SAT Writing : SAT Writing

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #14 : 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.

Some prescription drugs can produce dangerous interactions when combined with other chemicals, and you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.

Possible Answers:

but you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.

although you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.

and you should always be telling your physician about any medications you take at home.

so you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.

and you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.

Correct answer:

so you should always tell your physician about any medications you take at home.

Explanation:

This sentence contains an error in its logic of cause and effect. The first part of the sentence is the reason for the advice offered in the second part. So, you should change "and" to a word that demonstrates the cause-and-effect relationship. Do not add a contrast word like "but" or "although" unless the sentence includes some sort of contradiction or opposition.

Example Question #15 : 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.

The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, and I had to take an alternate route to work.

Possible Answers:

The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, although I had to take an alternate route to work.

The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes and was closed on Monday, I had to take an alternate route to work.

The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, and I had to take an alternate route to work.

The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, or I had to take an alternate route to work.

The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, so I had to take an alternate route to work.

Correct answer:

The highway, which is notorious for its terrible potholes, was closed on Monday, so I had to take an alternate route to work.

Explanation:

Based on the information in this sentence, we can infer that there is a cause-and-effect relationship: as a result of the highway being closed, the speaker had to take a different route to work. “So” is the only conjunction here that indicates cause and effect.

Example Question #2311 : 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.

Even though I was afraid of heights, so I didn't go on the roller coaster.

Possible Answers:

I was afraid of heights, didn't go on the roller coaster.

Even though I was afraid of heights, I didn't go on the roller coaster.

The roller coaster I didn't go on, I was afraid of heights.

So I didn't go on the roller coaster, even though I was afraid of heights.

I was afraid of heights, so I didn't go on the roller coaster.

Correct answer:

I was afraid of heights, so I didn't go on the roller coaster.

Explanation:

This choice eliminates the incorrect and unnececessary use of "Even though," which would suggest a contradiction rather than a cause or reason.

Example Question #2312 : 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.

So the python was bigger than the boar, the boar was faster and more fierce. 

Possible Answers:

So the python was bigger than the boar,

Because the python was bigger than the boar,

So the python was bigger than the boar;

Even though the python was bigger than the boar,

But the python was bigger than the boar,

Correct answer:

Even though the python was bigger than the boar,

Explanation:

In the sentence above, it is clear that a subordinating conjunction (or pair of subordinating conjunctions) that shows contrast should be placed in the underlined section. The best way to correct the underlined section of the sentence above is: "Even though the python was bigger than the boar,"

Example Question #52 : 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.

Because the old man was exhausted by his long day, so he poured himself a glass of whiskey.

Possible Answers:

Because the old man was exhausted by his long day, So he poured himself a glass of whiskey.

Under the old man was exhausted by his long day, so he poured himself a glass of whiskey.

Because the old man was exhausted by his long day, so he poured himself a glass of whiskey.

The old man was exhausted by his long day, so he poured himself a glass of whiskey.

Because the old man was exhausted by his long day, and he poured himself a glass of whiskey.

Correct answer:

The old man was exhausted by his long day, so he poured himself a glass of whiskey.

Explanation:

In the sentence above, the words "because" and "so" are being used to cause the portions of the sentence to be subordinate clauses: they are subordinate conjunctions. They also mean roughly the same thing, so only one of them is necessary, and the other should be deleted. The best way to correct the sentence above is: "The old man was exhausted by his long day, so he poured himself a glass of whiskey."

An alternative correct answer would be: "Because the old man was exhausted by his long day, he poured himself a glass of whiskey."

Example Question #2313 : 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.

Paul was not selected for the final job, with he was the most qualified candidate. 

Possible Answers:

with he was the most Qualified Candidate.

but he was the most qualified candidate.

under he was the most qualified candidate.

with he was the most qualified candidate

over he was the most qualified candidate.

Correct answer:

but he was the most qualified candidate.

Explanation:

In the sentence above, it is clear that a subordinating conjunction (or pair of subordinating conjunctions that shows contrast) should be placed in the underlined section. The best way to correct the underlined section of the sentence above is: "but he was the most qualified candidate."

Example Question #2314 : 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 man was sure he was as strong as the horse, but although he was not.

Possible Answers:

and although he was not.

but and he was not.

with although he was not.

but although he was not.

although he was not.

Correct answer:

although he was not.

Explanation:

"But" and "although" are both coordinating conjunctions, and either would be appropriate for this sentence; they also mean exactly the same thing, so using them together is redundant. The best way to correct the sentence above is: "although he was not."

Example Question #61 : Correcting 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.

According to the census, more than three times as many people inhabit New York as in Chicago.

Possible Answers:

compared to 

as well as 

as in 

as inhabit 

than in 

Correct answer:

as inhabit 

Explanation:

“More than” implies a comparison in the sentence between New York and Chicago, immediately eliminating choices that don’t contain the word “as”, which functions as an adverb here. It is also important to keep uniformity between verbs when comparing two things. This means that because the verb “inhabit” is used in reference to New York, it must also be used in reference to Chicago. This leaves us with, "as inhabit." 

Example Question #62 : Correcting 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.

Arthur Vandelay’s drawings were not popular during his lifetime, now are considered to be among the most valuable artworks in the world.

Possible Answers:

but they now 

now are 

the paintings are now 

but are now 

but being now 

Correct answer:

but are now 

Explanation:

This sentence contains two contrasting ideas: first, that Vandelay's paintings were not popular in his lifetime, and second, that they are now valuable. The conjunction “but” is thus necessary to include in the sentence.

Example Question #1443 : Gmat Verbal

In the following question, please choose the best sentence improvement.

The vineyards of Napa Valley are at once breathlessly vibrant, symmetrical, and the green is profound.

Possible Answers:

and profoundly green.

and it is profoundly green.

and its green is quite profound.

and the green is profound.

and so profound green.

Correct answer:

and profoundly green.

Explanation:

This sentence requires parallelism across all elements. Only "profoundly green" matches "breathlessly vibrant" and "symmetrical."

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