SAT Writing : SAT Writing

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

That university is particularly known for their strong film program and dedication to the creative arts. No error

Possible Answers:

to

is

their

dedication

No error

Correct answer:

their

Explanation:

This sentence contains a discrepancy in agreement of plurals. "University" is a singular noun, not a plural noun, so the correct possessive pronoun should be "its," not "their."

Example Question #561 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Despite their propensity to frighten young children, the garden snake is actually quite harmlessNo error

Possible Answers:

No error

to frighten

is

their

quite harmless

Correct answer:

their

Explanation:

The plural pronoun "their" refers to the singular noun "the garden snake". These should agree in number. Changing "their" to "its" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads, "Despite its propensity to frighten young children, the garden snake is actually quite harmless."

Example Question #562 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

The department received most of their funding from private donors who were interested in the research. No error

Possible Answers:

received

interested in

their

who were

No error

Correct answer:

their

Explanation:

The pronoun "their" should refer to a plural noun, but here it refers to the singular noun "department". A singular pronoun should be used: "The department received most of its funding from private donors who were interested in the research."

Example Question #563 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Although John was excited to meet his new teacher, he was also nervous because he didn't know what their instruction style would be like. No error

Possible Answers:

excited to meet

No error

he didn't know

Although

their

Correct answer:

their

Explanation:

Although the gender of the teacher is not specified, "teacher" is still singular. Therefore, the plural possessive pronoun "their" should not be used. Rather than using "their," the sentence should say "his or her."

Example Question #564 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

The schools in that area have always been known for its strong academics, athletic program, and up-to-date facilities. No error

Possible Answers:

and

been known

have

No error

its

Correct answer:

its

Explanation:

The subject of the sentence is "schools," a plural noun. So, one should not use "its," a singular possessive pronoun, to refer to "schools," a plural noun. Replacing "its" with "their" would correct the sentence's error.

Example Question #565 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

The mayor has often proposed reductions in the sales tax because shoppers can benefit from this whenever they shop. No error

Possible Answers:

because

this

No error

has often proposed

whenever

Correct answer:

this

Explanation:

Pronouns and their antecedents must agree. In this sentence, "reductions" is plural, while "this" is singular, so "this" contains the sentence's error.

Example Question #567 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Instead of accepting the aliens’ offer to take over, the humans rejected them and attempted vainly to fight back. No error

Possible Answers:

the aliens' offer

them

vainly

No error

Instead of

Correct answer:

them

Explanation:

This sentence has a disagreement between a pronoun and its antecedent. The “offer” is singular and “them” is plural. The corrected sentence reads, "Instead of accepting the aliens’ offer to take over, the humans rejected it and attempted vainly to fight back."

Example Question #11 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

When he saw the perfect gift for his mom at the mall, he decided to buy it for them. No error

Possible Answers:

at

When

No error

them

decided

Correct answer:

them

Explanation:

The antecedent of the word "them," a plural pronoun, is the word "mom," a singular noun. Pronouns need to match their antecedents' gender and number, so the singular feminine pronoun "her" should be used instead of the plural pronoun "them."

Example Question #12 : Identifying Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

New York and Los Angeles have experienced a cultural boom in the past decade, as its restaurant scenes have been booming with new talent. No error

Possible Answers:

its

and

No error

cultural boom

past decade

Correct answer:

its

Explanation:

Given that the subject of the sentence is "New York and Los Angeles," which is plural, the pronoun "its" should also be plural. Therefore, "its" should be "their."

Example Question #1 : Correcting Pronoun Antecedent Agreement Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Small in size, the mongoose may not seem like an imposing creature, but when threatened they can fight off and even slay a large predator such as the king cobra. No error

Possible Answers:

fight off and even slay

No error

they

an imposing creature

Small in size

Correct answer:

they

Explanation:

"They," a plural pronoun, is used in the sentence to refer to "the mongoose," a singular subject. So, "they" should be changed to "it."

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