SAT Writing : SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #2 : Identifying Verb Tense 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 David cooks, he uses a variety of spices and put the flame on very high, creating flavorful and charred dishes. No error
put
he uses
very high
No error
creating
put
Since most of this sentence is in the present tense, it is incorrect for other verbs to be in a different tense, as a general rule. Therefore, “put,” which is in past tense, should be “puts,” the proper present tense form.
Example Question #2 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
After several hours of futile research, Paco decided to then take a break before he would resume his search for pertinent data once again. No error
then
No error
pertinent
would
futile
then
The infinitive verb “to take” should not be split by the word “then.” If you wanted to keep the "then" in the sentence but not split the infinitive, you might place it after "Paco" and before "decided."
Example Question #15 : Identifying Verb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Christine had difficulty finding a job despite having been the valedictorian of her university’s graduating class. No error
difficulty
having been
of her university's graduating class
finding a job
No error
No error
This sentence contains no grammatical, stylistic, or usage errors.
Example Question #11 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Next time, I plan to look over my composition quick for faults before I turn it in to my professor. No error
No error
composition
quick
in to
faults
quick
"Quick" is an adjective and is being used to describe "look over," a verb. Adjectives cannot be used to describe verbs; adverbs describe verbs. So, "quick" needs to be changed to "quickly" for the sentence to be correct.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Verb Tense Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
People who hate the pollution emitted by cities also tend to have despised the large companies that create the pollution. No error
have despised
also
who
that create
No error
have despised
Since most of this sentence is in the present tense, it is incorrect for other verbs to be in a different tense, as a general rule. Therefore, “have despised” should be changed to the present tense “despise.”
Example Question #13 : Identifying Verb Tense 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 dentist was frustrated that his patient had developed another set of cavities because he told her to brush her teeth more frequently, and she doesn’t. No error
had developed
was
No error
more frequently
doesn't
doesn't
Since most of this sentence is in the past tense, it is incorrect for other verbs to be in a different tense, as a general rule. Therefore, “doesn’t” should be replaced by the past tense “didn’t.”
Example Question #11 : Identifying Verb Tense 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 young scholar and his advisors, a group of about four people, is going to be honored at an important dinner next week. No error
is
next week
at
as well as
No error
is
In this sentence, the verb does not agree with the subject. The subject is plural (“a group of about four people" is a modifying phrase and doesn’t count), so the correct verb form should be “are,” not “is.”
Example Question #12 : Identifying Verb Tense 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 Scott runs at night, he wears very bright clothes so that drivers could see him. No error
so that
could
No error
at night
him
could
"Could" is a modal verb, but there is nothing in the sentence that calls for a modal verb to be used because the rest of the sentence is in the indicative mood. So, "could" should be changed to the simple present tense indicative verb "can."
Example Question #101 : 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.
After having controlled the city for over 150 years, the British peacefully return Hong Kong to China on July 1st, 1997. No error
controlled
peacefully
No error
over 150 years
return
return
This sentence contains an error in verb tense. Keep verb tenses consistent within the timeline of the sentence. This verb should be past tense ("returned") to reflect an event that happened in the past.
Example Question #11 : Identifying Verb Tense 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 am eagerly awaiting my college admissions decision letters, though I expect that I will have to wait another month before I received any letters. No error
eagerly awaiting
though
will have to wait
received
No error
received
The sentence is referring to something that will happen in the future, which is indicated by the fact that the subject is currently waiting and is expecting to wait longer. Therefore, the verb "receive" cannot be past tense ("received") because it has not happened yet; the subject has not "received" letters and will not for quite some time. "Received" is therefore incorrect.
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