SAT Writing : SAT Writing

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Sat Writing

Which word underlined in the sentence below is an action verb?

I asked him to resend the books since there was an error in the original version.

Possible Answers:

to

was

asked

books

original

Correct answer:

asked

Explanation:

An action verb represents an actual action that the subject is doing. In this sentence, I (the subject) is asking someone to reprint something.

Example Question #32 : Sat Writing

Which word underlined in the sentence below is a linking verb?

I asked him to resend the books since there was an error in the original version.

Possible Answers:

to resend

books

asked

original

was

Correct answer:

was

Explanation:

A linking verb is a verb that does not express an action. It connects the subject and the verb. In this case, "was" connects "there" and "a mistake."

Example Question #33 : Sat Writing

Identify the verb phrase in the sentence below.

The media has criticized Russia about various aspects of the Olympics.

Possible Answers:

of the

has criticized

media has

various aspects

the media

Correct answer:

has criticized

Explanation:

"Has criticized" is the present perfect tense of the verb "to critcize." The media is the one doing the action.

Example Question #34 : Sat Writing

Identify the verb in the sentence below.

In order to focus on my homework, I disable the internet on my computer.

Possible Answers:

on my computer

in order to

disable

on my homework

I

Correct answer:

disable

Explanation:

The verb in this sentence is "disable." It expresses the action of what I do "in order to focus on my homework."

Example Question #35 : Sat Writing

Identify the verb in the sentence below.

Greg made a beef stew for dinner.

Possible Answers:

stew

for

beef

Greg

made

Correct answer:

made

Explanation:

The verb is "made," the past tense of "make." It expresses the action of what Greg did to prepare dinner.

Example Question #35 : Sat Writing

Identify the present tense verb in the sentence below.

Pedro wants to go bowling on Saturday.

Possible Answers:

wants

Saturday

bowling

on

to go

Correct answer:

wants

Explanation:

The verb in present tense is "wants." Right now, Pedro wants to go to the bowling, even if going bowling in the future. "To go" is an infinitive verb.

Example Question #36 : Sat Writing

Identify the verb in the question below.

Are you bored at work?

Possible Answers:

Are . . . bored

you bored

at work

bored . . . work

are you

Correct answer:

Are . . . bored

Explanation:

The verb is "are . . . bored." In questions, the auxiliary or helping verb goes before the subject and the main verb goes after the subject.

Example Question #37 : Sat Writing

Identify the verb in the question below.

Will you go to the movies with me on Friday?

Possible Answers:

to the movies

Will . . . go

go

go to . . . movies

will

Correct answer:

Will . . . go

Explanation:

"Will . . . go" is the complete verb in this question. In questions, the auxiliary, or helping verb, goes before the subject and the main verb goes after the subject.

Example Question #39 : Sat Writing

Identify the verb in the sentence below.

Frank rode the train all the way to the end of the line.

Possible Answers:

to

way

end

rode

train

Correct answer:

rode

Explanation:

"Rode" is the only verb in this sentence. "Train," "way," and "end" are nouns, and "to" is a preposition.

Example Question #40 : Sat Writing

Indentify the verb in the sentence below.

The past few days I have been unusually hungry.

Possible Answers:

past

unusually

hungry

days

have been

Correct answer:

have been

Explanation:

"Have been" is the present perfect form of the verb "to be."

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