SAT Writing : Improving Paragraphs

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #62 : Inserting Content

1 As anyone who has tried it can tell you, Filipino food is an exciting intriguing blend of flavors. 2 Due to interaction with various nations and cultures, it’s cuisine is marked by influences from Austronesia, Spain, China, Malaysia, and the United States. 3 Some typical dishes including pancit, longganisa, lumpia, kare-kare, pinakbet, sinigang, and adobo. 4 For example, one could find everything from Spanish paella and Chinese spring rolls (locally called lumpia) if you walked into a Filipino restaurant.

5 Another important compound of Filipino cuisine is street food. 6 These street foods include many fried foods, such as bananas, plantains, dumplings, squid balls, battered quail eggs, and fruit or vegetable spring rolls.7 Taho, a warm street food, is composed of bean curd, a caramel syrup or arnibal, and tapioca pearls.8 Don’t forget dessert! 9 With such a variety of flavors, textures, and cooking styles, there’s certainly to be something for every gourmand.

Which sentence needs an apostrophe added to or deleted from it?

Possible Answers:

Sentence 4

Sentence 8

None of these sentences requires an apostrophe to be added or deleted.

Sentence 2

Sentence 6

Correct answer:

Sentence 2

Explanation:

The correct possessive of “it” is always “its” and never “it’s.” "It's" is a contraction of "it is."

Example Question #67 : Inserting Or Deleting Content

1 While many people feel strongly about the genetic modification of foods. 2 Most do not understand the full nature of genetically modified (GM) plants and animals. 3 For example, did you even know that GM was the abbreviation for genetically modified? 4 Genetic modification is defined as the artificial manipulation of a specie’s DNA usually for the purpose of improving crop yield, resistance to disease, or nutritive value. 5 And did you know it has been going on for millennia, because ancient farmers were selectively breeding foods to provide better flavor, produce smaller seeds, or withstand drought and flooding?

6 Today, however, having more sophisticated tools allow scientists to transfer genes from one organism with another, this purposely provokes better pest resistance and other desirable characteristics. 7 Opponents of genetic modification argue that the DNA modifications are unstable, undesirable, and unhealthy for the environment. 8 Additionally, some are also arguing that consuming GM foods is unsafe for humans, despite much scientific evidence to the contrary.

Where should the following sentence be inserted in the passage? “Although most GM foods today are plants, it is anticipated that more and more animals and even microorganisms will be genetically modified for our future consumption, so the topic remains a pertinent issue.”

Possible Answers:

After Sentence 8

After Sentence 7

After Sentence 3

After Sentence 5

After Sentence 6

Correct answer:

After Sentence 8

Explanation:

This sentence, which looks to the future and discusses the continued relevance of the passage’s topic, makes for an excellent conclusion. It belongs after the final sentence in the text.

Example Question #281 : Improving Paragraphs

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? 

Which sentence needs a hyphen added to it?

Possible Answers:

Sentence 3

Sentence 4

Sentence 1

Sentence 5

Sentence 2

Correct answer:

Sentence 5

Explanation:

In Sentence 5, “modern day” should be hyphenated. Typically, compound adjectives that immediately precede nouns are always hyphenated.

Example Question #69 : Inserting Or Deleting Content

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).

Which sentence needs a hyphen added to it?

Possible Answers:

No sentences require commas.

Sentence 6

Sentence 2

Sentence 4

Sentence 8

Correct answer:

Sentence 4

Explanation:

Compound adjectives such as “20th century” must be hyphenated if they immediately precede a noun, as is the case here.

Example Question #70 : Inserting Or Deleting Content

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).

Which of the following sentence topics would fit best if added to the passage?

Possible Answers:

a list of the poems, novels, and short stories aspired by or alluding to Bellocq

a biographical note about Bellocq’s parents

a description of the photographic technology used by Bellocq

a discussion of early laws in Storyville and Chinatown

details about the event that crippled Bellocq

Correct answer:

a description of the photographic technology used by Bellocq

Explanation:

A description of photographic technology would be most relevant to the main topic of the passage: Bellocq’s photography.

Example Question #282 : Improving Paragraphs

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? 

Which sentence needs an apostrophe added to it?

Possible Answers:

Sentence 4

Sentence 3

Sentence 5

Sentence 1

Sentence 2

Correct answer:

Sentence 1

Explanation:

In Sentence 1, the contraction “its” is lacking an apostrophe. We can tell that “it’s” is the correct word for the sentence because it is substituting for a subject and a verb “it is.”

Example Question #283 : Improving Paragraphs

1 The legend of Billy the Kid, one of the most famous outlaws of the Wild West. 2 Allied Henry McCarty and William H. Bonney, Billy the Kid was a gunfighter who was rumored to have killed nearly two dozen men in 19th century America. 3 Friendly and charming, his status was relatively unknown until a price was put on his head in 1881 by the governor of New Mexico, than a territory. 4 He lived in New York City, Indiana, Kansas, and Arizona at various points within his life. 5 Billy the Kid’s various crimes include: murder, horse thievery, stealing firearms, and escaping from jail. 6 Many of these various crimes were committed as part of his membership in Old West gangs. 7 He was finally, captured and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in New Mexico in 1881.

What sentence is least relevant to the passage and can be deleted?

Possible Answers:

Sentence 4

Sentence 3

None of these sentences should be deleted.

Sentence 1

Sentence 2

Correct answer:

Sentence 4

Explanation:

The passage is more concerned with relaying the chief exploits of Billy the Kid than giving a detailed biography of him. While interesting, listing Billy’s various addresses doesn’t contribute much to the main idea of the passage.

Example Question #73 : Inserting Or Deleting Content

1 The legend of Billy the Kid, one of the most famous outlaws of the Wild West. 2 Allied Henry McCarty and William H. Bonney, Billy the Kid was a gunfighter who was rumored to have killed nearly two dozen men in 19th century America. 3 Friendly and charming, his status was relatively unknown until a price was put on his head in 1881 by the governor of New Mexico, than a territory. 4 He lived in New York City, Indiana, Kansas, and Arizona at various points within his life. 5 Billy the Kid’s various crimes include: murder, horse thievery, stealing firearms, and escaping from jail. 6 Many of these various crimes were committed as part of his membership in Old West gangs. 7 He was finally, captured and killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in New Mexico in 1881.

What is the best title for this passage?

Possible Answers:

"Billy Isn’t Kidding"

"A Brief Overview of Billy the Kid"

"Rifles and Horses: Billy the Kid’s Inheritance"

"Unmasking the Identity of Billy the Kid "

"Outlaws and Obstacles: Billy the Kid’s Many Legal Challenges"

Correct answer:

"A Brief Overview of Billy the Kid"

Explanation:

The passage doesn’t focus solely on Billy the Kid’s identity, inheritance, or legal challenges, and “Billy Isn’t Kidding” is just a farcical title. The only reasonable title is “A Brief Overview of Billy the Kid.”

Example Question #284 : Improving Paragraphs

1 If you’re wearing clothes right now you’re likely wearing something a sewing machine has produced. 2 But what you may not know is the history of the sewing machine that made your clothes. 3 The device was invented in England during the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th-century. 4 Greatly increasing efficiency by mechanizing the process. 5 Early machines were often used for stitching leather and canvas for various purposes including, horse tack, sails, and shoes. 6 Gradually, other machines emerged that were superior in Europe and America. 7 Famous brands today; include those by 19th century inventor Isaac Singer. 8 As the 1800s progressed sewing machines became purchases for not just clothing manufacturers but individuals. 

Where should the following sentence be inserted in the passage? “If it weren’t for this clever contraption, textile technology may never have advanced to where it is today.”

Possible Answers:

After Sentence 4

After Sentence 6

After Sentence 3

After Sentence 2

After Sentence 8

Correct answer:

After Sentence 8

Explanation:

This sentence neatly wraps up the passage’s discussion of early sewing machines, so it can be inserted as a conclusion sentence.

Example Question #285 : Improving Paragraphs

1 The famous artist Man Ray is not nearly as well known as Picasso or Dalí, however, he contributed significantly to 20th century art. 2 Man Ray was particularly influential in Surrealism and Dadaism. 3 He worked in a variety of media including painting and photography, and he renamed a certain type of shadow-image photography “rayographs” after himself. 4 Born in Pennsylvania Ray lived in both New York City and Paris. 5 He also worked with fabric and collage.

What punctuation mark needs to be added to Sentence 4?

Possible Answers:

a hyphen

a semicolon

an apostrophe

a colon

a comma

Correct answer:

a comma

Explanation:

Here, we have a dependent clause (“Born in Pennsylvania”) and an independent clause (“Ray lived in both New York City and Paris.”) They require a comma for separation.

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