SAT Writing : SAT Writing
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1071 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Early education programs, like the one started in that school district last year, has been shown to improve academic success later in life. No error
No error
improve
later in life
has been shown
like the one
has been shown
The subject of the sentence, "Early education programs," is plural, but the verb that refers to it, "has been shown," agrees with a singular subject. It can be easy to miss this because of the interrupting phrase that separates the sentence's subject from the verb that refers to it. Changing "has been shown" to "have been shown" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads, "Early education programs, like the one started in that school district last year, have been shown to improve academic success later in life."
Example Question #1072 : Sat Writing
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.
During the period of English colonialism, the reigning monarch, rather than elected officials, were responsible for nearly all political matters. No error
for
rather than
were
No error
During
were
The subject of this sentence is "the reigning monarch," which is singular, but the verb "were," which refers to "the reigning monarch," is plural. "Were" should be changed to "was" to match the singular subject.
Example Question #1073 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Carefully crafted plots and a brilliantly developed main character is what makes the book so compelling. No error
is what makes
No error
and
brilliantly developed
so compelling
is what makes
This sentence has a plural, compound subject, but the verb "is" agrees with a singular subject. Changing "is" to "are" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads, "Carefully crafted plots and a brilliantly developed main character are what makes the book so compelling."
Example Question #1074 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The rules posted in the lobby is intended to be guidelines only. No error
is
No error
intended to be
posted
guidelines
is
The subject of this sentence is plural ("rules"), but the verb "is" agrees with a singular subject. Changing "is" to "are" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads, "The rules posted in the lobby are intended to be guidelines only."
Example Question #1075 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The frequency with which her father was bringing home bushels of raw beets were concerning to Kathy. No error
No error
was bringing home
raw
with which
were concerning
were concerning
In this sentence, the verb “were” does not agree with the singular subject “frequency.” The corrected sentence reads, "The frequency with which her father was bringing home bushels of raw beets was concerning to Kathy."
Example Question #1076 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The rhododendrons and lilacs that line the garden path seems out of place in the shadow of the concrete structure. No error
in the shadow
No error
structure
seems
rhododendrons and lilacs
seems
In this sentence, the verb does not agree with the subject. The subject “rhododendrons and lilacs” is plural, but “seems” agrees with a singular noun. The corrected sentence reads, "The rhododendrons and lilacs that line the garden path seem out of place in the shadow of the concrete structure."
Example Question #1077 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
My doctor told me to spend more time gardening, watching movies, and playing board games, because doing things that make me feel good are actually good for my health. No error
playing
feel good
actually good
are
No error
are
The subject here is the singular gerund (verbal noun) "doing"—not the plural noun "things." Thus, the main verb should be the singular—"is," not "are."
Example Question #1078 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
A spread, such as honey or syrup, are often used to sweeten pancakes and give them more flavor. No error
No error
or
are often
them
sweeten
are often
The subject of the sentence is "spread," which is being used as a singular noun; however, the sentence's verb, "are," agrees with plural nouns, not singular ones. To correct the sentence's error, "are" should be changed to "is."
Example Question #1079 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Massage and physical therapy helps to alleviate pain for many individuals who otherwise would suffer chronically from their conditions. No error
helps
would
No error
for
from
helps
The subject in this sentece is "Massage and physical therapy." Because the sentence's subject consists of multiple nouns connected by the conjunction "and," it is a compound subject; compound subjects take plural verbs, so "helps," which agrees with singular nouns, is incorrect. The corresponding verb should be "help," not "helps."
Example Question #1080 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The politician, along with his many constituents, are opposed to the new reforms being enacted by the government. No error
constituents, are
along with
No error
opposed to
being enacted
constituents, are
It is easy to think that the verb "are" refers to "constituents," but in this case ("The politician, along with his many constituents, are . . ."), the verb refers back to "politician," since "along with his many constituents" is a prepositional phrase. So, the plural verb "are" is incorrect since it refers to the singular "politician," and should be replaced with the singular verb "is." The corrected sentence reads, "The politician, along with his many constituents, is opposed to the new reforms being enacted by the government."
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