to mathematics to teach ourselves.”

Possible Answers:

After Sentence 8

After Sentence 1

After Sentence 6

After Sentence 2

After Sentence 4

Correct answer:

After Sentence 1

Explanation:

The phrase “All things considered” indicates that this is a conclusion sentence, and the rest of the sentence supports this indication. The sentence would fit best at the very end of the passage.

Example Question #23 : Inserting Or Deleting Content

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.

In Sentence 7, what abbreviation should be added inside the parentheses?

Possible Answers:

i.e.

n.b.

no addition

e.g.

etc.

Correct answer:

e.g.

Explanation:

The correct abbreviation would be “e.g.” This is a Latin abbreviation that means “for example,” and it indicates that physics and biology are two examples of science fields that use mathematics primarily as a tool. The abbreviation “i.e.” means “that is,” “n.b.” means “nota bene” or “pay attention,” and “etc.” means “etcetera” or “so on and so on.”

Example Question #24 : Inserting Or Deleting Content

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.

Where should the transitional phrase “in order to produce new theories and proofs” be added?

Possible Answers:

At the beginning of Sentence 6, with no comma

At the end of sentence 6, with a comma after “imaginatively”

At the beginning of Sentence 6, with a comma after “proofs”

At the end of Sentence 5, with no comma

At the end of Sentence 5, with a comma after “creativity”

Correct answer:

At the beginning of Sentence 6, with a comma after “proofs”

Explanation:

This transitional phrase would best begin Sentence 6, since it explains the whole purpose for mathematicians being well versed and able to think deftly and imaginatively. A comma is needed to separate this phrase since the rest of the sentence, as commas are always necessary to separate dependent and independent clauses.

Example Question #25 : Inserting Or Deleting Content

1 Tattoos have even been found on ancient Icelandic, Egyptian, and South American mummies.2 On their various voyages to the South Pacific, Captain Cook and other European explorers brought back accounts of colorfully inked natives, and their sailors soon began to adopt the practice. 3 Early medieval Northern European tribes such as the Picts and Visigoths were often heavily tattooed; particularly the warriors. 4 Over the centuries, various cultures have described various meanings to tattoos, with indelible ink signifying everything from royalty to gang membership to magical powers.

5 Interestingly modern-day tattooing’s popularity evolved out of its adoption by wealthy British nobility, and by American celebrities, musicians, and actors. 6 While tattoos do have a dark past, most notably at Auschwitz, where Nazi’s identified prisoners by tattooing numbers on their arms. 7 Tattoos can be signs of joy, belief, or even healing, such as the colorful tattoos that breast cancer survivors use to cover mastectomy scars.

8 Today, there are more options than ever before, tattoo artists often have fine arts training, lengthy apprenticeships, and can offer specialty inks that glow in the dark or are easier to remove. 9 The internet is full of design ideas, tattoo parlor rankings, and even horror stories about bad tattoo experiences. 10 Now more than ever, information about ink abounds. 11 Choose wisely!

Where should the following sentence be inserted in the passage? “Tattoos have been a part of human expression practically since the beginning of recorded history.”

Possible Answers:

Before Sentence 5

Before Sentence 3

Before Sentence 7

Before Sentence 9

Before Sentence 1

Correct answer:

Before Sentence 1

Explanation:

This sentence provides an excellent introduction to the topic and a seamless transition into the original first sentence of the passage: “Tattoos have even been found on ancient Icelandic, Egyptian, and South American mummies.” Therefore, it should be placed before Sentence 1.

Example Question #451 : Sat Writing

1 Have you ever went hang gliding? 2 Sailing smoothly across the sky, hang gliders are a sight to behold and capture humans’ longstanding fascination with self propelled flight. 3 Whereas, it is also a dangerous pastime. 4 Personally, I know many people who are aware of the sport’s relative danger but still enjoy it on a regular basis. 5 With proper technical training and certification, it is possible to avoid some of the most common hang gliding catamounts, stalling near the ground, aerobatic stunts gone wrong, and failure to use helmets or parachutes.

7 In the United States, hang gliding is a relatively new sport and most hang gliders are wealthy and educated devotees. 8 Hang gliding actually originated in the 500s in China, with man-sized kites allowing people to sustain flight for short distances. 9 Continual advances in material technologies’ result in constantly improving hang glider equipment – specialized nylon parachutes and lightweight aluminum alloy frames, for example. 10 Popular hang gliding destinations in the United States include Salt Lake City, Utah, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 11 The most ardent affiliates say there’s absolutely nothing like the joy of soaring miles above the ground for hours.

What is the best title for this passage?

Possible Answers:

"Hang Tight, Hang Glide"

"Hang Gliding Today"

"Hang Gliding in History"

"Icarus Falls: Hang Gliding Disasters"

"To Hang Glide or Not To Hang Glide"

Correct answer:

"Hang Gliding Today"

Explanation:

Two of these answer choices are too vague (“Hang Tight, Hang Glide” and “To Hang-Glide or Not To Hang-Glide”), and two are too specific, honing in on only one aspect of the passage (“Icarus Falls: Hang-Gliding Disasters” and “Icarus Falls: Hang-Gliding Disasters”). The choice that best encompasses the spirit of the whole passage, therefore, is “Hang-Gliding Today.”

Example Question #452 : Sat Writing

1 Tattoos have even been found on ancient Icelandic, Egyptian, and South American mummies.2 On their various voyages to the South Pacific, Captain Cook and other European explorers brought back accounts of colorfully inked natives, and their sailors soon began to adopt the practice. 3 Early medieval Northern European tribes such as the Picts and Visigoths were often heavily tattooed; particularly the warriors. 4 Over the centuries, various cultures have described various meanings to tattoos, with indelible ink signifying everything from royalty to gang membership to magical powers.

5 Interestingly modern-day tattooing’s popularity evolved out of its adoption by wealthy British nobility, and by American celebrities, musicians, and actors. 6 While tattoos do have a dark past, most notably at Auschwitz, where Nazi’s identified prisoners by tattooing numbers on their arms. 7 Tattoos can be signs of joy, belief, or even healing, such as the colorful tattoos that breast cancer survivors use to cover mastectomy scars.

8 Today, there are more options than ever before, tattoo artists often have fine arts training, lengthy apprenticeships, and can offer specialty inks that glow in the dark or are easier to remove. 9 The internet is full of design ideas, tattoo parlor rankings, and even horror stories about bad tattoo experiences. 10 Now more than ever, information about ink abounds. 11 Choose wisely!

What is the best title for this passage?

Possible Answers:

"Tattoos in American Culture"

"Tattoo Design and Typography"

"Ephemeral Tattoos"

"Tattoos: A Lasting Significance"

"Tattoos: Historical Pros and Cons"

Correct answer:

"Tattoos: A Lasting Significance"

Explanation:

This passage is concerned primarily with the development of tattooing over the centuries and tattoos’ significance to various cultures, so the best title is “Tattoos: A Lasting Significance.”

Example Question #451 : Sat Writing

1 Although agritourism is a fairly recent phenomenon in the Western world; it is proving popular in many countries. 2 Agritourism is broadly defined as any activity or attraction that draws visitors to a farm, and it can include anything from corn mazes and apple picking to vineyard tours, workshops on animal husbandry, and work-stay exchange programs. 3 The practice is particularly prevocalic in North America, Europe, and Australia. 4 With a huge variety of farms and activities available to agritourists. 5 For example: visitors can learn how to run a cattle drive in Wyoming, make cheese in France, harvest olives in Sicily, or pick kiwi fruit in New Zealand.

6 Income generated from agritourism can help small family farms remain soluble as well as educate the public about where their food comes from. 7 Henceforth, most people agree that agritourism is benevolent for everyone involved. 8 While there are some who argue that it is a cheap ploy designed to make selfish tourists feel better about their vacations. 9 All in all, it will be interesting to see how agritourism continues to develop in the future. 

What is the best title for this passage?

Possible Answers:

"Agritourism: Agricultural Tourism"

"Pros and Cons of Agritourism"

"An Introduction to Agritourism"

"Ecotourism or Agritourism: Small Distinctions"

"Is Agritourism Right for You?"

Correct answer:

"An Introduction to Agritourism"

Explanation:

“An Introduction to Agritourism” best encompasses the main idea of the passage. By process of elimination, we could also have arrived at the correct answer. “Agritourism: Agricultural Tourism” is inane, “Is Agritourism Right for You?” asks a question that the passage does not attempt to answer, “Pros and Cons of Agritourism” is addressed only briefly at the end of the passage, and “Ecotourism or Agritourism: Small Distinctions” is not a topic discussed in the passage.

Example Question #241 : Improving Paragraphs

1 All in all, aviation will likely continue to fascinate people for centuries to come. 2 Long before the famous Wright brothers humans were attempting to fly. 3 The ancient Greek myth of Icarus and Daedalus shows the tantalizing allusion of flight. 4 With large kites’ in China may have been the first successful instance of human flight several thousand years ago. 5 Hundreds of years later and despite many hazings; the Montgolfier brothers and other pioneering aviators began experimenting with manned hot-air balloon flights. 6 Therefore, technology has advanced to the point of supersonic and hypersonic flight, but people are still trying to break new barriers and invent new methods of flight.

Which of the following sentences needs a semicolon added to or deleted from it?

Possible Answers:

Sentence 4

Sentence 3

Sentence 5

Sentence 2

Sentence 1

Correct answer:

Sentence 5

Explanation:

Sentence 5 incorrectly contains a semicolon; the appropriate punctuation for separating an independent clause (“the Montgolfier brothers and other pioneering aviators began experimenting with manned hot-air balloon flights”) and a dependent clause (“Hundreds of years later and despite many dangers”) is a comma.

Example Question #242 : Improving Paragraphs

1 All in all, aviation will likely continue to fascinate people for centuries to come. 2 Long before the famous Wright brothers humans were attempting to fly. 3 The ancient Greek myth of Icarus and Daedalus shows the tantalizing allusion of flight. 4 With large kites’ in China may have been the first successful instance of human flight several thousand years ago. 5 Hundreds of years later and despite many hazings; the Montgolfier brothers and other pioneering aviators began experimenting with manned hot-air balloon flights. 6 Therefore, technology has advanced to the point of supersonic and hypersonic flight, but people are still trying to break new barriers and invent new methods of flight.

Where should the following sentence be inserted in this passage? “The advent of activities such as paragliding and parasailing has made recreational flight more accessible than ever before.”

Possible Answers:

After Sentence 5

After Sentence 3

After Sentence 6

After Sentence 4

After Sentence 2

Correct answer:

After Sentence 6

Explanation:

Following the chronological arrangement of the passage, we know that this sentence about contemporary aviation belongs near the end. Since the new sentence builds upon an idea introduced in Sentence 6 (new aviation technologies), it would best fit immediately after Sentence 6.

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