SAT Writing : SAT Writing
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #119 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Each of the refugees was given warm clothes, clean towels, and cans of nonperishable food.
warm clothes, clean towels, and some nonperishable food
warm clothing, clean towels, and cans of nonperishable food
warm clothes, a clean towel, and cans of nonperishable food
warm clothes, clean towels, and cans of nonperishable food
some clothes, some towels, and cans of nonperishable food
warm clothes, clean towels, and cans of nonperishable food
The sentence is correctly written as is because it already has parallel structure. The items of the list are all pluralized; it is consistent in its format.
Example Question #121 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The younger cellist was a much more talented musician than I could ever hope to be.
than I could ever hope me to be.
than I could ever was hoping to be.
than I could ever hope to have been a musician.
than I could ever hope to be.
than I could have ever hope to be.
than I could ever hope to be.
The sentence is perfectly appropriate grammatically as written. Further, all of the other answer choices provide a more confusing wording than leaving the sentence as written.
Example Question #122 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Unlikely though it seems, people meet each other and develop lifelong relationships strictly through online games.
strictly because of online games.
strict through online games.
through strictly online games.
strictly through online game's.
strictly through online games.
strictly through online games.
The sentence as written does not contain any grammatical errors. The adverb form "strictly" is necessary, as it describes action, and the phrase "through online games" is perfectly suitable.
Example Question #123 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Climbing mountains can be a dangerous pastime for people who are inexperienced.
Climbing mountains can be dangerous pastime for people who are inexperienced.
Climbing mountains can be a dangerous pastime for people who are inexperience.
Climbing mountains can being a dangerous pastime for people who are inexperienced.
Climbing mountains be a dangerous pastime for people who are inexperienced.
Climbing mountains can be a dangerous pastime for people who are inexperienced.
Climbing mountains can be a dangerous pastime for people who are inexperienced.
The sentence is perfectly correct as it is written, and needs no improvements made to it. Additionally, the answer choices that do make a change actuallly make the sentence incorrect. The best choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.
Example Question #123 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
In order to get a new driver's license, the man had to take both a written test and a driving test.
In order to get a new driver's license, the man had to take both a written test and a driving test.
In order to get a new driver's license, the man had to take both a wrote test and a drove test.
In order to get a new driver's license, the man had to take of both a written test and a driving test.
In order to get a new driver's license the man had to take both a written test and a driving test.
In order to get a new driver's license, the man having to take both a written test and a driving test.
In order to get a new driver's license, the man had to take both a written test and a driving test.
The sentence is correct as written, and no changes need to be made to it. Additionally, every answer choice that does change some element makes the sentence grammatically incorrect. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.
Example Question #124 : 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Patricia, exhausted from a long day of mixing, kneading, and baking the dough, fell asleep and almost burned the pie.
Patricia, exhausted from a long day of mixing, kneading, and baking the dough,
Patricia exhausted from a long day of mixing kneading and baking the dough
Patricia exhausted from a long day of mixing, kneading, and baking the dough,
Patricia, she being exhausted from a long day of mixing, kneading, and baking the dough,
Who was exhausted from a long day of mixing, kneading, and baking the dough, Patricia
Patricia, exhausted from a long day of mixing, kneading, and baking the dough,
This sentence is correct as written and no changes need to be made to it. The interrupting phrase "exhausted from kneading, mixing, and baking the dough," modifies the subject, Patricia, and commas are correctly used to separate this phrase from what precedes and follows it. Commas are also correctly used to separate the items in the list.
Example Question #116 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The painters were revolutionaries in their time, although their work now seems quaint.
The painters were revolutionaries in there time, although their work now seems quaint.
The painters were revolutionaries in their time, although their work now seems quaint.
The painters were revolutionaries in their time; although their work now seems quaint.
The painters, were revolutionaries in their time, although their work now seems quaint.
The painters were revolutionaries in their time, although their work now seems quaintly.
The painters were revolutionaries in their time, although their work now seems quaint.
The sentence is perfectly correct as it is written, and needs no improvements made to it. All of the answer choices that do make some change in the sentence actually create a grammatical issue. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence alone.
Example Question #2851 : 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.
My Aunt Carolyn was the one who answered the telephone, but she was not with whom I wanted to speak.
but she was not whom I wanted to speak with.
but she was not with who I wanted to speak.
but she was not who I wanted to speak with.
but she was not with whom I wanted to speak.
but she was not with whom I wanted to speak to.
but she was not with whom I wanted to speak.
No error. Because "whom" is the object of the preposition "with," it is correct. Also, English grammar dictates that sentences should not end with prepositions, so the preposition “with” cannot be the last word of the sentence.
Example Question #1341 : 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.
Choosing to participate in the winter marathon while wearing only a bathing suit was a poor decision on Mark’s behalf.
Choosing to participate in the winter marathon with the wearing of only a bathing suit
Choosing participate in the winter marathon while wearing only a bathing suit
Chose to participate in the winter marathon while wearing only a bathing suit
Choosing to participate in the winter marathon while wearing only a bathing suit
Choosing to participate in the winter marathon wore only a bathing suit
Choosing to participate in the winter marathon while wearing only a bathing suit
"Choosing to participate in the winter marathon wore only a bathing suit": In this choice, the gerund "choosing" is turned into the subject and "wore" is the past-tense verb, which does not make sense ('choosing' cannot 'wear' a bathing suit!). This is illogical and incorrect.
"Choosing to participate in the winter marathon with the wearing of only a bathing suit": This is an awkwardly-worded option and is not the best choice.
"Chose to participate in the winter marathon while wearing only a bathing suit" Mark's poor choice was the gerund "choosing." “Chose” removes that gerund completely and turns it into a past-tense verb without a subject, so this is incorrect.
"Choosing participate in the winter marathon while wearing only a bathing suit": “Choosing participate” is incorrect; the infinitive form of “to participate” is necessary. This is incorrect.
Example Question #117 : Correcting Other Errors And Recognizing 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. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The chances of being in a plane crash are extremely slim, but the fear of flying is nonetheless quite widespread.
but the fear of flying is obviously quite widespread.
but the fear of flying is nonetheless very widespread.
but the fear of flying is nonetheless quite wide.
but fears of flying is nonetheless quite widespread.
but the fear of flying is nonetheless quite widespread.
but the fear of flying is nonetheless quite widespread.
The sentence is perfectly correct as it is written. Further, all the answer choices that change any element either make the sentence grammatically incorrect or change its meaning. The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence as is.
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