SAT Writing : Improving Sentences
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Example Questions
Example Question #108 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Please return the files to the library immediately they are necessary for an ongoing project.
Please return the files to the library immediately
Please return the files to the library immediately: and
Please return the files to the library immediately:
Please return the files to the library immediately: but
Please return the files to the library immediately; but
Please return the files to the library immediately:
Colons serve primarily two purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses of a sentence where the second clause explains, defines, or clarifies the first. For the second purpose, however, you may only use a colon where a period might otherwise be used. In the example sentence a colon would correctly follow the first independent main clause, and would make clear the relationship between the two independent clauses.
Note also that coordinating conjunctions should not follow colons being used to connect two independent clauses, just as coordinating conjunctions should not follow semicolons.
Example Question #111 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
When you can't calm yourself down before meetings: you look like a complete fool.
When you can't calm yourself down before meetings:
If you can't calm yourself down before meetings:
If you can't calm yourself down before meetings;
When you can't calm yourself down before meetings;
When you can't calm yourself down before meetings,
When you can't calm yourself down before meetings,
Colons serve primarily two purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses of a sentence. For the second purpose, however, you may only use a colon where a period might otherwise be used. The colon in the sentence above should be deleted. In the example sentence a colon is incorrectly used to connect an introductory phrase to the main clause "you look like a complete fool."
Example Question #112 : Improving Sentences
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I wanted: more money, more time, and more freedom, but all I got was more trouble.
I wanted: more money, more time, and more freedom, but all I got was more trouble.
I wanted: more money, more times, and more freedom, but all I got was more trouble.
I wanted more money, more time, and more freedom, but all I got was more trouble.
I wanted more moneys, more time, and more freedom, but all I got was more trouble.
I wanted; more money, more time, and more freedom, but all I got was more trouble.
I wanted more money, more time, and more freedom, but all I got was more trouble.
Colons serve primarily two purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses of a sentence, where the second clause explains, defines, or clarifies the first clause. For the first purpose, however, you should avoid using a colon after a verb or a preposition. Colons must be preceded by a complete main clause in all cases. The best way to correct the sentence above is to delete the colon.
Example Question #112 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I find it hard to believe that: you were where you said you were yesterday.
I find it hard to believe that; you were where you said you were yesterday.
I find it hard to believe that you were where you said you were yesterday.
I find it hard to believe that because you were where you said you were yesterday.
I find it hard to believe that, you were where you said you were yesterday.
I find it hard to believe that: you were where you said you were yesterday.
I find it hard to believe that you were where you said you were yesterday.
In the example sentence, a colon is incorrectly placed in the middle of a clause. Colons should only come at the end of an independent clause. The best way to correct the error above is to delete the colon.
Example Question #114 : Improving Sentences
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I need you to go to the store for: some apples, some bananas, and some pears.
I need you to go to the store for some apple, some bananas, and some pears.
I need you to go to the store for: some apples, some bananas, and some pears.
I need you to go to the store for; some apples, some bananas, and some pears.
I need you to go to the store for, some apples, some bananas, and some pears.
I need you to go to the store for some apples, some bananas, and some pears.
I need you to go to the store for some apples, some bananas, and some pears.
Colons serve primarily two purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses of a sentence. For the first purpose, however, you should avoid using a colon after a verb or a preposition. The best way to correct the sentence above is to delete the colon. "I need you to go to the store for some apples, some bananas, and some pears."
Example Question #1456 : Sat Writing
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I would really like you to: pick up several things for me at the store today.
I would really like you to, pick up several things for me at the store today.
I would really like you to; pick up several things for me at the store today.
I would really like you to pick up several things for me at the store today.
I would really like you to, and pick up several things for me at the store today.
I would really like you to: pick up several things for me at the store today.
I would really like you to pick up several things for me at the store today.
Colons serve primarily two purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses of a sentence. For the second purpose, however, you may only use a colon where a period might otherwise be used, and both clauses must be independent. Colons should never appear in the middle of a clause, thus the colon in the sentence above is erroneous, and should be deleted.
Example Question #113 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I would like you to: go get the mail, take out the trash, and clean your room.
I would like you to; go get the mail, take out the trash, and clean your room.
I would like you to go get the mail, take out the trash, and clean your room.
I would like you to: go get the mail take out the trash, and clean your room.
I would like you to, go get the mail, take out the trash, and clean your room.
I would like you to: go get the mail, take out the trash, and clean your room.
I would like you to go get the mail, take out the trash, and clean your room.
Colons serve primarily two purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses of a sentence. For the first purpose, however, you should avoid using a colon after a verb or a preposition. The best way to correct the sentence above is to delete the colon.
Example Question #116 : Improving Sentences
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I want: a soda, a burger, and an order of fries, but I know I probably shouldn't have all that today.
I want; a soda, a burger, and an order of fries, but I know I probably shouldn't have all that today.
I want, a soda, a burger, and an order of fries, but I know I probably shouldn't have all that today.
I want a soda, a burger, and an order of fries, but I know I probably shouldn't have all that today.
I want: a soda, a burger, and an order of fries, but I know I probably shouldn't have all that today.
I want: a soda, a burger, and an order of fries but I know I probably shouldn't have all that today.
I want a soda, a burger, and an order of fries, but I know I probably shouldn't have all that today.
Colons serve primarily two purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses of a sentence. For the first purpose, however, you should avoid using a colon after a verb or a preposition. The best way to correct the sentence above is to delete the colon.
Example Question #114 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I need: new pants, a new shirt, and new socks for the wedding next week.
I need new pants, a new shirt, and new socks for the wedding next week.
I need; new pants, a new shirt, and new socks for the wedding next week.
I need, new pants, a new shirt, and new socks for the wedding next week.
I need: new pants a new shirt and new socks for the wedding next week.
I need: new pants, a new shirt, and new socks for the wedding next week.
I need new pants, a new shirt, and new socks for the wedding next week.
Colons must come at the end of an independent clause, but you should avoid using a colon after a verb or a preposition. The best way to correct the sentence above is to delete the colon.
Example Question #116 : Improving Sentences
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I wanted to go out for: track and field, basketball, and football, but my mother made me choose one.
I wanted to go out for; track and field, basketball, and football, but my mother made me choose one.
I wanted to go out for track and field, basketball, and football, but my mother made me choose one.
I wanted to go out for, track and field, basketball, and football, but my mother made me choose one.
I wanted to go out for: track and field, basketball, and football, but my mother made me choose one.
I wanted to go out for: track and field, basketball and football, but my mother made me choose one.
I wanted to go out for track and field, basketball, and football, but my mother made me choose one.
Colons serve primarily two purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses of a sentence. For the first purpose, however, you should avoid using a colon after a verb or a preposition. Since "for" acts as such a preposition, the best way to correct the sentence above is to delete the colon.
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