SAT Writing : SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #5 : Identifying Verb Mood 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 her Agriculture classes, Daisy always asks her students to grow the biggest pumpkins they could grow. No error
biggest
to grow
No error
could
Agriculture
could
The sentence is written entirely in present tense without the use of modal verbs except for the modal verb "could." In order to maintain consistency, we need to change "could" to "can."
Example Question #6 : Identifying Verb Mood Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Standing at the front door, Patrick passionately proclaimed that everything would change if he was in charge of the house instead of his parents. No error
Standing at the front door
instead of
proclaimed
was
No error
was
In this sentence, Patrick is describing a hypothetical situation in which he is in charge of the house. Since this situation has not actually happened, he would need to use the subjunctive mood for the "verb" is and change "was" to "were" ("if he were in charge").
Example Question #7 : Identifying Verb Mood Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Even when the chips are down, Daisy always thinks about how she could help her fellow students. No error
about how
always
could
the chips
No error
could
While the majority of the sentence is written in the present tense, the modal verb "could" expresses potential unnecessarily. "Could" should be changed to the present tense "can" in order to match the mood of the sentence.
Example Question #8 : Identifying Verb Mood Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
If I were the head chef at a restaurant, I would include lots of bizarre dishes with rare ingredients and combinations that would be new and exciting to patrons. No error
would be
restaurant, I
ingredients and combinations
If I were
No error
No error
"If I were" is correct because subjunctive mood is needed in hypotheticals introduced by "if." "Were" is correct here, not "was." A comma is appropriate between "restaurant" and "I" because an introductory phrase should be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma. "Would be" is consistent with the mood of the sentence, and there are no issues with "ingredients and combinations." There is no error in the sentence.
Example Question #9 : Identifying Verb Mood Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
We quickly determined that we'd almost never stay on the ground if we was able to fly. No error
almost never
No error
on the ground
quickly determined
was able
was able
The sentence is intended to convey the possibility of what would happen if the speakers could fly; therefore, "was able" should be changed to the correct subjunctive mood form: "were able."
Example Question #10 : Identifying Verb Mood Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
A lot of Paul's students wish that their professor was kinder. NO ERROR
Paul's
NO ERROR
A lot
kinder
was
was
The "wish" in the sentence above indicates that the sentence will be in the subjunctive mood. In subjunctive, "was" should be replaced by "were."
Example Question #901 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error.
Brad knew that if he was serious about becoming a professional musician, he should really be practicing trumpet for three hours a day. No error
No error
becoming
musician,
was
should really be
was
This question is testing knowledge of verb mood. Since the sentence contains a hypothetical condition indicated by "if," the verb before "serious" should be in the subjunctive mood, which expresses wishes, desires, and hypothetical situations. A corrected sentence would look like this: "Brad knew that if he were serious about becoming a professional musician, he should really be practicing trumpet for three hours a day."
Example Question #902 : 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 I was in your position, I would let Erica know immediately. No error
let
know
position,
No error
was
was
The sentence is in the subjunctive mood, so "was" must be replaced with "were." The subjunctive mood is used to describe a suggestion, a command, a wish, or a condition that is not factual.
Example Question #903 : 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.
I suggest that you are at my seminar later; you need lessons about business acumen. No error
I suggest
you are at
seminar later;
No error
you need lessons
you are at
Subjunctive mood is used when a sentence is intended to express doubt or possibility, rather than hard truth. In the sentence above, because of the word "suggest" in the sentence, we know that subjunctive should be used. The sentence should read: "I suggest that you be at my seminar later; you need lessons about business acumen."
Example Question #904 : 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 dentist ordered that I be still while he powered up his drill. No error
powered up
No error
I be still
while
The dentist ordered
No error
Subjunctive mood is used when a sentence is intended to express doubt or possibility, rather than hard truth. In the sentence above, because of the word "ordered" in the sentence, we know that subjunctive should be used. The sentence is correct as it is written.
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