All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1701 : Improving Sentences
When researching employment opportunities college students frequently become overly focused on one potential job.
employment opportunities college students,
employment opportunities, college students
employment opportunities college, students
employment opportunities college students
employment, opportunities college students
employment opportunities, college students
The phrase "when researching employment opportunites" operates in the sentence as an introductory conditional phrase, giving a necessary "if" to the sentence. Such a clause needs to be appropriately set apart from the rest of the sentence; therefore, "employment opportunities, college students" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1702 : Improving Sentences
Everyday people wander into dangerous areas of the city, and do not appear the next day.
Everyday, people
Everyday people
Everyday persons
Everyday, person
Every day people
Everyday, people
The word "everyday" in the sentence acts as a conditional phrase, indicating how often people do what is described in the sentence. Such a phrase, must be set off by a comma from the rest of the sentence. Therefore, "Everyday, people" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1703 : Improving Sentences
Lately families have begun moving back to the city's core and sparking a revitalization of downtown businesses.
Lately family's
Lately, families
Late, families
Lately families
Lately, family's
Lately, families
The underlined portion of the sentence contains a slight punctuation error. Speciifically, the word "Lately" is used as an introductory phrase, explaining the condition under which the action takes place, and such clauses need to be set off by a comma from the rest of the sentence. "Lately, families" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1704 : Improving Sentences
On this date an unspeakable evil befell the world, changing the way people thought forever.
On this date, an unspeakable evil
On this date the unspeakable evil
On this date an unspeakable evil
On this date unspeakable evil
On that date an unspeakable evil
On this date, an unspeakable evil
The phrase "On this date" is an introductory clause, describing when the action of the sentence took place. An introductory clause must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. Therefore, "On this date, an unspeakable evil" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1705 : Improving Sentences
Unfamiliar to most listeners the band was highly influential among its most devoted fans.
Unfamiliar, to most listeners the band
Unfamiliar, to most, listeners the band
Unfamiliar to most listeners the band
Unfamiliar to most, listeners of the band
Unfamiliar to most listeners, the band
Unfamiliar to most listeners, the band
The phrase "Unfamiliar to most listeners" is used in this sentence as an introductory phrase, something that explains the actions of the rest of the sentence. All such sentences must be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "Unfamiliar to most listeners, the band" is the correct answer.
Example Question #1706 : Improving Sentences
Working on a new book the author refused to answer any press questions about his previous novels.
Working on a new book for the author
Working, on a new book, the author
Working, on a new book the author
Working on a new book the author
Working on a new book, the author
Working on a new book, the author
The phrase "Working on a new book" is an introductory phrase that explains the condition upon the action of the sentence. All such phrases must be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "Working on a new book, the author" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1707 : Improving Sentences
Unquestionably the most difficult thing in professional sports is hitting a baseball.
Unquestionably, the most difficult thing,
Unquestionably the most difficult thing,
Unquestionably, the most difficult thing
Unquestionably the most difficult, thing
Unquestionably the most difficult thing
Unquestionably, the most difficult thing
The word "unquestionably" is used in this sentence as an introductory phrase, giving a condition for the rest of the sentence (namely that the statement can not be questioned). An introductory phrase must always be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "Unquestionably, the most difficult thing" is therefore the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1708 : Improving Sentences
More than anyone else he had encountered the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause.
More than anyone else he had encountered, the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause.
More than anyone else he had encountered the preacher was convinced, of the rightness of his cause.
More than anyone else he had encountered the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause.
More than anyone else, he had encountered the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause.
More than anyone else he encountered the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause.
More than anyone else he had encountered, the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause.
The phrase "More than anyone else he had encountered" is an introductory clause, a clause that conditions the information provided in the main body of the sentence. All such clauses need to be set off from the rest of the sentence by a comma, making "More than anyone else he had encountered, the preacher was convinced of the rightness of his cause."
Example Question #723 : Improving Sentences
Each year thousands of animals contract the rare virus despite vaccination efforts.
Each year a thousand animals
Every year thousands of animals
Each year thousands of animals
Each year thousands of animals'
Each year, thousands of animals
Each year, thousands of animals
The phrase "Each year" in the sentence is an introductory phrase, a phrase that conditions the main part of the sentence but is not a necessary part of its structure. All introductory phrases must be set apart by a comma. As this is the only issue with the sentence as it is written, the correct answer choice is "Each year, thousands of animals."
Example Question #1709 : Improving Sentences
Under great stress the president of the company was forced to take a leave of absence.
Under great stress the company's president
Under great stress, the president, of the company
Under great stress, the president of the company
Under great stress the president of the company
Under, great stress the president of the company
Under great stress, the president of the company
The phrase "Under great stress" is an introductory phrase, one that conditions the meaning of the sentence but is separate from the main sentence structure. All such phrases need to be set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma. The only answer choice to appropriately do this is "Under great stress, the president of the company."