SAT Writing : Identifying Modifier Placement Errors
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #166 :识别短语、从句和句子错误
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Ryanwas elatedto find thediamond men's chainon the street, but decided it would be more prudent to find outwhomit belonged tothan tokeep it himself.No error
whom
was elated
than to
diamond men's chain
No error
diamond men's chain
The word "diamond" in the phrase "diamond men's chain" is a misplaced modifier. In its current placement in the sentence, "diamond" looks to be modifying "men's" instead of properly modifying chain. To fix it, we would move the modifier so that the phrase becomes "men's diamond chain."
Example Question #167 :识别短语、从句和句子错误
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Hansel and Gretelwere luredinto going into thecandy witch's house, which was made of gingerbread and various kinds of sweets; because of their hunger, theywere not awareof the trap the witch had set until it wasnearly too late.No error
were not aware
candy witch's house
were lured
No error
nearly too late
candy witch's house
The phrase "candy witch's house" is incorrect because it is the house that is made of candy, not the witch. Therefore, we must move the modifier "candy" in the phrase to correctly refer to "house" - "witch's candy house."
Example Question #168 :识别短语、从句和句子错误
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Wecouldn't believehow many ingredients Kellywas ableto fit into thatchicken giant burrito, and weimmediatelyknew we couldn't finish it in one meal.No error
couldn't believe
No error
immediately
was able
chicken giant burrito
chicken giant burrito
In the phrase "chicken giant burrito," it appears that "chicken" is improperly modifying "giant." The phrase "giant chicken burrito" corrects this misplaced modifier error.
Example Question #169 :识别短语、从句和句子错误
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Marilyn broughther oldred sneakerstothethrift store,which were faded on the sides but otherwise still had strong soles.No error
which were faded on the sides but otherwise still had strong soles
her old
to
thrift store
No error
which were faded on the sides but otherwise still had strong soles
The phrase "which were faded on the sides but otherwise still had strong soles" is a misplaced modifier—it is currently modifying "the thrift store," but should instead be modifying "sneakers."
Example Question #1 :Identifying Misplaced Or Interrupting Modifier 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 state isrightfullyvery hesitant to give teenagers drivers' licenseswho have not had training, asthere isa higher chanceof those teenagersgetting into accidents.No error
who have not had training
of those teenagers
there is
No error
rightfully
who have not had training
In the current form of the sentence, the phrase "who have not had training" is incorrectly modifying "drivers' licenses." Instead, the phrase should modify "teenagers" ("teenagers who have not had training").
Example Question #1 :Identifying Misplaced Or Interrupting Modifier Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
We didn't have to looktoo hardfor the owner of thegreen striped men's socks; only Jeremywould everwearsocks that tacky.No error
would ever
green striped men's socks
No error
socks that tacky
too hard
green striped men's socks
In the sentence above, the adjectives "green" and "striped" are intended to modify "socks" but have been misplaced to modify "men's" instead.
Example Question #21 :Identifying Modifier Placement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Thebuddingpoet finished,during the first year of college,twenty poems and anovella, butshe was too afraid to show anyof themto her parents.No error
during the first year of college
No error
of them
budding
novella, but
during the first year of college
The error in this sentence is "during the first year of college" because it is an interrupting modifier. An interrupting modifier seperates the verb ("wrote") from its direct object ("twenty poems and a novella"), making the sentence less clear. A corrected sentence would be: "During the first year of college, the budding poet wrote twenty poems and a novella, but she was too afraid to show any of them to her parents."
Example Question #22 :Identifying Modifier Placement Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
It is possible that Jameswill havebeen ableto afford the vacationifhehad savedmore of his money.No error
if
had saved
No error
will have
been able
will have
短语“能”和“保存”都是referring to something that did or could have happened in the past. In keeping with the same tense, “will have” should be in the conditional form that would correctly describe a possibility in the past—“would have.”
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