SAT Writing : SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #111 : 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.
"The people of this valley don't take kindly to strangers," said the Mayor. "Us folks like to keep to ourselves." No error
said the Mayor.
No error
"The people
ourselves."
"Us folks
"Us folks
The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "us" in the second quotation of the sentence should be "we" as the pronoun is the subject of that clause, rather than its object. The best way to correct the sentence above is:
'"The people of this valley don't take kindly to strangers," said the Mayor. "We folks like to keep to ourselves."'
Example Question #23 : 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.
That dog was a noble beast; she was extremely loyal to my brother and I. No error
loyal to my
beast;
No error
That dog was
and I.
and I.
The sentence above contains a pronoun case error. The "I" in the second part of the sentence should be "me" as the pronoun is the object of that clause, rather than its subject. The best way to correct the sentence above is:
"That dog was a noble beast; she was extremely loyal to my brother and me."
Example Question #24 : 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.
While it continues to be popular among motorists, SUVs are gradually being replaced by smaller, more efficient cars. No error
are
No error
smaller
While it continues
being replaced
While it continues
"SUVs," the subject of this sentence, is the plural form of SUV. Since we are dealing with a plural, it is incorrect to use the singular pronoun “it” at the beginning of the sentence. Rather, the plural form of the pronoun “they” must be used instead so that the sentence begins, “While they continue.”
Example Question #25 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
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.
The noise from the fighter jets that flew directly above John and I was deafening. No error
was
No error
that flew
above
John and I
John and I
"John and I" is incorrect because this first person pronoun needs to be in objective case, "me." It is the object of the preposition "above" and is not the subject of the sentence; therefore, the objective case "John and me" is correct over subjective case "I."
Example Question #26 : 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.
There was a new person whom I had never seen before standing between my sister and I in the line. No error
There was
No error
standing
whom
and I
and I
This sentence uses the wrong case of pronoun. As an object, the first person pronoun should always be “me.” The corrected sentence reads, "There was a new person who I had never seen before standing between my sister and me in the line."
Example Question #21 : Identifying Pronoun Errors: Case
The grizzly bear, a species well-known for their aggressive behavior, has a bite so strong it could crush a bowling ball.
No error
has
well-known for
so strong
their
their
In this sentence, the pronoun “their” does not agree in number with its antecedent “the grizzly bear.” The corrected sentence reads: The grizzly bear, a species well-known for its aggressive behavior, has a bite so strong it could crush a bowling ball.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Verb Voice Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
She found herself unable to following his long and wordy directions, so she asked another person at the gas station after he left. No error.
No error
to following
found herself
so she asked
after he left
to following
The writer uses the incorrect verb form "to following" in this sentence and needs to change it to "to follow," which is the proper way to form the infinitive (a verbal noun).
Example Question #2 : Identifying Verb Voice 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 know how Jim was able to ran that fast, but since he'd always been running faster than most of us kids, I wasn't too surprised. No error
been running
No error
to ran
how
us kids
to ran
The writer uses the incorrect verb form "to ran" in the above sentence and would need to change it to "to run" in order to make the sentence fully grammatically correct.
Example Question #3 : Identifying Verb Voice Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Pamela knew that Keith was capable of manage the Smith family's wedding, so she left him in charge of catering the event. No error
of catering
No error
in
of manage
family's
of manage
The sentence above uses the incorrect verb form "of manage." We would need to replace it with "of managing" in order to make the sentence correct.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Verb Voice Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Daisy and I contacted the jeweler because we had heard she would be able to finding us a great engagement ring. No error
had heard
would be
to finding
contacted
No error
to finding
The sentence contains a verb voice error in "to finding." We would need to change the verb to the grammatically correct form "to find" in order to improve the sentence.
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