SAT Writing : Identifying No Errors or Other Errors

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #91 : Identifying No Errors Or Other 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 flock of geese that we saw yesterday as we were driving home from the swim meet is flying south for the winter. No error.

Possible Answers:

is flying

were driving

that

for the winter

No error.

Correct answer:

is flying

Explanation:

"That" is the correct relative pronoun to describe a flock of geese. "Were driving" is the correct verb tense. The choice "for the winter" is also correctly phrased. The incorrect answer in this sentence is the verb phrase "is flying. While it agrees in number with the singular subject "a flock of geese," it does not agree with the sentence's timeline. The speaker describes the flock of geese "that we saw yesterday," so this observation takes place in the past. We can't know for sure whether or not the geese are still flying south for the winter when the speaker says his or her statement the day after the observation, so to make the sentence consistent, the verb phrase "is flying" would need to be changed to the past tense: "was flying."

Example Question #3 : Identifying Other Errors

Select the underlined word that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

We could never understand why Lee and Polly had never been to California, as so many of there friends lived in the Los Angeles area. No error

Possible Answers:

could never

as

No error

there

had never

Correct answer:

there

Explanation:

The error in this sentence reflects a common misuse of the word "there" (which means a specific place at a specified distance away) in place of "their" (the possessive form of the pronoun "they"). As the phrase "Lee and Polly" is the antecedent of "they" in this sentence, the correct word to use is "their" rather than "there."

Example Question #936 : Identifying Sentence Errors

Select the underlined word that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

I always wondered how you could be so comfortable in your bedroom, since your always piling your laundry up in there. No error.

Possible Answers:

No error

could be

always

in there

your

Correct answer:

your

Explanation:

The given form of the sentence misuses the possessive pronoun "your" in place of the contraction "you're" ("you are"). To correct the sentence, "your" must be changed to "you're."

Example Question #937 : 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. 

Michael could never understand why the children were so tired in the afternoon, since they always had there nap every day at noon. No error

Possible Answers:

were

could

there

No error

why

Correct answer:

there

Explanation:

The sentence contains an incorrect use of the word "there." "Their" should be used as the possessive form of "they." 

Example Question #938 : 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. 

Daisy asked if she could use your black pen, since your going to lunch in a few minutes. No error

Possible Answers:

No error

your

asked

few

could

Correct answer:

your

Explanation:

The given form of the sentences uses the possessive pronoun form, "your," instead of the correct contraction form, "you're."

Example Question #4 : Identifying Other Errors

Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

As we drove slowly away from the rickety, gray, termite-ridden house, a swarm of tiny animals explode from the bush to our left, blocking the path. No error

Possible Answers:

rickety, gray,

No error

slowly away

explode

to

Correct answer:

explode

Explanation:

Although the fact that "blocking" is correct might throw some readers off, the narration says that they "drove" away in the past. "Explode" should therefore be in the past tense as well ("exploded").

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