SAT Writing : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #71 : 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.

Living in a small apartment, the designer learned how to utilize space much better in her own work.

Possible Answers:

Live in a small apartment, the designer learned how to utilize space much better in her own work.

Living in a small apartment, the designer learned how to utilize space much better of her own work.

Living in a small apartment, the designer learned how to utilize space much better in her own work.

Living in a small apartment, the designer learned how utilizing space much better in her own work.

Living in a small apartment, the designer learning how to utilize space much better in her own work.

Correct answer:

Living in a small apartment, the designer learned how to utilize space much better in her own work.

Explanation:

No changes need to be made to the sentence, as it is grammatically correct as it is written. The answer choices that do make a change create a grammatical error or usage problem, meaning that the correct answer choice is to leave the sentence completely alone.

Example Question #72 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing 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.

She was considered the most promising recruit in years, and made every instructor at the academy excited for her future.

Possible Answers:

She was considered the most promising recruit in years, and made every instructor at the academy, excited for her future.

She was considered the most promising recruit in years; and made every instructor at the academy excited for her future.

She was considered, the most promising recruit in years, and made every instructor at the academy excited for her future.

She was considered the most promising recruit in years, and made every instructor at the academy excited for her future.

She was considered the most promising recruit in years, and made every instructor, at the academy excited for her future.

Correct answer:

She was considered the most promising recruit in years, and made every instructor at the academy excited for her future.

Explanation:

The sentence is perfectly correct as written, and needs no changes made to it. Any answer choice that makes a change creates a punctuation error in the sentence. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.

Example Question #72 : 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.

The old woman was always mean, but she seemed to get much worse as she grew older.

Possible Answers:

The old woman was always mean, but she seemed to get much worse as she grew older.

The old woman was always mean, but she seemed getting much worse as she grew older.

The old woman were always mean, but she seemed to get much worse as she grew older.

The old woman was always mean, but she seeming to get much worse as she grew older.

The old woman was always mean, but she seemed to get much worse as she growing older.

Correct answer:

The old woman was always mean, but she seemed to get much worse as she grew older.

Explanation:

The sentence is perfectly correct as written, and needs no changes made to it. The answer choices that do make a change all create a grammatical or usage error in the sentence. The best answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is.

Example Question #83 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct 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 theory remained the centerpiece of the author's writing, decades after she first developed it in a short essay.

Possible Answers:

The theory remained, the centerpiece of the author's writing, decades after she first developed it in a short essay.

The theory remained the centerpiece, of the author's writing, decades after she first developed it in a short essay.

The theory remained the centerpiece of the author's writing, decades after she first developed it, in a short essay.

The theory remained the centerpiece of the author's writing, decades after she first developed it in a short essay.

The theory remained the centerpiece of the author's writing decades after she first developed it in a short essay.

Correct answer:

The theory remained the centerpiece of the author's writing, decades after she first developed it in a short essay.

Explanation:

As it is written, the sentence has no grammatical issues, and needs no improvements made to it. All of the answer choices that do make a change actually create a grammatical problem. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence alone.

Example Question #73 : 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.

After years of apartment living, the family was happy to have their own house.

Possible Answers:

After years of apartment living, their own house was happy to have the family.

After years of apartment living, the family was happy to having their own house.

After years of apartment living, all the members of the family were happy to have their own house.

After years of apartment living from all the members of the family were happy to have their own house.

All the members of the family were happy to have their own house that was after years of apartment living.

Correct answer:

After years of apartment living, all the members of the family were happy to have their own house.

Explanation:

The sentence has no grammatical issues written as it is. Every answer choice that does make a change to the sentence actually creates some usage or grammar problem. The best answer choice is to leave the sentence alone.

Example Question #74 : 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.

The boy was an excellent pool player, and could outhustle many older players.

Possible Answers:

The boy was an excellent pool player, and could outhustle many, older, players.

The boy was, an excellent pool player, and could outhustle many older players.

The boy was an excellent pool player, and could outhustle many older players.

The boy was an excellent pool player, and could outhustle, many older players.

The boy was an excellent pool player; and could outhustle many older players.

Correct answer:

The boy was an excellent pool player, and could outhustle many older players.

Explanation:

As it is written, the sentence has no grammatical mistakes, and needs no improvements made to it. Additionally, all of the answer choices that do change an element of the sentence introduce some error into the sentence. The best answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.

Example Question #75 : 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.

The entire football team was responsible for the pranks that took place at the party.

Possible Answers:

The entire football team responsible for the pranks that took place at the party.

The entire football team was responsible for the pranks that took place from the party.

The entire football team was responsible for the pranks that took place at the party.

The entire football team was responsible for the pranks, that took place, at the party.

The entirely football team was responsible for the pranks that took place at the party.

Correct answer:

The entire football team was responsible for the pranks that took place at the party.

Explanation:

The sentence needs no improvements made to it, as there are no grammatical or usage errors in the sentence. All of the answer choices that do make a change also create a grammatical error in the sentence. Therefore, the correct answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.

Example Question #76 : 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.

The general was known among his troops for his tireless work ethic and his devotion to his men.

Possible Answers:

The general was known among his troops for: his tireless work ethic and his devotion to his men.

The general was known among his troops for his tireless work ethic and his devotion to his men.

The general was known among his troops for his tireless work ethic, and his devotion to his men.

The general, was known among his troops. for his tireless work ethic and his devotion to his men.

The general was known, among his troops for his tireless work ethic and his devotion to his men.

Correct answer:

The general was known among his troops for his tireless work ethic and his devotion to his men.

Explanation:

The sentence has no grammatical issues as it is written, and needs no improvements made to it. Additionally, the answer choices that do make a change create a grammar or usage problem. The best answer choice is to leave the sentence alone.

Example Question #77 : 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.

The entire team was fully on board with the new direction the company was taking.

Possible Answers:

The entire team was fully on board, with the new direction the company was taking.

The entire team fully on board with the new direction the company was taking.

The entire team being fully on board with the new direction the company was taking.

The entire team was fully on board with the new direction the company was taken.

The entire team was fully on board with the new direction the company was taking.

Correct answer:

The entire team was fully on board with the new direction the company was taking.

Explanation:

The sentence has no grammar or usage problems, and therefore needs no improvements made to it. In fact, all of the answer choices that make a change introduce a grammatical or usage error into the sentence. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.

Example Question #78 : 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.

The basketball player was also a remarkable student, showing aptitude in a variety of areas.

Possible Answers:

The basketball player also a remarkable student, showing aptitude in a variety of areas.

The basketball player was also a remarkable student showing aptitude in a variety of areas.

The basketball player was as well the remarkable student, showing aptitude in a variety of areas.

The basketball player was also a remarkable student, showing aptitude in a variety of areas.

The basketball player was also a remarkable student; showing aptitude in a variety of areas.

Correct answer:

The basketball player was also a remarkable student, showing aptitude in a variety of areas.

Explanation:

The sentence has no grammatical or usage problems, and needs no improvements made to it. Additionally, all of the answer choices that do make a change in the sentence introduce some grammar or usage error. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.

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