SAT Writing : SAT Writing

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #60 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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 woman was never satisfied with her husband's gifts, usually returning them within a few days of receiving them.

Possible Answers:

The woman was never satisfied on her husband's gifts, usually returning them within a few days of receiving them.

The woman was never satisfied with her husband's gifts, usual returning them within a few days of receiving them.

The woman was never satisfied with her husband's gifts, usually returning them within a few days in receiving them.

The woman was never satisfying with her husband's gifts, usually returning them within a few days of receiving them.

The woman was never satisfied with her husband's gifts, usually returning them within a few days of receiving them.

Correct answer:

The woman was never satisfied with her husband's gifts, usually returning them within a few days of receiving them.

Explanation:

The sentence is perfectly correct as it is presented in the question, and needs no improvements made to it. Additionally, the answer choices that do make a change turn the sentence into a grammatically incorrect one. The correct answer is to leave the sentence as it is written.

Example Question #1831 : Gmat Verbal

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.

Confusingly, the novel tried to tell two separate stories at the same time, resulting in bewilderment for its readers.

Possible Answers:

Confusingly the novel tried to tell two separate stories at the same time, resulting bewilderment for its readers.

Confusingly, the novel tried to tell two separate stories at the same time resulting in bewilderment for its readers.

Confusingly, the novel tried to tell two separate stories at the same time, resulting in bewilderment for it's readers.

Confusingly, the novel tried to tell two separate stories at the same time, resulting in bewilderment for its readers.

Confusingly the novel tried to tell two separate stories at the same time resulting in bewilderment for its readers.

Correct answer:

Confusingly, the novel tried to tell two separate stories at the same time, resulting in bewilderment for its readers.

Explanation:

There are no improvements that need to be made to the sentence, as it is perfectly grammatically correct as written. All of the answer choices that do make a change actually create a grammatical issue in the sentence. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.

Example Question #1841 : Gmat Verbal

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.

Working hard as an intern, the college student was hoping to earn a full time job from the company.

Possible Answers:

Working hard as an intern, the company hoping the college student earning a full time job.

Working hard as an intern, the full time job was hoped by the college student from the company.

Working hard as an intern, the college student was hoping to earn a full time job from the company.

The college student was hoping to earn a full time job from the company that was working hard as an intern.

Working hard as an intern for the company hoping for a full time job was the college student.

Correct answer:

Working hard as an intern, the college student was hoping to earn a full time job from the company.

Explanation:

The sentence is perfectly correct as written, with no grammatical, usage, or reasoning problems. In fact, all of the answer choices that do make a change introduce some error into the sentence. The best answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.

Example Question #1631 : Sentence Correction

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.

All of the information, including interviews and recordings, was kept away from the investigators, in the hopes of stalling their work.

Possible Answers:

All of the information, including interviews and recordings, was kept away from the investigators, in the hopes, of stalling their work.

All of the information, including interviews and recordings, was kept away from the investigators, in the hopes of stalling their work.

All of the information, including interviews and recordings, was kept away, from the investigators, in the hopes of stalling their work.

All of the information including interviews and recordings was kept away from the investigators, in the hopes of stalling their work.

All of the information, including interviews and recordings was kept away from the investigators, in the hopes of stalling their work.

Correct answer:

All of the information, including interviews and recordings, was kept away from the investigators, in the hopes of stalling their work.

Explanation:

The sentence is perfectly corrrect as written. All of the answer choices that change the punctuation in the sentence create a punctuation error. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.

Example Question #71 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing Correct 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.

Mongol invasions greatly reshaped the entire history of the Asian continent, transforming the boundaries and nations being invaded.

Possible Answers:

Mongol invasions greatly reshaped the entire history of the Asian continent; transforming the boundaries and nations being invaded.

Mongol invasions greatly reshaped the entire history of the Asian continent, and transforming the boundaries and nations being invaded.

Mongol invasions greatly reshaped the entire history of the Asian continent, transforming the boundaries and nations being invaded.

Mongol invasions greatly reshaped the entire history of the Asian continent transforming the boundaries and nations being invaded.

Mongol invasions greatly reshaped the entire history of the Asian continent and transforming the boundaries and nations being invaded.

Correct answer:

Mongol invasions greatly reshaped the entire history of the Asian continent, transforming the boundaries and nations being invaded.

Explanation:

The sentence is perfectly correct as written, with a comma separating a dependent clause from the main body of the sentence. All of the answer choices that treat the sentence like a compound sentence make the sentence grammatically incorrect. The best answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.

Example Question #1842 : Gmat Verbal

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.

He was always a hard worker, but his new job made him stay at work for even longer hours.

Possible Answers:

He was always a hard worker, but his new job made him stay at work for even longer hours.

He was always a hard worker, but his new job made him stay at work on even longer hours.

He was always a harder worker, but his new job made him stay at work for even longer hours.

He was always a hard worker, but his new job making him stay at work for even longer hours.

He was always a hard worker, but his new job made him staying at work for even longer hours.

Correct answer:

He was always a hard worker, but his new job made him stay at work for even longer hours.

Explanation:

The sentence is perfectly correct as written and needs no changes made to improve it. The answer choices that do make some change actually create a grammar or usage issue. The best choice is to leave the sentence completely alone.

Example Question #2801 : 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.

He was always checking the work he did, to make sure every step was correct.

Possible Answers:

He was always checking the work he did, to make sure every step was correct.

He was always checking the work he did, to make sure every step was correctly.

He always checking the work he did, to make sure every step was correct.

He was always checking the work he done, to make sure every step was correct.

He was always checking the work he did, to making sure every step was correct.

Correct answer:

He was always checking the work he did, to make sure every step was correct.

Explanation:

The sentence needs no improvements, as it is written with proper grammar and usage. All of the answer choices that do make a change introduce an error to the sentence. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence alone.

Example Question #2802 : Sat Writing

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

Julie is so ungrateful that even if she got the birthday gift she had asked for, she would not have appreciated it. No error

Possible Answers:

even if 

No error

ungrateful

had asked for 

not have

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

There is no error in this sentence. 

Example Question #63 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No 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 museum focused its attention on relatively unknown painters to demonstrate the wide variety of great art in the world.

Possible Answers:

The museum focused its attention on relatively unknown painters, to demonstrate the wide variety of greater art in the world.

The museum focused its attention with relatively unknown painters, to demonstrate the wide variety of great art in the world.

The museum focused its attention on relatively unknown painters; to demonstrate the wide variety of great art in the world.

The museum focused its attention on relatively unknown painters demonstrating the wide variety of great art in the world.

The museum focused its attention on relatively unknown painters to demonstrate the wide variety of great art in the world.

Correct answer:

The museum focused its attention on relatively unknown painters to demonstrate the wide variety of great art in the world.

Explanation:

The sentence is perfectly correct as written and needs no corrections made to it. All the choices that try to improve the sentence actually introduce grammatical errors. The best answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.

Example Question #1642 : Sentence Correction

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.

Nobody likes to wait at home for deliveries or service, with only a large window of time guaranteed.

Possible Answers:

Nobody likes to wait at home for deliveries or service, under only a large window of time guaranteed.

Nobody likes to wait at home for deliveries nor service, with only a large window of time guaranteed.

Nobody likes to wait at home for deliveries or service, with only a larger window of time guaranteed.

Nobody likes to wait at home for deliveries or service, with only a large window of time guaranteed.

Nobody like to wait at home for deliveries or service, with only a large window of time guaranteed.

Correct answer:

Nobody likes to wait at home for deliveries or service, with only a large window of time guaranteed.

Explanation:

The sentence is perfectly correct as written, and needs no improvements made to it. Additionally, the answer choices that do make a change create a grammatical error or usage problem in the sentence. The best answer choice is to leave the sentence alone, with no changes made.

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