SAT Writing : Improving Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #51 : Correcting Colon 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: to prepare my new monologue, iron my suit, and print my headshot and résumé for my upcoming audition.

Possible Answers:

I need: to prepare my new monologue, iron my suit, and print my headshot and résumé for, my upcoming audition.

I need, to prepare my new monologue, iron my suit, and print my headshot and résumé for my upcoming audition.

I need to prepare my new monologue, iron my suit, and print my headshot and résumé for my upcoming audition.

I need: to prepare my new monologue, iron my suit, and print my headshot and résumé for my upcoming audition.

I need; to prepare my new monologue, iron my suit, and print my headshot and résumé for my upcoming audition.

Correct answer:

I need to prepare my new monologue, iron my suit, and print my headshot and résumé for my upcoming audition.

Explanation:

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 #121 : 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 went to the mall for: new clothes, new shoes, and a new top hat for the dance tomorrow.

Possible Answers:

I went to the mall for; new clothes, new shoes, and a new top hat for the dance tomorrow.

I went to the mall for: new clothes, new shoes, and a new top hat for the dance tomorrow.

I went to the mall for, new clothes, new shoes, and a new top hat for the dance tomorrow.

I went to the mall for new clothes, new shoes, and a new top hat for the dance tomorrow.

I went to the mall for new clothes new shoes, and a new top hat for the dance tomorrow.

Correct answer:

I went to the mall for new clothes, new shoes, and a new top hat for the dance tomorrow.

Explanation:

In the example sentence, a colon incorrectly introduces a list. The reason this colon usage is incorrect is that the colon does not follow a complete, grammatically correct independent clause. When used to introduce items in a list colons must come at the end of a independent clause that does not end in a verb. The best way to correct the sentence is simply to delete the colon.

Example Question #122 : 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 love: ice cream, cookies, and cake, but I need to stop eating so much sugar or I'm going to have health issues.

Possible Answers:

I love ice cream cookies, and cake, but I need to stop eating so much sugar or I'm going to have health issues.

I love; ice cream, cookies, and cake, but I need to stop eating so much sugar or I'm going to have health issues.

I love: ice cream, cookies, and cake, but I need to stop eating so much sugar or I'm going to have health issues.

I love, ice cream, cookies, and cake, but I need to stop eating so much sugar or I'm going to have health issues.

I love ice cream, cookies, and cake, but I need to stop eating so much sugar or I'm going to have health issues.

Correct answer:

I love ice cream, cookies, and cake, but I need to stop eating so much sugar or I'm going to have health issues.

Explanation:

Since the example sentence places a colon after a grammatically incomplete clause. "I love," is not a complete sentence as it lacks an object. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "I love ice cream, cookies, and cake, but I need to stop eating so much sugar or I'm going to have health issues."

Example Question #121 : Correcting Punctuation Errors

Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

I want you to: pick up some cherries, some corn, and some watermelon for the salad, please. No error

Possible Answers:

salad, please.

some cherries, some corn, and some watermelon

to:

I want

No error

Correct answer:

to:

Explanation:

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. The best way to correct the sentence above is to delete the colon since it follows a verb. 

Example Question #122 : Correcting Punctuation Errors

Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

I'm having a very long day, and it would be a great help to me if you: would pick up your socks, clean the sink, and turn out the lights. No error

Possible Answers:

I'm having

long day,

you: would

No error

clean the sink, 

Correct answer:

you: would

Explanation:

Here, a colon is incorrectly placed in the middle of a clause. Colons must come at the end of an independent clause that does not end in a verb. Thus, in this case, the only correction would be to simply delete the colon, the rest of the sentence is correct as written.

Example Question #123 : Correcting Punctuation Errors

Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

I don't want: to go to the dance, to go to the afterparty, or to see any of you people anytime soon. No error

Possible Answers:

afterparty, or

No error

dance,

I don't want:

you people

Correct answer:

I don't want:

Explanation:

In this sentence a colon is incorrectly placed after a verb. While colons are often used to introduce lists, they are not used to introduce every list. If the clause before the colon ends with a verb, then it is correct to use a comma, and not a colon to introduce the list.

Example Question #1 : Correcting Apostrophe 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

The carefully prepared plan eventually came to nothing after it's leaders were discovered.

Possible Answers:

it's leader's

it's leaders

its leader's

its leaders

its leaders'

Correct answer:

its leaders

Explanation:

The underlined portion of the sentence has a simple, but common, grammatical error. The form "it's" can only be used for the contraction of "it is," and not for the possesive of "it"; therefore, the correct answer is "its leaders."

Example Question #2 : Correcting Apostrophe 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 repeats the underlined portion as it is written.

Monarch's in the Middle Ages had virtually unlimited power over their subjects.

Possible Answers:

Monarchs, the Middle Ages,

Monarchs in the Middle Ages

Monarch's in the Middle Ages

Monarch in the Middle Ages

Monarch's Middle Ages

Correct answer:

Monarchs in the Middle Ages

Explanation:

The subject of the sentence, "Monarchs," is written in the underlined portion as a possessive noun. Problematically, the word is not possessing anything in the sentence, and is instead being used as a plural subject. The proper correction is to make the word a simple plural, making "Monarchs in the Middle Ages" the correct answer choice.

Example Question #631 : Correcting Grammatical Errors

Many people questioned the mans motives, as he never explained his actions in public.

Possible Answers:

the mans motives,

the man's motives,

the man motives

the man's motives',

the men motives

Correct answer:

the man's motives,

Explanation:

The use of "mans" in the sentence is actually the plural form without the proper use of the apostrophe to show a plural. The correct form is actually "man's," making "the man's motives," the best choice among the answers.

Example Question #632 : Correcting Grammatical 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.

Certain people have quite a bit of difficulty in distinguishing color's from each other.

Possible Answers:

in distinguishing colors from another.

in distinguishing colors' from each other.

in distinguishing color's from each other.

in distinguishing colors, from each other.

in distinguishing colors from each other.

Correct answer:

in distinguishing colors from each other.

Explanation:

The use of "color's" indicates a possesive, which is not the correct usage in the construction of the sentence. The phrase each other means that the plural form should be used; therefore, "in distinguishing colors from each other," is the correct answer choice.

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