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

Possible Answers:

benefited from

as

industrious

their

No error

Correct answer:

their

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

isn't always

case, unfortunately.

No error

their

home, but

Correct answer:

their

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

No error

justice at all times.

ever be held

but it is

they didn't

Correct answer:

they didn't

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

will have to

can't afford

they

No error

auditorium;

Correct answer:

they

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

the truth should

has a 

No error

one's opinion,

doesn't mean

Correct answer:

one's opinion,

Explanation:

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 #1156 : 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.

Bob's story was not only more interesting than John, but it was more realistic. No error

Possible Answers:

was

John

more

it

No error

Correct answer:

John

Explanation:

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 #1157 : 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.

Let's not get caught up in all this problems; we should solve them and move forward. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

we should

forward

this

Let's not

Correct answer:

this

Explanation:

The use of "this" needs to be plural since it refers to multiple problems: "these problems" would be correct.

Example Question #1158 : 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.

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 belongingNo error

Possible Answers:

No error

let him 

idea of

belonging

for

Correct answer:

belonging

Explanation:

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

Possible Answers:

After learning

responses

No error

believe

less

Correct answer:

responses

Explanation:

"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

Possible Answers:

easygoing

No Error

is actually

them

many people

Correct answer:

them

Explanation:

In the above sentence, the plural pronoun "them" is incorrectly used to modify the singular antecedent "cat."

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