SAT Writing : SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1783 : Act English
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.
If you enter the contest, you could win a sneak peak at the fall fashion line.
you could win a sneak peak to the fall fashion line.
you could win a sneak peak at the fall fashion line.
you could win a sneak peak in the fall fashion line.
you could win a sneak peek at the fall fashion line.
you could win a sneak peek to the fall fashion line.
you could win a sneak peek at the fall fashion line.
In conventional usage, people take a peek “at” something, not “to” or “in” it. The word “peak” refers to a mountaintop; “peek” is the synonym for a glance or look.
Example Question #1784 : Act English
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 magician performed a cunning illusion for the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning allusion to the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning illusion at the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning illusion to the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning illusion for the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning allusion for the captivated audience.
The magician performed a cunning illusion for the captivated audience.
An “illusion” is a trick; an “allusion” is a reference (often literary). Tricks and illusions are performed “for” audiences, not “to” or “at” them.
Example Question #2101 : 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.
After Mindy reflected to her life, she moved back to her hometown and became a much sought-after piano teacher. No error
No error
and became
reflected to
sought-after
move back
reflected to
The correct idiom is "reflect on" rather than "reflect to."
Example Question #1451 : Correcting Grammatical 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.
The politicians couldn't hardly believe their luck.
couldn't nearly believe their luck.
would not hardly believe their luck.
couldn't hardly believe his or her luck.
could hardly believe their luck.
couldn't hardly believe their luck.
could hardly believe their luck.
We are looking for the answer choice without negation. "Could hardly believe their luck" is the only answer that does not contain a negative.
Example Question #2102 : 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 birdwatching guide gave us a brief demonstration on which kinds of calls we could potentially here hear.
here hear
hearing hearing
here here
hear here
hear hear
hear here
"Here" is the adverb; "hear" is the verb that has to do with ear. In this case, "hear here" is appropriate - the main verb "hear" follows the auxiliary verb "could," with the adverb "here" following that.
Example Question #16 : Correcting Conventional And Idiomatic Usage Errors
1 If you’ve watched any environmental news reports in the last few years, it’s likely you’ve stumbled among the idea of fracking. 2 The word is short for “hydraulic fracturing” and involves injecting liquid into rock to create fractures and fractals, there allowing natural gas to be extracted more querulously.3 Proponents say the method facilitates oil drilling and allows countries, like the United States, to cut back on their foreign oil dependence. 4 Amateurs say that fracking, causes significant and sometimes irresponsible environmental damage.
5 Fracking can require sonorous quantities of water, and leach dangerous carcinogenic chemicals into the groundwater. 6 Some people have even inquired minor earthquakes to fracking: as the process thought to spurn tremors.7 Perhaps most worrisome, fracking allows governments to continue depending on fossil fuel rather than exploring renewable energy. 8 These sources could include wind turbines, solar panels, even hot springs and waterwheels.
In Sentence 1, what word should replace “among?”
across
within
around
between
among (no change)
across
One stumbles “across” an idea, not another preposition. This is an example of an idiom, the only correct way to describe "stumbling" in relation to an idea is to "stumble across" it.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Agreement Errors
John and Susan runs to the finish line as fast as possible.
running to the finish line
having run to the finish line
are run
runs to the finish line
run to the finish line
run to the finish line
The underlined portion of the sentence contains a verb error with "runs." "John and Susan," while both singular nouns, are together a plural, and need a plural verb form, instead of the singular "runs." "Run to the finish line" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement Errors
The boy, among many friends, celebrate his birthday in lavish style.
having been celebrated
is celibrant
celebrate
is celebrated
celebrates
celebrates
The subject of the sentence is singular, "the boy," and not the plural "many friends," meaning the verb needs to be singular as well. Additionally, the sentence must keep the same meaning, that they boy is doing the celebrating. "Celebrates" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #32 : Agreement Errors
Autocratic styles of leadership frequently annoys the people who must work under such leaders.
frequent annoy
frequented annoying
frequent annoys
frequently annoys
frequently annoy
frequently annoy
The verb "annoy" is used with the subject "styles," although the prepositional phrase "of leadership" and the adverb "frequently" come between the two words. Therefore, the verb form must take a plural form to match the subject. "Styles...frequently annoy" is the correct answer form.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Subject Verb Agreement Errors
Every one of the new coaches face serious troubles with their teams.
the new coach face
new coaches face
the new coaches face
the new coaches faces
the new coach faces
the new coaches faces
The verb in the sentence, written in the underlined portion as "face," must actually be in the singular form "faces." The subject of the sentence is "every," which is actually a singular form, even though the verb sits next to "new coaches." "The new coaches faces" is the correct answer.
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