SAT Writing : SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Other Adjective And Adverb Errors
The woman convinced the rest of humanity that the aliens should be allowed to stay, and they settled peaceful in the Great Barrier Reef.
peaceful
convinced the rest
they
should be allowed
No error
peaceful
This sentence uses the adjective “peaceful” to describe a verb. The correct sentence uses an adverb: The woman convinced the rest of humanity that the aliens should be allowed to stay, and they settled peacefully in the Great Barrier Reef.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Other Adjective And Adverb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
As soon as (A) he woke up, he sprinted (B) quick downstairs to open his gifts (C) that were (D) under the tree. (E) No error
E
D
A
B
C
B
Since "quick" is modifying the verb "ran," it needs to be an adverb. "Quick" is an adjective, but "quickly" is an adverb. So, "quick" must be changed to "quickly."
Example Question #426 : 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.
Having finished their homework, the students quick decided to escape to the TV for entertainment. No error
quick decided
Having
No error
their
to escape
quick decided
Here, "quick decided" contains the sentence's error. "Quick" is an adjective, but it is being used to describe a verb, "decided," so it needs to be in its adverbial form, "quickly."
Example Question #921 : 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.
Randy grabbed the ball with his hand, moving intense and with a focused look in his steely blue eyes. No error
steely blue
grabbed
intense
focused
No error
intense
The underlined word "intense" modifies the verb, "grabbed." Therefore, "intense" should be an adverb, not an adjective. "Intense" is an adjective; the appropriate adverb would be "intensely."
Example Question #922 : 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 narrator described how as a child, he loved to let his body drift down the river, floating serene and happily in the sparkling water. No error
No error
serene
happily
described
as a child
serene
The word "serene" is modifying the verb "floating." Therefore, "serenely," an adverb, should be used; "serene" is an adjective, and is improperly used in this sentence.
Example Question #923 : 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.
It is often hard to keep up with my friend because she is in much better shape than I am and also walks very quick. No error
No error
she is
keep up
than
quick
quick
Adverbs modify verbs, while adjectives modify nouns. Given that “walks” is a verb, it should be modified by an adverb. “Quick,” however is an adjective, so the adverb "quickly" should be used instead.
Example Question #924 : 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.
As the online presence of businesses has expanded at a rapidly pace, so too have the outlets for cyber shopping. No error
online
too
for
rapidly
No error
rapidly
The underlined word, "rapidly," is modifying "pace," which is a noun. Therefore, the underlined word should be the adjective, "rapid," as opposed to the adverb, "rapidly."
Example Question #924 : 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 artist painted slowly and deliberate, trying to capture every detail that she could with her paintbrush. No error
painted
No error
deliberate
every
with
deliberate
In this sentence, the adjective “deliberate” modifies the verb “painted.” Given that only adverbs can modify verbs, "deliberate" should be changed to “deliberately,” which is an adverb.
Example Question #925 : 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 horse ran beautifully and fierce towards the ranch, anxious to see its new foals, which were only a few weeks old. No error
which
its
ran
fierce
No error
fierce
In this sentence, the adjective “fierce” modifies the verb “ran.” Given that adverbs can only modify verbs, the proper word would instead be “fiercely,” which is an adverb.
Example Question #927 : 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 bird flew cautious over the fence, which the owners had laced with barbed wire. No error
No error
barbed
which
had
cautious
cautious
In this sentence, the adjective “cautious” modifies the verb “flew.” Given that only adverbs can modify verbs, the proper word to use would instead be “cautiously,” which is an adverb.
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