SAT Writing : SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1011 : 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 roller coaster was old and rickety, and the seatbelts were dangerously frayed; getting in, I felt afraid of my life. No error
afraid of
old and rickety
No error
dangerously
getting in
afraid of
This sentence doesn’t follow the conventions of prepositions in its choice of preposition that follows the verb “afraid.” “Afraid of” is very different than “afraid for.” In this case, because the speaker’s life is the thing in danger instead of the speaker's life causing the speaker to feel afraid, “for” is appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "The roller coaster was old and rickety, and the seatbelts were dangerously frayed; getting in, I felt afraid for my life."
Example Question #1012 : 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 Federalists and the Republicans, the first two political parties of the United States, disagreed with how the Constitution should be interpreted. No error
political
of the United States
No error
should be interpreted
with
with
The wrong preposition is used in "disagreed with." You generally "disagree with" a person or policy, but "disagree over" or "disagree on" an issue. Changing "with" to "over" corrects the sentence's error. The corrected sentence reads "The Federalists and the Republicans, the first two political parties of the United States government, disagreed over how the Constitution should be interpreted."
Example Question #1013 : 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.
Her father prevented her against dropping out of high school. No error
No error
Her father
against
of high school
prevented her
against
The correct phrase is “to prevent someone (or something) from doing something.”
Example Question #321 : 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.
While small dogs are more vulnerable then large dogs, they also tend to be more aggressive. No error
No error
also
then
While
are more
then
"Then" is used to describe a sequence of events, while "than" is used to compare two subjects. Here, two subjects are being compared: big and small dogs. Therefore, "than" should be used, not "then."
Example Question #1014 : 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.
Now that I have researched all of the candidates and the issues, I have decided to support for the third party candidate. No error
all of the
and
No error
support for
have decided
support for
In this sentence, the preposition “for” is incorrect. “For” is used after the noun “support,” but not the verb. The corrected sentence reads, "Now that I have researched all of the candidates and the issues, I have decided to support the third party candidate."
Example Question #1015 : 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 presence of a chicken happily pecking at pretzels strewn across her kitchen floor was rather surprising for Margaret. No error
happily
strewn
surprising for
was
No error
surprising for
There is an error in the idiomatic use of prepositions in this sentence. The preposition “to” is more acceptable after “surprising.” The corrected sentence reads: The presence of a chicken happily pecking at pretzels strewn across her kitchen floor was rather surprising to Margaret.
Example Question #1016 : 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.
Half of the students in the class stayed up all night in order to work in the questions that confused them the most. No error
No error
confused
of the students
most
work in
work in
"In" is the wrong preposition. "Work on" makes more sense.
Example Question #1017 : 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.
Inspired for the delicious quiche that he tried in a French bakery last weekend, Marvin went on a organic vegetable shopping spree and tried to recreate the perfect breakfast in his own kitchen. No error
and
No error
that he tried
in his own kitchen
Inspired for
Inspired for
This sentence uses the wrong preposition after “inspired.” “By” would be idiomatically correct. The corrected sentence reads, "Inspired by the delicious quiche that he tried in a French bakery last weekend, Marvin went on a organic vegetable shopping spree and tried to recreate the perfect breakfast in his own kitchen."
Example Question #1018 : 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.
Secretly delighted that the prank, the author admonished his friends for giving him such a fright. No error
Secretly
giving
delighted that
admonished
No error
delighted that
The correct idiomatic preposition after “delighted” in this context would be “by.” The corrected sentence reads, "Secretly delighted by the prank, the author admonished his friends for giving him such a fright."
Example Question #325 : 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.
While his style was initially a protest to painting, Jackson Pollock's brand of artistic expression is now widespread and has influenced many other artists. No error
widespread
traditional painting
No error
has influenced
protest to
protest to
As a general rule for prepositions, "protest" is accompanied by the preposition "against," not "to." Therefore, "protest to" contains an error.
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