SAT Writing : Improving Paragraphs

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #311 : Improving Paragraphs

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.

Which sentence needs a hyphen added to it?

Possible Answers:

Sentence 4

Sentence 3

Sentence 2

Sentence 1

Sentence 5

Correct answer:

Sentence 1

Explanation:

In Sentence 1, “Old fashioned” is a compound adjective that must be hyphenated, since it appears immediately before a noun.

Example Question #312 : Improving Paragraphs

1 Many cultures have a tradition of mythical creatures.2 Some malicious, others benefactors, with a variety of powers and special attributes. 3 The ancient Greeks had centaurs and harpies, the Assyrians had mermaids, and the German elves. 4 These creatures remain prevaricate today, to appear in fantasy novels, movies, and even university courses.

What transitional word or phrase should begin Sentence 3?

Possible Answers:

Nevertheless,

In this way,

Therefore,

For instance,

Moreover,

Correct answer:

For instance,

Explanation:

Sentence 3 is introducing an example of the mythical creatures introduced in Sentences 1 and 2, so “For instance” is the best transitional phrase.

Example Question #313 : Improving Paragraphs

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.

Which sentence needs a hyphen added to it?

Possible Answers:

Sentence 1

Sentence 3

Sentence 5

Sentence 2

Sentence 4

Correct answer:

Sentence 5

Explanation:

To link two nouns into a single compound noun, a hyphen is needed. In Sentence 5, we need to link “dancer” and “choreographers” as such: “dancer-choreographers.”

Example Question #314 : Improving Paragraphs

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.

Which sentence needs a semicolon added to or deleted from it?

Possible Answers:

Sentence 6

Sentence 5

Sentence 2

Sentence 3

Sentence 4

Correct answer:

Sentence 6

Explanation:

In Sentence 6, a semicolon incorrectly separates a dependent clause from an independent clause. Semicolons should generally only be used to separate two independent clauses.

Example Question #315 : Improving Paragraphs

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.

Which sentence needs a hyphen added to it?

Possible Answers:

None of these sentences needs a hyphen

Sentence 7

Sentence 6

Sentence 8

Correct answer:

Sentence 8

Explanation:

In Sentence 8, the compound adjective “modern day” is preceding a noun, so it must be hyphenated.

Example Question #316 : Improving Paragraphs

1 Want to book a copacetic hotel, or dine at a premier restaurant? 2Your best bet may be: to consult a Michelin Red Guide. 3 These guides have been published by a French company since 1900 and using anonymous “inspectors” to award establishments either zero, one, two, and three stars. (4 Yes, the same company also manufactures tires. 5 It employs more than 100,000 people. 6 The guides were actually established in order for encouraging people to take more car trips to slavish hotels and exclusive restaurants.) 7 Nowadays the Michelin Guides are regarded by some as the ultimate abetters of taste.

Where should the following sentence be inserted in the passage? “They have expanded well beyond Europe and seek to represent the trendiest fine dining across the modern world.”

Possible Answers:

After Sentence 7

After Sentence 6

After Sentence 4

After Sentence 3

After Sentence 5

Correct answer:

After Sentence 7

Explanation:

This sentence would make for an excellent conclusion in this chronologically organized passage, as it discusses Michelin Guides in the contemporary world and has a pronoun referent that matches the previous sentence.

Example Question #317 : Improving Paragraphs

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.

What is the best title for this passage?

Possible Answers:

"19th-Century Ballet and Its Influence on Martha Graham"

"Martha Graham, American Hero"

"The Choreography of Martha Graham"

"Martha Graham: Struggles and Successes"

"Who Is Martha Graham?"

Correct answer:

"The Choreography of Martha Graham"

Explanation:

Since the passage is primarily devoted to explaining Martha Graham’s choreography and dance techniques, the best title indicates just such a focus: “The Choreography of Martha Graham.” The best title is the one that addresses the most fundamental focus of the passage.

Example Question #317 : Improving Paragraphs

1 Have you ever heard of the Arts and Crafts movement? 2 The Arts and Crafts movement was an artistic revival of traditional craftsmanship that occurred in the late 1800s and early 1900s in the British Isles, Europe, and North America. 3 Scholars contempt that the movement was predicted on the assumption that medieval and folk art was superior to contemporary arts and decorations. 4 As such the movement deemed to correct the debasement of the decorative arts and promote beauty and fine craftsmanship.5 It was also a reaction to the increased industrialization of the Victorian age. 6 Some key figures in the movement’s inception were writer, John Ruskin, artist, William Morris, and, architect and designer, A. W. N. Pugin. 7 The movement extended to visual art, interior decorating, architecture, landscaping, and textile design, a widespread influence until it was eventually upstaged by Modernism.

In Sentence 4, where should a comma be added?

Possible Answers:

after “movement”

No comma should be added to Sentence 4

after “beauty”

after “arts”

after “such”

Correct answer:

after “such”

Explanation:

“As such” is an introductory phrase that requires a comma after it.

Example Question #318 : Improving Paragraphs

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.

What is the best title for the passage?

Possible Answers:

"Seaweed’s Advantages and Disadvantages"

"Snazzy Seaweed"

"Seaweed’s Asian Ties"

"Seaweed in the Past, Seaweed in the Future"

"Seaweed: Promising Source"

Correct answer:

"Seaweed: Promising Source"

Explanation:

The passage is all about the various ways that seaweed can be used by humans, so “Seaweed: Promising Source” fits most closely. The best title is the one that reflects the primary focus of the text, not more specific smaller things mentioned within the text.

Example Question #319 : Improving Paragraphs

1 The job is similar to a music editor, who creates and merges songs, background music, and other sound effects to create a particular atmosphere. 2 While most Americans today are cognizant of film jobs such as director, producer, actor, and even screenwriter. 3 Few know much about the role of film editor. 4 This job involves mostly post-production work, with the editor choosing that parts of the raw footage to move, combine, or separate. 5 Without the film editor, there would only be a bewitching jumble of disordered chaotic images. 6 Sometimes more than ten times as much film is shot than is used in the final cut of the movie. 7 Film editors, also have the ability to impose experimental approaches, discontinuity, or emotional manipulation as he sees fit. 8 Film editing truly is a critical and undervalued art. 

Which sentence needs a comma added to it?

Possible Answers:

Sentence 5

Sentence 4

Sentence 2

Sentence 1

Sentence 3

Correct answer:

Sentence 5

Explanation:

In Sentence 5, we have two adjectives preceding a noun. Properly punctuated, it would read “disordered, chaotic images.”

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