SAT Writing : Improving Sentences
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #111 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing No 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.
Choosing to participate in the winter marathon while wearing only a bathing suit was a poor decision on Mark’s behalf.
Choosing participate in the winter marathon while wearing only a bathing suit
Choosing to participate in the winter marathon while wearing only a bathing suit
Chose to participate in the winter marathon while wearing only a bathing suit
Choosing to participate in the winter marathon with the wearing of only a bathing suit
Choosing to participate in the winter marathon wore only a bathing suit
Choosing to participate in the winter marathon while wearing only a bathing suit
"Choosing to participate in the winter marathon wore only a bathing suit": In this choice, the gerund "choosing" is turned into the subject and "wore" is the past-tense verb, which does not make sense ('choosing' cannot 'wear' a bathing suit!). This is illogical and incorrect.
"Choosing to participate in the winter marathon with the wearing of only a bathing suit": This is an awkwardly-worded option and is not the best choice.
"Chose to participate in the winter marathon while wearing only a bathing suit" Mark's poor choice was the gerund "choosing." “Chose” removes that gerund completely and turns it into a past-tense verb without a subject, so this is incorrect.
"Choosing participate in the winter marathon while wearing only a bathing suit": “Choosing participate” is incorrect; the infinitive form of “to participate” is necessary. This is incorrect.
Example Question #116 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing No 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.
The chances of being in a plane crash are extremely slim, but the fear of flying is nonetheless quite widespread.
but the fear of flying is nonetheless quite wide.
but the fear of flying is obviously quite widespread.
but fears of flying is nonetheless quite widespread.
but the fear of flying is nonetheless very widespread.
but the fear of flying is nonetheless quite widespread.
but the fear of flying is nonetheless quite widespread.
The sentence is perfectly correct as it is written. Further, all the answer choices that change any element either make the sentence grammatically incorrect or change its meaning. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence as is.
Example Question #2861 : 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.
Due to his fear of flying, he put himself on trains as often as he could.
Due to his fear of flying, he put himself on trains as often as could.
Due to his fear of flying, he put him on trains as often as he could.
Due to a fear of flying he put himself on trains as often as he could.
Due to his fear of flying he put himself on trains as often as he could.
Due to his fear of flying, he put himself on trains as often as he could.
Due to his fear of flying, he put himself on trains as often as he could.
The sentence is perfectly correct as written, and needs nothing done to make it grammatically correct. Every change offered in the answer choices makes the sentence wrong grammatically. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence as is.
Example Question #121 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing No 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.
The crew team was made up of a random assortment of people who would never have come together otherwise.
The crew team being made up of a random assortment of people who would never have come together otherwise.
The crew team was made up of random assortment of people who would never have come together otherwise.
The crew team was made up of a random assortment of people who would ever have come together otherwise.
The crew team was made up of the random assortment of people who would never have come together otherwise.
The crew team was made up of a random assortment of people who would never have come together otherwise.
The crew team was made up of a random assortment of people who would never have come together otherwise.
The sentence is perfectly correct as written, and needs nothing done to it to improve it. Additionally, all of the answer choices that do make a change make the sentence confusing or grammatically incorrect. The best answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.
Example Question #1691 : Sentence Correction
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.
Zany performers can make audiences laugh without having to be as clever as serious performers.
cleverer as serious performers.
clever as serious performers.
as clever, as serious performers.
as clever as serious performers.
as clever serious perfomers.
as clever as serious performers.
Although slightly awkward, the underlined portion is grammatically correct. The comparison needs to have both uses of the word "as," and to describe distinctly the quality being compared and what is being compared.
Example Question #122 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.
The cause of the disease was still unclear to the scientific community, despite copious tests.
The cause of the disease were still unclear to the scientific community, despite copious tests.
The cause of the disease was still unclear to the scientific community although despite copious tests.
The cause of the disease still unclear to the scientific community, despite copious tests.
The cause of the disease was still unclear to the scientific community, despite copious tests.
The cause of the disease was unclear to the still scientific community, despite copious tests.
The cause of the disease was still unclear to the scientific community, despite copious tests.
The sentence is perfectly correct as written, and needs nothing done to it to improve it. Additionally, all the answer choices that do make a change create one or more grammatical issues. The best choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.
Example Question #123 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.
The player was switching between sports, an act rarely seen from professional athletes in the modern age.
The player was switch between sports, an act rarely seen from professional athletes in the modern age.
The player was switching between sports, an act rarely seen, from professional athletes in the modern age.
The player was switching between sports, an act rarely seen from professional athletes in the modern age.
The player was switching between sports, an act rare seen from professional athletes in the modern age.
The player was switching between sports an act rarely seen from professional athletes in the modern age.
The player was switching between sports, an act rarely seen from professional athletes in the modern age.
The sentence is perfectly correct as written, and needs no improvements made to it. All of the answer choices that do make a change also make the sentence grammatically incorrect in some way. The best choice is to leave the sentence as is.
Example Question #124 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.
The lights were turned off at the same time every night, with no exceptions or changes.
The lights were turned off at the same time every night; with no exceptions or changes.
The lights were turned off at the same time every night, with no exceptions, or changes.
The lights, were turned off at the same time every night, with no exceptions or changes.
The lights were turned off, at the same time every night, with no exceptions or changes.
The lights were turned off at the same time every night, with no exceptions or changes.
The lights were turned off at the same time every night, with no exceptions or changes.
The sentence is perfectly correct as written and needs no changes made to it in order to improve it. Additionally, the answer choices that do make a change make the sentence gramatically incorrect. The best answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.
Example Question #125 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.
The many examples of financial malfeasance at the company made all the executives resign.
The many examples of financial malfeasance at the company made all the executives resign.
The many, examples of financial malfeasance, at the company made all the executives resign.
The many examples of financial malfeasance at the company made every executives resign.
The many examples financial malfeasance among the company made all the executives resign.
The many examples of financial malfeasance at the company making all the executives resign.
The many examples of financial malfeasance at the company made all the executives resign.
The sentence is perfectly correct as written, and needs to have no corrections to improve it. Further, the other answer choices all make the sentence grammatically incorrect.
Example Question #126 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.
Just like the previous class, the freshmen struggled with the supposedly introductory-level class.
Just like the previous class the freshmen struggled with the supposedly introductory-level class.
Just like the previous class, the freshmen's struggle with the supposedly introductory-level class.
Just like the previous class, the freshmen struggled with supposedly introductory-level class.
Just like the previous class, the freshmen struggled with the supposedly introductory-level class.
Just like the previous class, the freshmen struggling with the supposedly introductory-level class.
Just like the previous class, the freshmen struggled with the supposedly introductory-level class.
The sentence is perfectly correct as it is written, and needs no improvements made to it. All of the answer choices that do make a change also make the sentence grammatically incorrect.
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