SAT Writing : SAT Writing
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #2241 : 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 English professor has concentrations in medieval literature and feminist literature; the two subjects may seem unrelated, but they are the topic about which she feels most strongly.
it are the topics
it is the topic
they are the topic
they are the topics
it is the topics
they are the topics
The error in the original sentence is that "the two subjects" is plural but they are referred to later in the sentence by a singular noun "topic." There is no need to change the pronoun "they" or the verb "are" since they are already plural; the only thing that needs to be changed is "topic" by simply putting an "s" on the end of it to make it plural.
Example Question #2242 : Sat Writing
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.
William and Ian both elected to serve their country by becoming a firefighter.
by becoming firefighters.
by becoming a firefighter together.
by becoming a firefighter.
with becoming a firefighter.
by becoming a firefighters.
by becoming firefighters.
Because we know from the beginning of the sentence that there are two young men, the phrase "becoming a firefighter" should agree with that plurality. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is "by becoming firefighters."
Example Question #2243 : Sat Writing
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.
Only a few of the raw recruits became a good soldier; the others washed out of their training.
became good soldier
became a better soldier
became good soldiers
became a great soldier
became a good soldier
became good soldiers
In the sentence above, because the initial noun used is "recruits," we know that we are dealing with a group of recruits; therefore, later in the sentence, the corresponding noun "soldier" should be plural. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is "became good soldiers."
Example Question #2244 : Sat Writing
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.
All three of John's two younger sisters were incredibly beautiful.
One of
All three
For
Both
The
Both
In the sentence above, because the second noun phrase used is "two younger sisters" we know that we are dealing with specifically two sisters; therefore, earlier in the sentence, the corresponding noun phrase, "All three," is inconsistent, and should be changed to reflect that there are two of them. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is "Both."
Example Question #2245 : Sat Writing
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.
Many young boys hope to become a great leader one day.
great leader
a greater leader
a great leader
a greatest leader
great leaders
great leaders
In the sentence above, because the initial noun used is "boys" we know that we are dealing with a group of boys; therefore, later in the sentence, the corresponding noun "leader" should be plural. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is "great leaders."
Example Question #2246 : Sat Writing
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a setence 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.
Between leaving home or being unable to find a job, Martin was extremely depressed.
leave home or be unable
leaving home with being unable
leaving home for being unable
leaving home or being unable
leaving home and being unable
leaving home and being unable
Whenever you see the conjunction "between," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "and." As such, the "or" in the sentence above should be changed to "and."
Example Question #2247 : Sat Writing
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a setence 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 concerned citizens were all preoccupied with lofty thoughts now that they had become jury.
these had become jury.
they will become jury.
ones had become jury.
the had become jury.
they had become jurors.
they had become jurors.
In the sentence above, because the initial noun used is "citizens" we know that we are dealing with a group of recruits. Later in the sentence, the corresponding noun "jury" should be the plural, "jurors." The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "they had become jurors."
Example Question #2248 : Sat Writing
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a setence 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.
Nine out of every ten students who take Spanish as child will get jobs upon graduating college.
Spanish as child
spanish as children
Spanish as a child
Spanish as children
spanish as child
Spanish as children
In the sentence above, because the initial noun used is "students" we know that we are dealing with a group of students. Later in the sentence, the corresponding noun "child" should be plural. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "Spanish as children."
Example Question #2249 : 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 young girls at space camp all hoped to grow up to become an astronaut.
all hoped to grow up to become one astronaut.
all hoped to grow up to become the astronaut.
all hoped to grow up to become an astronaut.
all hoped to grow up to become astronauts.
all hoped to grow up to become a astronaut.
all hoped to grow up to become astronauts.
In the sentence above, because the initial noun used is "girls" we know that we are dealing with a group of girls. Therefore, later in the sentence, the corresponding noun "astronaut" should be plural. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "all hoped to grow up to become astronauts."
Example Question #2250 : 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 jury could not make up its mind about the trial; the evidence presented to them had been extraordinarily complex.
could not make up his or her mind about the trial
couldn't make up it's mind about the trial
could not make up their mind about the trial
could not make up its mind about the trial
could not make up their minds about the trial
could not make up their minds about the trial
In the sentence above, because the initial noun used is "members of the jury" we know that we are dealing with a group of people. Therefore, later in the sentence, the corresponding nouns "its mind" should be plural. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "could not make up their minds about the trial."
Certified Tutor
All SAT Writing Resources
