All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #21 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
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.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted, no one is a completely perfect person.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted; no one is a completely perfect person.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted, however, no one is a completely perfect person.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted no one is a completely perfect person.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted, no one is a completely perfect person.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted so no one is a completely perfect person.
Making mistakes is something that must be accepted; no one is a completely perfect person.
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, one that joins two indpendent clauses together to show their relationship. A compound sentence, though, must be joined by either a semicolon or a comma followed by a conjunction, not just a comma as in the sentence as it is written. The only answer choice that correctly joins the two clauses is "Making mistakes is something that must be accepted; no one is a completely perfect person."
Example Question #165 : Comma Errors
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.
The respected author tried a new approach in that novel, it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The respected author tried a new approach in that novel, it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The respected author tried a new approach in that novel; it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The respected author tried a new approach, in that novel it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The respected author, tried a new approach in that novel, it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The respected author tried a new approach in that novel it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The respected author tried a new approach in that novel; it was her first book to feature multiple narrators.
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, one that joins two indpendent clauses together to show their relationship. A compound sentence must be joined by either a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction, rather than just a comma as done in this sentence. The only answer choice to properly join the two clauses is "The novel was a new approach for the respected author; it was her first book to feature multiple narrators."
Example Question #281 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
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.
The little things can make the biggest difference in a project, the big things can cause everything to fall apart.
the biggest difference in a project, the big things
the biggest difference in a project; the big things
the biggest difference in a project: the big things
the biggest difference in a project and the big things
the biggest difference in a project and—the big things
the biggest difference in a project; the big things
The sentence is written as a compound sentence, one that joins two indpendent clauses together in one sentence to show their relationship. A compound sentence must be joined either by a comma followed by a conjunction, or a semicolon. The only answer choice that properly joins the two independent clauses is "the biggest difference in a project; the big things."
Example Question #282 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
Identifying sentence errors. Identify any error you find in an underlined portion of the passage. If you can find no errors, select "no error" as your answer choice.
There are several ways to go about fixing a broken down car, the first idea should be to look under the hood and call for help.
There are several ways to go about fixing a car; the first acts should be to look under the hood, and then call for help.
There are several ways to go about fixing a car; the first thing should be to call for help.
There are several ways to go about fixing a car, the first thing should be to call for help.
There are several ways to go about fixing a car; the first act should be to look under the hood.
There are several ways to go about fixing a car, I will explain them below.
There are several ways to go about fixing a car; the first acts should be to look under the hood, and then call for help.
To clarify and simplify the sentence, you can use a semicolon to separate the independent clauses, and you can separate the items on the list with a comma.
Example Question #171 : Comma Errors
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.
Jeff couldn't stand his precalculus teacher, she would always demean him in front of his peers.
as she would always demean him in front of his peers.
she always demeaned him in front of his peers.
though she would always demean him in front of his peers.
she would always demean him in front of his peers.
in front of his peers she would demean him.
as she would always demean him in front of his peers.
Each of the clauses being combined in the sentence, "Jeff couldn't stand his precalculus teacher" and "she would always demean him in front of his peers" could function on its own as a complete sentence. This means that each clause is an independent clause, and because of this, the two should not be linked by just a comma; doing this creates an error called a "comma splice."
Without adding any words, you could merge the two clauses using a period or a semicolon; alternatively, you could add in an appropriate conjunction immediately after the comma. "As" works as just such a conjunction here, since Jeff's dislike for his teacher is because of her demeaning treatment of him. "Though" will not work, because it would suggest that he disliked her in spite of her negative treatment of him. So, the correct answer is "as she would always demean him in front of his peers," making the complete corrected sentence, "Jeff couldn't stand his precalculus teacher, as she would always demean him in front of his peers."
Example Question #655 : Act English
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.
As their spaceship landed, the aliens began emitting a screeching message regarding their intent, they desired to make peace with the humans.
As their spaceship landed, the aliens began emitting a screeching message regarding their intent (they desired to make peace with the humans).
As their spaceship landed, the aliens began emitting a screeching message regarding their intent, they desired to make peace with the humans.
As their spaceship landed the aliens began emitting a screeching message regarding their intent and they desired to make peace with the humans.
As their spaceship landed the aliens began emitting a screeching message regarding their intent so they desired to make peace with the humans.
As their spaceship landed, the aliens began emitting a screeching message regarding their intent: they desired to make peace with the humans.
As their spaceship landed, the aliens began emitting a screeching message regarding their intent: they desired to make peace with the humans.
A colon is the most appropriate punctuation to use when combining the two independent clauses present in the sentence because the second clause clarifies or elaborates the first clause. So, the correct answer is "As their spaceship landed, the aliens began emitting a screeching message regarding their intent: they desired to make peace with the humans."
Example Question #24 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
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.
Caligula was emperor of Rome during the first century, he was one of the most brutal rulers in history.
Caligula, one of the most brutal rulers in history, was emperor of Rome during the first century.
Caligula was emperor of Rome during the first century, he was one of the most brutal rulers in history.
Caligula was emperor of Rome during the first century, he has proven to be one of the most brutal rulers in history.
Caligula was emperor of Rome during the first century, he has been one of the most brutal rulers in history.
Caligula was emperor of Rome during the first century; and he was one of the most brutal rulers in history.
Caligula, one of the most brutal rulers in history, was emperor of Rome during the first century.
The answer choice "Caligula was emperor of Rome during the first century; and he was one of the most brutal rulers in history" is incorrect because it contains an ungrammatical use of the semicolon. Two independent clauses can be combined using a comma followed by a conjunction, but not a semicolon followed by a conjunction.
The original text "Caligula was emperor of Rome during the first century, he was one of the most brutal rulers in history" and the answer choices "Caligula was emperor of Rome during the first century, he has been one of the most brutal rulers in history" and "Caligula was emperor of Rome during the first century, he has proven to be one of the most brutal rulers in history" are examples of run-on sentences and are therefore incorrect.
The answer choice "Caligula, one of the most brutal rulers in history, was emperor of Rome during the first century" is the only answer choice that avoids creating a run-on sentence and misusing a semicolon, and is therefore correct.
Example Question #291 : Punctuation Errors
Lakes and rivers are usually composed of freshwater, many are also composed of saltwater.
Lakes and rivers are usually composed of freshwater, while many are also composed of saltwater.
Lakes and rivers are usually composed of freshwater, many are also composed of saltwater.
Lakes and rivers are usually composed of freshwater, so many are also composed of saltwater.
Lakes and rivers are usually composed of freshwater, but many are also composed of saltwater.
Lakes and rivers are usually composed of freshwater, if many are also composed of saltwater.
Lakes and rivers are usually composed of freshwater, but many are also composed of saltwater.
The two phrases in the sentence have slightly contradictory ideas, with the second one modifying the first. A conjunction is needed to show these differences in the two phrases. The correct answer is the one that uses "but" to separate the two parts.
Example Question #292 : Punctuation Errors
The cold weather can be quite difficult for young children, companies offer special clothing for infants during the winter months.
The cold weather can be quite difficult for young children then companies offer special clothing for infants during the winter months.
The cold weather can be quite difficult for young children companies offer special clothing for infants during the winter months.
The cold weather can be quite difficult for young children, so companies offer special clothing for infants during the winter months.
The cold weather can be quite difficult for young children as companies offer special clothing for infants during the winter months.
The cold weather can be quite difficult for young children, companies offer special clothing for infants during the winter months.
The cold weather can be quite difficult for young children, so companies offer special clothing for infants during the winter months.
The sentence is a complex sentence, featuring two complete thoughts put together to form one sentence. To appropriately join the two thoughts, they need to have a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction. "The cold weather can be quite difficult for young children, so companies offer special clothing for infants during the winter months," is the only correct answer.
Example Question #291 : Punctuation Errors
The authenticity of the document became hotly debated, new information cast doubt on its verification.
hotly debated, new information
hotly debated, after new information
hotly debated new information
hotly debated, more new information
hotly debated after new information
hotly debated, after new information
The second part of the sentence is a dependent clause, one that cannot stand alone as its own complete sentence; therefore, it needs to be appropriately connected to the first portion of the sentence with the correct preposition. Of all the answer choices, only "hotly debated, after new information" does this.