SAT Writing : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #101 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.

Although I had not wanted to attend the jazz concert, I was soon covered in goose bumps as I listened to the beautiful music.

Possible Answers:

After I had not wanted to attend the concert

If I had not wanted to attend the concert

Because I had not wanted to attend the concert

Unless I had not wanted to attend the concert

Although I had not wanted to attend the concert

Correct answer:

Although I had not wanted to attend the concert

Explanation:

The sentence is best in its original form.

Example Question #102 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.

The most difficult aspect of going to school and work is managing my time effectively.

Possible Answers:

managing my time effectively

I have to manage my time effectively

the management of my time in an effective way

the effective management of my time

I must manage my time effectively

Correct answer:

managing my time effectively

Explanation:

The answer is correct the way it is because the verb that links the sentence, is, should be a noun phrase that is representative of, the most difficult aspect. The answer is also not wordy.

Example Question #103 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.

The older employees grew increasingly uncomfortably with the company's new hires, all of whom had advanced degrees and more training.

Possible Answers:

the company's new hires all of whom had advanced degrees and more training.

the company's new hires', all of whom had advanced degrees and more training.

the company's new hires, all of whom had advanced degrees and more training.

the company's new hires, all of who had advanced degrees and more training.

the companies new hires, all of whom had advanced degrees and more training.

Correct answer:

the company's new hires, all of whom had advanced degrees and more training.

Explanation:

The sentence is perfectly correct as written, with the possesive in "company's" correctly used, the dependent clause set apart from a comma, and the proper usage of "whom." The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.

Example Question #104 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.

Rivers were once the key transportation method in civilization, but the paving of roads created concrete rivers across land masses.

Possible Answers:

the roads paving

the road paving

the paving road

the paving roads

the paving of roads

Correct answer:

the paving of roads

Explanation:

The underlined portion of the sentence features a gerund, a present verb form that can be used as a noun. Thus, the phrase "the paving of roads" can appropriately be a subject in the phrase, and the sentence is correct as written.

Example Question #105 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.

The frequency with which he received fan mail became overwhelming for his assistant.

Possible Answers:

The frequency with which he received fan mail became overwhelmed for his assistant.

The frequency with which he having received fan mail became overwhelming for his assistant.

The frequency of which he received fan mail became overwhelming for his assistant.

The frequency with which he received fan mail became overwhelming at his assistant.

The frequency with which he received fan mail became overwhelming for his assistant.

Correct answer:

The frequency with which he received fan mail became overwhelming for his assistant.

Explanation:

While the sentence as written might sound slightly awkward, there is nothing particularly wrong with it. Further, all of the answer choices that do change something either make the sentence grammatically incorrect or change its meaning. The best answer choice is to leave the sentence unchanged.

Example Question #106 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.

Under the old laws, such dissent would have been quickly stamped out.

Possible Answers:

Under the old laws, such

Under the old law which

Under old laws, which

Under the old laws such

Under the old laws, which

Correct answer:

Under the old laws, such

Explanation:

The sentence is completely correct as written. The introductory phrase "Under the old laws" is appropriately set off with a comma, and the use of "such" is the only word that makes the sentence complete.

Example Question #107 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.

Gus was surprised that the pizza had taken so long to get to his house.

Possible Answers:

had taken so long getting

had taken so long to get

had took so long in getting

had took so long to get

had taken so long in getting

Correct answer:

had taken so long to get

Explanation:

The answer is correct the way it is because taken is the correct use of the word, take, in the past tense. The answer is also not wordy.

Example Question #1331 : 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.

In a democratic government, it is the ultimate responsibility of every individual to engage in the political system.

Possible Answers:

In a democratic government, it is the ultimate responsibility of every individual, to engage in the political system.

In a democratic government, it is the ultimate responsibility of every individual to engage in the political system.

In a democratic government, it is the ultimate responsibility, of every individual to engage in the political system.

In a democratic government, it is the ultimate responsibility. of every individual, to engage in the political system.

In a democratic government it is the ultimate responsibility of every individual to engage in the political system.

Correct answer:

In a democratic government, it is the ultimate responsibility of every individual to engage in the political system.

Explanation:

The sentence is correct as written. All of the other answer choices make a comma error that either is entirely incorrect or unnecessarily confusing.

Example Question #108 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.

The senior, a school leader, made an impassioned plea on behalf of the students' needs.

Possible Answers:

The senior, a school leader, made an impassioned plea on behalf of the students needs.

The senior, a school leader, making an impassioned plea on behalf of the students' needs.

The senior a school leader, made an impassioned plea on behalf of the students' needs.

The senior a school leader made an impassioned plea on behalf of the students' needs.

The senior, a school leader, made an impassioned plea on behalf of the students' needs.

Correct answer:

The senior, a school leader, made an impassioned plea on behalf of the students' needs.

Explanation:

The sentence is perfectly correct as written, and needs nothing done to improve it. Additionally, every other answer choice makes the sentence incorrect grammatically. The best choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.

Example Question #109 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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.

Each of the refugees was given warm clothes, clean towels, and cans of nonperishable food.

Possible Answers:

warm clothes, clean towels, and cans of nonperishable food

warm clothes, clean towels, and some nonperishable food

warm clothes, a clean towel, and cans of nonperishable food

warm clothing, clean towels, and cans of nonperishable food

some clothes, some towels, and cans of nonperishable food

Correct answer:

warm clothes, clean towels, and cans of nonperishable food

Explanation:

The sentence is correctly written as is because it already has parallel structure. The items of the list are all pluralized; it is consistent in its format.

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