SAT Writing : SAT Writing

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #941 : 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.

Because the oven did not heat up properly, Megan's cupcakes baked uneven; some were burnt and overdone, while others were raw and runny. No error

Possible Answers:

raw

No error

while

uneven

properly

Correct answer:

uneven

Explanation:

In this sentence, "uneven" is meant to modify the verb "baked." Therefore, an adverb is needed. However, "uneven" is an adjective. The adverbial form is "unevenly," so the correct sentence would read, "Because the oven did not heat properly, Megan's cupcakes baked unevenly; some were burnt and overdone, while others were still raw and runny." Remember that adjectives only modify nouns, and adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

Example Question #942 : 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 sloth crept slow across the roadway, risking life and limb in its determination to explore the world on the other sideNo error

Possible Answers:

in his determination

on the other side

slow

risking

No error

Correct answer:

slow

Explanation:

In this sentence, the adjective “slow” is used to modify the verb “crept.” Adjectives should only modify nouns and pronouns, so to correct the sentence's error, the adjective "slow" should be replaced with the adverb “slowly." The corrected sentence reads, "The sloth crept slowly across the roadway, risking life and limb in his determination to explore the world on the other side."

Example Question #943 : 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.

Chad’s political views took an abrupt swing to the left; afterwards, he had to find a way to remove bumper stickers quickNo error

Possible Answers:

No error

quick

afterwards, he

a way to

took

Correct answer:

quick

Explanation:

In this sentence, the adjective “quick” describes the verb “remove.” An adverb would be more appropriate. The corrected sentence reads: Chad’s political views took an abrupt swing to the left, and he had to find a way to remove bumper stickers quickly.

Example Question #251 : 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.

Brayden carried the basket from the coop to the house careful and slow, mindful not to break any of the eggs within itNo error

Possible Answers:

of the eggs

careful and slow

carried

it

No error

Correct answer:

careful and slow

Explanation:

the words "careful and slow" are describing the verb "carried," and so should be adverbs instead of adjectives. The correction would be "carefully and slowly."

Example Question #252 : 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.

I could never distinguish between the two Johnson twins, and their mother did not help matters by dressing them similar.

Possible Answers:

and

similar

between

No error

did not help

Correct answer:

similar

Explanation:

In this sentence, the adjective “similar” modifies the verb “dressing.” As adjectives can only modify nouns and pronouns, an adverb should be used instead. The corrected sentence reads, "I could never distinguish between the two Johnson twins, and their mother did not help matters by dressing them similarly."

Example Question #253 : 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.

Playing a brass or woodwind instrument good requires one to have good postureNo error

Possible Answers:

requires one

a brass or woodwind instrument

good posture

good

No error

Correct answer:

good

Explanation:

In this sentence, the first "good" (in "Playing a brass or woodwind instrument good") is incorrect; "good" is an adjective, and this "good" is used to describe the way in which one plays a brass or woodwind instrument, so it needs to be changed to "well," which is an adverb, because adjectives cannot describe verbs, but adverbs can.

Example Question #254 : 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.

“We need some pie,” he said to Joleen gentle, hoping that the sugary treat would lift his melancholy friend’s spirits. No error

Possible Answers:

gentle

melancholy

sugary

to

need

Correct answer:

gentle

Explanation:

Adverbs modify verbs (or sometimes adjectives). "Gentle" modifies "said"—he said the phrase in a gentle manner. Adverbs tend to tend in "-ly," but don't be fooled by the adjective "melancholy" here, which modifies "spirits" (a noun) and is therefore an adjective!

The sentence would be fixed by replacing "gentle" with "gently."

Example Question #944 : 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.

When her boyfriend arrived at the airport, Cathy ran quick towards him, ready to give him a hug. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

towards

give him

quick

arrived

Correct answer:

quick

Explanation:

"Quick" modifies the verb, "ran." However, "quick" is an adjective and therefore is incorrectly used, becuase adjectives aren't used to describe verbs. Adverbs are used to describe verbs, so to correct the sentence's error, "quick" should be changed to the adverb "quickly."

Example Question #1 : Identifying Comparative And Superlative Errors

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

People who experience less health problems are more likely to be happier and less depressed than their unhealthy counterparts. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

who

happier

than

less

Correct answer:

less

Explanation:

The error in this sentence is "less" because "health problems" are countable nouns—you can count the number of health problems a person has. When referring to countable nouns, you should use "fewer" instead of "less." The beginning of this sentence, then, should read, "People who experience fewer health problems."

Example Question #945 : 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.

Even though Joe, Pat and Lisa are all neighbors, Joe lives in a house that is further from Lisa's than it is from Pat's. No error

Possible Answers:

Even though 

No error

further

than 

are all 

Correct answer:

further

Explanation:

When describing physical distance, the adjective "farther" should be used. However, when describing figurative distance, the adjective "further" should be used. Given that the distance of a house from another house is being described—that is, a physical distance—the adjective "farther" should be used, not "further."

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