SAT Writing : SAT Writing
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #61 : Correcting Grammatical Errors In A Full Sentence
1 W. Somerset Maugham was a proliferate and English author of more than two dozen books. 2 Born in 1874 and orphaned at a young age, also working as an ambulance driver in World War I and studying medicine in London. 3 Among his life he traveled in Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, within other places, these experiences were also reflected in his writing. 4 His first novel, Liza of Lambeth, drew on these real-life experiences and became an instant bestseller, when it was published, in 1897. 5 One of Maugham’s most famous works, the American writer Theodore Dreiser gave a glowing review to the 1915 novel Of Human Bondage. 6 His legacy includes many plays, film adaptations, a tumultuous love life, an epigrammatic British literary award (the Somerset Maugham Award), and a steady if unexperimental oeuvre of fiction.
How should Sentence 2 be rewritten?
Born in 1874 and orphaned at a young age, also working as an ambulance driver in World War I and studying medicine in London. (no change)
Born in 1874 and orphaned at a young age, he also worked as an ambulance driver in World War I and studied medicine in London.
Born in 1874 and orphaned at a young age; he was working as an ambulance driver in World War I and studying medicine in London.
He was born in 1874 and orphaned at a young age, he also worked as an ambulance driver in World War I and studied medicine in London.
Born in 1874 and orphaned at a young age, and also working as an ambulance driver in World War I; he was studying medicine in London.
Born in 1874 and orphaned at a young age, he also worked as an ambulance driver in World War I and studied medicine in London.
The original sentence is a fragment, so we need to make sure we add active verbs to the independent clause, as well as a subject for the independent clause.
Example Question #272 : Sat Writing
1 While maybe he wasn’t as well known as Bluebeard or Captain Kidd, Bill Johnston was still known as a feared pirate and river smuggler in his day.2 That day being the War of 1812. 3 You see, he came from a British Loyalist family and settled in Upper Canada before beginning a career as a Lake Ontario schooner captain, he carried legal cargo as well as smuggled tea and rum into Canada. 4 When the War of 1812 began he spied on the British for several years. 5 In 1838, his most famous escapade occurred: in the capture and burning of the enemy ship Sir Robert Peel. 6 Because Johnston was arrested many times during his life (including for this crime against the Sir Robert Peel), he always either escaped jail or was not convicted because of juries sympathetic view of his activities. 7 Many people do not know that another name for pirate is “corsair.” 8 Nevertheless, Johnston played many roles in his lifetime – everything from fugitive and corsair, criminal and hero.
How should Sentence 5 be rewritten?
In 1838, in the capture and burning of the enemy ship Sir Robert Peel his most famous escapade occurred.
In 1838, he captured and burned the enemy ship Sir Robert Peel in his most famous escapade.
In 1838, occurred his most famous escapade, he captured and burned the enemy ship Sir Robert Peel.
In 1838, he occurred his most famous escapade, the capture and burning of the enemy ship Sir Robert Peel.
In 1838, his most famous escapade occurred: in the capture and burning of the enemy ship Sir Robert Peel. (no change)
In 1838, he captured and burned the enemy ship Sir Robert Peel in his most famous escapade.
To achieve the most concise, grammatically correct sentence, some rewriting is required. The unnecessary insertion of the colon, leads to an overly complex, and equally informative, sentence when compared to the correct answer option.
Example Question #273 : Sat Writing
1 While maybe he wasn’t as well known as Bluebeard or Captain Kidd, Bill Johnston was still known as a feared pirate and river smuggler in his day.2 That day being the War of 1812. 3 You see, he came from a British Loyalist family and settled in Upper Canada before beginning a career as a Lake Ontario schooner captain, he carried legal cargo as well as smuggled tea and rum into Canada. 4 When the War of 1812 began he spied on the British for several years. 5 In 1838, his most famous escapade occurred: in the capture and burning of the enemy ship Sir Robert Peel. 6 Because Johnston was arrested many times during his life (including for this crime against the Sir Robert Peel), he always either escaped jail or was not convicted because of juries sympathetic view of his activities. 7 Many people do not know that another name for pirate is “corsair.” 8 Nevertheless, Johnston played many roles in his lifetime – everything from fugitive and corsair, criminal and hero.
How should Sentence 1 be rewritten?
While not as well known as Bluebeard or Captain Kidd, Bill Johnston was still a feared pirate and river smuggler in his day.
it should not be rewritten
While maybe as well known as Bluebeard or Captain Kidd, Bill Johnston was not still a feared pirate and river smuggler during his day.
While maybe he wasn’t as well known as the pirates Bluebeard or Captain Kidd, Bill Johnston was still a feared one and known as a river smuggler during his day.
While maybe he wasn’t as well known as Bluebeard or Captain Kidd; Bill Johnston, still known as a feared pirate and river smuggler in his day.
While not as well known as Bluebeard or Captain Kidd, Bill Johnston was still a feared pirate and river smuggler in his day.
Although it’s grammatically correct, Sentence 1 can be edited and condensed for improved concision and clarity. As it stands now, the sentence's excess language both bloats the sentence, and obscures the focus.
Example Question #65 : Rewriting A Full Sentence
1 Many people have an imminent dislike of crows, few know much at all about the bird. 2 “Crow” actually refers to a genus not a species that includes jackdaws, ravens, rooks and other birds. 3 Their dark color, striated cries, and appearance in horror movies all make it seem very omnivorous. 4 The truth about this genus is that the birds in it are incredibly intelligent – often nearly so as some apes. 5 Appearing on all continents except South America and Antarctica. 6 These perspicacious birds were once thought to predict the future, including weather and war plans. 7 Today, they are used for scientific research, hunting, or even being kept as pets.
How should Sentence 1 be rewritten?
Many people, having an imminent dislike of crows, few know much at all about the bird.
Many people have an imminent dislike of crows, few know much at all about the bird. (no change)
Many people have an imminent dislike of crows; and few know much at all about the bird.
Many people have an imminent dislike of crows, few knowing much at all about the bird.
Many people have an imminent dislike of crows, but few know much at all about the bird.
Many people have an imminent dislike of crows, but few know much at all about the bird.
Sentence 1 contains a comma splice that can be addressed in two different ways: either change the comma to a semicolon or, as was done in this case, add a conjunction after the comma.
Example Question #66 : Rewriting A Full Sentence
1 Many people have an imminent dislike of crows, few know much at all about the bird. 2 “Crow” actually refers to a genus not a species that includes jackdaws, ravens, rooks and other birds. 3 Their dark color, striated cries, and appearance in horror movies all make it seem very omnivorous. 4 The truth about this genus is that the birds in it are incredibly intelligent – often nearly so as some apes. 5 Appearing on all continents except South America and Antarctica. 6 These perspicacious birds were once thought to predict the future, including weather and war plans. 7 Today, they are used for scientific research, hunting, or even being kept as pets.
How should Sentence 2 be rewritten?
“Crow” actually refers to a genus not a species that includes jackdaws, ravens, rooks and other birds. (no change)
“Crow” actually refers to a genus that includes jackdaws, ravens, rooks and other birds, not a species.
“Crow,” that includes jackdaws, ravens, rooks and other birds, actually refers to a genus not a species.
“Crow” actually refers to a genus; not a species, that includes jackdaws, ravens, rooks and other birds.
“Crow,” actually refers to a genus, not a species that includes jackdaws, ravens, rooks and other birds.
“Crow” actually refers to a genus that includes jackdaws, ravens, rooks and other birds, not a species.
In order to make the sentence flow smoothly and make it clear that the genus is the one that includes the various birds, we need to change the order.
Example Question #71 : Improving And Correcting Sentences
1 Many people have an imminent dislike of crows, few know much at all about the bird. 2 “Crow” actually refers to a genus not a species that includes jackdaws, ravens, rooks and other birds. 3 Their dark color, striated cries, and appearance in horror movies all make it seem very omnivorous. 4 The truth about this genus is that the birds in it are incredibly intelligent – often nearly so as some apes. 5 Appearing on all continents except South America and Antarctica. 6 These perspicacious birds were once thought to predict the future, including weather and war plans. 7 Today, they are used for scientific research, hunting, or even being kept as pets.
How should Sentence 7 be rewritten?
Today, they are used for scientific research, for hunting, or even for being kept as pets.
Today, they are used for scientific research, hunting, or even being kept as pets. (no change)
Today, they are used for scientific research, hunting, and being kept as pets, even.
Today, they are used for scientific research, even hunting, or being kept as pets.
Today, they are used for scientific research, hunting, or even pets.
Today, they are used for scientific research, hunting, or even pets.
Remember, all lists should contain have parallel items. If the first two items in the list are simple nouns, the third item should be, too.
Example Question #72 : Correcting Grammatical Errors In A Full Sentence
1 One of America’s most inflammatory early disasters, the Johnstown Flood. 2 It was occurring in 1889 after the collapse of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. 3 Heavy rainfall invigorated a reservoir upriver, causing the dam to burst and more than 20 million tons of water pouring down the Conemaugh River. 4 The Johnstown Flood has been immortalized in poems, novels, songs, and films. 5 The committal flood killed more than 2,000 people and it required the attention of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton, and various lawsuits. 6 Compounding the disaster was the Stone Bridge, causing a fire that killed at least 80 people when burning debris caught fire. 7 Later people would fault the rich business tycoons who had weakened the reservoir for their own leisure, building cottages and a spillway along the dam to create the swarthy South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club.8 Nearly $4 million would be donated to relief funds, for Pennsylvanians the true horror never preceded.
How should Sentence 8 be rewritten?
Nearly $4 million would be donated to relief funds, for Pennsylvanians the true horror never preceded. (no change)
Although nearly $4 million would be donated to relief funds, for Pennsylvanians the true horror never preceding.
Nearly $4 million would be donated to relief funds; while for Pennsylvanians the true horror never preceded.
Nearly $4 million would be donated to relief funds, but for Pennsylvanians the true horror never preceded.
Although early $4 million would be donated to relief funds; but for Pennsylvanians the true horror never preceded.
Nearly $4 million would be donated to relief funds, but for Pennsylvanians the true horror never preceded.
With two independent clauses incorrectly linked with a comma, we can either substitute a semicolon for the comma or turn one (but not both) of the independent clauses into a dependent clause with the addition of a word.
Example Question #271 : Sat Writing
1 Many cultures have a tradition of mythical creatures.2 Some malicious, others benefactors, with a variety of powers and special attributes. 3 The ancient Greeks had centaurs and harpies, the Assyrians had mermaids, and the German elves. 4 These creatures remain prevaricate today, to appear in fantasy novels, movies, and even university courses.
How should Sentence 2 be rewritten?
Some are malicious, others are benefactors, with a variety of powers and special attributes.
Some malicious; others benefactors; with a variety of powers and special attributes.
Some malicious and others benefactors, these creatures have a variety of powers and special attributes.
Some creatures are malicious, others benefactors, with a variety of powers and special attributes.
Some malicious, others benefactors, with a variety of powers and special attributes. (no change)
Some malicious and others benefactors, these creatures have a variety of powers and special attributes.
To make this into a clear and complete sentence, we need to add an active subject and verb. In this case the only correct option uses "these creatures" as the subject and "have" as the verb.
Example Question #272 : Sat Writing
1 Want to book a copacetic hotel, or dine at a premier restaurant? 2Your best bet may be: to consult a Michelin Red Guide. 3 These guides have been published by a French company since 1900 and using anonymous “inspectors” to award establishments either zero, one, two, and three stars. (4 Yes, the same company also manufactures tires. 5 It employs more than 100,000 people. 6 The guides were actually established in order for encouraging people to take more car trips to slavish hotels and exclusive restaurants.) 7 Nowadays the Michelin Guides are regarded by some as the ultimate abetters of taste.
How should Sentence 1 be rewritten?
Want to book a copacetic hotel, or dine at a premier restaurant? (no change)
Want to book a copacetic hotel or dine at a premier restaurant?
Want to book a copacetic hotel, dining at a premier restaurant?
Wanting to book a copacetic hotel, and dine at a premier restaurant?
Want to book a copacetic hotel, or to dine at a premier restaurant?
Want to book a copacetic hotel or dine at a premier restaurant?
Commas are only needed before a conjunction if that conjunction is separating two independent clauses. Since that isn’t the case in Sentence 1, the comma should be deleted.
Example Question #73 : Improving Paragraphs
1 One of the most famous modern dancers of all times, the choreography of Martha Graham had a profound influence of the ballet world. 2 Based on “contraction and release,” the Graham technique, creating theatrical dramatic tension and deeply impassioned routines for audiences to see. 3 Graham used her inconsiderate flexibility to develop many innovative moves originating from the abdomen, back, and pelvis.4 Graham’s work rejected not only the tenants of classical ballet but instead the reactionary rebellions of early modern dance. 5 Like the work of dancer choreographers Helen Tamiris and Agnes de Mille. 6 After age forced her to retire from the stage; Graham sank into a deep depression and had difficulty watching other ballerinas dance her choreography. 7 Today, the Graham technique is taught almost universally between various dance academies, clinics, and universities. 8 Without it the world of modern day dance would indubitably not be the same.
How should Sentence 1 be rewritten?
One of the most famous modern dancers of all times, Martha Graham’s choreography having a profound influence of the ballet world.
One of the most famous modern dancers of all times, Martha Graham, the choreography had a profound influence of the ballet world.
Being one of the most famous modern dancers of all times, the choreography of Martha Graham’s had a profound influence of the ballet world.
One of the most famous modern dancers of all times, the choreography of Martha Graham had a profound influence of the ballet world. (no change)
One of the most famous modern dancers of all times, Martha Graham and her choreography had a profound influence of the ballet world.
One of the most famous modern dancers of all times, Martha Graham and her choreography had a profound influence of the ballet world.
Here we have a dangling modifier. It’s not “the choreography” but rather “Martha Graham” who was one of the most famous modern dancers of all times, so we need to move around the sentence accordingly. The subject of an introductory, dependent clause must be the same subject as is featured in the main clause.
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