Sentence Improvement Flashcards
Build your knowledge of common errors so you can confidently identify and solve them. This deck takes the mystery and guesswork out of the sentence improvement process. (90 cards)
1
Q
Welcome to SAT Writing, powered by Brainscape’s innovative Confidence Based Repetition model!
How is this program organized?
A
We start with 3 decks focused on the mutiple choice part of the test. You’ll learn processes designed to help you confidently solve each question type. This deck covers Sentence Improvement.
Next comes 2 decks that will help you master some of the most frequent and challenging grammar errors. Finally, we turn our attention to the essay and some multiple choice practice questions in the final few decks.
Note: we review grammar at a level we’ve found most effective in our tutoring lab. However, if you are unsure of some grammar basics (e.g. parts of speech), you may want to review parts of speech using a reliable grammar source.
Good luck!
2
Q
What are the three types of multiple choice questions in SAT Writing?
A
- sentence improvement
- sentence correction
- paragraph improvement
3
Q
How can you immediately recognize the sentence improvement portion of the writing section?
A
Sentence improvement questions have one continuous underline with five choices for suggested improvements.
Holmes had an excellent, if dark, understanding of human nature, it served him well in guiding his suspicions.
4
Q
How long are the underlined portions of sentence improvement questions?
A
Sentence improvement questions can have short underlines…
Having come this far, the marathoner dug deep for the final push.
…or ones that cover the whole sentence.
Writing over the course of fifteen months, the book was finally finished by the overwrought author.
5
Q
What are the two ways to approach sentence improvement within SAT writing?
A
Intuition and analysis
Intuition is a gut response - a sense that something is wrong in some part of the sentence.
Analysis involves identiflying an error and being able to predict an improvement.
6
Q
How should you properly use intuition on sentence improvement questions?
A
You should use intuition to identify parts of a sentence to which you should apply analysis, but not as a substitute for analysis.
7
Q
What does your intuition tell you as to whether the following sentence requires improvement?
Higher still above the Alleghany Mountains rolled the white clouds through the sky.
A
Your intuition probably tells you to improve this sentence, though you might not be able to nail down why.
Inverted construction and unusual usage always sound wrong to our ears, but in this case, the sentence won’t need improvement.
8
Q
Use your intuition to decide if this sentence has anything in it that needs to be improved.
Glad to find everyone safe and sound, dad’s first thought was to call the security company to repair the system.
A
If you said “yes”, then you have good intuition.
There is something about the first part of the sentence that needs improvement.
9
Q
What is the most common type of error in the sentence improvement portion of SAT writing?
A
Sentence structure errors
10
Q
What are the two main kinds of errors related to sentence structure?
A
Run-on sentences and fragments
11
Q
What are the key components of a sentence?
A
A sentence must have a subject and a predicate.
12
Q
What makes a complex sentence?
A
A complex sentence has two or more pairs of subjects and predicates within clauses that are related to express an idea.
13
Q
Identify why this sentence is a complex sentence:
Although Washington, D.C. is the seat of government power in the U.S., it would be a mistake to underestimate the powers of the financial and cultural capitals: New York City and Los Angeles.
A
The sample sentence is complex because the main clause “it would be a mistake”, is subordinated to the clause “Washington… is…seat of power”.
14
Q
Find the subject/predicate combinations in this sentence.
Nikola Tesla, who might be called the “Father of Alternating Current Electricity,” made bitter enemies in his career.
A
subject/predicate combos:
who / might be called
Nikola Tesla / made
Remember, “who” is a subject of the internal clause. This is a common construction for sentence fragment errors on the SAT.
15
Q
Identify the subjects and predicates in the following sentence.
The United Nations has a long history of sanctions against countries that show aggression toward their neighbors.
A
subject/predicate combos:
United Nations / has
that / show
“That” is a pronoun standing for “countries”.
16
Q
Identify the subjects and predicates in the following sentence.
The ukulele, which is associated with Hawaiian culture, actually has its origins in Portugal.
A
subject/predicate combos:
ukulele / has
which / is associated
17
Q
What is the key to confidently identifying run-ons and fragments in sentence improvement?
A
The key to confidently identifying these errors lies in finding and associating the subjects with their predicates.
18
Q
Find the predicates in the following sentence, then ask yourself “who is doing this action?” and find the subject that goes with it.
Many experts with battlefield experience agree that the Powell Doctrine provided a good blueprint for the post-Vietnam American military strategy.
A
subject/predicate combos:
experts / agree
Powell Doctrine / provided
Find “agree.” Ask “Who is agreeing?” Answer: “Experts”
Then search the “that” clause. Find “provided.” Ask “Who or what provided?” Answer: “Powell Doctrine”
19
Q
What is the most common type of run-on sentence on the SAT?
A
comma splice
(comma used incorrectly to separate clauses)
20
Q
Which of these two sentences contains a comma splice?
(a) Huckleberry Finn pretends not to know his own motive, he puts the snakeskin in Jim’s bed.
(b) Whoever it was who stole the hamster should return it to Ms. Brosky’s room immediately.
A
(a) either the comma needs a conjunction or a semi-colon should be used
21
Q
Which sentence contains a comma splice?
(a) Unfortunately, the British pound is not what it once was, and other currencies challenge it in the financial world.
(b) The sequencing of the human genome began in October, 1990, it was completed in only 13 years, a relatively short time.
A
(b) two clauses are separated incorrectly by the comma
22
Q
Once you’ve confirmed a run-on sentence, how many ways can it be improved?
A
There are five different ways to improve a run-on sentence.
Finding and confirming run-ons is sometimes easier than deciding which of the suggested improvements is correct.
(We’re going to show them one at a time.)
23
Q
What is the simplest way to improve a run-on sentence?
A
Separate the two clauses into two sentences with a period.
The SAT will not give you this improvement option in the sentence improvement section, but you may see it in the paragraph improvement section.
24
Q
What is the most common way to improve run-on sentences through punctuation?
SAT students today love studying on their phones, the devices are both convenient and effective.
A
The semi-colon ( ; ) is another way to improve run-ons through punctuation.
SAT students today love studying on their phones; the devices are both convenient and effective.
25
How does the SAT use punctuation improvements to trap students so that they confidently choose wrong answers?
Students can acquire tunnel-vision with the semi-colon -- missing other usually obvious errors introduced in longer sentence improvement choices.
26
How can a run-on sentence be improved while maintaining the same punctuation?
We were hungry, we ate.
A run-on sentence can be improved by adding the right conjunction.
## Footnote
We were hungry, **so** we ate.
**Since** we were hungry, we ate.
27
How can a run-on sentence be improved by making one of the clauses subordinated to the other without conjunctions?
The Hoover Dam was dedicated by Franklin D. Roosevelt on September 30, 1935, it cost over 100 lives to construct.
Use an integrated clause (who, which, or that).
## Footnote
The Hoover Dam, **which** costed over 100 lives to construct, was dedicated by Franklin D. Roosevelt on September 30, 1935.
The clause "which costed over 100 lives to construct" is subordinate because it can not stand alone as a sentence.
"The Hoover Dam was dedicated by Franklin D. Roosevelt on September 30, 1935," is an independent clause because it can stand alone as a sentence.
28
How can a run-on sentence be improved **without** using punctuation or clauses?
Tom Brady has great skills, he is a proven leader on the football field.
Run-ons can be improved by revising the sentence with a compound predicate.
## Footnote
Tom Brady **has** great skills and **is** a proven leader on the football field.
29
What are the five ways run-on sentences can be improved on the SAT?
5 ways to improve run-ons:
* Through punctuation -- changing comma to **period**
* or with a **semi-colon**
* Through **conjunctions** (keeping the comma)
* Through **integration** (using who, that, or which)
* Through **compounding** the sentence (eliminating the comma and 2nd subject)
30
What determines the best improvement for a particular run-on sentence?
Having the best product on the market doesn't necessarily mean success, good marketing, advertising, and promoting often trump it when design is only marginally better.
The context of the sentence and the relationship of the meanings of the two clauses.
## Footnote
Having the best product on the market doesn't necessarily mean success**;** good marketing, advertising, and promotion often trump it when design is only marginally better.
**or**
Having the best product on the market doesn't necessarily mean success, **because** good marketing, advertising, and promotion often trump it when design is only marginally better.
Remember: In writing, there is always more than one way to phrase something.
31
Try this.
The surrounding lands were too _dry and rocky, the settlers couldn't raise enough_ food there to sustain a larger population.
(a) dry and rocky, the settlers couldn't raise enough
(b) dry and rocky; and the settlers couldn't raise enough
(c) dry and rocky, but the settlers couldn't raise enough
(d) dry and rocky, so the settlers couldn't rise enough
(e) dry and rocky, so the settlers couldn't raise enough
(e) dry and rocky, so the settlers couldn't raise enough
## Footnote
(b) uses a semicolon with "and"
(c) "but" makes a faulty coordination
(d) "rise" is a wrong word error
(Once you indentify an error, that always eliminates choice "a" which copies the underlined portion.)
32
_The chef understood that quality, locally grown food was the trend, he designed a menu around that concept._
(a) The chef understood that quality, locally grown food was the trend, he designed a menu around that concept.
(b) The chef understood the concept that quality, locally grown food was the trend, which he designed a menu around.
(c) The chef understood the concept that quality, locally grown food was the trend, he designed a menu around it.
(d) The chef understood that quality, locally grown food was the trend; he designs a menu around that concept.
(e) The chef understood that quality, locally grown food was the trend and designed a menu around that concept.
(e) The chef understood that quality, locally grown food was the trend and designed a menu around that concept.
## Footnote
(b) "which" creates faulty subordination
(c) still a run on
(d) "designs" makes a tense error
(Again, choice "a" is eliminated when you identify an error.)
33
What is a sentence fragment on the SAT?
A sentence fragment on the SAT is when a clause is missing a predicate, or sometimes a subject.
34
What makes sentence fragments a challenge on the SAT?
Sentence fragments are challenging because they occur in complex sentences and with participles that can be mistaken for predicates.
Participles are verb forms that are used to form tenses. *I am going*. *Mother has spoken.* Here "going" and "spoken" are part of the predicate.
However, both can be used in non-verb functions. *Going to California,* *the Joads look upon their home for the last time*. *Spoken in a hushed tone*, *those words were not heard by any living soul.*
Neither "going" nor "spoken" are in the predicate. "Look" and "were not heard" are the verbs in the predicate here.
35
Which of these sentences contains a fragment?
(a) Sid Caesar, who was trained on the Vaudeville stage, making a successful transition to television and film.
(b) Going to the farm with her grandmother for the first time, Gretchen was to see a duck slaughtered, scorched, gutted, plucked, and dressed for dinner.
Sentence (a) is a fragment.
## Footnote
The subject, "Sid Caesar", has no predicate to match with it. The predicate, "was trained", goes with the pronoun "who". The participle "making" cannot be a predicate without a form change.
36
Which of these sentences contains a fragment?
(a) Noticing the clouds, the organizers put a damper on the plans for the late afternoon activities at the fair.
(b) Unable to start, Carl's practically new car, which seemed great during the test drive, seemingly having a manufacturer's defect.
Sentence (b) is the fragment.
## Footnote
The subject, "car", has no active predicate. The predicate "seemed" matches with the pronoun "which" to form a complete clause. The participle "having" does not match with "car".
37
How does the SAT try to confuse you when identify fragments?
Lautering, which is the process of separating the wort from the grains, an important step in the brewing of pale ales.
The SAT will attempt to confuse you with contextual meaning when you need to concentrate on form and grammar.
## Footnote
The main part of the sentence was missing a VERB.
At best, this technique wastes your time as you try to solve the puzzle of context. At worst, you get frustrated or confused by the context and you just guess.
38
Once you've correctly identified a sentence fragment, what's the best process for efficiently finding the correct answer?
Harry Bailey, who is the younger son of Peter Bailey, standing in the shadow of his older brother until the war.
Predict the correction and scan the suggested improvements until you find it.
## Footnote
"Harry Bailey" needs a verb to complete the independent clause. Look for "standing" to change to "stands".
Harry Bailey, who is the younger son of Peter Bailey, **stands** in the shadow of his older brother until the war.
39
Once you've identified a fragment and predicted a correction, for what do you still have to check?
When you search for the right improvement, make sure there is no new error introduced later in the sentence.
Scan all of the suggested improvements for what you predicted, then check those carefully. Attention to detail is key on the SAT.
40
The electrolytic process, in which a cryolyte bath containing alumina sustains an electric _current, revolutionizing the late industrial age with a cheap and versatile metal._
(a) current, revolutionizing the late industrial age with a cheap and versatile metal.
(b) current, revolutionized the late industrial age with a cheap and versatile metal.
(c) current, revolutionized the late industrial age with a virtuality cheap metal.
(d) current; revolutionizing the late industrial age with a cheap and virtually metal.
(e) current; revolutionized the late industrial age with a cheap and versatile metal.
(b) current, revolutionized the late industrial age with a cheap and versatile metal.
## Footnote
(c) "virtually" is a wrong word
(d) semi-colon doesn't fix the fragment and wrong word
(e) semi-colon creates another fragment
41
Marilyn Monroe, who was born under the name Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1923 but baptized and raised under the surname _Baker, becoming a lasting American film icon._
(a) Baker, becoming a lasting American film icon.
(b) Baker; became a lasting American film icon.
(c) Baker, has becoming a lasting American film icon.
(d) Baker, have become a lasting American film icon.
(e) Baker, became a lasting American film icon.
(e) Baker, became a lasting American film icon.
## Footnote
(b) semi-colon makes a fragment
(c) "has becoming" is a form error
(d) "have become" creates verb agreement error
42
Which common error can resemble a fragment, but actually isn't a sentence structure error?
Unlike the rest of my students, Lauren reviews all the materials before coming to the discussion group.
A mistake in the placement of a modifying phrase.
## Footnote
"Unlike the rest of my students," could seem to be a subject without a verb, but it is properly differentiating Lauren from the others.
Since the phrase is located directly next to the word being modified (Lauren), the sentence doesn't need improvement.
43
What is the modifying phrase in the following sentence?
Coming to the party late, Belinda admonished Greg that he'd completely missed meeting Cindy.
The modifying phrase is "Coming to the party late".
## Footnote
The phrase doesn't need to be corrected as a fragment, although it could be improved that way on the SAT. Remember, there is more than one way to improve a sentence.
44
Once you identify a modifying phrase, how do you decide if it needs improvement?
Coming to the party late, Belinda admonished Greg that he'd completely missed meeting Cindy.
You must decide whether the phrase that gives information is physically next to the noun that it modifies.
## Footnote
"Coming late to the party" is the phrase. Does that phrase refer to Belinda, Greg or Cindy? The sentence structure leads us to assume Belinda was late, but she's mad at Greg for missing Cindy, so Greg was late.
Improve the sentence by moving the phrase to modify Greg, not Belinda.
45
What is the modifying phrase in the following sentence; does it need improvement?
Caught picking daisies in his neighbor's yard again, Mr. Wilson chided Dennis not to trespass.
The modifying phrase is "Caught picking daisies in his neighbor's yard again"; the sentence needs improvement.
## Footnote
Dennis is being admonished, so he was in his neighbor's, Mr. Wilson's, yard.
Knowledge of vocabulary affects ability here. You have to know what "chided" and "trespass" mean to be sure of this one.
46
Is there a fragment or misplaced modifier in the following sentence?
Adroitly totting up the situation, the politician tactfully modified his position to meet the mood of his constituents.
This sentence has neither a fragment nor a misplaced modifier.
This is the context distractor, using idioms and vocabulary to make you want to change it to a more comforting form.
Just because you wouldn't write a sentence this way doesn't mean it's wrong.This kind of item errodes confidence. Study vocab so that this doesn't happen often.
47
Does this sentence contain a fragment or a misplaced modifier?
Alexander, by virtue of his excellent understanding of music theory, finding himself inventing new variations of the melody of every piece that he heard.
This is a fragment because "finding" is not a verb here.
48
Does this sentence contain a fragment or a misplaced modifier?
Sitting on the park bench in the shade on such a glare filled morning, Phoebe couldn't see Roger at all without her sunglasses.
This a misplaced modifier because Roger is sitting on the park bench, not Phoebe.
49
Immediately rushing out to help the injured, _the cyclist lay unconscious, while Bethany applied direct pressure to his bleeding leg._
(a) the cyclist lay unconscious, while Bethany applied direct pressure to his bleeding leg.
(b) Bethany lay unconscious, while the cyclist applied direct pressure to his bleeding leg.
(c) Bethany applied direct pressure to the cyclist's leg, while he lay unconscious.
(d) Bethany's direct pressure application lay the cyclist unconscious.
(e) Bethany applied direct pressure to his bleeding leg, while the cyclist lay unconscious..
(c) Bethany applied direct pressure to the cyclist's bleeding leg, while he lay unconscious.
## Footnote
(b) still misplaced modifier
(d) "pressure" cannot be the nearest noun
(e) "his" has no antecedent
50
_Standing in the hot sun on the parade grounds, the ranks_ listened to the general's speech about coming challenges to the armed forces.
(a) Standing in the hot sun on the parade grounds, the ranks
(b) The ranks, standing in the hot sun on the parade grounds, the ranks
(c) Having stood in the hot sun on the parade grounds, the ranks
(d) Standing in the hot sun on parade, the grounded ranks
(e) Stood in the hot sun on the parade grounds, the rank
(a) Standing in the hot sun on the parade grounds, the ranks
## Footnote
(b) repeats "the ranks"
(c) creates tense error
(d) misuses "grounded"
(e) creates a fragment
51
What is a parallel structure in writing?
Parallel structure refers to matching forms within comparisons and lists using gerunds and infinitives.
## Footnote
I've always loved to study, explore and especially **executing** labs in chemistry.
**Executing** (gerund) is not parallel with **to study and explore** (infinitive).
52
Why are parallels sometimes hard to see?
* They still make sense when you read them.
* They are an improvement in readability, not a correction.
* They require an identification of form.
53
How should you approach finding and improving parallels?
A) The team lost the crucial game not only because of a lack of preparation, but also because of over-confidence.
B) Sarah loved Noel for his circumspection, kindness, and the way he thought of others.
Parallels only occur in sentences with comparisons or compounds of gerunds or infinitives, so learn to recognize those phrases and structures that trigger you to check for this error.
A) "a lack of preparation" and "an overabundance of confidence"
B) "circumspection, kindness" and "thoughtfulness"
54
Does the following sentence contain parts that need to be checked for parallel improvement?
(a) A post-modern journalist needs to concentrate on immediacy, accuracy, and alacrity, but, most of all, on shameless self-promotion.
Yes. A list (immediacy, accuracy, and alacrity).
## Footnote
\*We call these sentence elements "flags" They trigger a particular type of analytical search while doing the SAT writing test.
There are quite a few errors to recognize, but memorizing the flags will make you faster and more confident in the way you apply your analysis.
We've gathered the flags into a later deck so you can be ready for all the test's tricks.
55
Does this sentence contain parts that need to be checked for parallel improvement?
He wasn't the kind of guy who complained; he was the kind of guy to whine like an unoiled axle.
He wasn't/he was
## Footnote
He wasn't the kind of guy who complained; he was the kind of guy **who whined** like an unoiled axle.
56
Does this sentence contain parts that need to be checked for parallel improvement?
Lucy always had either something she wanted to do or a place she wanted to go.
either/or
## Footnote
Lucy always had either something she wanted to do or **someplace** she wanted to go.
57
Once you've identified the flags that trigger you to check for parallelism, what do you do next?
The assistant coach reminded the players to give their classes a high priority, look after nutrition and hygiene, and **that abuse of alcohol would not be tolerated**.
Follow this process:
* predict wording
* look for your prediction in the least number of words
In this case..."and not abuse alcohol."
Non-parallel structures are usually somewhat wordy.
58
Try this.
Adherents to *Realpolitik* are less concerned with ideological constraints or ethical principles _than with approaches that are pragmatic and goals bounded by reality._
(a) than with approachs that are pragmatic and goals bounded by reality.
(b) than with pragmatic approachs and goals bounded by reality.
(c) than with approachs that are pragmatic and realistic goals.
(d) than with pragmatic approachs and realistic goals.
(e) than pragmatic approachs that are bounded by reality.
(d) than pragmatic approachs and realistic goals.
## Footnote
(b) doesn't correct parallel.
(c) only corrects half.
(e) doesn't correct parallel.
59
Try this.
If you want to meet your weight goal, you will need to exercise vigorously, choose healthy foods, _and eat moderate portions._
(a) and eat moderate portions.
(b) and to eat moderate portions.
(c) and eating moderate portions.
(d) and moderate portions.
(e) and eat portions that are more moderate.
(d) and moderate portions.
## Footnote
(b) "to" is not necessary again.
(c) "eating" creates parallel error.
(e) still not parallel, and now wordier.
60
A clause is a portion of a sentence that has a subject and predicate. What are the two types of clauses?
Clauses are either **independent** or **subordinate**.
## Footnote
*Because I could not stop for Death,* **Death kindly stopped for me.**
The 2nd part of the sentence (bold) could stand as a sentence on its own, making it independent. The 1st part (italics) could not because of the word "since", which makes it subordinate to the other clause.
61
In grammar, what part of speech coordinates or subordinates clauses?
Coordination and subordination of clauses always require conjunctions.
62
What are the two main types of conjunctions?
Conjunctions are either coordinating or subordinating.
63
What are coordination-subordination errors on SAT sentence improvement questions?
They are inappropriate or illogical connections of clauses with the wrong conjunction.
## Footnote
In Ia Drang, the 7th Air-Cavalry killed over a thousand PVNA forces, and the Vietnamese solidiers kept coming for a second day.
64
What makes coordination and subordination improvements challenging on the SAT?
Coordination and subordination problems sometimes have no effect on readability or comprehension.
## Footnote
Benjamin Franklin was a notable writer and statesman, and is perhaps best known as the inventor of the lightning rod.
(There **is** an improvement to be made in this sentence.)
65
Does this sentence have a coordinated clause or a subordinated clause?
The Beatles began a wave of interest called "The British Invasion", and, subsequently, many careers of promising American performers waned.
Coordinated clause ("and" connects two independent clauses)
66
Does this sentence have a coordinated clause or a subordinated clause?
While Mom and Dad shopped for supplies, Susan and I prepared the house for the high winds and rain.
Subordinated clause beginning with "While..."
67
Does this sentence have coordinated or subordinated clauses?
The Takoma Narrows Bridge, which failed on November 7, 1940, influenced the designs of bridges all across the world.
(a) Subordinated clause "which" phrase
68
Does this sentence have coordinated or subordinated clauses?
The student council at Warren G. Harding High School wanted to organize a pajama dance for March Madness week, but the pompus principal nixed the idea.
(b) Coordinated clause "but"
69
What conjunction would you use to connect these two clauses?
After World War II, the U.S. administered West Berlin...the U. S. S. R. oversaw East Berlin.
You should use "and" here.
## Footnote
After World War II, the U. S. administered West Berlin, **and** the U. S. S. R. oversaw East Berlin.
(These clauses are almost equal, so leaving them both independent makes the most sense.)
70
Which conjunction would you choose to connect these two clauses?
Demand for steel dropped after World War I...U. S. Steel continued an agressive policy against unionization to keep costs low.
Choose a conjunction like "so" here, since one thing caused another.
## Footnote
Demand dropped, **so** U. S. Steel continued a policy against unionization.
U. S. Steel continued a policy against unionization, **for** demand dropped...
**or
Because/since** demand dropped, U. S. Steel...
71
What is a good conjunction to use to link these two clauses?
He wanted to go to the concert...his boss told him to finish the project.
"But" is a good conjunction to link here, since the two clauses oppose each other.
## Footnote
He wanted to go to the concert, **but** his boss told him to finish the project.
**Although** he wanted to go to the concert, his boss told him to finish the project.
72
What's the best process for finding faulty coordinations and subordinations?
In Ia Drang, the 7th Air-Cavalry killed over a thousand PVNA forces, and the Vietnamese solidiers kept coming for a second day.
Benjamin Franklin was a notable writer and statesman, and is perhaps best known as the inventor of the lightning rod.
Be suspicious. Check the context of both clauses and establish the relationship between them.
## Footnote
In Ia Drang, the 7th Air-Cavalry killed over a thousand PVNA forces, **but** the Vietnamese solidiers kept coming for a second day.
Benjamin Franklin was a notable writer and statesman, **but** is perhaps best known as the inventor of the lightning rod.
73
_Moving a piano has always been a delicate and even dangerous undertaking, because_ Admiral and Mrs. Dover left the task to experienced movers.
(a) Moving a piano has always been a delicate and even dangerous undertaking, because
(b) Because moving a piano had always being a delicate and even dangerous undertaking,
(c) Because moving a piano is always a delicate and even dangerous undertaking, because
(d) Because moving a piano has always been a delicate and undertaking danger;
(e) Because moving a piano has always been a delicate and even dangerous undertaking,
(e) Because moving a piano has always been a delicate and even dangerous undertaking,
## Footnote
(b) "being" is a form error
(c) "because" is used to introduce both clauses
(d) semi-colon makes a fragment
74
Identify an error. Pick the best way to fix it.
Juliet tries to be a dutiful and obedient daughter, _and agrees to marry the Noble Paris only when threatened_ with expulsion from the family.
(a) and agrees to marry the Noble Paris only when threatened
(b) but agrees to marry the Noble Paris only when threatened
(c) however, agrees to marry the Noble Paris only when threatened
(d) and yet is agreeable to marry the Noble Paris only when threatened
(e) but agrees to marry the Noble Paris only when threatening
(b) but agrees to marry the Noble Paris only when threatened
## Footnote
(c) "however" is not a conjunction
(d) "is agreeable" is wordier
(e) "threatening" doesn't describe Juliet
75
Which sentence improvement distractor answer is identical to the portion underlined?
Answer choice (a) merely recopies the suspect portion of the question item, which effectively means "no error".
It wastes time to read it. Skip it.
76
Why are the "no error" selections among the most difficult answers on the SAT?
They require knowledge, good process, and confidence.
They are also the most unfamiliar to most standardized test takers.
77
_That Jack Gantos won the Newbery Award this year came as no_ surprise to those who have read his two successful series.
(a) That Jack Gantos won the Newbery Award this year came as no
(b) Jack Gantos won the Newbery Award this year, and it came as no
(c) Jack Gantos won the Newbery Award this year and comes as no
(d) Jack Gantos won the Newbery Award this year has not come as a
(e) Jack Gantos has won the Newbery Award this year came as no
(a) That Jack Gantos won the Newbery Award this year came as no
## Footnote
(b) wordy
(c) Jack Gantos doesn't come as no surprise
(d) Jack does't come as a surprise
(e) Jack has not come as a surprise
78
_Without trying to annoy anyone in the family, Jenny's new boyfriend is managing to irritate each member, one by one._
(a) Without trying to annoy anyone in the family, Jenny's new boyfriend is managing to irritate each member, one by one.
(b) Without trying to annoy everyone in the family, Jenny's new boyfriend has managed irritating each member, one by one.
(c) Although without trying to annoy anyone in the family, Jenny's new boyfriend is managing to irritate each member, one by one.
(d) Without trying to annoy anyone in the family, Jenny's new boyfriend is managing irritating each member, one by one.
(e) Without trying to annoy anyone in the family, Jenny's new boyfriend is managing to irritate each member, one at a time.
(a) Without trying to annoy anyone in the family, Jenny's new boyfirend is managing to irritate each member, one by one.
## Footnote
(b) "irritating" is a misuse of gerund
(c) "Although" makes a fragment
(d) "irritating" is a misuse of gerund
(e) "one at a time" is a little wordier
79
After seeing no other need for improvement, what is the last thing that should be checked before picking "no error"?
Wordiness
80
What makes wordiness hard to spot on the SAT?
Wordiness could be caused by even one unnecessary word.
## Footnote
He liked Ju-Ju Fruits, Mike & Ike's, **and also** Junior Mints, but only when he went to the movies.
81
How should you handle finding wordiness on the SAT?
If you see it in the course of looking for other errors, then predict a fix and search for it.
82
What if you can't identify wordiness, but your intuition is telling you it might be there?
Check the list of answers starting with the _shortest_. If it doesn't introduce another error, pick it.
83
Which is the better improvement for this sentence?
_He liked Ju-Ju Fruits, Mike & Ike's, and also Junior Mints, but only when he went to the movies._
(a) When he went to the movies, he liked Ju-ju Fruits, Mike & Ike's and Junior Mints.
(b) He liked Ju-ju Fruits, Mike & Ike's and Junior Mints, but only when he went to the movies.
(b) is the better improvement.
## Footnote
Even though (a) is shorter and corrects the "and also" wordiness, it loses a portion of the meaning that these are candies only consumed at the movie theater.
So, even though looking for the shortest is the right process, it may not always be the correct answer. You need to check to see the context is complete.
84
Philip Pullman, after receiving the Carnegie Award in 1996 for his first novel, _*Northern Lights*, was sanguine about his opportunity for a chance to sell the movie rights_*.*
*(a) Northern Lights,* was sanguine about his opportunity for a chance to sell the movie rights.
*(b) Northern Lights,* was optimistically about his opportunity for a chance to sell the movie rights.
*(c) Northern Lights,* was sanguine for a chance to sell the movie rights.
*(d) Northern Lights,* was sanguine about selling the movie rights*.*
*(e) Northern Lights,* was sanguinal about his chances to sell the movie rights.
(d) *Northern Lights*, was sanguine about selling the movie rights.
## Footnote
(b) "optimistically" misuses adverb
(c) wordy still
(e) "sanguinal" is a misuse, still wordy
85
The corn in the fields was high, and the farmer hoped _the price would hold this season until he was able to pick and bushel it and bring it all to market._
(a) the price would hold this season until he was able to pick and bushel it and bring it all to market.
(b) the price would hold this season until he was able to market it.
(c) the price would hold this season until he was able harvest it and bring it all to market.
(d) the price would hold this season until he was able to pick, bushel, and market it.
(e) the price would hold this season until he was able to bring it all to market.
(d) the price would hold this season until he was able to pick, bushel, and market it.
## Footnote
(b) loses details
(c) still wordy
(e) "bring it all to market" is still too wordy
86
How does the sentence improvement section of SAT writing challenge you as you check for errors?
This section requires you to both search for grammar and contextual errors.
Your brain has different locations devoted to grammar and context, so while you're concentrating on one you often don't see the other.
87
How should you divide your checklist process to make sure you cover both types of errors?
Read for grammatical form first. Then read for contextual errors.
88
What are the sentence improvement errors you will find based on analyzing grammatical form?
Grammar form errors:
* Run-on
* Fragment
* Parallelism
89
What are the sentence improvement errors that must be checked through sentence context?
Contextual improvements:
* Misplaced modifiers
* Faulty coordination-subordination
* Wordiness
90
Once you've become familiar with identifying the six common errors, how can the test still slip something past you?
The test can present a double error.
## Footnote
Sentences that have an obvious error sometimes also have a less obvious one lurking elsewhere in the sentence.
These errors often pair with wordiness, or come from the sentence correction section of the test. You'll want to look at that deck next.`
