SAT Writing › SAT Writing
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Under the teacher's guidance the students' reading ability improved.
Under the teacher's guidance, the students' reading ability improved.
Under the teacher's guidance the students' reading ability improved.
Under the teacher's guidance the students reading ability improved.
Under the teacher's guidance the students' reading ability improved.
Under the teacher's guidance the students' reading ability improving.
"Under the teacher's guidance" is an introductory phrase, one that conditions the action of the sentence, but is apart from its main structure. Any introductory phrase needs to be set apart fom the main body of the sentence by a comma. The only answer choice that correctly uses a comma to separate the phrase is "Under the teacher's guidance, the students' reading ability improved."
1 Most of you probably know essays to be boring, tendentious assignments required for English class. 2 However the essay has a fascinating history.3 Did you know that the first known example of an essay came in the 16th-century? 4 Its author was Michel de Montaigne the French philosopher. 5 Today the genre includes such disparate types as the dialectic, the narrative, the critical, the historical, the descriptive, and the lyric essay. 6 The genre progressed with essays such as Robert Burton’s The Anatomy of Melancholy, Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s On Poesy or Art, and Virginia Woolf’s A Room of Her Own.” 7 It remains to be, see how the essay will evolve in the future.
How should Sentence 2 be rewritten?
However, the essay has a fascinating history.
However the essay has a fascinating history. (no change)
However: the essay has a fascinating history.
However; the essay has a fascinating history.
However, the essay: has a fascinating history.
When it begins an independent clause, “however” usually requires a comma immediately after it. (Specifically, “however” requires a comma after it whenever it is used as a conjunctive adverb.)
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Gremlins are extraordinarily mischievous creatures, they are not to be trifled with.
Gremlins are extraordinarily mischievous creatures;
Gremlins are extraordinarily mischievous creatures
Gremlns are extraordinarily mischievious creatures,
Gremlins are extraordinarily mischievous creatures, or
Gremlins are extraordinary mischievous creatures:
When two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma, this results in an error known as a comma splice. In the example above, something more than a comma is needed to separate the two clauses. The choice of a semicolon, rather than a period, indicates that the author wishes to indicate a connection, on some level, between the content of the two clauses. When it comes to separating independent clauses, it is important to remember that using a period, a semicolon, or a comma with a conjunction are all equally grammatically correct. Whichever of these options you choose is a reflection on your writing style, not your grammatical correctness.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I'm really enjoying the pizza, there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza, but there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza, there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza; but there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
I'm really enjoying the pizza: but there isn't quite enough for me so I may order another.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon with no accompanying conjunction. In the sentence above, the second independent clause makes a contradictory statement, so adding the coordinating conjunction "but" is the best way to fix the splice.
1 What is to be done about the problem of shoplifting. 2 Small security devices hidden in the tags of expensive clothing, clearly posted signs vocalizing the penalties for shoplifting, and “spider tags” or wired alarm clips all measures that store owners can take. 3 However many can be removed turgidly with magnets, scissors, or other means.
4 Other solutions including using attentive employees, clear and wide aisles, security guards, and security cameras. 5 With self-checkouts, an additional degree of honesty comes into play. 6 Though, it might be more fruition to examine the motives for shoplifting, as more lugubrious social policies could prevent people from needing to shoplift in the first place.
In Sentence 6, what word should replace “lugubrious?”
benevolent
lugubrious (no change)
malicious
chary
superstitious
“Lugubrious” (glum), “malicious” (spiteful), “chary” (cautious/hesitant), and “superstitious” (believing in legends and luck) do not make sense as types of social polices that could eradicate shoplifting. “Benevolent,” or well meaning and charitable, is an excellent word for the sentence.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
As his owner howled in frustration, the spaghetti was eaten by the naughty dog.
As his owner howled in frustration, the naughty dog ate the spaghetti.
As his owner howled in frustration, then the spaghetti was eaten by the naughty dog.
As his owner howled in frustration, if the spaghetti was eaten by the naughty dog.
As his owner howled in frustration, the spaghetti was eaten by the naughty dog.
As his owner howled with frustration the spaghetti was eaten by the naughty dog.
The sentence above, as written, is in passive voice. Passive voice inverts the object and subject of a sentence, and is often more confusing and less concise than the active voice. In this case, the unnecessary use of the passive voice creates a dangling modifier, "as his" (meaning the dog's) "owner" is used in the first clause, the subject of the second clause must be "the dog." The best way to change the sentence above into active voice is, "As his owner howled with frustration, the naughty dog ate the spaghetti."
1 You may not know Gerard Manley Hopkins was a famous English poet. 2 Hopkins led a complicated life as a Jesuit priest, converting to Roman Catholicism in 1866. 3 Born in 1844 the poet was excellent at sketching from an early age and attended the University of Oxford from 1863 to 1867, where he met poets Christina Rossetti, Robert Bridges, and others. 4 According to his personal diaries, Hopkins frequently struggled to repress homoerotic urges, adopting an ascetic lifestyle, many believing that this contributed to his writing. 5 His work itself is characterized by an escarpment of conventional poetic meter, the use of sprung rhythm, frequent vivid imagery, and a careful and creative use of language.6 Sprung rhythm is a particular poetic rhythm that is intended to mimic natural speech and is distinguished by its irregular patterns although it is distinct from free verse.
7 Hopkins died when he was only in his forties, but his contributions to poetry – particularly his experimentation and his use of sprung rhythm – continue to obscure today.
How should Sentences 1 and 2 be combined?
Gerard Manley Hopkins was a famous English poet who led a complicated life as a Jesuit priest, converting to Roman Catholicism in 1866.
You may not know Gerard Manley Hopkins was a famous English poet, and he, Hopkins, led a complicated life as a Jesuit priest, converting to Roman Catholicism in 1866.
You may not know Gerard Manley Hopkins was a famous English poet; Hopkins led a complicated life as a Jesuit priest, converting to Roman Catholicism in 1866.
As you may not know, Gerard Manley Hopkins was a famous English poet, leading a complicated life as a Jesuit priest and converting to Roman Catholicism in 1866.
Gerard Manley Hopkins, a famous English poet, was leading a complicated life as a Jesuit priest, converting to Roman Catholicism in 1866
These sentences can be combined with only a few changes for concision.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I can't stand how much Emmett bloviates, he is constantly saying more than is necessary or proper.
I can't stand how much Emmett bloviates: he is constantly saying more than is necessary or proper.
I can't stand how much Emmett bloviates, he is constantly saying more than is necessary or proper.
I can't stand how much Emmett bloviates he is constantly saying more than is necessary or proper.
I can't stand how much Emmett bloviates-he is constantly saying more than is necessary or proper.
I can't stand how much Emmett bloviates, with he is constantly saying more than is necessary or proper.
When two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma, this results in an error known as a comma splice. In the example above, something more than a comma is needed to separate the two clauses. The only correct option from the choices given is the colon.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
People spend a lifetime trying to finding happiness of life.
to find happiness.
to finding happiness of life.
to find happiness of life.
to finding happiness in life.
finding happiness of life
The underlined phrase is extremely awkwardly worded, and can be cleaned up quite easily. "To find happiness" is the cleanest expression of the sentiment of the phrase's meaning.
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work, he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work, but he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work, he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work or he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work, cause he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work; and he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma. One option to fix such an error is simply to make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. In this case, since the second clause contradicts the sentiment of the first, adding the coordinating conjunction "but" after the comma is the best way to fix this sentence.