SAT Writing : Identifying Sentence Errors
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Example Questions
Example Question #108 : Identifying Punctuation 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 she drives the car through the geese's puddle, it's swinging door flies open. No error
drives
door flies
No error
geese's
it's
it's
The "it" in the second clause logically must be the car, not the geese's puddle. The contraction "it's" is only used as a replacement for the phrase "it is;" when expressing possession by an object, "its" (without an apostrophe) is always the correct form. The present tense verbs, while unusual, are not incorrect.
Example Question #109 : Identifying Punctuation 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 cant understand why the weather has been so foul lately; it's very unseasonable. No error
why the weather
it's
cant
No error
lately;
cant
The word "cant" means something entirely different from the word "can't," which is a contraction of the words "can" and "not" ("Cant" refers to purposeless chatter or discourse). The latter is clearly what should be in the sentence above, since it is a verb and not a noun, and as such, the portion of the sentence that needs to be corrected is, "cant."
Example Question #110 : Identifying Punctuation 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 wont be very happy with you if you continue to fail to clean up your fair share of the dishes. No error
your fair share
with you
to fail to
I wont be
No error
I wont be
"Wont" refers to a desire acquired through custom or habit. Clearly this is not the right word for this sentence. "Won't" (with an apostrophe) is a contraction of "will not," which fits this sentence much better.
Example Question #111 : Identifying Punctuation 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 believe that your being difficult just for the sake of being difficult; I would appreciate it if you would stop. No error
No error
your being
I believe that
being difficult;
you would stop.
your being
“You're” is a contraction meaning you are. “your” indicates possession when using the second person pronoun you. This sentence needs a verb, not a possessive pronoun, so the portion of the sentence that needs to be corrected is, "your being."
Example Question #112 : Identifying Punctuation 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 bought a lot of you're daughter's Girl Scout cookies last week, and I would appreciate it if you would buy a wreath for my son. No error
I bought
you would buy
you're daughter's
last week, and
No error
you're daughter's
“You're” is a contraction of "you are." “Your” indicates possession when using the second person pronoun you. In the sentence above, clearly "you are" would be a very strange and grammatically incorrect choice, so "you're" has to be the error in the example.
Example Question #113 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
You need to be sure to feed the dog its' raw meat. No error
No error
Its'
to be
meat.
to feed
Its'
This sentence features a simple error of apostrophe placement. The apostrophe in "its'" should be moved before the "s" in order to indicate singular possession. The rest of the sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #114 : Identifying Punctuation 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 very old boat had a number of leaks in it's keel, but we were sure that it would weather the storm. No error
were sure that
The very old boat
a number
it's
No error
it's
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is or it has. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. In this sentence, it would not make sense to say "a number of leaks in it is keel," so we know that "it's" should be replaced with "its."
Example Question #115 : Identifying Punctuation 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 find it hard to believe that the plane crashed solely because its engine failed; there must have been some human error. No error
must have been some human error.
No error
I find it hard
that the plane
its
its
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is or it has. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. The portion of the sentence that needs to be corrected is, "its"
Example Question #116 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
You look really thirsty; are you sure your drinking enough water? No error
No error
You look
really thirsty;
your
water?
your
In this sentence a very, not a possessive pronoun is required. So "your" should read "you're" or "you are." The rest of the sentence, even if you might disagree with the semicolon stylistically, is grammatically correct.
Example Question #117 : Identifying Punctuation Errors
The team leaders began the process of reforming the organizations structure as soon as the report was issued.
reforming the organization's structure
reforming the organizations structures
reformation the organization's structure
reformed the organization's structure
reforming the organization's structure
reforming the organization's structure
The underlined phrase in the sentence has a problem with the word "organizations." The construction of the sentence indicates it needs to be the possesive form, describing the "structure" of the "organization." The correct answer choice is "reforming the organization's structure."
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