SAT Writing : SAT Writing

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #72 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas

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

 The three main things I love about camping are: being outdoors, working with my hands, and spending time away from the hectic atmosphere of the office. No error

Possible Answers:

love

being outdoors, working with my hands, and spending time away from the hectic atmosphere of the office.

No error

The three main

are:

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

Every time there is a list of three or more things in a sentence, those things must be separated by commas. The last item in the list is correctly preceded by a conjunction and a comma. The sentence above is correct as it is written. The best answer is "No error."

Example Question #73 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas

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

It's quite hard to get through the workday for a handful of reasons: the hours are long the pay is quite poor, and I am not treated well by my boss. No error

Possible Answers:

treated well

No error

It's quite hard to get through

long the pay

poor, and

Correct answer:

long the pay

Explanation:

Every time there is a list of three or more items in a sentence, those things must be separated by commas, conjunctions, or both. In the sentence above, there is a comma missing between the first two items of the list that follows the colon. Each item in the list must be separated.

Example Question #21 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas In Lists

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

There are several ways to solve your rat problem: you can call an exterminator you can ask your friends for help, or you can move. No error

Possible Answers:

or you can move.

friends

exterminator you

problem:

No error

Correct answer:

exterminator you

Explanation:

Every time there is a list of three or more things in a sentence, the items in the list must be separated by commas. In the provided sentence, there is a comma missing between the first two items of the list that follows the colon.

Example Question #75 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas

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

The campers, and their counselors decided not to let the rain bother them; they continued with their plans to fish, hike, and swim before supper. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

campers,

swim

fish,

hike,

Correct answer:

campers,

Explanation:

The list of "campers and their counselors" does not need a comma. Commas are only necessary in lists of three or more items, and this list only has two items. Therefore, "campers," must be changed. The use of a comma with the conjunction "and" signals a shift from one independent clause to another, which is not the case here.

Example Question #76 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas

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

Though Chloe was usually a very amiable child, she tended to grumble, moan, and complain, when the weather became very hot. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

child, 

moan,

grumble, 

complain,

Correct answer:

complain,

Explanation:

In a list of three or more items, all items but the last must be followed by a comma. Therefore, in the list "grumble, moan, and complain," "complain" does not need to be followed by a comma because it is the last item in the list.

Example Question #236 : Identifying Punctuation 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.

My favorite shows have a few things in common: they have action they have drama and they have laughs.

Possible Answers:

My favorite shows have a few things in common, they have action they have drama, and they have laughs.

My favorite shows have a few things in common: they have action, they have drama, and they have laughs.

My favorite shows have a few things in common: they have action they have drama and, they have laughs.

My favorite shows have a few things in common they have action they have drama and they have laughs.

My favorite shows have a few things in common: they have action they have drama and they have laughs.

Correct answer:

My favorite shows have a few things in common: they have action, they have drama, and they have laughs.

Explanation:

Every time there is a list of three or more things in a sentence, those things must be separated by commas, conjunctions, or both. The example sentence is missing two commas. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is: My favorite shows have a few things in common: they have action, they have drama, and they have laughs.

Example Question #1101 : Identifying 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.

I need the following items from Target: a pencil; a notepad and a backpack.

Possible Answers:

I need the following items from Target: a pencil a notepad and a backpack.

I need the following items from Target: a pencil, a notepad, and a backpack.

I need the following items from Target: a pencil a notepad and, a backpack.

I need the following items from Target: a pencil a notepad, and a backpack.

I need the following items from Target a pencil a notepad, and a backpack.

Correct answer:

I need the following items from Target: a pencil, a notepad, and a backpack.

Explanation:

Every time there is a list of three or more things in a sentence, those things must be separated by commas, conjunctions, or both. The sentence above uses just one semicolon, which is both an incorrect choice of punctuation mark, and insufficient in number. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "I need the following items from Target: a pencil, a notepad, and a backpack."

Example Question #79 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas

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.

I would like for you to call your mother take out the trash and walk the dog within the next hour.

Possible Answers:

I would like for you to call your mother take out the trash and walk the dog within the next hour.

I would like for you to: call your mother, take out the trash, and walk the dog, within the next hour.

I would like for you to: call your mother, take out the trash, and walk the dog within the next hour.

I would like for you to call your mother take out the trash, and walk the dog within the next hour.

I would like for you to call your mother, take out the trash, and walk the dog within the next hour.

Correct answer:

I would like for you to call your mother, take out the trash, and walk the dog within the next hour.

Explanation:

Every time there is a list of three or more things in a sentence, those things must be separated by commas, conjunctions, or both. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, I would like for you to call your mother, take out the trash, and walk the dog within the next hour.

Example Question #1101 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Few people have the skills to play professional sports, being deficient in jumping running, or leaping ability.

Possible Answers:

for jumping running, or leaping ability.

in jumping, running, or leaping ability.

in jumping running or leaping ability.

through jumping running, or leaping ability.

in jumping running, or leaping ability.

Correct answer:

in jumping, running, or leaping ability.

Explanation:

The only problem with the underlined portion of the sentence is that the list mentioned has a poorly punctuated series, or list of items. All such lists need to be separated out in some fashion, usually by commas. Thus, "in jumping, running, or leaping ability" is the correct answer choice.

Example Question #81 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas

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

There three things I enjoy the most are: spending time with my dog, reading great books, enjoying the outdoors. No error

Possible Answers:

There three things I

reading great books, enjoying the outdoors.

No error

most are:

spending time with my dog

Correct answer:

reading great books, enjoying the outdoors.

Explanation:

Every time there is a list of three or items in a sentence, those things must be separated by commas, conjunctions, or both. The second and third items of the list must always be separated by a comma, or a conjunction and a comma. The conjunction is missing from between the second and third items in the list above, and this should be corrected.

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