SAT Writing : SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #41 : Sat Writing
Identify the linking verb in the sentence below.
George and I were engaged, but then he ran away to Panama a week before the wedding.
ran away
wedding
week
were
but
were
A linking verb does not express an action, but simply links a subject and something about it. Here, "were" connects "George and I" and "engaged."
Example Question #42 : Sat Writing
Indentify the main verb in the sentence below.
Please empty the trash cans that are in the kitchen and bathroom before you leave.
trash
in
are
empty
Please
empty
The main verb in this sentence is "empty," because it is an imperative sentence asking the listener to do the action of emptying. The other verbs "are" and "leave" are in dependent clauses and therefore not the main verb.
Example Question #43 : Sat Writing
Identify the verb in the sentence below.
Quite frankly, I would never eat anything stewed with hog's feet.
frankly
eat
anything
feet
with
eat
The verb here describes the action of the sentence, which is "eat."
Example Question #43 : Sat Writing
Identify the linking verb in the sentence below.
It is best that you arrive ten minutes before your appointment.
best
It
arrive
is
appointment
is
Linking verbs do not have any meaning, but they link nouns and things that describe them. Here, "is" links "It" and "best."
Example Question #45 : Sat Writing
Identify the action verb in the sentence below.
It is best that you arrive ten minutes before your appointment.
arrive
appointment
best
It
is
arrive
Action verbs describe an action or something that something does. Here, the action is "arrive."
Example Question #44 : Sat Writing
Identify the linking verb in the sentence below.
I am disappointed that the cake burned the house down.
burned
that
down
am
disappointed
am
A linking verb does not have any meaning, but it does link concepts together. Here, "am" links "I" and "disappointed." "Burned" is not a linking verb because it describes an action.
Example Question #45 : Sat Writing
Identify the action verbs in the sentence below.
We went to the movies last night and saw an exciting film about pirates.
went . . . saw
went . . . about
last . . . about
to . . . about
to . . . saw
went . . . saw
Action verbs describe an action in a sentence. The action verbs here are "went," which is the past tense of "to go," and "saw," which is the past tense of "to see."
Example Question #46 : Sat Writing
Identify the main verb in the sentence below.
Overwhelmed by the vast selection of cupcakes, Martha decided to eat a cookie instead.
decided
selection
Overwhelmed
by
instead
decided
The main verb is the action that the subject is doing. In this sentence, "Martha decided," so "decided" is the main verb.
Example Question #47 : Sat Writing
Life has no pleasure higher or nobler than that of friendship.
Which of the underlined words in this sentence is a verb?
pleasure
nobler
has
friendship
has
The word "has" is the only verb in this sentence.
(Sentence adapted from "The Decay of Friendship" in Issue 23 of The Idler by Samuel Johnson, September 23rd, 1758.)
Example Question #48 : Sat Writing
Those who would gladly pass their days together may be separated by the different course of their affairs; and friendship, like love, is destroyed by long absence, though it may be increased by short intermissions.
Which of the underlined words in this sentence is a verb?
course
intermissions
pass
absence
pass
The word "pass" functions here as part of a verbal phrase.
(Sentence adapted from "The Decay of Friendship" in Issue 23 of The Idler by Samuel Johnson, September 23rd, 1758.)
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