SAT Writing : Improving Paragraphs

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #111 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 Ethnography: sounds erogenous but is simply a study of a culture or group of people.2 Originating in the field of anthropology, later becoming popular in sociology and other disciplines. 3 Ethnographies typically include: descriptions of geography, religion, economy, social behaviors, rituals and histories. 4 Most early ethnographies were written by ex-patriot European explorers traveling outside their home continent; though by some standards the Greek historian Herodotus was producing protoplasmic ethnographies hundreds of years before the Age of Exploration. 5 Ethnographies can take forms ranging from the confessional, the feminist, the critical, and the realist but most are qualitative and descriptive rather than quantitative and statistical. 6 Some attempt to provide fairly objective observations of a group or society, others have the anterior motive of empowering marginalized or repressed cultures.7 This group or culture may include anything from a fraternity to a particular Uruguayan village. 8 Today ethnographers often immerse themselves fully in the lives of their subjects, be they powerful politicians and impoverished blue-collar workers.

In Sentence 6, what word should replace “anterior”?

Possible Answers:

ulterior

inferior

superior

posterior

anterior

Correct answer:

ulterior

Explanation:

The standard adjective to describe a hidden motive is “ulterior,” or existing beyond the obvious surface, not “anterior,” or occurring in an earlier time.

Example Question #111 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 Dream interpretation has a long and storied past. 2 Did you know that the ancient Egyptians were interpreting dreams thousands of years ago? 3 In ancient Greece, prophecies were often based off dreams; and in English literature including Shakespeare dreams have long held a significant role.

4 Common dream symbols include new rooms, which indicate new discoveries about the self, hair, which is purportedly related to sexuality, and forests, which alternately signal loss or variegated opportunities. 5 Books with titles ranging from The Lofty Principles of Dream Interpretation and Dream Alchemy offer advice, and opinions.6 More recently, psychologists have contributed their own analysis to the collaboration of interpretative literature. 7 What did you think your dreams mean?

In Sentence 6, what word should replace “collaboration”?

Possible Answers:

collaboration (no change)

coalescence

corpus

cobalt

conglomerate

Correct answer:

corpus

Explanation:

We’re looking for a word that means collection or body of related writings, and “corpus” is a Latin term that has that exact meaning.

Example Question #113 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 You may not know Gerard Manley Hopkins was a famous English poet. 2 Hopkins led a complicated life as a Jesuit priest, converting to Roman Catholicism in 1866. 3 Born in 1844 the poet was excellent at sketching from an early age and attended the University of Oxford from 1863 to 1867, where he met poets Christina Rossetti, Robert Bridges, and others. 4 According to his personal diaries, Hopkins frequently struggled to repress homoerotic urges, adopting an ascetic lifestyle, many believing that this contributed to his writing. 5 His work itself is characterized by an escarpment of conventional poetic meter, the use of sprung rhythm, frequent vivid imagery, and a careful and creative use of language.6 Sprung rhythm is a particular poetic rhythm that is intended to mimic natural speech and is distinguished by its irregular patterns although it is distinct from free verse.

7 Hopkins died when he was only in his forties, but his contributions to poetry – particularly his experimentation and his use of sprung rhythm – continue to obscure today.

In Sentence 7, what word should replace "obscure?"

Possible Answers:

obscure (no change)

sublimate

elude

resound

lionize

Correct answer:

resound

Explanation:

To “resound” (echo or reverberate) is the best choice for the sentence. To “obscure” is to hide or conceal, to “elude” is to evade or escape from, to “lionize” is to provide with approval and glory, and to “sublimate” is to transform directly from a solid to a gas.

Example Question #114 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 You may not know Gerard Manley Hopkins was a famous English poet. 2 Hopkins led a complicated life as a Jesuit priest, converting to Roman Catholicism in 1866. 3 Born in 1844 the poet was excellent at sketching from an early age and attended the University of Oxford from 1863 to 1867, where he met poets Christina Rossetti, Robert Bridges, and others. 4 According to his personal diaries, Hopkins frequently struggled to repress homoerotic urges, adopting an ascetic lifestyle, many believing that this contributed to his writing. 5 His work itself is characterized by an escarpment of conventional poetic meter, the use of sprung rhythm, frequent vivid imagery, and a careful and creative use of language.6 Sprung rhythm is a particular poetic rhythm that is intended to mimic natural speech and is distinguished by its irregular patterns although it is distinct from free verse.

7 Hopkins died when he was only in his forties, but his contributions to poetry – particularly his experimentation and his use of sprung rhythm – continue to obscure today.

In Sentence 6, what word should replace “mimic”?

Possible Answers:

aggregate

dwindle

mimic (no change)

plot

attenuate

Correct answer:

mimic (no change)

Explanation:

“Mimic,” or imitate, is the only word that makes sense in the sentence. Logically speaking, a poetic rhythm cannot “plot” (scheme), “dwindle” (slowly become smaller), “aggregate” (combine into a group), or “attenuate” (weaken or lessen) the cadences of ordinary human speech.

Example Question #115 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 You may not know Gerard Manley Hopkins was a famous English poet. 2 Hopkins led a complicated life as a Jesuit priest, converting to Roman Catholicism in 1866. 3 Born in 1844 the poet was excellent at sketching from an early age and attended the University of Oxford from 1863 to 1867, where he met poets Christina Rossetti, Robert Bridges, and others. 4 According to his personal diaries, Hopkins frequently struggled to repress homoerotic urges, adopting an ascetic lifestyle, many believing that this contributed to his writing. 5 His work itself is characterized by an escarpment of conventional poetic meter, the use of sprung rhythm, frequent vivid imagery, and a careful and creative use of language.6 Sprung rhythm is a particular poetic rhythm that is intended to mimic natural speech and is distinguished by its irregular patterns although it is distinct from free verse.

7 Hopkins died when he was only in his forties, but his contributions to poetry – particularly his experimentation and his use of sprung rhythm – continue to obscure today.

In Sentence 5, what word should replace “escarpment”?

Possible Answers:

esplanade

espadrille

escapade

eschewal

escarpment (no change)

Correct answer:

eschewal

Explanation:

“Eschewal,” or avoidance, of traditional poetic conventions is something that could reasonably characterize someone’s writing. None of the other words make sense in the context. An “escarpment” is a steep slope or cliff, an “espadrille” is a type of shoe, an “esplanade” is a walking path, and an “escapade” is an adventure.

Example Question #116 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 Biographies exist in various specialized forms. 2 A hagiography is a biography that discusses a saint or other church leader. 3 Many hagiographies focus on a saint’s miracles, martyrdom, and divine connection. 4 They were especially common in the Middle Ages, often appearing as part of a larger collection or calendar of saints. 5 Historians today value these accounts not because the hagiographer is often too worshipful to be critical but also they include good insight into local history. 6 For example, the bestselling Golden Legend was a 13th century compensation of saint stories from more than a hundred different sources. 7 England, Ireland, and the Byzantine Empire were all fertile ground for medieval hagiographies and as such much is known about carnelian life there. 8 These hagiographies also changed focus over the years; shifting from heroic tales of holy warriors and sanctimonious moralistic lessons designed to instruct churchgoers. 9 And gradually fading in popularity.

In Sentence 6, what word should replace “compensation”?

Possible Answers:

colloquy

compendium

cotillion

compensation (no change)

coterie

Correct answer:

compendium

Explanation:

Based on context clues, we can include that the word we’re looking for is a synonym for “collection.” “Compendium” has that exact meaning, while “compensation” means something given to someone as a payment for loss or injury.

Example Question #117 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 Biographies exist in various specialized forms. 2 A hagiography is a biography that discusses a saint or other church leader. 3 Many hagiographies focus on a saint’s miracles, martyrdom, and divine connection. 4 They were especially common in the Middle Ages, often appearing as part of a larger collection or calendar of saints.

5 Historians today value these accounts not because the hagiographer is often too worshipful to be critical but also they include good insight into local history. 6 For example, the bestselling Golden Legend was a 13th century compensation of saint stories from more than a hundred different sources. 7 England, Ireland, and the Byzantine Empire were all fertile ground for medieval hagiographies and as such much is known about carnelian life there. 8 These hagiographies also changed focus over the years; shifting from heroic tales of holy warriors and sanctimonious moralistic lessons designed to instruct churchgoers. 9 And gradually fading in popularity.

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

Possible Answers:

laconic

corporeal

sanctimonious (no change)

esoteric

heretic

Correct answer:

sanctimonious (no change)

Explanation:

“Sanctimonious,” or trying to appear morally superior to others, is a near synonym for “moralistic” and thus fits the sentence’s meaning well.

Example Question #112 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 By now it’s common knowledge that a food may be considered unctuous in one culture may be gleaned repulsive in another. 2 Octopus is one such food. 3 It valorizes its audiences, with some gourmands claiming its rubbery texture is unpalatable, others enjoying the unusual taste. 4 It’s cousin, squid, is known as “calamari,” and is also popular in many countries.5 Octopus can be fried in batter, roasted with herbs, steamed and sprinkled with paprika, serve it raw in sushi, or even eat it alive. 6 But be careful: The head of the octopus’ can be poisonous!

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

Possible Answers:

carnivorous

hazardous

scrumptious

lascivious

unctuous (no change)

Correct answer:

scrumptious

Explanation:

Based on context clues, we’re looking for an antonym of “repulsive.” “Scrumptious,” or delicious, is that antonym. “Unctuous,” on the other hand, means overly flattering or greasy.

Example Question #112 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 By now it’s common knowledge that a food may be considered unctuous in one culture may be gleaned repulsive in another. 2 Octopus is one such food. 3 It valorizes its audiences, with some gourmands claiming its rubbery texture is unpalatable, others enjoying the unusual taste. 4 It’s cousin, squid, is known as “calamari,” and is also popular in many countries.5 Octopus can be fried in batter, roasted with herbs, steamed and sprinkled with paprika, serve it raw in sushi, or even eat it alive. 6 But be careful: The head of the octopus’ can be poisonous!

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

Possible Answers:

pined

espied

gleaned (no change)

deemed

famed

Correct answer:

deemed

Explanation:

To “glean” is to extract information from something; to “deem” is to consider or regard something. Since sentence 1 is discussing how octopus is regarded in various cultures, "deem" is by far the most appropriate word choice.

Example Question #114 : Increasing The Contextual Relevance Of A Single Word

1 By now it’s common knowledge that a food may be considered unctuous in one culture may be gleaned repulsive in another. 2 Octopus is one such food. 3 It valorizes its audiences, with some gourmands claiming its rubbery texture is unpalatable, others enjoying the unusual taste. 4 It’s cousin, squid, is known as “calamari,” and is also popular in many countries.5 Octopus can be fried in batter, roasted with herbs, steamed and sprinkled with paprika, serve it raw in sushi, or even eat it alive. 6 But be careful: The head of the octopus’ can be poisonous!

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

Possible Answers:

valorizes (no change)

deifies

qualifies

lionizes

polarizes

Correct answer:

polarizes

Explanation:

This is a tricky one, but we can use the context to figure out that audiences will be divided into two camps on this issue. To "polarize" something is to cause its components to take opposite sides, so this is the best choice for the sentence.

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