SAT Writing : SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Mr. Harris told Mr. Jarvins that at the latest staff meeting, the owner of the company expressed a strong interest in promoting him to a senior executive position. No error
No error
interest in
expressed
executive
him
him
This sentence contains an ambiguous pronoun. We don't know whether "him" refers to Mr. Harris or Mr. Jarvins, so "him" is the error in the sentence. If we wanted to fix the error, we would have to replace "him" with the unique name of the person—Mr. Harris or Mr. Jarvins—being considered for the promotion.
Example Question #2 : Identifying 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.
Jim and Tommy were late to work for the fourth time that week, since they had to pick her up at the airport and her flight was late. No error
since
they
No error
her
were
her
This is an ambiguous pronoun. We are not sure to whom "her" refers. The sentence should use her name.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Many experts advocate changing how children learn to write, theorizing that they will have more success in the long run. No error
they
theorizing
changing
to write
No error
they
"They" is an ambiguous pronoun reference—it could refer to either "experts" or "children."
Example Question #2 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
When Susanne and Patricia were called on stage as the finalists for the debate competition, she knew who was going to win. No error.
were called
she
When
No error.
the finalists
she
"She" contains this sentence's error. As Susanne and Patricia are both girls, the pronoun "she" is ambiguous. Also, the "she" could refer to another person—perhaps someone observing the competition in the audience. We don't know if the she refers to Susanne, Patricia, or someone else, and this makes the sentence's meaning unclear.
Example Question #211 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Jane and Annabel were so focused on the music the DJ was playing that she lost track of time. No error
were
was playing
she
of time
No error
she
While the subjects of the sentence are "Jane and Annabel," the sentence later uses the pronoun "she," which could refer to either of the women. We can correct this ambiguity by replacing "she" with "they."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Ambiguity
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
We were confused when our Physics and Calculus teachers were not around during lunch, but then we heard that he was in a faculty meeting. No error
he
but then
during
were confused
No error
he
The writer uses the pronoun "he" in this sentence, which is ambiguous because there are two teachers. The writer should use the pronoun "they," which is plural and thus agrees with its plural antecedent "teachers."
Example Question #21 : 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.
Regina and Katherine have been best friends since the third grade, so it was no surprise to anyone that she ended up going to the same college. No error.
no
No error
she
anyone
have been
she
Since the subject of the sentence is "Regina and Katherine," the pronoun "she" is used incorrectly here and does not reflect that the writer is referring to two women. The writer should replace "she" with the plural pronoun "they."
Example Question #11 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Kenny told Pete that the angry chickens on Mr. Peterson's farm would have nothing to do with him. No error.
on
him
nothing
would
No error
him
The pronoun "him" is ambiguous here, as the reader cannot say for certain whether the "him" is referring to Kenny or Pete. To fix the error, we would need to replace "him" with the unique name of the person that the angry chickens would have nothing to do with.
Example Question #11 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Many politicians support granting immunity from deportation to the children of illegal immigrants, believing that they will use the opportunities to create better lives here in America. No error.
they
No error
granting
from
to create
they
The pronoun "they" is ambiguous in this sentence, as it is not clear if it is referring to the politicians or the children of illegal immigrants.
Example Question #12 : Identifying Pronoun Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Monica had never been late for work before, but after escorting her cousins to the train station, she found herself running two hours late because he had gotten lost. No error
found
escorting
he
had never
No error
he
The sentence includes an ambiguous pronoun, "he." From the information presented, it is impossible for the reader to determine which of Monica's two cousins got lost. To correct the sentence, the writer could specify this information by giving the names of the two cousins (e.g. "her cousins Tom and Harry") and then specify which one had gotten lost.
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