SAT Writing : SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #2181 : 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 reporter was nervous that the mob was after him because of his piece on city corruption.
the reporter
he
him
her
his
him
In the sentence above, the pronoun "him" clearly refers to the reporter in the first part of the sentence. This is gramatically correct—in the second part of the sentence, the reporter is the object, therefore "him" is the appropriate pronoun. The sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #21 : Correcting Pronoun Antecedent 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.
The members of the jury could not make up its minds to render a verdict.
they're
his or her
their
there
its
their
By itself, "jury" is treated as a singular, collective noun. If you only had the word "jury," the correct corresponding prounoun would be "its"; however, given that the antecedent is not only "jury," but "members of the jury," the correct pronoun is plural: "their."
Example Question #22 : Correcting Pronoun Antecedent 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.
I asked if my partner and me could get an extension on our term paper.
he
me
she
I
it
I
If the subject of a sentence is the speaker (e.g. the subject of the sentence is the pronoun "I"), there are two potential pronouns to use after that. The first is "I" a second time, and the second is "me." To determine which is correct, delete everything else from the sentence except for the part of the sentence where the second pronoun operates. In the case above, "me could get an extension on my paper" is clearly incorrect, and "me" should be replaced by "I."
Example Question #23 : Correcting Pronoun Antecedent Agreement 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.
Everyone must do their part, or the project will never be finished on time.
his or her
theirs
there
they're
their
his or her
"Everyone" is treated as a singular noun, therefore the proper prounoun to use with it is "his or her."
Example Question #24 : Correcting Pronoun Antecedent Agreement 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.
No mother should have to bury their child.
his
there
her
they're
their
her
"Mother" is a singular noun, therefore the proper prounoun to use with it is "her."
Example Question #25 : Correcting Pronoun Antecedent Agreement 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 students really looked up to they're teacher, he was one of the best.
our
his or her
their
they're
there
their
The proper possessive pronoun for the antecedent the students is "their."
Example Question #81 : Correcting Agreement 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.
After the fight, the boys didn't want to be held responsible for there actions.
boys's
our
there
their
they're
their
The proper possessive pronoun for the antecedent "the boys" is "their."
Example Question #82 : 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.
The crowd was electric, their volume magnified by the many microphones' booming of their voices.
their volume was magnified by the many microphones' booming of their voices
their volume magnified by the many microphones booming of their voices
their volume is magnified by the microphones booming of their voices
their volume magnified by the many microphones boom
its volume magnified by the many microphones' booming of their voices
its volume magnified by the many microphones' booming of their voices
The "crowd," despite containing many people, is a singular, unified entity. Thus, pronouns that refer to it should be singular--hence "its," not "their."
Example Question #83 : 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.
No parent should have to bury their child; the loss of a young loved one is very often too much to bear.
No parent should have to bury they're child;
No parent should have to bury their child:
No parent should have to bury their child;
No parent should have to bury his or her child;
No parent should have to bury there child;
No parent should have to bury his or her child;
There is an antecedent/pronoun agreement error in the sentence above. The antecedent "No parent" does not match up correctly with "their." Since "no parent" concerns individual parents a plural pronoun is inappropriate in this situation. The best way to correct the error is: "No parent should have to bury his or her child;"
Note that a semicolon correctly separates two independent clauses in the example sentence.
Example Question #84 : 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.
Each person should know their place, especially when addressing a monarch as important as Frederick.
One should know their place,
Each person should know his or her place,
Each person should know their place:
Each person should know their place,
Everyones should know their place,
Each person should know his or her place,
There is an antecedent/pronoun agreement error in the sentence above. The antecedent "each person" does not match up correctly with "their." "Their" is a plural possessive pronoun, and should only be used to connote possession for unified groups, not large groups that are individualized. The best way to correct the error is: "Everyone should know his or her place,"
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