SAT Writing : Improving Sentences
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #154 : 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 scholar had a long held fascination with ancient funereal practices, his interest was first piqued by seeing an Egyptian mummy as a child.
ancient funereal practices; his interest
ancient funereal practices and his interest
ancient funereal practices, his interest
ancient funereal practices, interest
ancient funereal practices his interest
ancient funereal practices; his interest
This sentence is a compound sentence, one with two complete thoughts joined together to show their relationship. This compound sentence can only be joined by a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction. The only answer chhoice that does this is "ancient funereal practices; his interest.'
Example Question #301 : 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.
The scientists worked long hours to find the solution to the problem, their work was introduced to a wider audience after conducting research for five years.
the solution to the problem so their work was
the solution to the problem, their work was
the solution to the problem their work was
the solution to the problem; their work was
the solution to the problem and their work was
the solution to the problem; their work was
The sentence as it is written contains a comma splice, where a comma is inappropriately used to combine two independent clauses into a compound sentence. One can join two independent clauses into a compound sentence with either a comma followed by a conjunction, or a semicolon. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "the solution to the problem; their work was."
Example Question #302 : 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.
Running is a great exercise almost any person can do regularly, many runners see improvements in their health after running for just one week.
can do regularly as many runners see
can do regularly; many runners see
can do regularly, many runners see
can do regularly many runners see
can do regularly but many runners see
can do regularly; many runners see
The sentence is written as compound sentence, a sentence with two independent clauses that are joined to show their relationship. A compound sentence must have its two parts joined either by a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction. The only answer choice that appropriately joins the two parts is "can do regularly; many runners see," making it the correct answer.
Example Question #303 : 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.
The reference to the old film was strange, the author had never before referred to movies.
The reference to the old film was strange the author had never before referred to movies.
The reference to the old film was strange so the author had never before referred to movies.
The reference to the old film was strange and the author had never before referred to movies.
The reference to the old film was strange; the author had never before referred to movies.
The reference to the old film was strange, the author had never before referred to movies.
The reference to the old film was strange; the author had never before referred to movies.
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, one that joins two independent clauses together to show their relationship. A compound sentence must always be joined by either a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction. The only answer choice that properly joins the two parts of the sentence is "The reference to the old film was strange; the author had never before referred to movies.
Example Question #282 : 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.
Making a living as a professional musician is quite hard, most people do it by taking odd jobs and strange tasks.
Making a living as a professional musician is quite hard and most people do it by taking odd jobs and strange tasks.
Making a living as a professional musician is quite hard so most people do it by taking odd jobs and strange tasks.
Making a living as a professional musician is quite hard most people do it by taking odd jobs and strange tasks.
Making a living as a professional musician is quite hard; most people do it by taking odd jobs and strange tasks.
Making a living as a professional musician is quite hard, most people do it by taking odd jobs and strange tasks.
Making a living as a professional musician is quite hard; most people do it by taking odd jobs and strange tasks.
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, joining two independent phrases under one sentence to show the clauses' relationship. Any compound sentence must be joined either by a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction. The only answer choice that properly joins the two phrases is "Making a living as a professional musician is quite hard; most people do it by taking odd jobs and strange tasks."
Example Question #304 : 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.
The book reached well over 600 pages in its first draft, subsequent drafts would be revised to make it under 400 pages.
in its first draft; subsequent drafts
in its first draft, subsequent drafts
in its first draft and subsequent drafts
in its first draft subsequent drafts
in its first draft: subsequent drafts
in its first draft; subsequent drafts
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, featuring two indpendent clauses that are joined together to show their relationship. The two parts of a compound sentence must be joined by either a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction. The only answer choice that appropriately joins the two parts is "in its first draft; subsequent editions."
Example Question #1522 : 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 defendant's claim that he knew nothing of the crime was believable, his alibi checked out and there was no physical evidence connecting him to the scene.
The defendant's claim that he knew nothing of the crime was believable and his alibi checked out and there was no physical evidence connecting him to the scene.
The defendant's claim that he knew nothing of the crime was believable his alibi checked out and there was no physical evidence connecting him to the scene.
The defendant's claim that he knew nothing of the crime was believable, instead, his alibi checked out and there was no physical evidence connecting him to the scene.
The defendant's claim that he knew nothing of the crime was believable; his alibi checked out and there was no physical evidence connecting him to the scene.
The defendant's claim that he knew nothing of the crime was believable, his alibi checked out and there was no physical evidence connecting him to the scene.
The defendant's claim that he knew nothing of the crime was believable; his alibi checked out and there was no physical evidence connecting him to the scene.
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, one that joins two independent clauses together to show their relationship. However, the sentence does not properly join the two clauses, which must be done either with a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction. The only answer choice that correctly joins the two clauses is "The defendant's claim that he knew nothing of the crime was believable; his alibi checked out and there was no physical evidence connecting him to the scene.
Example Question #21 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
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.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted, no one is a completely perfect person.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted, no one is a completely perfect person.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted so no one is a completely perfect person.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted no one is a completely perfect person.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted, however, no one is a completely perfect person.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted; no one is a completely perfect person.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted; no one is a completely perfect person.
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, one that joins two indpendent clauses together to show their relationship. A compound sentence, though, must be joined by either a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction, not just a comma as in the sentence as it is written. The only answer choice that correctly joins the two clauses is "Making mistakes is something that must be accepted; no one is a completely perfect person."
Example Question #283 : 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.
The respected author tried a new approach in that novel, it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The respected author tried a new approach in that novel, it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The respected author tried a new approach in that novel; it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The respected author tried a new approach, in that novel it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The respected author, tried a new approach in that novel, it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The respected author tried a new approach in that novel it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The respected author tried a new approach in that novel; it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, one that joins two indpendent clauses together to show their relationship. A compound sentence must be joined by either a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction, rather than just a comma as done in this sentence. The only answer choice to properly join the two clauses is "The novel was a new approach for the respected author; it was her first book to feature multiple narrators."
Example Question #1521 : 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 little things can make the biggest difference in a project, the big things can cause everything to fall apart.
the biggest difference in a project; the big things
the biggest difference in a project and the big things
the biggest difference in a project, the big things
the biggest difference in a project and—the big things
the biggest difference in a project: the big things
the biggest difference in a project; the big things
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, one that joins two indpendent clauses together in one sentence to show their relationship. A compound sentence must be joined either by a comma followed by a conjunction, or a semicolon. The only answer choice that properly joins the two independent clauses is "the biggest difference in a project; the big things."
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