SAT Section 5 Writing

1. Illiteracy is an enormous problem. _Ait affects_B millions of people worldwide,_C and is an impediment to_D social progress. No error_E.

A

B

C

D

E

This is an example of a type of error known as comma splice. You cannot use a comma to link two complete sentences: use a semicolon.

Explanation

This is an example of a type of error known as comma splice. You cannot use a comma to link two complete sentences: use a semicolon.

2. Shoes of those_A kind are_B bad for the feet; _C low heels are_D better. No error_E.

A

B

C

D

E

Kind is singular so we should use this or that, but not these or those.

Explanation

Kind is singular so we should use this or that, but not these or those.

3. Bombast is when high sounding words for effect, not suitability, are used.

Is when high sounding words for effect, not suitability, are used.

Is the use of high-sounding words for effect rather than for suitability.

Is where high-sounding words are used for effect not suitability.

Is the using of high-sounding words for effect only.

Is when you use high-sounding words for effect rather than for suitability.

The construction “Bombast is where/when” is incorrect. “Bombast is the using of” is also faulty.

Explanation

The construction “Bombast is where/when” is incorrect. “Bombast is the using of” is also faulty.

4. 1) Cicero said, “A room without a book is a body without a soul.” (2) Certainly when I enter someone's home for the first time, I am likely to gravitate to the bookshelf, in part to glean further insight into the personality of its owner. (3) But now that the family encyclopedia is likely to have been replaced by a CD-ROM it is possible that the book might be reduced to an item of decoration rather than information and entertainment. (4) In a sense, books have always been more than just repositories of information. (5) The look and feel of a book is as much a part of its appeal as its contents. (6) There is something immensely satisfying about opening a new book: the smell of the paper, the feel of the cover, the design on the dust jacket and the weight of the volume all contribute to the impression it makes. (7) The most aesthetically pleasing volumes, the leather bound volumes, and the volumes with beautiful bindings are actually often bought by interior decorators to add to the look of a study, office or of a living room. (8) Books have a symbolic power. We shudder when we hear of ‘book burning', associated down the ages with tyranny and oppression. (9) Books as cultural icons remind us of freedom of speech and enhanced opportunities, they remind us of the intellectual aspirations of the human race. (10) But in the future will the book still be read? (11) I believe it will. (12) More books are being written and published than ever before; the book has withstood the advent of the cinema, television, and personal computer and are likely to be there in centuries to come. Which version of sentence 8 would form the best transition between paragraphs two and three?

Besides their aesthetic appeal, books have symbolic power.

Books have also always had symbolic power.

Besides their use to decorators, books have a symbolic power.

Books have other functions besides decoration.

Other people have used books as symbols.

This sentence indicates the transition from writing about the aesthetic aspects of the book to its use as a symbol.

Explanation

This sentence indicates the transition from writing about the aesthetic aspects of the book to its use as a symbol.

5. In the initial stages of learning a new language we learn more through listening and attempting to copy speech patterns and not through reading grammar books.

And attempting to copy speech patterns and not through reading grammar books.

And attempting to copy speech patterns than through reading grammar books.

And attempts to copy speech patterns than through reading grammar books.

And attempts at copying speech patterns than through reading grammar books.

And attempts at copying speech patterns and not grammar books.

The word more requires a than. Attempting is correctly parallel to listening.

Explanation

The word more requires a than. Attempting is correctly parallel to listening.

6. Employees with less_A personal problems are_B likely _C to be more _D productive. No error_E.

A

B

C

D

E

Use fewer not less for countable items.

Explanation

Use fewer not less for countable items.

7. The union insisted_A on an increase in their _B members’_C starting pay, and threatened to call a strike if the company refused to_D meet the demand. No error_E.

A

B

C

D

E

Change their to its because the union is a singular noun.

Explanation

Change their to its because the union is a singular noun.

8. Shipwrecked_A on a desert island, coconuts and other _B fruits formed_C the basis of the sailor’s_D diet. No error _E.

A

B

C

D

E

This is an example of a dangling modifier. It implies that coconuts were shipwrecked. To correct the sentence you could change Shipwrecked to “When he was shipwrecked”.

Explanation

This is an example of a dangling modifier. It implies that coconuts were shipwrecked. To correct the sentence you could change Shipwrecked to “When he was shipwrecked”.

9. Fifty percent of the people alive today have _A never made a phone call, but_B thirty percent still_C have no electricity connections to their _D homes. No error_E.

A

B

C

D

E

But is inappropriate here; change to and.

Explanation

But is inappropriate here; change to and.

10. Between you and I, I doubt that he will come.

And I, I doubt that he will come.

And I, I doubt that he would come.

And me, I doubt that he will come.

And me, I doubt that he would come.

And me, I doubt whether he will be coming.

After the preposition between the pronouns should be in the object form and so we need me and not I. After doubt the simple future tense is correct.

Explanation

After the preposition between the pronouns should be in the object form and so we need me and not I. After doubt the simple future tense is correct.

11. The rhododendron, which_A ornaments so many_B English gardens, is_C not native to_D Europe. No error_E.

A

B

C

D

E

No error.

Explanation

No error.

12. The farmer should not have been_A so careless as _B to leave the door of the house unbolted when _C he had gone_D to bed. No error_E.

A

B

C

D

E

No need for a past perfect tense here: use went.

Explanation

No need for a past perfect tense here: use went.

13. The company president has taken_A steps to ensure that she _B can handle the pressure and anxiety associated with _C the job, including _D joining a yoga class and enlisting the support of a network of friends. No error_E.

A

B

C

D

E

Misplaced modifier. Including seems to refer to job when it should refer to steps.

Explanation

Misplaced modifier. Including seems to refer to job when it should refer to steps.

14. Television viewers claim that _A the number of scenes depicting_B alcohol consumption have_C increased dramatically over_D the last decade. No error_E.

A

B

C

D

E

Change have to has because the number requires a singular verb.

Explanation

Change have to has because the number requires a singular verb.

15. The engineer, who is renowned for his ingenuity _A, has designed_B a very unique_C cooling system for our new plant in_D Spain. No error_E.

A

B

C

D

E

You cannot say very unique. (Just as you cannot say more superior.)

Explanation

You cannot say very unique. (Just as you cannot say more superior.)

16. Your taking a loan to buy a car annoyed Father.

Your taking a loan to buy a car annoyed Father.

Your taking a loan to buy a car aggravated Father.

You taking a loan to buy a car irritated Father.

You taking a loan to buy a car annoyed Father.

Father was annoyed by you taking a loan to buy a car.

Do not use aggravated or irritated when you mean annoyed. Also we need a possessive form of a pronoun in front of a gerund, so you taking is wrong.

Explanation

Do not use aggravated or irritated when you mean annoyed. Also we need a possessive form of a pronoun in front of a gerund, so you taking is wrong.

17. Work that is not finished is not work at all, it is merely a botch, a failure.

All, it is merely a botch, a failure.

All, it is a botch merely, and a failure.

All; it is merely a botch, a failure.

All; the work merely is a botch and a failure.

All; the work being merely a botch, a failure.

A semicolon is need to link two sentences. Of the choices with the semicolon, C is short and clear (and correct), D has merely in the wrong place, and E does not have a complete sentence after the semicolon.

Explanation

A semicolon is need to link two sentences. Of the choices with the semicolon, C is short and clear (and correct), D has merely in the wrong place, and E does not have a complete sentence after the semicolon.

18. (1) Nowadays we tend to use the expression “plain vanilla” in a derogatory sense for something simple and unadorned. (2) But have you ever thought about the ways in which the vanilla bean has improved the taste of what we eat? (3) One of the most used, and presumably, most appreciated, flavors known to man, worldwide we use more than one thousand tons of vanilla beans every year, mainly to flavor ice cream, cakes and confectionery. (4) Since the 1930s chemical companies have also been making huge amounts of synthetic vanilla essence mainly from the byproducts of the paper pulp industry. (5) In fact, most of the “vanilla flavor” products on the supermarket shelves have never seen a vanilla pod. (6) However, good cooks keep real vanilla pods in their sugar to enhance the taste of their cakes and cookies and would not buy synthetic vanilla. (7) Natural vanilla is the product of a creeper that grows best in hot wet climates. (8) It requires hand pollinating and the growing, harvesting and curing need skill and are labor intensive. (9) With the advent of biotechnology it remains to be seen how long the traditional growing and production methods would survive. (10) But whatever the source, vanilla has become essential to the human palate. (11) Think about it: do you even know what “plain” ice cream would taste like without vanilla? Which version of the underlined part best corrects and improves sentence 3 (reproduced below)?
One of the most used, and presumably, most appreciated, flavors known to man, worldwide we use more than one thousand tons of vanilla beans every year, mainly to flavor ice cream, cakes and confectionery.

Vanilla is certainly one of the most used, and presumably most appreciated, flavors known to man. Worldwide

Vanilla is certainly one of the most used, and presumably most appreciated, flavors known to man, worldwide

Vanilla is certainly one of the most used, and presumably most appreciated, flavors known to man worldwide:

One of the most used, and presumably most appreciated, flavors known to man worldwide, vanilla

Worldwide vanilla is certainly one of the most used, and presumably most appreciated, flavors known to man.

The original version has a dangling modifier, which needs to be corrected. “Worldwide” refers to the use of vanilla. Sentence A deals with both problems.

Explanation

The original version has a dangling modifier, which needs to be corrected. “Worldwide” refers to the use of vanilla. Sentence A deals with both problems.

19. Antony, coming alongside Cleopatra's ship, climbed aboard without seeing or being seen by her.

Climbed aboard without seeing or being seen by her.

Climbed aboard without seeing Cleopatra or being seen by her.

Climbs aboard without Cleopatra seeing him.

Boarded without being seen by her.

Boarded without seeing Cleopatra.

The meaning has to be clear that he did not see her, nor did she see him.

Explanation

The meaning has to be clear that he did not see her, nor did she see him.

20. The three richest men in America have _A assets worth more than_B the combined assets_C of the sixty poorest countries of_D the world. No error_E.

A

B

C

D

E

No error.

Explanation

No error.

21. I would like to thank whoever it was that wrote that piece of music: it has given me so much pleasure.

I would like to thank whoever it was that wrote that piece of music:

I would like to thank whomever it was that has written that piece of music:

I would like to thank whomever it might be that wrote that piece of music:

Whoever it was that wrote that piece of music, I would like to thank because

I would like to thank whoever it was that wrote that piece of music,

No error.

Explanation

No error.

22. (1) The study of ecology has taught us that diversity is important to stability in the natural world. (2) Modern agricultural practices and other human interventions in the environment reduces the number of interacting species making the ecosystem vulnerable and unstable. (3) Similarly, human society in its progress toward the clichéd “global village” is liable to make the world less stable not more stable. (4) We are eliminating languages, traditional diets, and eroding cultural practices at an alarming rate. (5) The whole world wants to speak the same language, eat the same food and wear the same clothes. (6) But will this homogeneity be good for the human species? (7) Biologists would tend to say no. (8) Certainly a world where we can all understand each other and share common interests is appealing on one level. (9) But how infinitely poorer we will all be if we travel 5000 miles from home only to find no new people, no new places, no new ways of living, just a copy of what you experience back home. One weakness of the writing style of this essay is ____________________.

Reliance on general statements

Incorrect paragraphing

Inappropriate vocabulary

Poor punctuation

Poor choice of verb tenses

An essay without specific detail and supporting facts does not make its point effectively.

Explanation

An essay without specific detail and supporting facts does not make its point effectively.

23. Pollution and degradation of the environment is, according to the commission's report, a matter of universal concern.

Is, according to the commission's report, a matter of universal concern.

Is, according to the report by the commission, a matter of universal concern.

Is, according to the report of the commission, matters of universal concern.

Are, according to the commission's report, universally a matter of concern.

Are, according to the commission's report, a matter of universal concern.

“Pollution AND degradation” form a compound subject which needs a plural verb: are is correct.

Explanation

“Pollution AND degradation” form a compound subject which needs a plural verb: are is correct.

24. A census _A of the island revealed_B a population of only_C 10,000 people_D. No error_E.

A

B

C

D

E

The word people is redundant.

Explanation

The word people is redundant.

25. A conjunction is used to connect words and sentences together.

Words and sentences together.

Words or sentences together.

Words and sentences.

Words or sentences.

Words to sentences.

Together is redundant. The conjunction does not couple words TO sentences; it joins words, OR it joins sentences. Hence the meaning is clearest in D.

Explanation

Together is redundant. The conjunction does not couple words TO sentences; it joins words, OR it joins sentences. Hence the meaning is clearest in D.

26. Denim jeans were originally worn not so much as a fashion statement as for their being practical work clothes.

Denim jeans were originally worn not so much as a fashion statement as for their being practical work clothes.

Denim jeans were originally worn not so much as a fashion statement but for their being practical work clothes.

Denim jeans were originally worn not so much as a fashion statement but for being practical work clothes.

Denim jeans were originally worn not as a fashion statement as for them being practical work clothes.

Denim jeans were originally worn not as a fashion statement but as for them being practical work clothes.

The construction 'not so much as... as' is correct.

Explanation

The construction 'not so much as... as' is correct.

27. If you are sure tha _A you are in the right, _B you would not_C mind an independent examination of_D the case. No error_E.

A

B

C

D

E

After a present tense in the if clause, we need a future tense in the main clause. Would should be changed to will.

Explanation

After a present tense in the if clause, we need a future tense in the main clause. Would should be changed to will.

28. My father saw how much_A Uncle Tom was enjoying_B his early retirement, and_C so he decided to do the same_D. No error_E.

A

B

C

D

E

The words “do the same” are ambiguous. Change to “take early retirement” or something similar.

Explanation

The words “do the same” are ambiguous. Change to “take early retirement” or something similar.