SAT Writing Worksheet Error Identification
1. Illiteracy is an enormous problem,A it affectsB
millions of people worldwide,C and is an
impediment toD social progress. No errorE.
2. The company president has takenA steps to
ensure that sheB can handle the pressure and
anxiety associated withC the job, includingD joining a
yoga class and enlisting the support of a network of
friends. No errorE.
3. If you are sure thatA you are in the right,B you
would notC mind an independent examination ofD
the case. No errorE.
4. The union insistedA on an increase in theirB
members’C starting pay, and threatened to call a
strike if the company refused toD meet the demand.
No errorE.
5. Television viewers claim thatA the number of
scenes depictingB alcohol consumption haveC
increased dramatically overD the last decade. No
errorE.
6. Employees with lessA personal problems areB
likelyC to be moreD productive. No errorE.
7. The three richest men in America haveA assets
worth more thanB the combined assetsC of the sixty
poorest countries ofD the world. No errorE.
8. ShipwreckedA on a desert island, coconuts and
otherB fruits formedC the basis of the sailor’sD diet.
No errorE.
9. Fifty percent of the people alive today haveA
never made a phone call, butB thirty percent stillC
have no electricity connections to theirD homes. No
errorE.
10. The rhododendron, whichA ornaments so manyB
English gardens, isC not native toD Europe. No errorE.
11. The farmer should not have beenA so careless
asB to leave the door of the house unbolted whenC
he had goneD to bed. No errorE.
12. A censusA of the island revealedB a population of
onlyC 10,000 peopleD. No errorE.
13. The engineer, who is renowned for his
ingenuityA, has designedB a very uniqueC cooling
system for our new plant inD Spain. No errorE.
14. Shoes of thoseA kind areB bad for the feet;C low
heels areD better. No errorE.
15. My father saw how muchA Uncle Tom was
enjoyingB his early retirement, andC so he decided to
do the sameD. No errorE.
C1
1. We have no choice butA to appoint Mary:B she is
the bestC of the two candidates, and there isD no
prospect of finding more applicants. No errorE.
2. The reason I willA not be goingB to Mexico this
year is becauseC I will use up all my travel money
attendingD an important meeting in Singapore. No
errorE.
3. If you wereA to work at least four hours a day on
the project, we wouldB complete it in a shorterC
time, and with lessD problems. No errorE.
4. The manager tried hard to effectA a change in
company policy, butB the owner, who steadfastly
refused to compromiseC, overruledD him on every
point. No errorE.
5. The new library is undoubtedlyA well stocked and
functional, butB no one can say that itsC atmosphere
is anything like the old oneD. No errorE.
6. My uncle, whoA wasB on vacation, along with my
two cousins and IC, wentD fishing down by the river.
No errorE.
7. HopefullyA, we will beB able to complete the
building beforeC the rainy season sets inD. No errorE.
8. You wouldA have to choose herB, if you are
looking forC the best athlete to representD the
school. No errorE.
9. All the trapped miners beganA to loseB hope, itC
had been twenty four hours sinceD the tunnel
collapsed. No errorE.
10. BecauseA they played byB the rules, the
members of the team were givenC a standing
ovation even though itD did not win the match. No
errorE.
11. Her avariciousA relatives assembled at the
lawyer'sB office to hear the reading ofC Jemima's
willD. No errorE.
12. He was not merelyA expected to contribute
funds to the project, butB to work as hard asC the
otherD patrons. No errorE.
13. None of usA knowsB what the outcome of the
battle betweenC the coordinator and usD will be. No
errorE.
14. Neither of my brothers doA anything to make life
better for ourB parents whoC are both suffering
fromD arthritis. No errorE.
15. The teacher satA down besidesB the frightened
child and tried to reassureC him that the monster
was merelyD imaginary. No errorE.
SAT Writing Worksheet Error Identification
1. A number of trainees whoA take this course every
year findB that theirC knowledge of mathematics isD
inadequate. No errorE.
2. Either of the solutions you haveA proposed areB
acceptable to the union, whoseC members are willingD
to compromise. No errorE.
3. The last man on earth willA abandon his ruined
house forB a cave, andC his woven clothes for an
animal'sD skin. No errorE.
4. The station was a hiveA of bustling activity,B the
arrival of the train was the most importantC event of
the day inD that remote place. No errorE.
5. My grandmother's legacy isA substantial, especiallyB
if the value of the rare stamps areC taken intoD
consideration. No errorE.
6. Neither Bradley, nor moreA recent critics who have
writtenB on Shakespeare's tragedies, hasC been able
to give a convincing explanation for the timing ofD
events in Othello. No errorE.
7. The bridal gown was mostA unique: theB
bridegroom designed itC and hisD mother provided the
lace fabric. No errorE.
8. For a successful career asA a beautician, oneB must
be prepared to dissemble:C you must not tell your
client the unvarnished truth about his or herD
appearance. No errorE.
9. When Russell Wallace and Darwin independentlyA
proposed similar theories, Darwin hadB already
accumulated extensive evidence with whichC to
support hisD ideas. No errorE.
10. Everyone whoA visits Singapore is impressedB by
its cleanliness, whichC is mainly a result of rigorous
implementation of theirD strict laws. No errorE.
11. She wondered whetherA the city had changed
alotB since she had left to go toC university.D No errorE.
12. The company bowedA to pressure,B now itC has
removed the offensive advertisement fromD the
hoarding. No errorE.
13. I willA not object to hisB delivering the lecture asC
long as he is told not to make personal attacks onD his
critics. No errorE.
14. WhileA he thinks the phenomenonB is the result of
enzyme action, I believe it is caused byC a shortage ofD
a neurotransmitter. No errorE.
15. Cynthia argued vehemently withA her mother
overB herC refusal to attendD the school concert. No
errorE.
1. I agree thatA a knowledge of Latin is helpful to
buildB a good English vocabulary, butC I do not think I
B1
have the capacity toD study the subject at the
moment. No errorE.
2. In suchA areas as sports, ranking of individual
performance isB relatively well accepted sinceC the
parameters on which the rating areD based are
generally objective. No errorE.
3. Determination ofA the long-term effects ofB
aerosols on the upper atmosphere isC currently one of
the more challengingD problems in climate research.
No errorE.
4. The mostA important skill I had learnedB in my two
years ofC senior high school was toD direct the course
of my own studies. No errorE.
5. Scientific advances over the last fifty years have
ledA to revolutionary changes in health, agriculture
and communication, andB generally enhancingC socioeconomic development and the quality of our livesD.
No errorE.
6. This detailed yetA readable biography is well
researched andB provides valuable insight toC the
facts thatD motivated the famous philosopher. No
errorE.
7. I have nearlyA written all the new tests forB
inclusion in the revised edition of my book, and hope
to finishC the work withinD a week. No errorE.
8. The series of letters that Margaret wrote to her
father containsA a valuable commentary onB the
prevailing social conditions and attitudes that lead to
herC leaving home at suchD a young age. No errorE.
9. The unfortunate accident that causedA the
explosion wasB extensivelyC reported in all the local
newspapers and nationalD television. No errorE.
10. Neither of the answers provided in the
memorandumA addressB my concerns aboutC the
validity ofD the procedure. No errorE.
11. Katz claimed that reading classic novels isA more
illuminatingB than to readC autobiographies written
byD their authors. No errorE.
12. The students have beenA practicing for the concert
sinceB three weeks, andC in that time haveD improved
considerably. No errorE.
13. Suzanne recountedA her improbableB tale withC
enthusiasm and in a convincing mannerD. No errorE.
14. If you were willingA to ask for directions, instead
of doggedlyB driving on, we might get to ourC
destination soonerD. No errorE.
15. WaitingA for the results ofB the final examination,
the student's nerves wereC on edge; she could not
sleep properly orD eat normally. No errorE.
SAT Writing Worksheet Error Identification
1. He is not sure ifA he shouldB buy the new
computer now orC wait until he receivesD his next
bonus. No errorE.
2. Mark scored poorlyA on the test, whichB is not
surprising sinceC he did not prepare adequatelyD. No
error.E
3. I preferA Marlene to anyB hairdresser I have
visitedC in the past because she has such a good
understanding of her clients'D needs. No errorE.
4. The archivist hadA not onlyB a deep interestC but
also a clear understanding of the historical
documents inD the museum. No error.E
5. With skill and surprisingA gentleness the fireman
managed toB lower the injured cat downC from the
top ofD the tree. No errorE.
6. Was the woman whoA you think you sawB leaving
the building wearingC a nurse'sD uniform? No errorE.
7. As he held openA the door for her, she could not
ignore the look on his face,B a look that aggravatedC
her self-consciousness as they proceededD along the
street. No errorE.
8. Many people genuinely want to beA fitter, but
fewB have the tenacity for stickingC to a suitable
regimeD of diet and exercise. No errorE.
9. Safety precautions and emergency exits, matters
of great concern forA builders of commercial
establishments, areB often overlookedC when
designingD a new home. No errorE.
10. From the time he took upA his new position asB
head of the department, he has beenC concerned
aboutD the legitimacy of his appointment. No errorE.
11. My grandmother sees remarkableA well
considering thatB she has endured four operations
on her eyes and suffered fromC vitamin deficiency
duringD her childhood. No errorE.
12. The academy members wagedA a relentless war
against my supervisor and IB because ourC research
seemed toD contradict the findings of the head of
the institution. No errorE.
13. You seldom see anyone in Europe spittingA in
public nowadays, mainlyB because theyC had a
successful campaign againstD this health hazard in
the post war years. No errorE.
14. Neither of the artists we have commissionedA to
execute the mural areB able to startC work beforeD
September. No errorE.
15. Professor Chandra'sA pioneering work onB
rainwater harvesting and recharging of groundwater
in drought prone areas have beenC drawing media
attentionD. No errorE.
A1
1. The presence of strong feeling, the cause of
whichA is not fully understood, always has the
effectB of making weC human beingsD uneasy. No
errorE.
2. The new law is tooA stringent; itB will beC neither
respected orD obeyed. No errorE.
3. I do not wish to makeA a formal complaint, but I
would have been better pleasedB if you gaveC the
award to the person whoD best deserved it. No
errorE.
4. After you have writtenA a definition in your
vocabulary notebook, add a fewB ways to use the
word orC a sentence to illustrate it'sD meaning. No
errorE.
5. The tribesmen made offerings to placateA the
gods, whomB, they believed, wereC angry with
themD. No errorE.
6. Many physicists initially regardedA quantum
theory asB unnatural, absurd, andC incompatible toD
common sense. No errorE.
7. From ancient timesA, sculpture had beenB
considered the prerogativeC of men, and even now,
in some parts of the world, women sculptors faceD
hostility and suspicion. No errorE.
8. It is an old criticism of the medical profession that
theyA have consideredB the symptoms and causes
ofC disease without sufficient reference toD the
causes of health. No errorE.
9. According toA Hume, it is not logic and reasoning
thatB determineC our actions, butD emotion. No
errorE.
10. The ornate pillars and life-sizeA statues that the
magnate has chosenB to adorn hisC swimming pool
are like a Greek templeD. No errorE.
11. Sonia Gandhi stepped asideA just as she had
securedB the Prime Minister's position, andC, in the
process, assertingD her moral superiority. No errorE.
12. It will beA hard to soothe your mother now that
you have so aggravatedB her by refusing to take her
eminentlyC sensible adviceD. No errorE.
13. The general reported thatA, as a result ofB
financial constraints, lessC soldiers would be sent
onD peace-keeping missions this year. No errorE.
14. None of the presents I receivedA on my birthday
this year wasB equallyC as memorable as the
necklace you gaveD me last year. No errorE.
15. The racing champion hadA made no mentionB in
hisC speech of the mechanics on whomD his success
had depended. No errorE.
SAT Writing Worksheet Sentence Improvement
1. Trying to keep her balance on the icy surface, the last
competitor's ski-tip caught the pole and somersaulted into
the soft snow.
A. the last competitor's ski-tip caught the pole and
somersaulted into the soft snow.
B. the ski-tip of the last competitor caught the pole and
somersaulted in the soft snow.
C. the last competitor caught the pole with the tip of her ski,
and somersaulted into the soft snow.
D. the last competitor caught the pole with her ski-tip, which
made her somersault into the soft snow.
E. the last competitor somersaulted into the soft snow when
the tip of her ski was caught by the pole.
2. The temperature dropped suddenly last night, which will
mean that the shoots emerging from the soil will be killed by
the frost..
A. which will mean that the shoots emerging from the soil will
be killed by the frost.
B. which will mean that the frost will kill the shoots emerging
from the soil.
C. and this will mean that the shoots emerging from the soil
will be killed by the frost.
D. and the resulting frost will kill the shoots that are emerging
from the soil.
E. and as a result, the shoots will be killed by the frost,
emerging from the soil.
C2
D. were his arrogant assumption that his constituents would
be incapable of understanding economics
E. was the arrogant assumption that his constituents was
incapable of understanding economic conditions
6. More and more holidaymakers are choosing to fly to
remote islands in search of the perfect beach; seeking sand,
sun and palm trees, rather than centers of entertainment.
A. ; seeking sand, sun and palm trees, rather than centers of
entertainment.
B. ; seeking sad, sun, palm trees and not entertainment.
C. , with sand, sun, palm trees and no entertainment.
D. , they seek sand, sun and palm trees, rather than
entertainment centers.
E. ; they seek sand, sun and palm trees, rather than centers of
entertainment.
7. The government requires that these forms should be
submitted before the end of the financial year.
A. that these forms should be
B. that these forms be
C. for these forms to be submitted
D. these forms submission
E. these forms should be submitted
8. After arduous months of fighting, the sight of the white
flag being raised generated as much relief on the victor's side
than it did on the vanquished.
A. as much relief on the victor's side than it did on the
3. The impostor eluded detection for so long because she
vanquished.
conducted herself as though she were a licensed practitioner. B. as much relief among the victors as among the vanquished.
A. as though she were a licensed practitioner.
C. as much relief on the victor's side as it did on the
B. as though she was a licensed practitioner.
vanquished's.
C. like she was a licensed practitioner.
D. relief both on the victor's side as well as on the
D. like as if she was a licensed practitioner.
vanquished's.
E. as if she was a practitioner with a license.
E. relief both for the victor and the vanquished side.
4. Being abandoned by our friends is the cause of great
sorrow for us.
A. Being abandoned by our friends is the cause of great
sorrow for us.
B. Our being abandoned by our friends is the cause of great
sorrow.
C. Being abandoned by our friends, we feel great sorrow.
D. Abandoned by our friends, sorrow is the result.
E. We feel great sorrow when our friends abandon us.
5. Among the many reasons for his defeat in the election was
his arrogant assumption that his constituents were incapable
of understanding economic conditions, and his unwarranted
attack on his chief opponent.
A. was his arrogant assumption that his constituents were
incapable of understanding economic conditions
B. were his arrogant assumption that his constituents were
incapable of understanding economic conditions
C. were his arrogant assumptions that his constituents were
incapable of understanding economical
9. The best way to encourage innovative thinking is not to promise
financial rewards for ideas, but to ensure that the person making
the suggestion receives recognition for his contribution.
A. but to ensure that the person making the suggestion receives
recognition for his contribution.
B. but to ensure that the person who makes the suggestion will be
receiving recognition for his contribution.
C. but rather by ensuring that the person making the suggestion
receives recognition for his contribution.
D. but rather ensure that suggestion-maker receives recognition for
his contribution.
E. but instead make sure that the suggestion-maker will receive
recognition.
10. It ought to be her with whom you share your secrets, not me.
A. her with whom you share your secrets, not me
B. her with whom you share your secrets, not I.
C. she with whom you share your secrets, not me.
D. she with whom you share your secrets, not I.
E. her with who you share your secrets, not me.
SAT Writing Worksheet Sentence Improvement B2
1. A conjunction is used to connect words and sentences
together.
A. words and sentences together.
B. words or sentences together.
C. words and sentences.
D. words or sentences.
E. words to sentences.
2. Antony, coming alongside Cleopatra's ship, climbed
aboard without seeing or being seen by her.
A. climbed aboard without seeing or being seen by her.
B. climbed aboard without seeing Cleopatra or being
seen by her.
C. climbs aboard without Cleopatra seeing him.
D. boarded without being seen by her.
E. boarded without seeing Cleopatra.
3. Bombast is when high sounding words for effect, not
suitability, are used.
A. is when high sounding words for effect, not suitability,
are used.
B. is the use of high-sounding words for effect rather
than for suitability.
C. is where high-sounding words are used for effect not
suitability.
D. is the using of high-sounding words for effect only.
E. is when you use high-sounding words for effect rather
than for suitability.
4. I would like to thank whoever it was that wrote that
piece of music: it has given me so much pleasure.
A. I would like to thank whoever it was that wrote that
piece of music:
B. I would like to thank whomever it was that has written
that piece of music:
C. I would like to thank whomever it might be that wrote
that piece of music:
D. Whoever it was that wrote that piece of music, I
would like to thank because
E. I would like to thank whoever it was that wrote that
piece of music,
5. Your taking a loan to buy a car annoyed Father.
A. Your taking a loan to buy a car annoyed Father.
B. Your taking a loan to buy a car aggravated Father.
C. You taking a loan to buy a car irritated Father.
D. You taking a loan to buy a car annoyed Father.
E. Father was annoyed by you taking a loan to buy a car.
6. 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.
A. and attempting to copy speech patterns and not
through reading grammar books.
B. and attempting to copy speech patterns than through
reading grammar books.
C. and attempts to copy speech patterns than through
reading grammar books.
D. and attempts at copying speech patterns than through
reading grammar books.
E. and attempts at copying speech patterns and not
grammar books.
7. Between you and I, I doubt that he will come.
A. and I, I doubt that he will come.
B. and I, I doubt that he would come.
C. and me, I doubt that he will come.
D. and me, I doubt that he would come.
E. and me, I doubt whether he will be coming.
8. Work that is not finished is not work at all, it is merely
a botch, a failure.
A. all, it is merely a botch, a failure.
B. all, it is a botch merely, and a failure.
C. all; it is merely a botch, a failure.
D. all; the work merely is a botch and a failure.
E. all; the work being merely a botch, a failure.
9. Pollution and degradation of the environment is,
according to the commission's report, a matter of
universal concern.
A. is, according to the commission's report, a matter of
universal concern.
B. is, according to the report by the commission, a
matter of universal concern.
C. is, according to the report of the commission, matters
of universal concern.
D. are, according to the commission's report, universally
a matter of concern.
E. are, according to the commission's report, a matter of
universal concern.
10. Denim jeans were originally worn not so much as a
fashion statement as for their being practical work
clothes.
A. Denim jeans were originally worn not so much as a
fashion statement as for their being practical work
clothes.
B. Denim jeans were originally worn not so much as a
fashion statement but for their being practical work
clothes.
C. Denim jeans were originally worn not so much as a
fashion statement but for being practical work clothes .
D. Denim jeans were originally worn not as a fashion
statement as for them being practical work clothes.
E. Denim jeans were originally worn not as a fashion
statement but as for them being practical work clothes.
SAT Writing Worksheet Sentence Improvement
1. It is highly desirable that you furnish evidence of your expenses
before you submit your final accounts.
A. It is highly desirable that you furnish evidence of your expenses
B. It is highly desirable that you should furnish evidence of your
expenses
C. It is highly to be desired that you furnish evidences of your
expenses
D. You must furnish evidence of your expenses
E. You should have to supply evidence of your expenses
2. The population of tigers in the National Park is increasing
steadily, and this is a source of encouragement to those who
have worked so hard to fund the conservation effort.
A. steadily, and this
B. steadily: which
C. steadily; this trend
D. steadily, this increase
E. steady, and this
3. In the fine print at the end of the document lies the
clauses that make us liable for any expenses that result from
civil unrest.
A. lies the clauses that make us liable for any expenses that
B. lies the clauses that make us liable for any expenses which
C. lies the clause that make us liable for any expenses that
D. lie the clauses that makes us liable for any expenses which
E. lie the clauses that make us liable for any expenses that
4. The administration discussed whether the number of students
studying European languages was likely to decline when the senior
lecturer retired.
A. whether the number of students studying European languages
was likely
B. whether the number of students studying European languages
were likely
C. if the students studying European languages were likely
D. if the number of European language students were likely
E. whether the number of students studying European languages
was liable
5. If the gardener would sow the seeds in the greenhouse rather
than the garden, he might get a better display of flowers.
A. If the gardener would sow the seeds in the greenhouse rather
than the garden
B. If the gardener sowed the seeds in the greenhouse rather than
the garden
C. If the gardener would sow the seeds in the greenhouse rather
than in the garden
D. If the gardener were to sow the seeds in the greenhouse rather
than in the garden
E. If the gardener would sow the seeds in the greenhouse instead
of the garden
6. On Discovery channel last night they showed an informative
program about new innovations in medical imaging, which you
would have found interesting.
A. they showed an informative program about new innovations in
medical imaging, which you would have found interesting.
B. they showed an informative program about innovations in
medical imaging, which you would have found interesting.
A2
C. they showed an informative program about innovations in
medical imaging, that you would have found interesting
D. there was an informative program about new innovations in
medical imaging, that you would have found interesting.
E. there was an informative program about innovations in medical
imaging, a program you would have found interesting.
7. After working for two hours, the essay started to take shape,
and he began to hope that he might finish before the deadline.
A. After working for two hours, the essay started to take shape,
and he began to hope
B. When the essay started to take shape after he had worked on it
for two hours, he began to hope
C. When the essay started to take shape after he had worked on it
for two hours, he begun to hope
D. When the essay started to take shape after working on it for two
hours, he began to hope
E. After working for two hours, the student's essay started to take
shape, and he began to hope
8. The young man was surprised to find that his experience as a
tutor had been used as the basis for the protagonist in a short story
written by a former girlfriend.
A. that his experience as a tutor had been used as the basis for the
protagonist in
B. his experience as a tutor having been used as the protagonist in
C. his experience as a tutor had been used as the basis for the
protagonist's in
D. his experience as a tutor being used as the basis for the
protagonist of
E. that his experience as a tutor had been used as the basis for
events in the life of the protagonist in
9. In the engineering sector at the moment there are no jobs for
those without experience, which makes it difficult for we recent
graduates to get started on our careers.
A. at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience,
which makes it difficult for we
B. at the moment there are no jobs for those without experience,
which makes it difficult for us
C. there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, a
fact that makes it difficult for us
D. there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience,
which makes it difficult for us
E. there are no jobs at the moment for those without experience, a
fact which makes it difficult for we
10. The mole is a nocturnal insectivorous mammal regarded as
pests by gardeners because of their burrowing activity spoiling
lawns and gardens.
A. regarded as pests by gardeners because of their burrowing
activity spoiling
B. regarded to be pests by gardeners because of their burrowing
activity's spoiling
C. regarded as a pest by gardeners because of burrowing activity
spoiling
D. considered as a pest by gardeners because of its burrowing
activity spoiling
E. regarded as a pest by gardeners because its burrowing activity
spoils lawns and gardens.
SAT Writing Worksheet Paragraph Improvement C3
Questions 1-6 refer to the following passage, which is a draft of an essay:
(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.
1. Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 3 (reproduced below)?
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.
A. might be reduced to an item of decoration rather than information
B. might be reduced to an item of decoration rather than a source of information
C. will be reduced to an item of decoration rather than information
D. will be reduced to an item of decoration rather than a source of information
E. could be reduced to an item of decoration rather than information
2. Which version of sentence 8 would form the best transition between paragraphs two and three?
A. Besides their aesthetic appeal, books have symbolic power.
B. Books have also always had symbolic power.
C. Besides their use to decorators, books have a symbolic power.
D. Books have other functions besides decoration.
E. Other people have used books as symbols.
3. What revision is most needed in sentence 9?
A. Change “enhanced” to “equal”.
B. Change the comma to a semicolon.
C. Change “us” to “people”
D. Rewrite to avoid repetition of “they remind us of”.
E. Insert “Moreover” at the beginning of the sentence.
4. Sentence 7 would probably benefit from all the following changes EXCEPT
A. Change from passive to active voice
B. Correct faulty parallelism
C. Rewrite to avoid repetition of “volumes”.
D. Delete the word “actually”.
E. Remove the word “aesthetically”.
5. Paragraph three
A. is somewhat underdeveloped
B. is redundant
C. is too repetitive
D. contains error in verb tense
E. has errors in pronoun usage
6. Which is the best version of the underlined part of the last sentence (reproduced below)?
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.
A. the book has withstood the advent of the cinema, television, personal computer and are likely
B. the book has withstood the advent of the cinema, television, and personal computer and are liable
C. books have withstood the advent of the cinema, television, and personal computer and are likely
D. the book withstood the advent of the cinema, television, personal computer and is likely
E. the book withstood the advent of the cinema, television, and personal computer and will likely
SAT Writing Worksheet Paragraph Improvement
B3
Questions 7-12 refer to the following passage, which is a draft of an essay:
(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.
7. One weakness of the writing style of this essay is
A. Reliance on general statements
B. Incorrect paragraphing
C. Inappropriate vocabulary
D. Poor punctuation
E. Poor choice of verb tenses
8. The author makes his point about human society mainly by use of
A. personal experience
B. scientific facts
C. parallel construction
D. an analogy
E. hyperbole
9. Sentence 2 could be best improved by
A. insert a comma after “environment”
B. remove the word “other”
C. remove the word “interacting”
D. change “interventions” to “intervention”
E. change “reduces” to “reduce”
10. Which is the best version of the underlined part of sentence 3 (reproduced below)?
Similarly, human society in its progress toward the clichéd “global village” is liable to make the world less stable not more
stable.
A. is likely to make the world less stable not
B. is likely to make the world not less stable but
C. is likely to make the world less and not
D. are liable to make the world less stable not
E. are likely to make the world less stable not
11. The best version of sentence four is
A. We are eliminating languages, traditional diets, and eroding cultural practices at an alarming rate.
B. We are eliminating languages, changing traditional diets, and cultural practices at an alarming rate.
C. We are eliminating languages, changing traditional diets, and eroding cultural practices at an alarming rate.
D. Languages, traditional diets, and cultural practices are being eroded at an alarming rate.
E. Languages, traditional diets, and cultural practices are being eliminated alarmingly fast.
12. The change most needed in sentence 9 is to replace
A. will with would
B. you with we
C. just with only
D. infinitely with much
E. experience to experienced
SAT Writing Worksheet Paragraph Improvement
A4
Questions 1-6 refer to the following passage, which is a draft of an essay:
(1)I recently revisited the city which I was born in, which is a place well known for a castle built on a rock overlooking the
surrounding plains, and even better known for a legendary figure who robbed the rich to give to the poor. (2)As I toured the
castle and its museum, visited the town center, and roamed around old haunts, I reflected on how the buildings that people
of different eras build reflect their central preoccupations.
(3)The castle was originally built in the eleventh century, and remained important for several centuries. (4)Throughout the
medieval period castles and fortified houses were built. (5)The powerful landowners surveyed and dominated the
surrounding lands, the source of their wealth and prestige.
(6)Once the industrial era began, castles were sidelined. (7)The merchants and factory owners built town halls, churches,
factories and imposing office buildings. (7)The town center reflects this era. (8)An imposing town hall, complete with
massive pillars and monumental lions, overlooks the town square. (9)The square is surrounded by equally massive blocks of
shops, banks and offices, built to reflect the power of trade in the heyday of the British Empire.
(10)Most people who enter the city today never visit the castle or the old market square, they head for the two shopping
malls situated at either end of the city center. (11)Here the visitor can shop to their hearts content in an environment of glass
and polished chrome. (12)Modern man is no longer a warrior defending his land, or a builder of churches, or a governor of
people: he is primarily a consumer. (13)The buildings our generation leaves to posterity will reflect our predominant interest
– shopping.
1. The author's approach to the topic can best be
described as
A. rhetorical
B. a reminiscence
C. a specific example to illustrate a general point
D. personal narrative
E. several examples used to contradict a viewpoint
2. The sentence (or sentences) which most clearly
expresses the author's primary purpose is
A. (1)
B. (2)
C. (12)
D. (13)
E. (1) and (13)
3. Which is the best version of the underlined portion of
sentence (1), (reproduced below)?
I recently revisited the city which I was born in, which is
a place well known for a castle built on a rock
overlooking the surrounding plains, and even better
known for a legendary figure who robbed the rich to give
to the poor.
A. I recently revisited the city which I was born in, which
is a place
B. I recently revisited the city in which I was born in,
which is
C. I recently revisited the city in which I was born, a city
D. Recently I revisited the place which I was born in,
which is a city
E. Recently I revisited the city which I was born in, which
is
4. The best way to rewrite the underlined parts of
sentences 4 and 5 (reproduced below) in order to combine
the sentences is:
Throughout the medieval period castles and fortified
houses were built. The powerful landowners surveyed
and dominated the surrounding lands, the source of their
wealth and prestige.
A. Throughout the medieval period castles and fortified
houses were built from which powerful landowners
surveyed and dominated
B. Castles and fortified houses were built throughout the
medieval period, from which powerful landowners
surveyed and dominated
C. Castles and fortified houses were built throughout the
medieval period, when powerful landowners surveyed
and dominated
D. Throughout the medieval period, powerful landowners
built castles and fortified houses from which to survey
and dominate
E. Throughout the medieval period, powerful landowners
built castles and fortified houses from which they would
have surveyed and dominated
5. The change most needed in sentence 10 is
A. change or to nor
B. change “either end” to “both ends”
C. change the comma to a semicolon
D. avoid the repetition of the word “city”
E. change people to persons
6. Sentence 11 has faulty
A. pronoun usage
B. parallelism
C. verb tenses
D. diction
E. verb agreement
SAT Writing Worksheet Paragraph Improvement
A3
Questions 7-12 refer to the following passage, which is a draft of an essay:
(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?
7. The writer uses all of the following techniques except
A. rhetorical questions
B. statement of facts
C. speculation
D. address to the reader
E. personal experience
8. 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.
A. Vanilla is certainly one of the most used, and presumably most appreciated, flavors known to man. Worldwide
B. Vanilla is certainly one of the most used, and presumably most appreciated, flavors known to man, worldwide
C. Vanilla is certainly one of the most used, and presumably most appreciated, flavors known to man worldwide:
D. One of the most used, and presumably most appreciated, flavors known to man worldwide, vanilla
E. Worldwide vanilla is certainly one of the most used, and presumably most appreciated, flavors known to man.
9. The best replacement for the word “it” in sentence 8 is
A. vanilla
B. the pod
C. vanilla flowers
D. the plant
E. pods
10. The change most needed in sentence 9 is
A. change “would” to “will”
B. change “methods” to “method”
C. rewrite to avoid “to be”
D. insert “for” in front of “how”
E. substitute “arrival” for “advent”
11. One reason the writer uses the word “plain” in the last sentence is probably
A. to contrast with “vanilla”
B. to link to the use of the same word in the first sentence
C. to emphasis an opposite
D. to clarify what is meant by flavor
E. to add more force to the argument
12. Which sentence best states the author's contention about vanilla?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 9
D. 10
E. 11