SAT Writing : SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #141 : 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.
Sarah isn't a very fun person to go ice skating with because she skates very slowly and cautious.
skates very slowly and cautious
skates very slow and cautious
skates in a way that is very slow and cautiously
skates very slowly and cautiously
skates in a way that is very slowly and cautiously
skates very slowly and cautiously
Because they modify a verb, both "cautiously" and "slow" need to be in their adverb forms, rather than adjective forms. So, the adjective "slow" needs to be changed to the adverb "slowly."
Example Question #142 : 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.
Sarah danced so graceful in her recital that the Broadway scout offered her a job. No error
that
graceful
offered her a job
No error
danced
graceful
"Graceful" contains the error in this sentence because it is an adjective being used to describe a verb, "danced." Adjectives don't describe verbs, but adverbs do, so to correct the sentence's error, "graceful" would need to be changed to "gracefully."
Example Question #143 : Sat Writing
Though she had initially felt very apprehensive about it, Linda thought she did well on her final exam, and considered the extra time she had spent studying time well spent.
Which of the following words is NOT used as an adjective in the given sentence?
well
apprehensive
final
well spent
extra
well
The only answer choice that is not an adjective in the sentence is "well," which is describing how Linda thought she did on her exam. So, "well" is describing "did," and is an adverb, since adjectives cannot describe verbs, but adverbs can.
Example Question #144 : Sat Writing
Identify the adverb in this sentence.
John loves moving freely through the water when he swims, which he does with all the gusto and aplomb he can muster.
loves
gusto
muster
with
freely
freely
"Freely" is the only word in the sentence that modifies a verb, "moving." This verb happens to be acting as a gerund, but is still described by adverbs; "moving free" wouldn't be grammatically correct in the sentence. You can also tell that "freely" is likely an adverb because it ends in "-ly."
Example Question #145 : Sat Writing
Identify the underlined adverb in the following sentence.
“I don’t have time for this,” she whispered bitterly as she began to clean up the broken glass shards.
time
she
bitterly
broken
clean
bitterly
Adverbs modify verbs or adjectives. In this sentence, "bitterly" modifies the verb "whispered," so it is an adverb.
Example Question #146 : Sat Writing
Identify the underlined adverb in the following sentence.
My parents fully support my decision to pursue my dreams by studying vocal performance in college.
vocal
college
fully
dreams
pursue
fully
Adverbs modify verbs or adjectives.
In this sentence, "fully" modifies "support," describing the manner in which the parents support their child. "Fully" is the adverb here.
Example Question #147 : Sat Writing
Identify the underlined adverb in the following sentence.
After putting the finishing touches on the herb-rubbed turkey, Paul proudly presented his Thanksgiving feast to his hungry family.
After
finishing
herb-rubbed
hungry
proudly
proudly
Adverbs modify verbs or other adjectives. In this sentence, "proudly" modifies the verb "presented," giving more detail as to how Paul presented the feast. "Proudly" is therefore an adverb.
Example Question #148 : Sat Writing
Identify the underlined adjective in the following sentence.
We studied how the scientific revolution and the Enlightenment legitimized one way of knowing: empiricism.
scientific
of
studied
empiricism
knowing
scientific
"Scientific" is an adjective because it is a word that describes the noun "revolution."
Example Question #149 : Sat Writing
Identify the underlined adverb in the following sentence.
Tara’s role as prima ballerina was jeopardized by an unfortunate accident last week; she slipped during rehearsal and severely twisted her left ankle.
ballerina
unfortunate
severely
left
role
severely
Adverbs modify adjectives or verbs, often (but not always) end in "-ly," and answer the question "how?" In this sentence, "severely" modifies the verb "twisted" and elaborates the manner in which Tara twisted her ankle. Because "severely" is modifying a verb, it is the adverb.
Example Question #150 : 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.
For individuals with previous injuries, walking slow for extended periods of time provides a safe alternative to more strenuous exercises.
walking slow for extended periods of time has provided a safe alternative to more strenuous exercises.
walking slowly for extended periods of time provides a safe alternative instead of more strenuous exercises.
walking slow for extended periods of time will provide a safe alternative to more strenuous exercises.
walking slow for extended periods of time provides a safe alternative to more strenuous exercises.
walking slowly for extended periods of time provides a safe alternative to more strenuous exercises.
walking slowly for extended periods of time provides a safe alternative to more strenuous exercises.
The answer choice "walking slowly for extended periods of time provides a safe alternative to more strenuous exercises" is correct because it uses the adverb "slowly" instead of the adjective "slow" to modify the verb "walking." Remember that adjectives can only modify nouns.
While the answer choice "walking slowly for extended periods of time provides a safe alternative instead of more strenuous exercises" correctly uses "slowly" instead of "slow," it introduces an incorrect idiomatic expression. The correct idiom is "alternative to" rather than "alternative instead of."
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