SAT Writing : SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1361 : Gmat Verbal
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 loss of a parent at a young age can traumatize a person for the rest of your life.
on the rest of your life.
for the rest of yourself's life.
for the rest of your living.
for the rest of his or her life.
for the rest of your life.
for the rest of his or her life.
The use of "your" at the end of the sentence is confusing, as the only reference in the sentence is "a person," and the second person pronoun has no place in the sentence. Changing "your" to a third person possessive pronoun will straighten out this problem. Because we do not know whether the "person" in question is male or female, we should use the phrase "his or her." The correct answer choice, therefore, is "for the rest of his or her life."
Example Question #701 : Correcting Word Usage 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 rites of ancient Roman religion are nearly impossible to recreate centuries after it was no longer an active faith.
after the faith not being active.
after the faith was no longer active.
after it was no longer active as a faith.
after it was no longer an active faith.
after it was not an active faith.
after the faith was no longer active.
The phrase as written in the underlined portion makes an odd reference. The subject of the sentence are the "rites," and not the religion. The faith needs to be specifically referenced, as well as being fully grammatically correct; therefore, "after the faith was no longer active" is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #61 : Correcting Agreement 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.
Even though the army used every weapon at their disposal, the enemy was still able to make it into the base.
Even though the army used every weapons at their disposal
Even though the army used every weapon at its disposal
Even though the army uses every weapon at their disposal
Even though the army used every weapon at their disposal
Even if the army used every weapon at their disposal
Even though the army used every weapon at its disposal
The plural possessive pronoun "their" does not agree with its singular subject, "the army." Even though "the army" represents a group of people, it is a singular noun, and should consequently be modified by the pronoun "its."
Example Question #2171 : 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.
All of the workers were feeling tired and worn-down that day; none of them did their fair share of the work, and as a consequence, the project remained unfinished.
their
his
there
they're
his or her
his or her
The word being modified by the underlined portion of the sentence above is "none," which is a singular noun. Therefore, you must use a singular possessive to match up with that word. Because the gender of "none" is not specified, we must use "his or her."
Example Question #2172 : 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.
We finished all of our food an hour ago, I'm already hungry.
our
her
his
my
we're
our
Here, it is clear from the sentence that the food in question belongs to the noun "we." "We" is a plural first-person pronoun. As such, you must use the plural first-person possessive pronoun in conjunction with it: "our."
Example Question #2173 : 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 loaned my car to some friends, Sal and Joe, and they did not take good care of their car; I'm frustrated that they so egregiously abused my property.
they're
their
his
my
her
my
Here, because of the context of other parts of the sentence, we know that the car being referred to belongs to the "I" of the first sentence. Because that "I" is also the speaker, we know that the correct possessive pronoun to use in conjunction with the car is "my."
Example Question #2174 : 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 members of the company were concerned that their organization was losing their way.
our
his or her
its
it's
no change
its
Here, the word being modified by the possessive pronoun in question is "organization." "Organization" is a singular noun that is also gender neutral. As such, the correct corresponding possessive pronoun is "its."
Example Question #2175 : 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 reporter was fired for creating fake quotations, though she insisted that it was from real interviews.
though they insisted it was from a real interview.
though she insisted that it was from a real interview
though they insisted they were from real interviews
though she insisted that they were from real interviews
though she insisted that it was from real interviews
though she insisted that they were from real interviews
The pronoun that refers to the "fake quotations" the reporter might have created must also be plural, since its referent is plural. Therefore, the correct pronoun is "they." "She" is the correct singular pronoun, as it refers to "the reporter."
Example Question #2176 : 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.
When you are walking along the beach, one should be careful to avoid stepping on jellyfish; even the dead ones can sometimes sting.
one
we
he
it
you
you
Because "you" is the pronoun used in the first part of the sentence, "you" should be used again throughout the sentence. Any subject pronoun would work in these positions; the important thing is consistency and agreement. Whichever pronoun is chosen should be used both times. In this case, with "you" solidified as the first pronoun, "you" must also be used in the second position.
Example Question #2177 : 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.
Many young saxophone players, including those who go on to play tenor or baritone, note that starting with the alto saxophone was the easiest way for him to learn.
note that starting with the alto saxophone was easiest ways for them to learn
note that starting with the alto saxophone was the easiest way for him to learn
note that starting with the alto saxophone was the easiest way for them to learn
noting that starting with the alto saxophone was the easiest way for him to learn
note that starting with the alto saxophone was the easiest for those to learn
note that starting with the alto saxophone was the easiest way for them to learn
Pronouns must agree with the antecedent to which it refers. In this case, it is "many saxophone players," meaning the pronoun should be the third person plural "them" as opposed to the singular "him."
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