SAT Writing : Improving Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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 tournament held every four years is one of the biggest spectacles in the world.

Possible Answers:

The tournament held every four years is

The tournament held every four years are

The tournament, held every four years, is

The tournament, held every four years is

The tournament held every four years, is

Correct answer:

The tournament, held every four years, is

Explanation:

The phrase "held every four years" is an adjectival participle phrase, one that sits outside the structure of the sentence, but provides extra information. Any such phrase must be set apart by commas. "The tournament, held every four years, is" is the only answer choice that appropriately does this.

Example Question #13 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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 dance originally scheduled for three hours had to be cut short after just an hour.

Possible Answers:

The dance, originally scheduled for three hours, had to be cut short after just an hour.

The dance originally scheduled for three hours had to be cut short after just an hour.

The dance, originally scheduled for three hours had to be cut short after just an hour.

The dance originally scheduled for three hours, had to be cut short after just an hour.

The dance originally, scheduled for three hours had to be cut short after just an hour. 

Correct answer:

The dance, originally scheduled for three hours, had to be cut short after just an hour.

Explanation:

The phrase "originally scheduled for three hours" is an interrupting phrase, or one that sits outside the sentence's structure but provides extra information. All interrupting phrases must be set apart by commas. The only answer choice that appropriately does this is "The dance, originally scheduled for three hours, had to be cut short after just an hour.

Example Question #14 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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.

Black clothing said to be slimming actually depends on the wearer’s shape for its slimming qualities.

Possible Answers:

Black clothing, said to be slimming, actually depends on the wearer’s shape for its slimming qualities.

Black clothing said to be slimming, actually depends on the wearer’s shape for its slimming qualities.

Black clothing said to be slimming actually depends on the wearer’s shape for its slimming qualities.

Black clothing is said to be slimming, actually depends on the wearer’s shape for its slimming qualities.

Black clothing, said to be slimming actually depends on the wearer’s shape for its slimming qualities.

Correct answer:

Black clothing, said to be slimming, actually depends on the wearer’s shape for its slimming qualities.

Explanation:

The phrase "said to be slimming" is an interrupting phrase, a phrase that provides extra information to a sentence, but is not a crucial part of its structure. Any interrupting phrase must be set off from the rest of the sentence by commas. Therefore, the correct answer choice is "Black clothing, said to be slimming, actually depends on the wearer’s shape for its slimming qualities."

Example Question #361 : 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 advertisement, which broke new ground in the medium remained famous for decades after its creation. 

Possible Answers:

The advertisement, which broke new ground in the medium remained

The advertisement which broke new ground in the medium, remained

The advertisement which broke new ground in the medium remained

The advertisement, which broke new ground in the medium, remained

The advertisement which broke new ground, in the medium remained

Correct answer:

The advertisement, which broke new ground in the medium, remained

Explanation:

The phrase "which broke new ground in the medium" is an interrupting phrase, a phrase that provides information but is not crucial to the structure of the sentence. All interrupting phrases must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. The only answer choice that appropriately does this is "The advertisement, which broke new ground in the medium, remained."

Example Question #421 : 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.

The sportscaster, a familiar presence on local radio announced his retirement earlier this month, at the age of eighty-seven.

Possible Answers:

The sportscaster, a familiar presence on local radio announced his retirement earlier this month, at the age of eighty-seven.

The sportscaster a familiar presence on local radio announced his retirement earlier this month, at the age of eighty-seven.

The sportscaster, a familiar presence on local radio, announced his retirement earlier this month, at the age of eighty-seven.

The sportscaster, a familiar presence on local radio announced his retirement earlier this month at the age of eighty-seven.

The sportscaster a familiar presence on local radio announced his retirement earlier this month at the age of eighty-seven.

Correct answer:

The sportscaster, a familiar presence on local radio, announced his retirement earlier this month, at the age of eighty-seven.

Explanation:

The phrase "a familiar presence on local radio" is an interrupting phrase, one that provides extra information to the sentence but is not part of the sentence's necessary structure. All interrupting phrases must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. The only answer choice that correctly sets off the interrupting phrase is "The sportscaster, a familiar presence on local radio, announced his retirement earlier this month, at the age of eighty-seven."

Example Question #12 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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.

Moving away from his hometown, the college student wanted to experience a different part of the country.

Possible Answers:

Moving away from his hometown the college student wanted

Moving away from his hometown, the college student wanted

Moving away, from his hometown, the college student wanted

Moving away from his hometown, the college student, wanted

Moving away from his hometown, the college student wanting

Correct answer:

Moving away from his hometown, the college student wanted

Explanation:

The phrase "Moving away from his hometown" is an introductory phrase, one that conditions the main action of the sentence while remaining separate from the sentence's main body. All introductory phrases must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "Moving away from his hometowm, the college student wanted" is the only answer choice that appropriately does this.

Example Question #13 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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 driver, making up for lost time started driving much faster than the speed limit.

Possible Answers:

The driver, making up for lost time, started driving much faster

The driver, making up for lost time started to drive much faster

The driver, making up for lost time started driving much faster

The driver making up for lost time started driving much faster

The driver making up for lost time started to drive much faster

Correct answer:

The driver, making up for lost time, started driving much faster

Explanation:

The phrase "making up for lost time" is an interrupting phrase, one that adds extra information to the sentence, but remains apart from its structure. All interrupting phrases must be set apart from the sentence by commas. "The driver, making up for lost time, started driving much faster" is the only answer choice that correctly does this.

Example Question #14 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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 commanding officer a long-time veteran of the police department, had no tolerance for his officers acting out.

Possible Answers:

The commanding officer a long-time veteran of the police department, had

The commanding officer a long-time veteran, of the police department, had

The commanding officer a long-time veteran of the police department had

The commanding officer, a long-time veteran of the police department had

The commanding officer, a long-time veteran of the police department, had

Correct answer:

The commanding officer, a long-time veteran of the police department, had

Explanation:

The phrase "a long-time veteran of the police department" is an interrupting phrase, one that provides extra meaning to the sentence while remaining apart from its structure. All interrupting phrases need to be set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. "The commanding officer, a long-time veteran of the police department, had" is the only answer choice to appropriately separate out the phrase.

Example Question #361 : 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 new executive changing his management style, began to hold regular meetings with his staff.

Possible Answers:

The new executive changing his management style, began

The new executive changing, his management style, began

The new executive, changing his management style, began

The new executive, changing his management style began

The new executive changing his management style began

Correct answer:

The new executive, changing his management style, began

Explanation:

The phrase "changing his management style" is an interrupting phrase, one that provides extra information to the sentence, but sits outside the sentence's main structure. All interrupting phrases must be set apart by commas from the rest of the sentence. "The new executive, changing his management style, began" is the only answer choice that properly does this.

Example Question #702 : Act English

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 matchmaker having never failed to get a date for one of her clients worked desperately before her deadline from her new client.

Possible Answers:

The matchmaker, having never failed, to get a date for one of her clients worked desperately before her deadline from her new client.

The matchmaker, having never failed to get a date for one of her clients worked desperately before her deadline from her new client.

The matchmaker having never failed to get a date for one of her clients, worked desperately before her deadline from her new client.

The matchmaker having never failed to get a date for one of her clients worked desperately before her deadline from her new client.

The matchmaker, having never failed to get a date for one of her clients, worked desperately before her deadline from her new client.

Correct answer:

The matchmaker, having never failed to get a date for one of her clients, worked desperately before her deadline from her new client.

Explanation:

The phrase "having never failed to get a date for one of her clients" is an extremely long interrupting phrase, a phrase that adds information to a sentence but remains outside the main structure of the sentence. All interrupting phrases must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. The only answer choice that appropriately does this is "The matchmaker, having never failed to get a date for one of her clients, worked desperately before her deadline from her new client."

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