SAT Writing : SAT Writing

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #2451 : 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.

Many people have trouble understanding the complexing elements of policy decisions made by elected officials.

Possible Answers:

the complexing elements

the more complex elements

the complexly elements

a complexing elements

a complex elements

Correct answer:

the more complex elements

Explanation:

The main issue with the underlined portion of the sentence is that "complexing" is not actually a word. The correct answer will appropriately change the word into the best form of "complex" to fit the sentence. To describe the elements best involves making the word into the phrase "more complex."

Example Question #2452 : 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.

Coffee can be expensive, however, I need it to stay awake.

Possible Answers:

Coffee can be expensive, however, the reason I need it is to stay awake.

Coffee can be expensive; however, I need it to stay awake.

Being expensive, I need coffee to stay awake.

Coffee can be expensive; to stay awake.

Coffee can be expensive, but also needing it to stay awake.

Correct answer:

Coffee can be expensive; however, I need it to stay awake.

Explanation:

This sentence demonstrates a comma splice, in which a comma connects two complete sentences. Comma splices are incorrect, as the independent clauses should either remain separate and be treated as complete sentences or be linked by a semicolon or a conjunction. "Coffee can be expensive, but also needing it to stay awake" lacks a subject in the second clause. "Coffee can be expensive; to stay awake" illustrates an incorrect use of a semicolon, as the second clause is not a complete sentence. "Coffee can be expensive, however, the reason I need it is to stay awake" repeats the comma splice of the original sentence. "Being expensive, I need coffee to stay awake" is an example of a dangling modifier, where "being expensive" incorrectly modifies "I" instead of "coffee." Therefore, the correct answer must be "Coffee can be expensive; however, I need it to stay awake," which displays the correct use of a semicolon to connect two complete sentences.

Example Question #1 : Correcting Other 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.

Historians of the colonial Caribbean, who focus on the issue of slavery, being a major theme in the region.

Possible Answers:

Historians of the colonial Caribbean often focus on the issue of slavery, as its legacy continues to be a major theme in the region.

The legacy of slavery, being focused on by historians of the colonial Caribbean, because it is a major theme in the region.

Focusing on the issue of slavery, which continues to be a major theme in the region, historians of the colonial Caribbean.

Historians of the colonial Caribbean, who focus on the issue of slavery, which continues to be a major theme in the region.

Historians of the colonial Caribbean, who focus on the issue of slavery, the legacy of which continues to be a major theme in the region.

Correct answer:

Historians of the colonial Caribbean often focus on the issue of slavery, as its legacy continues to be a major theme in the region.

Explanation:

A complete sentence must include a subject and a main verb. Because the original sentence contains two modifying clauses but no main verb, it is actually a sentence fragment. The incorrect answers all contain modifying clauses but lack a main subject-verb relationship. The correct answer therefore must be, "Historians of the colonial Caribbean often focus on the issue of slavery, as its legacy continues to be a major theme in the region." This sentence contains the subject "Historians" and the main verb "focus," and it is therefore a grammatically complete sentence.

Example Question #1112 : 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.

During his vacation, Jim spent his time fishing, hiking, and went to the beach.

Possible Answers:

fishing, hiked, and go to the beach.

fishing, hiking, and going to the beach. 

fishing, hiking, and is at the beach.

fishing, hiking, and went to the beach. 

fishing, hiking, and to go to the beach.

Correct answer:

fishing, hiking, and going to the beach. 

Explanation:

In this sentence, the verbs "to fish," "to hike," and "to go" must use parallel structures (the verbs must be in the same tense). The option "fishing, hiking, and going to the beach" is the only one in which all three verbs are in parallel structures, making it the correct choice.

Example Question #7 : Correcting Other 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.

Having already completed the necessary training, the instructor felt ready to begin her first class.

Possible Answers:

Having already completed the necessary training

Being done with the completed necessary training,

Having already completed the necessary training,

Already completed the necessary training,

Despite that the necessary trying has been completed,

Correct answer:

Having already completed the necessary training,

Explanation:

Because the underlined portion of the sentence is an introductory phrase it must be followed by a comma. The incorrect answer choices omit the comma, change the meaning of the sentence, don't agree with the sentence, or are excessively wordy. Thus, because the given sentence separates the introductory phrase with a comma and is grammatically correct, no change is necessary.

Example Question #1 : Correcting Ambiguous Modifier 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.

Happy that the long winter was finally over, John's coats were placed in the closet in the basement.

Possible Answers:

Happy that the long winter was finally over John placed his coats in the closet in the basement.

Happy that the long winter was finally over, John's coats placed in the closet in the basement.

Happy that the long winter was finally over, John's coats were placed in the closet in the basement.

Happy that the long winter was finally over; John placed his coats in the closet in the basement.

Happy that the long winter was finally over, John placed his coats in the closet in the basement.

Correct answer:

Happy that the long winter was finally over, John placed his coats in the closet in the basement.

Explanation:

The original sentence is an example of a dangling modifier. The preceding clause, "Happy that the long winter was finally over," refers to John, so John must be the subject of the second clause. John's coats are incapable of being happy that winter is over, so "John's coats" cannot be modified by that first clause.

Example Question #1 : Correcting Modifier Placement 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.

An account of the professor's research and teachings, which are described at length in the autobiography of his former student.

Possible Answers:

An account of the professor's research and teachings, which are described at length in the autobiography of his former student.

The professor's student, in his autobiography, lengthy describes an account of the Professor's teachings and research.

The professor's student, whose autobiography describes at length an account of the professor's research and teachings.

An account of the professor's research and teachings being lengthy described in the autobiography of his former student.

An account of the professor's research and teachings is described in great detail in the autobiography of his former student.

Correct answer:

An account of the professor's research and teachings is described in great detail in the autobiography of his former student.

Explanation:

"An account of the professor's research and teachings, which are described at length in the autobiography of his former student." - As it is presented in the question stem, the sentence is incomplete. It contains only a subject and is missing a predicate; "which are described at length in the autobiography of his former student" is a participial phrase describing "an account of the professor's research and teachings." The "account" doesn't do anything in this sentence or have anything done to it.

"An account of the professor's research and teachings being lengthy described in the autobiography of his former student." - This sentence contains two errors. One error is its use of the adjective "lengthy." "Lengthy" is used like an adverb to modify "described," but adjectives can't modify verbs, so this sentence is incorrect. The sentence's other error is in its use of the word "being," which does not make sense. To be read as a present progressive verb, "being" would need to be preceded by "is." Even if "being" were read as beginning a participial phrase, the sentence would remain incomplete.

"The professor's student, in his autobiography, lengthy describes an account of the professor's teachings and research. " - This sentence reproduces the "lengthy" error discussed in the previous answer choice, and it also contains an ambiguous pronoun. "His" could refer to either the professor or the professor's student.

"The professor's student, whose autobiography describes at length an account of the professor's research and teachings." - This sentence is also an incomplete sentence; it consists of a subject and lacks a predicate. The participial phrase "whose autobiography describes at length an account of the Professor's research and teachings" describes "The professor's student," but the sentence lacks a verb to tell us what "the professor's student" does in the sentence.

"An account of the professor's research and teachings is described in great detail in the autobiography of his former student." - This sentence has no errors.

Example Question #2 : Correcting Modifier Placement 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.

Young drivers in my grandfather's town often make the mistake of driving through red lights, they also are known for ignoring speed limits. 

Possible Answers:

 through red lights; also known 

 through red lights, additionally they are also known

 through red lights, the other is

through red lights; additionally, they are known 

 through red lights, they also are known 

Correct answer:

through red lights; additionally, they are known 

Explanation:

"Young drivers in my grandfather's town often make the mistake of driving through red lights, they also are known for ignoring speed limits. " - This sentence fails to properly separate two indepdendent clauses, creating a run-on sentence error.

Young drivers in my grandfather's town often make the mistake of driving through red lights; also known for ignoring speed limits." - This sentence includes improper semicolon usage.

"Young drivers in my grandfather's town often make the mistake of driving through red lights, additionally they are also known for ignoring speed limits." - This sentence also contains a run-on sentence error. "Additionally" and "also" are also redundant when used in the same clause.

"Young drivers in my grandfather's town often make the mistake of driving through red lights, the other is for ignoring speed limits." - This sentence has two errors. It is a run-on sentence, and it is ambiguous what the "other" represents.

"Young drivers in my grandfather's town often make the mistake of driving through red lights; additionally, they are known for ignoring speed limits." - This sentence has no errors. 

Example Question #1 : Correcting Ambiguous Modifier 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.

Having difficulty swallowing, Vitamin C are a supplement children don't usually take.

Possible Answers:

Having difficulty swallowing, Vitamin C are a supplement children don't usually take.

Children don't usually take the supplement Vitamin C, having difficulty swallowing it.

Children don't usually take the supplement Vitamin C because they have difficulty swallowing it. 

Vitamin C, a supplement children don't usually take, having difficulty swallowing it. 

Vitamin C are a supplement children don't usually take, because they have difficulty swallowing it. 

Correct answer:

Children don't usually take the supplement Vitamin C because they have difficulty swallowing it. 

Explanation:

"Having difficulty swallowing, Vitamin C are a supplement children don't usually take." - This sentence contains two errors. There is a subject-verb agreement problem between "Vitamin C" and "are"; since the subject is singular, the verb shouldn't be plural. As the sentence is framed now, "having difficulty swallowing," while true of "children," could easily apply to the "Vitamin C" itself.

"Vitamin C are a supplement children don't usually take, because they have difficulty swallowing it. " - This sentence contains two errors. There is a subject-verb agreement between "Vitamin C" and "are"; since the subject is singular, the verb shouldn't be plural. Additionally, there is an uneccessary comma after "take."

"Vitamin C, a supplement children don't usually take, having difficulty swallowing it. " - This sentence contains a verb tense error. "Having" both indicates the possessive and is in the wrong tense.

"Children don't usually take the supplement Vitamin C, having difficulty swallowing it." - This sentence contains a verb tense error. "Having" is in the wrong tense.

"Children don't usually take the supplement Vitamin C because they have difficulty swallowing it." - This sentence has no errors.

Example Question #1 : Correcting Ambiguous Modifier 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.

It ought to be your mother with who you cut the cake, not I. 

Possible Answers:

It ought to be your mother, she with whom you cut the cake, not I. 

It ought to be your mother with whom you cut the cake, not me. 

It ought to be your mother with whom you cut the cake, not I.

It ought to be she, your mother with whom you cut the cake, not me.

It ought to be your mother with who you cut the cake, not me.

Correct answer:

It ought to be your mother with whom you cut the cake, not me. 

Explanation:

"It ought to be your mother with whom you cut the cake, not I." - This sentence contains one error. At the end of the sentence, "I" constitutes improper pronoun usage. It should read "me."

"It ought to be she, your mother with whom you cut the cake, not me." - This sentence contains a comma error. The interrupting phrase "your mother" was not correctly enclosed with commas.

"It ought to be your mother, she with whom you cut the cake, not I. " - This sentence is unnecessarily and confusingly worded. "she with whom you cut the cake" is a very awkward and confusing way of framing the sentence. Additionally, at the end of the sentence, "I" constitutes improper pronoun usage. It should read "me."

"It ought to be your mother with who you cute the cake, not me." - This sentence contains one error. "Who" is an incorrect object pronoun to use with "mother." In this situation, "whom" is correct.

"It ought to be your mother with whom you cut the cake, not me. " - This sentence has no errors. 

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