SAT Writing : Improving Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #1781 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

When you argue incessantly with your teachers you make class difficult for all of us.

Possible Answers:

When you argue incessantly with your teachers, you make class difficult for all of us.

When you argue incessantly with your teachers: you make class difficult for all of us.

When you argue incessantly with your teachers, and you make class difficult for all of us.

When you argue incessantly with your teachers you make class difficult for all of us.

When you argue incessantly with your teachers, but you make class difficult for all of us.

Correct answer:

When you argue incessantly with your teachers, you make class difficult for all of us.

Explanation:

Introductory phrases precede and are subordinate to a sentence's main clause. Introductory phrases add information to a sentence, but are not necessary to the sentence being grammatically complete, and such clauses must be separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "When you argue incessantly with your teachers, you make class difficult for all of us."

Example Question #1782 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

The young recruit clearly the top of his class had great promise.

Possible Answers:

The young recruit, clearly the top of his class had great promise.

The young recruit clearly, the top of his class, had great promise.

The young recruit clearly the top of his class had great promise.

The young recruit clearly the top of his class, had great promise.

The young recruit, clearly the top of his class, had great promise.

Correct answer:

The young recruit, clearly the top of his class, had great promise.

Explanation:

Interrupting phrases add information to a sentence, but are not necessary to the sentence being grammatically complete, and such clauses must be separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma on either end. Generally, such phrases provide context, information, or act as appositives (renaming the subject noun).

The best way to correct the example sentence is, "The young recruit, clearly the top of his class, had great promise."

Example Question #1783 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Empathy, a rare but necessary quality is often underrated in our society.

Possible Answers:

Empathy, a rare but necessary quality, is often underrated in our society.

Empathy, a rare but necessary quality, is often underrated in our society.

Empathy, a rare but necessary quality is often underrated in our society.

Empathy a rare but necessary quality is often underrated in our society.

Empathy: a rare but necessary quality, is often underrated in our society.

Correct answer:

Empathy, a rare but necessary quality, is often underrated in our society.

Explanation:

Interrupting phrases add information to a sentence, but are not necessary to the sentence being grammatically complete, and such clauses must be separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma on either end. Generally, such phrases provide context, information, or, as is the case here, act as appositives (renaming or further describing the subject noun).The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "Empathy, a rare but necessary quality, is often underrated in our society."

Example Question #1784 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

When an actor is incapable of processing criticism he deprives himself of the possibility of improvement.

Possible Answers:

When an actor is incapable of processing criticism; he deprives himself of the possibility of improvement.

When an actor is incapable of processing criticism: he deprives himself of the possibility of improvement.

When an actor is incapable of processing criticism and he deprives himself of the possibility of improvement.

When an actor is incapable of processing criticism he deprives himself of the possibility of improvement.

When an actor is incapable of processing criticism, he deprives himself of the possibility of improvement.

Correct answer:

When an actor is incapable of processing criticism, he deprives himself of the possibility of improvement.

Explanation:

Introductory phrases precede and are subordinate to a sentence's main clause. Introductory phrases add information to a sentence, but are not necessary to the sentence being grammatically complete, and such clauses must be separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma.

The best way to correct the example sentence is, "When an actor is incapable of processing criticism, he deprives himself of the possibility of improvement."

Example Question #1785 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Mason easily the most cruel of all the children frequently hits the others with blocks.

Possible Answers:

Mason easily the cruelest of all the children frequently hits the others with blocks.

Mason easily the cruelest of all the children frequently hits the others with blocks.

Mason easily the most cruel of all the children frequently hits the others with blocks.

Mason, easily the most cruel of all the children frequently hits the others with blocks.

Mason, easily the most cruel of all the children, frequently hits the others with blocks.

Correct answer:

Mason, easily the most cruel of all the children, frequently hits the others with blocks.

Explanation:

Interrupting phrases add details or contextual information to a sentence, but they are not necessary to the sentence being complete. Such clauses must be separated from the rest of the sentence by with a preceding and a concluding comma.

Corrected, the example sentence reads, "Mason, easily the most cruel of all the children, frequently hits the others with blocks."

Example Question #531 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

You really must reach out to the curator Mr. Paulus for a recommendation.

Possible Answers:

You really must reach out to the curator; Mr. Paulus, for a recommendation.

You really must reach out to the curator Mr. Paulus, for a recommendation.

You really must reach out to the curator, Mr. Paulus for a recommendation.

You really must reach out to the curator, Mr. Paulus, for a recommendation.

You really must reach out to the curator Mr. Paulus for a recommendation.

Correct answer:

You really must reach out to the curator, Mr. Paulus, for a recommendation.

Explanation:

Apositives describe or rename a noun (often the subject of the sentence), and they must be enclosed with commas, since they are not grammatically necessary to a sentence's completeness. In the example sentence "the curator" is an object rather than the subject, but "the curator" is renamed by the proper noun "Mr. Paulus." The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "You really must reach out to the curator, Mr. Paulus, for a recommendation."

 

Example Question #532 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

I find it hard to believe that Paula one of the most beautiful women I've ever met can't get a date.

Possible Answers:

I find it hard to believe that Paula, one of the most beautiful women I've ever met, can't get a date.

I find it hard to believe that Paula, one of the most beautiful women I've ever met can't get a date.

I find it hard to believe that Paula one of the most beautiful women I've ever met can't get a date.

I find it hardly to believe that Paula one of the most beautiful women I've ever met can't get a date.

I find it hard to believe that Paula one of the most beautiful women I've ever met, can't get a date.

Correct answer:

I find it hard to believe that Paula, one of the most beautiful women I've ever met, can't get a date.

Explanation:

Interrupting phrases or appositive phrases are subordinate and add information to a sentence or context to a sentence, but they are not necessary to the sentence being grammatically complete. Appositives also re-name or define a noun. Such phrases must be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas both before and after the phrase. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "I find it hard to believe that Paula, one of the most beautiful women I've ever met, can't get a date."

Example Question #1781 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

If you do not bow when the Empress enters the room she may have you killed.

Possible Answers:

If you do not bow when the Empress enters the room: she may have you killed.

If you do not bow when the Empress enters the room she may have you killed.

If you do not bow when the Empress enters the room; she may have you killed.

When you do not bow when the Empress enters the room she may have you killed.

If you do not bow when the Empress enters the room, she may have you killed.

Correct answer:

If you do not bow when the Empress enters the room, she may have you killed.

Explanation:

Introductory phrases precede and are subordinate to a sentence's main clause. Introductory phrases add information to a sentence, but are not necessary to the sentence being grammatically complete, and such clauses must be separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma.

The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "If you do not bow when the Empress enters the room, she may have you killed."

Example Question #1782 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Magnus Nilsson my favorite chef has a restaurant in an isolated part of Sweden.

Possible Answers:

Magnus Nilsson my favorite chef has a restaurant, in an isolated part of Sweden.

Magnus Nilsson my favorite chef, has a restaurant in an isolated part of Sweden.

Magnus Nilsson my favorite chef has a restaurant in an isolated part of Sweden.

Magnus Nilsson, my favorite chef has a restaurant in an isolated part of Sweden.

Magnus Nilsson, my favorite chef, has a restaurant in an isolated part of Sweden.

Correct answer:

Magnus Nilsson, my favorite chef, has a restaurant in an isolated part of Sweden.

Explanation:

Interrupting phrases are subordinate and add information to a sentence, but are not necessary to the sentence being complete. Because they come in the middle of a clause, such phrases must be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "Magnus Nilsson, my favorite chef, has a restaurant in an isolated part of Sweden."

Example Question #1783 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Daniel Day-Lewis one of the finest actors of his generation gave the performance of his life in the film Lincoln.

Possible Answers:

Daniel Day-Lewis one of the finest actors of his generation, gave the performance of his life in the film Lincoln.

Daniel Day-Lewis one of the finest actors of his generation gave the performance of his life in the film Lincoln.

Daniel Day-Lewis, one of the finest actors of his generation gave the performance of his life in the film Lincoln.

Daniel Day-Lewis, one of the finest actors of his generation gives, the performance of his life in the film Lincoln.

Daniel Day-Lewis, one of the finest actors of his generation, gave the performance of his life in the film Lincoln.

Correct answer:

Daniel Day-Lewis, one of the finest actors of his generation, gave the performance of his life in the film Lincoln.

Explanation:

Interrupting phrases are subordinate and add information to a sentence, but are not necessary to the sentence being grammatically complete, and must be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. Such sentences generally add describe or add context to a noun. Since "one of the finest actors of his generation" is a phrase that adds information while interrupting a clause, the best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "Daniel Day-Lewis, one of the finest actors of his generation, gave the performance of his life in the film Lincoln."

 

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