SAT Writing : SAT Writing

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #15 : Correcting Preposition Errors

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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Do you know what you'll be doing for the springtime?

Possible Answers:

from

for

on

in

while

Correct answer:

in

Explanation:

For specific dates or times, you typically want to use the prepositions "for" or "on." For general measurements of times, such as parts of the year or seasons, you use "in" instead. The preposition in the sentence above should be "in."

Example Question #2071 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

What are you and your dogs doing in the Fourth of July?

Possible Answers:

under

over

while

on

in

Correct answer:

on

Explanation:

For specific dates or times, you typically want to use the prepositions "for" or "on." For general measurements of times, such as parts of the year or seasons, you use "in" instead. The preposition in the sentence above should be "for" or "on," and "on" is the only option listed in the answers above.

Example Question #2072 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

My family and I always have these discussions in ourselves.

Possible Answers:

in

from

at

against

among

Correct answer:

among

Explanation:

The use of "in" is incorrect here. The correct preposition for this situation is "among." Discussions, since they involve other people, are usually held "by" or "among" groups of people. In this case the conversation is obviously being held "among ourselves."

Example Question #21 : Correcting Preposition Errors

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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

I always have a great time in the summer, because school is out and it's nice outside.

Possible Answers:

while

with

for

in

on

Correct answer:

in

Explanation:

For specific dates or times, you typically want to use the prepositions "for" or "on." For general measurements of times, such as parts of the year or seasons, you use "in" instead. The preposition in the sentence above is correct as written, so the right answer is the one which reproduces the example sentence.

Example Question #2073 : 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.

The senator's speech, aimed to her colleagues, was a harsh criticism of recent voting patterns.

Possible Answers:

aimed at

aimed on

aiming her

The senator's speech, aimed with her colleagues, was a harsh criticism of recent voting patterns.

aimed to

Correct answer:

aimed at

Explanation:

"Aim to" is a synonym for "try" or "attempt." This meaning doesn't make sense in this instance; "aim at" is the appropriate verb-preposition pairing here, the one that properly conveys the message of the sentence.

Example Question #2074 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

My favorite restaurant in all of Chicago is in State Street.

Possible Answers:

in

with

upon

on

for

Correct answer:

on

Explanation:

When discussing a location that is on a particular street, the correct preposition to use is always, "on." In the sentence above, "in" should be changed out for "on."

Example Question #24 : Correcting Preposition Errors

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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

The construction workers were digging holes by steam shovels.

Possible Answers:

under

with

by

on 

in

Correct answer:

with

Explanation:

When describing an instrument that is used to accomplish a particular task, the correct preposition is "with." In the sentence above, "by" should be replaced by "with."

Example Question #25 : Correcting Preposition Errors

Choose the answer below which best replaces the underlined section of the following sentence.   This should result in a sentence that meets all of the rules of standard written English:

The ants marched along the picnic blanket one for one.  

Possible Answers:

on

in

by

to

no error

Correct answer:

by

Explanation:

In the sentence above, the author is clearly trying to convey that the ants are moving along the picnic blanket one at a time.  The correct phrase to indicate this meaning is "one by one."  Therefore, "by" is the best choice to correct the underlined section above. 

Example Question #2075 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

I went to Minnesota last month for see my grandmother.

Possible Answers:

to

but

with

or

for

Correct answer:

to

Explanation:

In the sentence above, the preposition "for" is clearly being incorrectly used. When one is doing something in order to perform another task, "to" is the right word. "To" is the best correction in the sentence as a whole: "I went to Minnesota last month to see my Grandmother."

Example Question #2076 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

The very old man rested his cane in his legs.

Possible Answers:

inside

in

with

on

for

Correct answer:

on

Explanation:

The preposition "in" in the sentence above is erroneous—there is no way for a man to rest a cane inside his legs (barring some very unfortunate circumstances). The best choice of the other answers is "on," a preposition that indicates that the old man is reting his cane on top of his legs: "The very old man rested his cane on his legs."

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