SAT Writing : SAT Writing
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #31 : 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.
Scientists debate whether the primary reason for the extinction of the prehistoric wooly mammoth has been overhunting by humans or climate change. No error
has been
climate change
whether
reason for
No error
has been
This sentence uses the incorrect tense of the verb “to be.” The corrected sentence reads: Scientists debate whether the primary reason for the extinction of the prehistoric wooly mammoth was overhunting by humans or climate change.
Example Question #42 : 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.
Bob agonized over the logic puzzle that Charlie had been giving him, and Charlie took delight in his agony. No error
had been giving
No error
agonized over
his
and
had been giving
This sentence uses the wrong verb tense. “Had been giving” is clunky and unnecessary. The corrected sentence reads: Bob agonized over the logic puzzle that Charlie had given him, and Charlie took delight in his agony.
Example Question #31 : 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.
George was desperately excited to go caroling through the snow, but unfortunately it being July and he would have to wait. No error
being
desperately
would have to wait
No error
through the snow
being
This sentence uses the wrong form of the verb “to be.” “Was” is a better choice than “being” in this case. The corrected sentence reads: George was desperately excited to go caroling through the snow, but unfortunately it was July and he would have to wait.
Example Question #32 : 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.
She spent the afternoon wondering if having been gone to Scotland during the summer was worth the trouble. No error
was
worth the trouble
having been gone
No error
wondering if
having been gone
This sentence uses a convoluted form of the verb. One way to correct the sentence reads: She spent the afternoon wondering if going to Scotland during the summer was worth the trouble.
Example Question #31 : 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.
Turning around, Jonathan saw that the entire back wall of the garden fence has been destroyed in the blast. No error
has been destroyed
that
No error
Turning around
entire back wall
has been destroyed
The timeline of verb tenses in this sentence is not logical. The corrected sentence reads, "Turning around, Jonathan saw that the entire back wall of the garden fence had been destroyed in the blast."
Example Question #133 : 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.
The natural conclusion to draw would being that the goldfish jumped out of the tank, stole some pretzels for the road, unlocked the door, and ran away to join the circus. No error
natural
for the road
No error
and ran away
would being
would being
This sentence uses an incorrectly constructed verb (“would being”). The corrected sentence reads, "The natural conclusion to draw would be that the goldfish jumped out of the tank, stole some pretzels for the road, unlocked the door, and ran away to join the circus."
Example Question #51 : 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.
Although Steven does not usually have an appetite, he has ate more tonight than anyone else at the dinner. No error
than
he
Although
has ate
No error
has ate
The phrase "has ate" should be "has eaten." "Eaten" is the proper participle for the present perfect form.
Example Question #51 : 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.
Marketers are finding greater success making sales when they phoned people in the morning rather than late in the afternoon. No error
greater
when
rather than
phoned
No error
phoned
The sentence is present tense, so use "phone "instead of "phoned."
Example Question #321 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
The undercover agents chose not to apprehend the suspect in the mall that afternoon, but instead apprehended him at the harbor before he is boarding a ship to Morocco. No error
not
is boarding
but instead
in the mall
No error
is boarding
"Is boarding" should be "boarded" because it matches the tense of other verbs in the sentence.
Example Question #322 : Psat Writing Skills
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Despite a strict ban and severe punishments, the circulation of illegal jokes remains a thriving part of that country's underground culture. No error
Despite
No error
remains
of
culture
remains
For the timeline of the sentence to make sense, "remain" should be changed to past tense, because it occured before the Soviet Union collapsed. A simple correction would be "remained."
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