Correcting Other Adjective and Adverb Errors

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SAT Writing › Correcting Other Adjective and Adverb Errors

Questions 1 - 10
1

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Dogs and cats both make excellent pets, but dogs treat their owners more affectionate.

Dogs and cats both make excellent pets, but dogs treat their owners more affectionately.

Dogs and cats both make excellent pets, but dogs treat their owners more affectionate.

Dogs and cats both make excellent pets; but dogs treat their owners more affectionate.

Dogs and cats both make excellent pets; but dogs treat their owners more affectionately.

Dogs and cats both make excellent pets, and dogs treat their owners more affectionate.

Explanation

Adjectives describe nouns, and adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Always ensure that you are using the correct one for describing a particular word. Since it is the way in which the dogs "treat" (verb) their owners is being described, the best way to correct the underlined sentence above is, "Dogs and cats both make excellent pets, but dogs treat their owners more affectionately."

2

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Certain scientific theories were actually developed by two researchers simultaneous.

by two researchers simultaneously.

by two researchers simultaneous.

of two researchers simultaneous.

of two researchers simultaneously.

by two researchers in simultaneous.

Explanation

The use of the word "simultaneous" actually describes the verb "developed," even though it is next to the verb "researchers." The issue can be corrected by making the word "simultaneous" an adverb. "By two researchers simultaneously" is the correct answer choice.

3

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Paula's elocution is very excellently: she has really become a phenomenal speaker.

Paula's elocution is very excellent: she has really become a phenomenal speaker.

Paula's elocution is very excellently: she has really become a phenomenal speaker.

Paula's elocution is very excellently; she has really become a phenomenal speaker.

Paula's elocution is very excellent she has really become a phenomenal speaker.

Paula's elocution is very excellent, she has really become a phenomenal speaker.

Explanation

While this sentence describes the way in which "Paula" speaks, her "elocution" is actually acting as a noun in this sentence, and thus an adjective is required. The correct version of this sentence reads, "Paula's elocution is very excellent: she has really become a phenomenal speaker."

4

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

The man's brightly smile made everyone feel more at home in his presence.

The man's bright smile

The mans brightly smile

The mans bright smile

The man's brightly smile

The mans' brightly smile

Explanation

Adjectives describe nouns, and adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Always ensure that you are using the correct one for describing a particular word. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "The man's bright smile"

If the man's action of smiling were being described then the adverb "brightly" would be correct.

5

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

The car was moving quick—in fact, it was going so fast as to be wildly unsafe.

The car was moving quickly

The car was moving quick

The car was moving fast

The car was rapid

The car was moving slowly

Explanation

Because the underlined portion of the sentence is discussing the way in which an action was done, an adverb is required rather than an adjective in this sentence. The correct version of this sentence reads: "The car was moving quickly—in fact, it was going so fast as to be wildly unsafe.

6

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

I vehement hate the way that cats behave: they act like they are the most important creatures in the world.

I vehemently hate the way that cats behave:

I vehement hate the way that cats behave,

I vehement hate the way that cats behave, and

I hate vehement the way that cats behave:

I vehement hate the ways that cats behave:

Explanation

Adjectives describe nouns, and adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Always ensure that you are using the correct one for describing a particular word. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "I vehemently hate the way that cats behave:"

7

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

I am not feeling very good today; I might just stay in bed all day.

I am not feeling very well today; I might just stay in bed all day.

I am not feeling very good today; I might just stay in bed all day.

I am not feeling very good today, I might just stay in bed all day.

I am not feeling very well today, I might just stay in bed all day.

I am not feeling very good today; and I might just stay in bed all day.

Explanation

Adjectives describe nouns, and adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Always ensure that you are using the correct one for describing a particular word. Since the verb "feeling" is being described in this sentence, the adverbial form "well" is required. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "I am not feeling very well today; I might just stay in bed all day."

8

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

The non-profit organization never had financial issues, as it always handled its money perfect.

as it always handled its money perfectly.

as it always handled its money perfect.

as it always handled it's money perfect.

as it always handles its money perfect.

so it always handled its money perfect.

Explanation

The use of the adjective "perfect" is incorrect in this sentence, as it modifies the verb "handled." A verb can only be modified by an adverb, meaning "perfect" must be changed to its adverbial form. As the only answer choice to use the adverb "perfectly" instead of the adjective "perfect," the correct answer choice is "as it always handled its money perfectly."

9

Under normal circumstances, the family would have never driven up to the frighteningly looking motel.

to the frightening looking motel.

to the frighteningly looking motel.

to the frighteningly looked motel.

for the frighteningly looking motel.

to a frighteningly looking motel.

Explanation

The use of the word "frighteningly" is absolutely incorrect, as it is an adverb being used to describe a gerund, or a verb that takes the form of a noun, in "looking." Gerunds need to be modified with an adjective. Therefore, "to the frightening looking motel" is the correct answer.

10

Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.

Paul was speaking very excited; it was hard to understand him.

Paul was speaking very excitedly; it was hard to understand him.

Paul was speaking very excited, it was hard to understand him.

Paul was speaking very excited; it was hard to understand him.

Paul was speaking very excitedly, it was hard to understand him.

Paul was speaking very excitedly it was hard to understand him.

Explanation

Adjectives describe nouns, and adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Always ensure that you are using the correct one for describing a particular word. The word being modified in the example sentence is the verb "speaking," so the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "Paul was speaking very excitedly; it was hard to understand him."

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