SAT Writing : Improving Sentences
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Example Questions
Example Question #91 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No Errors
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.
Although confusing to most readers, literary scholars appreciate the book quite a lot.
Although confusing to most readers, literary scholars appreciate the book quite a lot.
Although confusion to most readers, literary scholars appreciate the book quite a lot.
Although confusing to most readers, literary scholars appreciates the book quite a lot.
Although confusing to most readers literary scholars appreciate the book quite a lot.
Although confusing to most readers, literary scholars appreciate the book quite lot.
Although confusing to most readers, literary scholars appreciate the book quite a lot.
The sentence is absolutely correct as written, and needs nothing done to improve it grammatically, structurally, or logically. Additionally, all the other answer choices make the sentence worse on some level. The best answer choice is to leave the sentence as is.
Example Question #92 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No Errors
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.
Moving into the future, the party's leaders decided to abandon their unsuccessful strategy.
Moving into future parties
Moving into the future, the party's
Moving into the future the party's
Moving into the future: the party's
Moving into the future, the parties
Moving into the future, the party's
The underlined section does contain a number of punctuation marks and interesting wording, but it is entirely correct. No changes need to be made to the sentence.
Example Question #93 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No Errors
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.
Children frequently want toys they have seen advertised on their favorite television shows.
they seen advertised
the advertising they saw
they saw advertising
they have seeing advertised
they have seen advertised
they have seen advertised
The underlined portion of the sentence, while slightly awkwardly worded, is perfectly correct grammatically. All of the other answer choices have either an incorrect verb tense or a construction that muddles the meaning of the sentence.
Example Question #1321 : Improving Sentences
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.
Although I had not wanted to attend the jazz concert, I was soon covered in goose bumps as I listened to the beautiful music.
Unless I had not wanted to attend the concert
After I had not wanted to attend the concert
Although I had not wanted to attend the concert
Because I had not wanted to attend the concert
If I had not wanted to attend the concert
Although I had not wanted to attend the concert
The sentence is best in its original form.
Example Question #1322 : Improving Sentences
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.
The most difficult aspect of going to school and work is managing my time effectively.
I have to manage my time effectively
managing my time effectively
I must manage my time effectively
the effective management of my time
the management of my time in an effective way
managing my time effectively
The answer is correct the way it is because the verb that links the sentence, is, should be a noun phrase that is representative of, the most difficult aspect. The answer is also not wordy.
Example Question #1323 : Improving Sentences
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.
The older employees grew increasingly uncomfortably with the company's new hires, all of whom had advanced degrees and more training.
the company's new hires, all of whom had advanced degrees and more training.
the company's new hires', all of whom had advanced degrees and more training.
the companies new hires, all of whom had advanced degrees and more training.
the company's new hires, all of who had advanced degrees and more training.
the company's new hires all of whom had advanced degrees and more training.
the company's new hires, all of whom had advanced degrees and more training.
The sentence is perfectly correct as written, with the possesive in "company's" correctly used, the dependent clause set apart from a comma, and the proper usage of "whom." The correct answer choice is to leave the sentence as it is written.
Example Question #1324 : Improving Sentences
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.
Rivers were once the key transportation method in civilization, but the paving of roads created concrete rivers across land masses.
the road paving
the roads paving
the paving of roads
the paving road
the paving roads
the paving of roads
The underlined portion of the sentence features a gerund, a present verb form that can be used as a noun. Thus, the phrase "the paving of roads" can appropriately be a subject in the phrase, and the sentence is correct as written.
Example Question #1325 : Improving Sentences
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.
The frequency with which he received fan mail became overwhelming for his assistant.
The frequency with which he having received fan mail became overwhelming for his assistant.
The frequency of which he received fan mail became overwhelming for his assistant.
The frequency with which he received fan mail became overwhelming for his assistant.
The frequency with which he received fan mail became overwhelmed for his assistant.
The frequency with which he received fan mail became overwhelming at his assistant.
The frequency with which he received fan mail became overwhelming for his assistant.
While the sentence as written might sound slightly awkward, there is nothing particularly wrong with it. Further, all of the answer choices that do change something either make the sentence grammatically incorrect or change its meaning. The best answer choice is to leave the sentence unchanged.
Example Question #1326 : Improving Sentences
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.
Under the old laws, such dissent would have been quickly stamped out.
Under the old laws, which
Under the old law which
Under the old laws, such
Under old laws, which
Under the old laws such
Under the old laws, such
The sentence is completely correct as written. The introductory phrase "Under the old laws" is appropriately set off with a comma, and the use of "such" is the only word that makes the sentence complete.
Example Question #117 : Recognizing Sentences That Contain No Errors
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.
Gus was surprised that the pizza had taken so long to get to his house.
had taken so long in getting
had took so long to get
had taken so long getting
had took so long in getting
had taken so long to get
had taken so long to get
The answer is correct the way it is because taken is the correct use of the word, take, in the past tense. The answer is also not wordy.
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