SAT Writing : SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #265 : 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.
I must say that I am somewhat jealous of you having your own private, in-home movie theater. No error
I must say
private,
somewhat
private,
you having
No error
No error
somewhat
you having
In this sentence, the word "having" is a gerund—a verb acting as a noun. A person is not jealous of an action but of some thing, in this case, the state of someone's having a movie theater. Since "having" is being treated as a noun, the other parts of speech must treat it as such as well. So the correct form of "you" would be possessive; the sentence should read "I am jealous of your having" just as you would say "I am jealous of your dog."
Example Question #761 : 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.
While on vacation in the Smokey Mountains, Jack saw a brown bear and it's cub run across the road. No error
a brown bear and it's cub
run across the road
in the Smokey Mountains,
While on vacation
No error
a brown bear and it's cub
The phrase "a brown bear and it's cub" contains this sentence's error because it uses "it's," which is the contracted form of "it is," instead of "its," which is the possessive form of the singular pronoun "it." Changing "it's" to "its" would correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #762 : 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.
If one puts meticulous effort into your studies day after day, one will most likely succeed. No error
after
one
most likely
No error
your studies
your studies
Pronouns must agree with their antecedents. Since the sentence uses the pronoun "one," and remains consistent with that pronoun in the final clause, the pronoun is "your" is incorrect." Pronouns must remain consistent throughout a sentence. One could correct the sentence's error by changing "your" to "one's."
Example Question #762 : Sat Writing
The court documents were brought to myself by the court stenographer when I asked.
bringing to myself
brought to myself
brought to I
brought to me
bringing to me
brought to me
The use of "myself" in the sentence is incorrect. "Myself" is a reflexive pronoun, which means it needs an antecedent it refers to earlier in the sentence. There is no previous mention of a previous first person pronoun. That makes "brought to me" the correct answer choice.
Example Question #193 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The students were interested in the frogs they had been given for dissection, but most struggled to see it as scientific learning opportunities instead of gross, dead amphibians. No error
The students were
No error
for dissection, but
it
they had been given
it
This sentence's error occurs in its use of the pronoun "it." "It" is a singular pronoun, but in this sentence, it is used to refer to a plural antecedent, "frogs." To correct the sentence's error, you would need to change "it" to "them."
Example Question #61 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It is always important for one to be alert when driving because you never know when another driver might come into your lane, or when a pedestrian might cross the street illegally. No error
always
No error
to be
when
you never know
you never know
When a sentence uses "one" as a neutral third-person pronoun, the sentence should not then switch to using "you" instead of "one." Therefore, "you never know" contains the error in this sentence.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If you are being attacked, it is important not to provoke the other person because one never knows whether the attacker has weapons. No error
other person
No error
it is
are
one
one
If a sentence is describing how “you” should behave, it creates discontinuity if it then begins to use the word “one” in place of "you" later in the sentence. Therefore, “one" should be replaced by the word “you" to correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #72 : Identifying Word Usage 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 one is interviewed, it is important that you be articulate and present oneself well. No error
you
it is
No error
is interviewed
well
you
If a sentence is describing how “one” should behave, it creates discontinuity to then begin using the word “you" later in the sentence. Therefore, “you” should be replaced by the word “one" to fix the sentence's error.
Example Question #4 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
You should always make sure to have a first-aid kit in your car, because one never knows when it can be useful, or even save a life. No error
should
one
your car
No error
when
one
If a sentence is describing how “you” should behave, it creates discontinuity to then begin using the word “one.” Therefore, “one” should be replaced by the word “you.”
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When one prepares for a marathon, it is essential that you prepare an exercise routine and stick to it. No error
to it
When
you
No error
it is
you
If a sentence is describing how “one” should behave, it creates discontinuity to then begin using the word “you.” Therefore, “you” should be replaced by the word “one,” or the sentence should be rewritten so that this discontinuity is resolved.
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