SAT Writing : Improving Sentences
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Example Questions
Example Question #2 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Feudal lords were not all horrible bosses, many relied too much on their subjects.
bosses; many relied
bosses' many relied
bosses, so many relied
bosses many relied
bosses, many relied
bosses; many relied
The sentence actually contains two complete sentences, which are placed together to show their thematic ties. Any such complex sentence must be joined either by a comma and conjunction or a semi-colon. The only answer choice containing such a construction is "bosses; many relied."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Select the answer that produces the most effective sentence, one that is clear and exact, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
I walked into the drugstore and requested the latest medication, the clerk had to look in the back.
the latest medication; which the clerk had to look in the back for.
the latest medication. The clerk had to look in the back.
the latest medication, the clerk had to look in the back.
the latest medication which the clerk, looking in the back, found.
the latest medication, which the clerk would have to look in the back for.
the latest medication. The clerk had to look in the back.
Two dependent clauses cannot be separated with a comma: here a semi-colon or period would be appropriate. Between answers with proper puncutation, choose the simplest one which keeps the meaning of the original sentence.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
Choose the best way to rephrase the underlined portion of the sentence. One of the answer choices repeats the original phrasing.
The sentence “Colorless green ideas sleep furiously” was composed by Noam Chomsky as a demonstration that grammatical correctness is separable from semantic meaning, while the sentence is nonsensical, it clearly follows the rules of English grammar.
meaning; although the sentence is being nonsensical, it
meaning, while the sentence is nonsensical, it
meaning; while the sentence is nonsensical, it
meaning, although the sentence is being nonsensical, it
meaning; although nonsensical, this sentence
meaning; although nonsensical, this sentence
The best answer fixes the comma splice, uses a more logical coordinator (“although”), and is more concise.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
Select the answer that produces the most effective sentence, one that is clear and exact, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
No one understand me like my dog Harry, he always is sad when I leave.
my dog Harry, when left is always sad.
my dog Harry, having been always sad when I leave.
my dog Harry, he always is sad when I leave.
my dog Harry. Who always is sad when I leave.
my dog Harry: he is always sad when I leave.
my dog Harry: he is always sad when I leave.
Two complete phrases should not be separated by a comma: instead a semi-colon, colon, or period should be used. Choose the answer which separates the phrases and otherwise makes grammatical sense.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Mountain climbing is not an activity to be taken lightly, many people get injured every year while climbing.
to be taken lightly, many people
to be taken lightly many people
to be taken lightly, as many people
being taken lightly, many people
being taken lightly, too many people
to be taken lightly, as many people
The sentence is compound, meaning it is composed of two complete sentences joined together for effect. Compound sentences, though, must be joined by either a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction. Using "as" for its conjunction, "to be taken lightly, as many people" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #635 : Act English
The books were kept in terrible shape, none of them could be read all the through.
in terrible shape to none of them
in terrible shape none of them
in terrible shape as none of them
in terrible shape, none of them
in terrible shape, and none of them
in terrible shape, and none of them
This sentence is a compound sentence, a sentence that joins two complete thoughts to demonstrate their relationship. All compound sentences must be joined together either by a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction. Of the answer choice, only "in terrible shape, and none of them" appropriately joins the two parts.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
The exterminator bragged about his new method for controlling rats, the method improved on its precedents by being done more quickly.
The exterminator bragged about his new method for controlling rats in the method improved on its precedents by being done more quickly.
The exterminator bragged about his new method for controlling rats, the method improved on its precedents by being done more quickly.
The exterminator bragged about his new method for controlling rats: the method improved on its precedents by being done more quickly.
The exterminator bragged about his new method for controlling rats; the method improved on its precedents by being done more quickly.
The exterminator bragged about his new method for controlling rats the method improved on its precedents by being done more quickly.
The exterminator bragged about his new method for controlling rats; the method improved on its precedents by being done more quickly.
The sentence is a compound sentence, featuring two complete, but intimately related, thoughts as one sentence. To properly connect the two parts, either a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction need to be used between the sections. Therefore, the correct answer is "The exterminator bragged about his new method for controlling rats; the method improved on its precedents by being done more quickly."
Example Question #151 : Comma Errors
The coins thrown in the fountain would pile up at the end of the day, an employee had to clear them out after closing time.
The coins thrown in the fountain would pile up at the end of the day; an employee had to clear them out after closing time.
The coins thrown in the fountain would pile up at the end of the day: an employee had to clear them out after closing time.
The coins thrown in the fountain would pile up at the end of the day for an employee had to clear them out after closing time.
The coins thrown in the fountain would pile up at the end of the day, an employee had to clear them out after closing time.
The coins thrown in the fountain would pile up at the end of the day so an employee had to clear them out after closing time.
The coins thrown in the fountain would pile up at the end of the day; an employee had to clear them out after closing time.
The sentence is a compound sentence, or two related complete sentences that are put together in one sentence to show their relationship. To be grammatically correct, the two parts must be joined either by semicolon or a comma and a conjunction. The only answer choice to do either is "The coins thrown in the fountain would pile up at the end of the day; an employee had to clear them out after closing time."
Example Question #1511 : 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.
The businesses had gathered together in a new organization, the goal of the new group was to provide a forum for concerns from the businesses' CEOs.
The businesses had gathered together in a new organization and the goal of the new group was to provide a forum for concerns from the businesses' CEOs.
The businesses had gathered together in a new organization; the goal of the new group was to provide a forum for concerns from the businesses' CEOs.
The businesses had gathered together in a new organization so the goal of the new group was to provide a forum for concerns from the businesses' CEOs.
The businesses had gathered together in a new organization the goal of the new group was to provide a forum for concerns from the businesses' CEOs.
The businesses had gathered together in a new organization, the goal of the new group was to provide a forum for concerns from the businesses' CEOs.
The businesses had gathered together in a new organization; the goal of the new group was to provide a forum for concerns from the businesses' CEOs.
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, or two complete thoughts joined together to show their relationship. All compound sentences need to be joined by either a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction. The only answer choice that appropriately does either is "The businesses had gathered together in a new organization; the goal of the new group was to provide a forum for concerns from the businesses' CEOs."
Example Question #153 : Comma 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.
The fugitive famously slipped away in the middle of the night, he was never seen again.
The fugitive famously slipped away in the middle of the night and so he was never seen again.
The fugitive famously slipped away in the middle of the night, he was never seen again.
The fugitive famously slipped away in the middle of the night, was never seen again.
The fugitive famously slipped away in the middle of the night; he was never seen again.
The fugitive famously slipped away in the middle of the night he was never seen again.
The fugitive famously slipped away in the middle of the night; he was never seen again.
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, but instead of having its two parts appropriately linked, the sentence has a comma splice in the middle of its two components. All compound sentences must be linked either by a semicolon or by a comma and a conjunction. So, the correct answer is "The fugitive famously slipped away in the middle of the night; he was never seen again."
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