SAT Writing : SAT Writing
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #5 : Identifying Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
April's pencils were not all sharpened, even though although she had run them through the sharpener several times. No error.
were not
No error
run them
several
although
although
In this instance, "although" means the same thing as "even though" and is therefore redundant.
Example Question #6 : Identifying Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Calvin would often tell Jimmy that Jimmy was his best friend, while simultaneously at the same time he would tell Steve that he was his best friend. No error.
would often
Jimmy
he
simultaneously
No error
simultaneously
"Simultaneously" means the same thing as "at the same time" in this sentence, and is therefore redundant.
Example Question #7 : Identifying Ambiguity And Redundancy 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 kitten is very shy around most people, yet but he immediately runs up to play with Daisy whenever she comes into the house. No error.
whenever
but
to play
around
No error
but
"But" is a redundant word in the above sentence, as it is a synonym of "yet" and is not required for the sentence to be grammatically correct.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Ambiguity And Redundancy 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 the substitute teacher wrote the homework assignment on the board, the last bell began to ring as well. No error
board, the last bell
wrote
No error
as well
on
as well
Since the use of "as" in the introductory clause already establishes that another action is happening at the same time, the "as well" is redundant and should be omitted.
Example Question #11 : Identifying Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors
Select the underlined portion of the sentence that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Darren spent most of the day sulking alone in his room, but however he came out once to eat dinner with his parents. No error
No error
to eat
spent
most of the day
but however
but however
Using both "but" and "however" is redundant; there is no need for both of those conjunctions here. Only one is necessary (and, for what it's worth, "but" would sound better in this sentence).
Example Question #184 : Identifying Phrase, Clause, And Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error.
In addition to providing lunch for the children, the camp counselors also gave them dessert and played educational games with them. No error
the children, the
No error
also
played
them
also
The error in this sentence is redundancy, which is basically saying more than you need to. Since the beginning of the sentence already established that the counselors were going to provide something else besides lunch ("in addition"), saying "also" later is redundant. The solution for redundancy is almost always just cutting something out so the revised sentence would read "In addition to providing lunch for the children, the camp counselors gave them dessert and played educational games with them."
Example Question #2891 : Sat Writing
Inspired by storylines that would come to him in dreams, Lord Bennington would stage one-man plays, his audience enjoying the show.
Inspired by storylines that would come to him in dreams, Lord Bennington would stage one man plays, his audiences enjoying the show.
(No changes needed)
Inspired by storylines that would come to him in dreams, Lord Bennington would stage one-man plays; his audiences enjoying the show.
Lord Bennington would stage one-man plays that were inspired by storylines from his dreams; his audiences would enjoy the shows.
Inspired of storylines that would come to him in dreams, Lord Bennington would stage one-man plays, his audiences enjoyed the show.
Lord Bennington would stage one-man plays that were inspired by storylines from his dreams; his audiences would enjoy the shows.
The original statement is grammatically incorrect because "audience" and "show" should be plural. Also, "his audience enjoying the show" makes the sentence into a run-on. The correct answer is concise and not awkward.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors
Every person in the room appreciating the jokes by the performers.
Every person in the room appreciated the jokes by the performers.
Every person in the room has appreciating the jokes by the performers.
Every person in the room appreciating the jokes by the performers.
Every person in the room appreciating the jokes from the performers.
Every person in the room appreciating the jokes of the performers.
Every person in the room appreciated the jokes by the performers.
The sentence as written is actually a fragment, as it does not contain a proper verb. The word "appreciating" in the sentence is a gerund, or a verb form that can function as anoun. The correct answer will use a full verb form, as "Every person in the room appreciated the jokes by the performers" does.
Example Question #3 : Correcting Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors
Religious texts often appear quite difficult to understand, being contradictions of themselves.
being contradictions of themselves.
contradicting themselves.
being contradicting them.
contradicting them.
being contradictions of them.
contradicting themselves.
The underlined phrase in the sentence is awkwardly worded, which makes the sentence itself difficult to understand. The "religious texts" contain contradictions, a meaning not conveyed properly by the sentence. "Contradicting themselves" is the clearest, most appropriate choice among the answers.
Example Question #1 : Correcting Ambiguity And Redundancy Errors
All people choose their own religious denomination when they have been adults.
they have been adults.
when they have been adults.
when being adults.
when they are adults.
when adults they have been.
when they are adults.
The underlined phrase is very awkwardly worded, and the use of the past perfect form "have been" is confusing. The phrase needs to be cleaned up for better clarity of meaning. "When they are adults" is the best choice among the answers.
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