SAT Writing : SAT Writing
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1151 : 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 admissions committee benefited from their decision to accept him, as he proved to be an industrious student. No error
benefited from
their
as
No error
industrious
their
An admissions committee is a thing or a body, so its possessive adjective would be “its.” If the sentence read, “The members of the admissions committee,” “their” would be correct.
Example Question #1152 : 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.
Everyone has a right to feel safe in their own home, but that isn't always the case, unfortunately. No error
home, but
their
No error
case, unfortunately.
isn't always
their
There is an antecedent/pronoun agreement error in the sentence above. The antecedent "everyone" does not match up correctly with "their." The part of the sentence that needs to be corrected is, "their," which should be replaced with "his or her"
Example Question #1153 : 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.
No one should ever be held accountable for something that they didn't do, but it is still important to pursue justice at all times. No error
ever be held
justice at all times.
No error
but it is
they didn't
they didn't
There is an antecedent/pronoun agreement error in the sentence above. The antecedent "no one" does not match up correctly with "their." The portion of the sentence that needs to be corrected is, "they didn't."
Example Question #1154 : 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.
Somebody will have to pay for the damage that they caused to the auditorium; the school can't afford to fix it without help. No error
they
auditorium;
No error
can't afford
will have to
they
There is an antecedent/pronoun agreement error in the sentence above. The antecedent "somebody" does not match up correctly with "they." The portion of the sentence that needs to be corrected is, "they."
Example Question #1155 : 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.
Everyone has a right to one's opinion, but that doesn't mean that the truth should ever be ignored. No error
the truth should
one's opinion,
has a
doesn't mean
No error
one's opinion,
There is an antecedent/pronoun agreement error in the sentence above. The antecedent "everyone" does not match up correctly with "one's" The portion of the sentence that needs to be corrected is, "one's opinion," which should be replaced with "his or her opinion," since everyone, while being inclusive, individualizes the multiple subjects.
Example Question #404 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Bob's story was not only more interesting than John, but it was more realistic. No error
it
No error
was
more
John
John
This is an illogical comparison. To be grammatically correct, the sentence needs to say "John's story" or "that of John's" instead of just "John."
Example Question #405 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Let's not get caught up in all this problems; we should solve them and move forward. No error
Let's not
forward
this
No error
we should
this
The use of "this" needs to be plural since it refers to multiple problems: "these problems" would be correct.
Example Question #402 : Identifying Word Usage Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jon's mother did not let him organize a garage sale for the family because she did not like the idea of strangers being able to peruse their many belonging. No error
for
No error
let him
idea of
belonging
belonging
Given that the descriptor "many" is used to describe "belonging," "belonging" should be plural. Therefore "belonging" should actually be "belongings."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Modifier Word Modified Agreement Errors
Select the underlined word that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After learning that many experts believe that fear is a healthy evolutionary responses, he felt significantly less afraid of the dark. No error
After learning
believe
less
No error
responses
responses
"Responses" is incorrect in this sentence as it is part of the phrase "a healthy evolutionary responses." The use of the singular indefinite article "a" means that the noun to which it refers has to be singular for the phrase to be grammatically correct. Changing "responses" to "response" would correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Modifier Word Modified 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.
Even though many people think of them as needy and time-consuming, a cat is actually a self-reliant and easygoing pet to own. No error
many people
easygoing
is actually
them
No Error
them
In the above sentence, the plural pronoun "them" is incorrectly used to modify the singular antecedent "cat."
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