SAT Writing : SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #165 : Identifying Sentence 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
No error
last week, and
I bought
you would buy
you're daughter's
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 #166 : Identifying Sentence 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
Its'
to be
meat.
No error
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 #167 : Identifying Sentence 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
No error
were sure that
The very old boat
it's
a number
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 #168 : Identifying Sentence 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
I find it hard
No error
its
must have been some human error.
that the plane
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."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Quotation Mark Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Liam told his study group that "he needed to take a break from studying," so the group's members all decided to get sandwiches before beginning to take notes on the textbook's next chapter. No error
No error
the group's members
before beginning to take notes on
"he needed to take a break from studying,"
the textbook's
"he needed to take a break from studying,"
This sentence incorrectly uses quotation marks to set off an indirect quotation from the sentence when no quotation marks are needed. If the sentence said "Liam told his study group, 'I need to take a break from studying,'" then quotation marks would be necessary. However, because the sentence is indirectly telling us what Liam said, and not giving us his exact words, no quotation marks are needed. Removing the quotation marks around "he needed to take a break from studying" would correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
"Help me lift this", she whispered, knowing the request would be her last if she were overheard. No error
me
would be
this", she
No error
were
this", she
Punctuation always goes inside the quotation marks in American English.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Quotation Mark Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Once Daniel told us that "he was going into the cabin to pick up his guitar," we knew we were about to have a great night around the campfire. No error.
No error
Once Daniel
around
were about to
"he was going into the cabin to pick up his guitar,"
"he was going into the cabin to pick up his guitar,"
The sentences uses quotation marks for an indirect quotation from Daniel when no quotation marks are needed. Only direct quotations require quotation marks in sentences like these.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Quotation Mark 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 don't understand this at all!", Jose yelled in frustration as he crumbled up his Chemistry homework. No error.
all!", Jose
in frustration
Chemistry
No error
crumbled up
all!", Jose
Jose's direct quote ends with an exclamation point, so the quote does not require a comma to separate it from the rest of the sentence.
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