SAT Writing : SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #41 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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.
Neither chemotherapy or surgery is a perfect cure for cancer.
Either chemotherapy nor surgery are perfect cures for cancer.
Neither chemotherapy or surgery are perfectly cures for cancer.
Neither chemotherapy nor surgery is a perfect cure for cancer.
Neither chemotherapy and surgery is a perfect cure for cancer.
Neither chemotherapy or surgery is a perfect cure for cancer.
Neither chemotherapy nor surgery is a perfect cure for cancer.
Whenever you see the conjunction "neither," it must always be followed by the correlative conjunction "nor." As such, the "or" in the sentence above should be changed to "nor." Note that the conjunctions "either" and "neither" treat the grammatical items they are applied to each item individually (thus the non-plural verb form and the singular indefinite article "a" is required).
Example Question #1 : Correcting Phrase, Clause, And Sentence 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.
In Emily Brontë's novel Wuthering Heights, the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must have to be choosing between true love either or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must have chosen between true love or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love and social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must make a choice between true love or social preeminence.
the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love and social preeminence.
Only answer choice "the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love and social preeminence" correctly uses "and" with the preposition "between."
The other answer choices, including the original text "the heroine, Catherine, must choose between true love or social preeminence," contain an incorrect idiomatic expression. When we have "between," we typically need the word "and"—rather than "or"—to separate the entities that follow.
Example Question #123 : New Sat
Are you trying to stick to a budget? Using coupons for purchases, also known as “couponing” is a great way to save money on groceries. Coupons are a little piece of paper that can give you a discount on what you buy. You will be amazed at the great bargains and amazing savings you can get!
It’s easy to get started. When you open up your daily newspaper, one might find a glossy insert full of coupons. Some of the coupons will be for things you don’t buy, some will be for things you buy all the time. Go through the coupons and chop out the ones you can use.
The key to successful couponing is getting multiple copies of coupon circulars. Ask your friends, your neighbors, and family if they have any extras. Some coupon users even go through the recycling at their office to find more coupons! Have you ever heard of such a thing in your life! Completely devoted, these circulars help coupon users to get even more savings.
Couponing might sound like hard work, but for many people, it’s also a hobby. Not only does it help them save hundreds of dollars per year, but also it gives them a fun challenge every time they do their shopping.
How should the underlined section be corrected?
Not only does it help them save hundreds of dollars per year. It gives them a fun challenge every time they do their shopping.
It does help them save hundreds of dollars per year, it also gives them a fun challenge every time they do their shopping.
Not only does it help them save hundreds of dollars per year, it gives them a fun challenge every time they do their shopping.
Not only does it help them save hundreds of dollars per year, and it gives them a fun challenge every time they do their shopping.
NO CHANGE
NO CHANGE
This question asks you to select the correct correlative conjunctions to use in a sentence. This sentence is correct as written, making use of the correlative conjunctions "not only... but also" to express inclusion. These correlative conjunctions should be included in the same sentence, and both should be used.
Example Question #11 : Subordinating Conjunction 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.
Because the giant squid is an elusive creature rarely seen by humans, scientists are beginning to gain a better understanding of the creature by studying it using remote cameras.
Although
As
Because
Since
Considering
Although
The sentence is trying to explain that in spite of the giant squid's elusiveness, scientists are finding new ways of studying it. The sentence therefore is trying to contrast two ideas, as opposed to showing causation with the word "because." The only answer choice that uses a contrasting conjunction is "Although," so it is the correct answer.
Example Question #12 : Subordinating Conjunction 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.
Because my father was afraid of fish, so he would never take us to the aquarium.
Because my father was afraid of fish, he would never take us to the aquarium.
Although my father was afraid of fish, he would never take us to the aquarium.
Because my father was afraid of fish the aquarium he would never take us to.
He would never take us to the aquarium because my father was afraid of fish.
Because my father was afraid of fish, so he would never take us to the aquarium.
Because my father was afraid of fish, he would never take us to the aquarium.
Subordination problems happen when there are two subordinate clauses and no main clause. The "because" and "so" in the original sentence clash with each other. We only need one. That way, the clause from which a subordinating conjunction is omitted becomes an independent clause, and we need at least one independent clause in the sentence for it to be complete.
Example Question #1791 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Prisons are a relatively recent phenomenon in world history, because exorbitant costs.
because exorbitant costs.
because exorbitant costs of prisons.
exorbitant costs.
because exorbitant cost.
because they have exorbitant costs.
because they have exorbitant costs.
The underlined phrase, a separate clause further explaining the first half of the sentence, does not work as a complet sentence. In order to appropriately fit after "because," the phrase needs to be turned into a complete thought. "Because they had exorbitant costs" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Subordinate Conjunction 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.
Larry blew up at Diane since she was so rude to him.
for
where
because
and
since
because
When indicating causation, the proper subordinate conjunction to use is, "because." In this sentence, the best construction is "Larry blew up at Diane because she was so rude to him." "Since" is typically used to convey that something has occurred after some other event.
Example Question #2 : Correcting Subordinate Conjunction 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.
If you fix the sink, you're going to continue having problems with water on the bathroom floor.
Because you fix the sink, you're going to continue having problems with water on the bathroom floor.
Unless you fix the sink, you're going to continue having problems with water on the bathroom floor.
Unless you fix the sink you're going to continue having problems with water on the bathroom floor.
If you fix the sink, you're going to continue having problems with water on the bathroom floor.
After you fix the sink, you're going to continue to having problems with water on the bathroom floor.
Unless you fix the sink, you're going to continue having problems with water on the bathroom floor.
From the context of the sentence, it is clear that the person being addressed must fix their sink, or continue to deal with water leaking on their floor. "Unless" is an appropriate subordinating conjunction to use in such a case. It is clear in the example that the speaker is seeking to express a condition that must be met in order to stop the result the speaker predicts. Therefore, the best construction of the sentence above is "Unless you fix the sink, you're going to continue having problems with water on the bathroom floor."
Example Question #962 : Improving Sentences
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.
He would work outside for lower pay and stay stuck in an office all day, even if the pay was significantly higher.
in order to
and
because
since
rather than
rather than
It is clear from the context of the sentence that the person in question is choosing to work outside, in spite of the pay cut. "Rather than" is an appropriate subordinate conjunction to use for such a choice. The best possible construction of the potential answers for the sentence above is "He would work outside for lower pay rather than stay stuck in an office all day, even if the pay was significantly higher."
Example Question #1 : Correcting Subordinate Conjunction 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 principal's office requires that these pamplets should be distribute before the end of the financial year.
that these pamplets be distribute
that these pamplets be distributed
for the pamplets to be distributing
that these pamplets should distribute
that these pamplets distribution
that these pamplets be distributed
"The principal's office requires that these pamplets should be distribute before the end of the financial year." - This sentence contains one error. The verb tense of "distribute" is incorrect; it should be in the past tense to complete the past participle phrase.
"The principal's office requires that these pamplets distribution before the end of the financial year." - This sentence contains a diction error. "These pamplets distribution" is improper diction.
"The principal's office requires for the pamplets to be distributing before the end of the financial year." - This sentence contains two error. "Requires" cannot be paired with "for." Also, "distributing" incorrectly uses the present perfect tense.
"The principal's office requires that these pamplets should distribute before the end of the financial year." - This sentence contains two errors. "Should distribute" is both a Verb Tense and a diction error.
"The principal's office requires that these pamplets be distributed before the end of the financial year." - This sentence has no errors.
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