SAT Writing : SAT Writing
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #2881 : 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.
It was there fault that the car was parked there in the first place.
It was they’re fault that the car was parked there in the first place.
It was there fault that the car was parked there in the first place.
It was there fault that the car was parked their in the first place.
It was their fault that the car was parked there in the first place.
It was their fault that the car was parked they’re in the first place.
It was their fault that the car was parked there in the first place.
Here, a reader must be able to distinguish between the homonyms “there,” “their,” and “they’re.” Because “there” refers to a location, “their” is a possessive pronoun, and “they’re” is a contraction that’s short for “they are,” the correct usage is, “It was their fault that the car was parked there in the first place.”
Example Question #2 : Correcting Other Errors
American history is compelling for people whom are interested in politics.
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.
American history is compelling for people who are interested in politics.
American history is compelling for people, whom are interested in politics.
American history is compelling for people that are interested in politics.
American history is compelling for people which are interested in politics.
American history is compelling for people being interested in politics.
American history is compelling for people who are interested in politics.
"Whom," in the original sentence, is the wrong choice of relative pronoun when referring to "people." "Whom" is the objective form of the pronoun "who," but we need to use the word "who" in the sentence as a relative pronoun to connect the main independent clause to the subordinate clause. Recognizing this error, we can automatically rule out the answer "American history is compelling for people, whom are interested in politics," as the added comma does not make the use of the pronoun correct. "That" and "which" are also incorrect relative pronouns to refer to "people," and the phrase "people being interested in politics" lacks a relative pronoun altogether. The correct answer is thus "American history is compelling for people who are interested in politics." "Who" is the correct relative pronoun to use with "people."
Example Question #2882 : Sat Writing
"A small group of students is proceeding to the regional spelling bee," she said to her fellow teachers. No error
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
No error
is
to
she
bee,
No error
"Is" correctly refers to the "small group," which is singular. "To" is the correct preposition to follow "proceeding" and precede "the regional spelling bee." The dialogue ends correctly with a comma followed by quotation marks, and "she" is correctly lowercased following the dialogue. Therefore, there is no error in this sentence.
Example Question #2883 : 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.
The clowns that we saw at an impromptu show in the city square yesterday is wearing matching hats. No error.
that
No error
in the city
saw
is wearing
is wearing
The phrase "is wearing" does not match the number of the subject.
Example Question #2884 : 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.
Our physics teacher is famous for distributing papers to students while at the same time chewing his gum quite loudly. No error
No error
loudly
at the same time
distributing
physics
at the same time
“At the same time” means the same thing as “while.” Therefore, it is redundant, and doesn't need to be included in the sentence.
Example Question #2885 : 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.
Certain colors are associated with certain emotions in our minds, and while certain smells are associated with certain memories. No error
associated
No error
with
are
and while
and while
Either "while" or "and" could be used as a proper transition between the two sections of the sentence, but the phrase "and while" is overly wordy and therefore incorrect.
Example Question #943 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Our Algebra homework this week was definitely without a doubt the most challenging assignment yet, so it was gratifying to get a perfect score on it. No error
yet, so
Algebra
No error
without a doubt
most
without a doubt
"Without a doubt" means the same thing as "definitely" and therefore does not need to be included in the sentence.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When Lonnie stepped onto the field, he was definitely without a doubt the most confident member of our high school marching band. No error.
When Lonnie stepped
No error
most confident
definitely without a doubt
our
definitely without a doubt
"Without a doubt" means the same thing as "definitely," and is therefore redundant when used in the above sentence.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
While when Rachel was cleaning her apartment, she found her long-lost high school yearbook beneath her cat's bed. No error.
found
long-lost
when
beneath
No error
when
In the sentence above, "when" is redundant since "While" is already used.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jonah was really thirsty during the day, but however he didn't have enough money to buy a bottle of water from the vending machine. No error.
No error
however
from
to buy
really
however
In the sentence above, "however" is redundant, since "but" is already used.
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