SAT Writing : Improving Paragraphs

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store varsity tutors ibooks store

Example Questions

Example Question #711 : 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.

In Sentence 4, what word should replace “wistfulness”?

Possible Answers:

wisdom

wisteria

wistfulness (no change)

wiseacre

wishfulness

Correct answer:

wistfulness (no change)

Explanation:

“Wistfulness,” which means fondness or nostalgia, is the best word for the sentence. A "wiseacre" is an old-fashioned term for a witty and disrespectful person. "Wisdom" is knowledge or good sense.

Example Question #712 : 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.

In Sentence 7, which word needs to be changed?

Possible Answers:

between

universally

Today

Graham

various

Correct answer:

between

Explanation:

“Between” is a word used for linking two and no more than two items. “Among” is the word we need to link three or more items, as is the case in this sentence.

Example Question #713 : Improving Paragraphs

1 It may seem counterinsurgency, but people all around the world are now proposing the legalization of dangerous recreational drugs. 2 Advocates argue that legalization could reduce the schemata of drug addiction, as well as the incarcerated population in jails. 3 If drugs were sold in stores, the government could tax them and benefit from the revue. 4 Whereas, the incidence of drug-related malfeasance and crime could decrease as well. 5 However there are also dangers to legalization; with opponents asserting that it would only lead to more addiction. 6 While countries such as Portugal and the Netherlands have already implemented drug decriminalization with positive affects, only time will tell if such a policy could be beneficial in the United States.

In Sentence 6, which word needs to be changed?

Possible Answers:

affects

implemented

beneficial

while

already

Correct answer:

affects

Explanation:

The proper word in this case is “effects,” not “affects.” Usually, “affects” is a verb and “effects” is a noun, although the opposite can be true in certain sentences. The best thing to remember is that “effects” means results.

Example Question #714 : Improving Paragraphs

1 It may seem counterinsurgency, but people all around the world are now proposing the legalization of dangerous recreational drugs. 2 Advocates argue that legalization could reduce the schemata of drug addiction, as well as the incarcerated population in jails. 3 If drugs were sold in stores, the government could tax them and benefit from the revue. 4 Whereas, the incidence of drug-related malfeasance and crime could decrease as well. 5 However there are also dangers to legalization; with opponents asserting that it would only lead to more addiction. 6 While countries such as Portugal and the Netherlands have already implemented drug decriminalization with positive affects, only time will tell if such a policy could be beneficial in the United States.

In Sentence 1, what word should replace “counterproductive”?

Possible Answers:

counterintuitive

counterproductive 

counterintelligence

countermand

counterinsurgency (no change)

Correct answer:

counterintuitive

Explanation:

“Counterintuitive,” which means against logic or expectations, makes sense in a sentence describing a seemingly nonsensical proposal to legalize drugs. A "counterinsurgency" is a military campaign against guerilla or rebel forces.

Example Question #715 : Improving Paragraphs

1 It may seem counterinsurgency, but people all around the world are now proposing the legalization of dangerous recreational drugs. 2 Advocates argue that legalization could reduce the schemata of drug addiction, as well as the incarcerated population in jails. 3 If drugs were sold in stores, the government could tax them and benefit from the revue. 4 Whereas, the incidence of drug-related malfeasance and crime could decrease as well. 5 However there are also dangers to legalization; with opponents asserting that it would only lead to more addiction. 6 While countries such as Portugal and the Netherlands have already implemented drug decriminalization with positive affects, only time will tell if such a policy could be beneficial in the United States.

In Sentence 2, what word should replace “schemata”?

Possible Answers:

scheme

schema

stipple

stigmata

stigma

Correct answer:

stigma

Explanation:

“Stigma,” which means shame or disgrace, is the word that makes most sense in the context of Sentence 2. (“Stigmata” are religious wounds associated with Jesus, a “schema” is a model or outline of a plan, a “scheme” is a detailed plan, and a “stipple” is a pattern of small dots or specks.)

Example Question #86 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 It may seem counterinsurgency, but people all around the world are now proposing the legalization of dangerous recreational drugs. 2 Advocates argue that legalization could reduce the schemata of drug addiction, as well as the incarcerated population in jails. 3 If drugs were sold in stores, the government could tax them and benefit from the revue. 4 Whereas, the incidence of drug-related malfeasance and crime could decrease as well. 5 However there are also dangers to legalization; with opponents asserting that it would only lead to more addiction. 6 While countries such as Portugal and the Netherlands have already implemented drug decriminalization with positive affects, only time will tell if such a policy could be beneficial in the United States.

In Sentence 4, what word should replace “revue”?

Possible Answers:

revenue

reverie

reverberation

revenant

revue (no change)

Correct answer:

revenue

Explanation:

“Revenue,” which means income or money, is what would arise from the government’s taxation of legalized drugs. A “revue” is a genre of theatrical performance, a “reverie” is a daydream, a “reverberation” is a sonic effect similar to an echo, and a “revenant” is a ghost who comes from the dead. None of these words are the results of taxation.

Example Question #716 : Improving Paragraphs

1 It may seem counterinsurgency, but people all around the world are now proposing the legalization of dangerous recreational drugs. 2 Advocates argue that legalization could reduce the schemata of drug addiction, as well as the incarcerated population in jails. 3 If drugs were sold in stores, the government could tax them and benefit from the revue. 4 Whereas, the incidence of drug-related malfeasance and crime could decrease as well. 5 However there are also dangers to legalization; with opponents asserting that it would only lead to more addiction. 6 While countries such as Portugal and the Netherlands have already implemented drug decriminalization with positive affects, only time will tell if such a policy could be beneficial in the United States.

In Sentence 4, which of the following words could not replace “decrease”?

Possible Answers:

wane

invigorate

abate

ebb

diminish

Correct answer:

invigorate

Explanation:

“Wane,” “diminish,” “abate,” and “ebb” would all be good replacements for “decrease” in this sentence. Only “invigorate,” which means to strengthen or energize, is not a synonym.

Example Question #88 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

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.

In Sentence 4, what word should replace “tenants”?

Possible Answers:

tenebrous

tenets

tenacity

tenants

tenderness

Correct answer:

tenets

Explanation:

Although they sound the same, “tenants” (the incorrect answer) and “tenets” (the correct answer) mean two very different things. “Tenants” are people, usually renters, who live in a building, and “tenets” are principles or beliefs.

Example Question #89 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

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.

In Sentence 3, what word should replace “inconsiderate”?

Possible Answers:

considerable

unconscionable

inconsiderate (no change)

considered

consubstantial

Correct answer:

considerable

Explanation:

Based on the context of this sentence, we need a word that means significant or notable. Only “considerable” has this meaning. (“Inconsiderate” means thoughtless or insensitive.)

Example Question #717 : 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.

In Sentence 8, what word should replace “indubitably”?

Possible Answers:

indigenously

indigently

indomitably

indefatigably

indubitably (no change)

Correct answer:

indubitably (no change)

Explanation:

“Indubitably,” or undoubtedly, is correct. It is the only word that fits the context of Sentence 8.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors