SAT Writing : SAT Writing

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #1111 : 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.

In many great novels, the author will explore multiple themes. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

multiple themes

will explore

author

In many great novels, 

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

Here, the phrase "in many great novels" is acting as an introductory phrase for the rest of the sentence. In light of the fact that the rest of the sentence can stand on its own (grammatically speaking), this introductory phrase should be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma, which, in this case, it is. The sentence has no grammatical errors.

Example Question #11 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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

Unsure of how to proceed he hesitated at the top of the passNo error

Possible Answers:

hesitated

Unsure of how to proceed he

No error

at the top

of the pass

Correct answer:

Unsure of how to proceed he

Explanation:

The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence is to use a single comma and separate it from the remainder of the sentence. The phrase "unsure of how to proceed" here acts as an introductory phrase, and it should be separated from the independent clause with a comma.

The full, correct version of this sentence reads: "Unsure of how to proceed, he hesitated at the top of the pass."

Example Question #12 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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

One of the greatest generals of all time Alexander the Great had a nearly perfect military career. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

nearly

had a 

One of the greatest generals of all time Alexander the Great

career

Correct answer:

One of the greatest generals of all time Alexander the Great

Explanation:

Here the phrase "one of the greatest generals of all time" acts as an introductory phrase for the rest of the sentence. The clause provides a relevant contextual detail, but one that precedes the grammatically essential structure of the sentence, therefore a comma is need between "time" and the rest of the sentence.

The full, correct version of the sentence reads: "One of the greatest generals of all time, Alexander the Great had a nearly perfect military career."

Example Question #13 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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

I really hated losing to John, the biggest jerk in school but he simply outplayed me. No error

Possible Answers:

me.

school but

John, 

simply

No error

Correct answer:

school but

Explanation:

Here, the phrase "the biggest jerk in school" is an interrupting phrase in the sentence. The phrase comes in to give us a description of John's personality, but does not affect the grammatically relevant portion of the sentence, "I really hated losing to john, but he simply outplayed me." "The biggest jerk in school" should therefore be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. Also, since the coordinating conjunction "but" is used, a comma is required after "school" in order to prevent a run-on sentence.

The full, correct version of the sentence reads: "I really hated losing to John, the biggest jerk in school, but he simply outplayed me."

Example Question #14 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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

Acting one of the most challenging art forms, is my passion. No error

Possible Answers:

passion.

Acting one

no error

forms

most challenging

Correct answer:

Acting one

Explanation:

"One of the most challenging art forms," is here used as an interrupting phrase. It should therefore be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. The author's opinion that acting is "one of the most challenging art forms" is descriptive, but not grammatically relevant to the fundamental subject-verb relationship of this sentence. The sentence could read: "Acting is my passion." 

The full, correct version of this sentence reads, "Acting, one of the most challenging art forms, is my passion."

Example Question #15 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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

Cheese, my favorite food is the main reason I can never become a vegan. No error

Possible Answers:

Cheese, my

can

main reason

food is

No error

Correct answer:

food is

Explanation:

Here, the phrase "my favorite food" is being used as an interrupting phrase, therefore it must be separated from the rest of the sentence with commas. "Cheese," the subject of the sentence, must be connected to the primary verb "is," so the interrupting phrase must be enclosed with commas, one on either end.

The full, correct version of the sentence reads: "Cheese, my favorite food, is the main reason I can never become a vegan."

Example Question #16 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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

Drums in one form or another, are used in nearly every kind of regional music on the planet. No error

Possible Answers:

Drums in

No error

nearly

on

another, are

Correct answer:

Drums in

Explanation:

Here, "in one form or another" is being used as an interrupting phrase in the sentence, therefore, it should be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. The relevant grammatical structure of the sentence has "drums" (the subject) being used (the verb here is "are"). The additional phrase "in one form or another" interrupts the flow of the sentence to modify the universality of the statement.

The full, correct version of this sentence reads: "Drums, in one form or another, are used in nearly every kind of regional music on the planet." 

Example Question #17 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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

Even Mr. Williams, who had a great deal of experience working with all manner of students, was unable to help the young girl. No error

Possible Answers:

Williams, who

No error

of experience working

students, was

to help

Correct answer:

No error

Explanation:

"Who had a great deal of experience working with all manner of students" here acts as an interrupting phrase, and, in this instance, is correctly separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. The sentence is correct as written.

Example Question #18 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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

Gaius Marius, a great man in his time was dismayed at what Rome had become. No error

Possible Answers:

Rome

Gaius Marius, a great man

at

no error

time was

Correct answer:

time was

Explanation:

Here, the phrase "a great man in his time" describes "Gaius Marius," and interrupts the grammatical flow of the sentence. It is therefore the interrupting phrase in the sentence, and should be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas. Note that in the example sentence the failure to correctly enclose the interrupting phrase with a second comma results in a comma use error, separating the subject from its verb.

The full, correct version of the sentence reads: "Gaius Marius, a great man in his time, was dismayed at what Rome had become."

Example Question #12 : Identifying Punctuation Errors: Commas For Introductory Or Interrupting Phrases

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

Ramen a traditional dish from Japan, is an extremely hearty meal. No error

Possible Answers:

an

hearty meal

Ramen a traditional dish from Japan,

no error

extremely

Correct answer:

Ramen a traditional dish from Japan,

Explanation:

Here, the phrase "a traditional dish from Japan" acts as an interrupting phrase in the sentence, disrupting the flow of the sentence for a contextual, not a grammatical, purpose. As such, the phrase should be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas.  As written in the example, there is a comma missing between the word "ramen," and "a traditional dish from Japan."

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