SAT Writing : SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #53 : 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.
Many people theorized that the darkness was caused by smoke from a volcanic eruption, but a few know that the real cause was an alien invasion. No error
Many people
but
from a volcanic eruption
No error
know that
know that
This sentence has an error in verb tense. Since the first half is in past tense, the second half should be too. The corrected sentence reads, "Many people theorized that the darkness was caused by smoke from a volcanic eruption, but a few knew that the real cause was an alien invasion."
Example Question #311 : 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.
One alien invader, who misunderstood the orders he has been given, landed in the Great Barrier Reef instead of Great Britain. No error
who
No error
has been given
instead of
in
has been given
This sentence has a problem with verb tense. The main clause is in the past tense, and the modifying phrase should reflect that. The corrected sentence reads, "One alien invader, who misunderstood the orders he had been given, landed in the Great Barrier Reef instead of Great Britain."
Example Question #141 : 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.
Feeling uninspired, the writer stared out at the gloomy landscape and thought of the days when he had rode along the old county roads in his father’s truck.
he
his father's truck
had rode
Feeling uninspired
No error
had rode
This sentence uses an ill-formed verb. The corrected sentence reads: Feeling uninspired, the writer stared out at the gloomy landscape and thought of the days when he had ridden along the old county roads in his father’s pick-up.
Example Question #142 : 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.
He decided it would being a good idea to tell his friends that his birthday was actually the following day, but he was not sure how to say it tactfully. No error
No error
tactfully
was actually
how to say
being a good idea
being a good idea
This sentence uses “being” when “be” is appropriate. The corrected sentence reads, "He decided it would be a good idea to tell his friends that his birthday was actually the following day, but he was not sure how to say it tactfully."
Example Question #143 : 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.
Thankfully, they brang their pirate diorama to school show-and-tell that day; they would have failed if they had forgotten. No error
would have failed
No error
that day; they
brang
had forgotten
brang
To correct this sentence's error, "brang" needs to be changed to "brought," which is the correct but irregular past tense form of "bring."
Example Question #144 : 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.
Until recently, scientists think that genes alone determine the longevity of new crops; however, new research suggests that environment, in addition to genetic factors, plays a crucial role in regulating a plant’s ability to resist pests and disease. No error
plays
however
think
No error
suggests
think
When we encounter a phrase such as "until recently," we know it must describe an event that took place in the past, but the verb "think" is in the present tense. This sentence therefore contains a tense error in the verb "think." Changing "think" to "thought" corrects the sentence's error.
Example Question #145 : 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.
When Martha goes to the coffee shop and places her order, it took her about five minutes to detail all of her specifications. No error
When
goes to the coffee shop
took
No error
to detail
took
This sentence has a problem with verb tense. Since the first half of the sentence is in the present, the second half has to be too. The corrected sentence reads, "When Martha goes to the coffee shop and places her order, it takes her about five minutes to detail all of her specifications."
Example Question #392 : Identifying Sentence Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no errors at all.
Anytime Clara hears a new equation, she was able to remember it even months later. No error
No error
even
later
hears
was
was
Context clues in the sentence, such as "Anytime Clara hears" and "even months later" indicate that the speaker is not referring to Clara's ability in the past tense. Therefore, "was" should be changed to "is" or "will be."
Example Question #393 : 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.
By the time Ron got the brilliant orange goldfish home from the carnival and put it in a fishbowl, it died. No error
By the time
fishbowl,
brilliant orange
No error
it died.
it died.
Give the form of this sentence, the verb “to die” should be in the present perfect and not the simple past tense. We know this, because the sentence follows the general form “by the time X happened, Y had happened.” So the sentence should read “it had died,” not “it died.”
Example Question #394 : 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.
Reporters speculated wildly about what the prisoners had saw while they were in captivity, a time that spanned almost ten months. No error
that spanned almost
No error
the prisoners had saw
speculated wildly
captivity,
the prisoners had saw
In this sentence, the correct verb tense of “to see” is the present perfect, which is “had seen,” not “had saw.”
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