SAT Writing : SAT Writing
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #33 : 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.
The ideal option for us is to put Jane on the panel on globalization because she is the best of the two potential speakers, and no one else has shown any interest in participating. No error
no one else has shown
No error
the panel
is to put
best
best
When two items or people are being compared, the appropriate word for the comparison is "better," not "best." Therefore, "best" contains the error; there were two applicants, so "better" should have been used, not "best," which is used to compare three or more items or people.
Example Question #34 : 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.
Even though everyone's experiments at the science fair were very well done, Ashley's was by far the better out of all of them. No error
No error
were
better
at
was
better
When comparing more than two things, the superlative version of an adjective should be used. "Better" would be used to compare two experiments, but in this sentence, the word "best" should be used. So, "better" is the part of the sentence that contains the error.
Example Question #35 : 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.
We are very very excited about the change in the price of gas; it is great news. No error
very
No error
We
great news
about
very
The double use of "very" is an empty superlative; it serves no purpose in formal written American English, which is what the SAT is testing.
Example Question #291 : 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.
Maria had a gigantic bouncy castle at her birthday party, making it significantly more popular than Susie. No error
at her
gigantic
No error
making
more popular than Susie
more popular than Susie
In this sentence, there is an illogical comparison between Maria’s birthday party (a thing) and Susie (a person). Assuming that the comparison should be between two birthday parties, the corrected sentence reads: "Maria had a gigantic bouncy castle at her birthday party, making it significantly more popular than Susie’s party."
Example Question #292 : 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.
It is true that both the knight and the samurai wielded swords; however, the samurai was certainly the most adept at swordplay. No error
No error
most
swords; however
wielded
both the knight
most
In the above sentence, two subjects are being compared: the knight and the samurai. When a sentence compares only two subjects, it is appropriate to use the comparative form ("more") rather than the superlative form ("most") of adjectives.
Example Question #293 : 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 used to find information about public transportation on the printed schedules, but I have discovered that the online ones are the most helpful. No error
have discovered
the most helpful
schedules, but
No error
used to find
the most helpful
This sentence uses a superlative (“most”) when it is only comparing between two things. The comparative “more” would be better. The corrected sentence reads, "I used to find information about public transportation on the printed schedules, but I have discovered that the online ones are the most helpful."
Example Question #294 : 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.
If less than thirty people are present tomorrow to vote for class president, we will postpone the election. No error
less than
president, we will
to vote
are present
No error
less than
"Less than" should be changed to "fewer than." When deciding whether to use "less" or "fewer" in relation to a give noun, if you can count that noun or it has a plural ("people," "glasses of water," etc.) "fewer than" is grammatically correct, and if you can't count it or it has no plural ("time," "money," "water," measurements) "less than" is grammatically correct. As an example, you would say "less water," but "fewer buckets of water."
Example Question #295 : 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.
Most sweaters are made of acrylic, wool, or cashmere, and though they are the more expensive of the three, I prefer cashmere sweaters because they are so soft. No error
acrylic, wool, or cashmere,
Most
No error
though
the more expensive of the three
the more expensive of the three
The phrase "the more expensive of the three" contains this sentence's error. Three types of sweaters are being compared: acrylic sweaters, wool sweaters, and cashmere sweaters. The comparative adjective "more" is used; this is incorrect because comparative adjectives are only used for comparing two things, as in the sentence, "I like vanilla ice cream more than chocolate-covered strawberries." When comparing three or more things, a superlative adjective should be used. In this case, that means that "more" should be changed to "most" to correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #981 : 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.
Though many people may disagree, I think my brother is the cuter baby in the whole wide world. No error
many people
cuter baby
the whole
No error
I think my
cuter baby
Because the baby is being compared to all of the babies in the world, the superlative "cutest baby" is needed. If the baby were being compared to only one other child, the comparative "cuter baby" would be appropriate. This makes the correct selection "cuter baby."
Example Question #982 : 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.
Between a train and an airplane, an airplane is the fastest and more reliable way to travel. No error
more reliable
Between a train
is the fastest
No error
an airplane
is the fastest
Because only two objects (the train and the airplane) are being compared in this sentence, the comparative "faster" must be used. If there were three or more items being compared, the superlative "fastest" would be appropriate. This makes the correct selection "is the fastest."
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