SAT Writing : SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #293 : 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.
Billy the cat used to be a tiny kitten that his owners could hold in one hand, but he had grown huge and rotund as it matured, and now his owners were barely able to pick him up at all. No error
as it matured
he had grown huge and rotund
but
No error
that his owners could hold in one hand
as it matured
This sentence's error occurs in the phrase "as it matured." Since Billy the cat is referred to as "he" in the rest of the sentence, it doesn't make sense to suddenly refer to him as "it" in this phrase. Changing "it" to "he" would correct the sentence's error.
Example Question #791 : 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.
When one loses a friend or family member, they should seek out others who have experienced similar losses. No error
others who
loses a friend
No error
have experienced
they should
they should
Because the singular pronoun "one" is used to describe the subject at the beginning of the sentence, the plural pronoun "they" cannot be used to describe the same subject. Therefore, in order for the sentence to be correct, "they should," would have to be replaced with "one should."
Example Question #28 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Inconsistent Usage
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The couches, carpets, and wallpaper in her house are each an alarming shade of pink; one often feels as if one has walked into a palace made of cotton candy when you step in the door. No error
when you step in the door
each an alarming shade of pink
are
often feels
The couches, carpets, and wallpaper in her house
when you step in the door
The error in this sentence has to do with using both "one" and "you" as pronouns in a single sentence. Once you being using one of these pronouns in a sentence, you should stick with it and not switch to using the other one in mid-sentence. This sentence's latter half begins with "one" and uses the phrase "as if one has walked," but near the end, it switches to using "you" when it says "when you step in the door." To correct this sentence's error, "when you step in the door" should be changed to "when one steps in the door."
Example Question #792 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
One must do what one can for your country; it's incredibly important. NO ERROR
your
important.
NO ERROR
do what
country;
your
In the first part of the sentence, the writer begins using the pronoun "one." This usage should be kept consistent throughout the sentence, so the introduction of "your" is erroneous and should be corrected.
Example Question #793 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined portion of the sentence below that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
You must be consistent in your actions, because the people will not respect ambivalent leadership. NO ERROR
consistent
actions, because
will not
your
NO ERROR
NO ERROR
In the sentence above, "you" is used, as is "your." This is consistent usage of the same pronoun, and the sentence is correct as it is written.
Example Question #794 : Sat Writing
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed in order to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
In order for you to become a successful tennis player, one must devote many hours to practice; working on the intricacies can seem arduous, but it is of utmost importance. No error
player,
No error
arduous,
one
practice;
one
The uses of "you" and "one" here are inconsistent. They refer to the same subject, so using each one once is inconsistent. Either one would be a fine choice, as long as it is the same one - the choice should be consistent throughout the sentence.
Example Question #795 : 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.
One often finds that one can’t study when people are talking near you, especially if those people are giggling or yelling. No error
you
are
No error
especially if
can't
you
You can't switch between "one" and "you." The sentence begins with "one" and has to keep using it for the remainder of the statement.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The awkward tension between Sam and I was, as it turns out, completely one-sided. No error
awkward
completely one-sided
No error
Sam and I
as it turns out
Sam and I
The pronoun "I" is only used as the subject of a sentence. "Me" is used as the object of a verb or (as in this case) a preposition. The corrected sentence reads, "The awkward tension between me and Sam was, as it turns out, completely one-sided."
Example Question #1 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I say that between you and I, we can definitely eat that entire pizza. No error
we
I say
you and I
No error
between
you and I
The phrase "between you and I" is incorrect because "you" and "I" are acting as the objects of the prepositional phrase "between you and I," where the objective forms of these pronouns ("you" and "me") should be used instead.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
I never heard the official announcement, but I received the news when Mark sent an email to Sharon and I. No error
Sharon and I
received
No error
never
when
Sharon and I
This sentence has a problem with pronoun case in the prepositional phrase "to Sharon and I." "I" is the subjective case of the first-person pronoun, but as an object of the preposition "to," the objective case of the first-person pronoun, "me," should be used. The corrected sentence reads, "I never heard the official announcement, but I received the news when Mark sent an email to Sharon and me."
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