All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #10 :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.
Susan's term paperwasdefinitely themost thoroughresearched workshe had doneall year, but she was still worried that the teacher wouldn't likeit.No error
she'd done
was
it
No error
most thorough
most thorough
The error here is "most thorough." Since "thorough" is followed by a verb it is an adverb, and thus must become "thoroughly." The correct way to write this would be "the most thoroughly researched." Adding the "-ly" to an adjective usually makes it an adverb, and every time and adjective is describing another adjective or a verb it must become an adverb. The "it" at the end is the correct pronoun, as "it" is referring to the paper.
Example Question #1 :Identifying Word Usage Errors
The lightswere dimmedslow, and the crowdgaspedwhen the blue glow of the painted lettersbecame apparent.
gasped
became apparent
slow
were dimmed
No error
slow
This sentence uses the adjective “slow” to describe a the verb “were dimmed.” An adverb would be better. The corrected sentence reads:The lights were dimmed slowly, and the crowd gasped when the blue glow of the painted letters became apparent.
Example Question #2 :Identifying Word Usage Errors
Thesharp beak and beady eyesof a common farm chickencan be terrifyingto thosewhohave never seen this animalprevious.
sharp beak and beady eyes
No error
can be terrifying
previous
who
previous
This sentence uses the adjective “previous” to describe the verb “seen.” An adverb would be better. The corrected sentence reads:The sharp beak and beady eyes of a common farm chicken can be terrifying to those who have never seen this animal previously.
Example Question #1 :Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.
Contraryto popular belief, if onewere to comparethe hunting prowess offemale lions with that of male lions, the females would be thebesthunters.No error
female lions with male lions
best
to popular belief
were to compare
No error
best
"The best hunters" is the error here, making this a comparative error. The correct word would be "better" here because the sentence draws a comparison between two groups—females and males. Whenever a comparison is drawn between two items, it is correct to use the "-er" form of the word; this is known as the "comparative" form of the word. Whenever a comparison is drawn between three or more things, you use the "-est" form of the word, known as the "superlative" form. A comparison is used to compare one item to one other item; superlatives are used to distinguish one item from many other items.
Example Question #1 :Identifying Other Adjective And Adverb Errors
My mother explained the processto mein anexcruciatingdetailedmanner; youdon’t need to worry about me forgettinganything.
manner; you
to me
anything
excruciating
No error
excruciating
In this sentence, the adjective “excruciating” is used to describe the other adjective “detailed.” Adverbs should describe adjectives, so the adverb form “excruciatingly” would be better. The corrected sentence reads:My mother explained the process to me in an excruciatingly detailed manner; you don’t need to worry about me forgetting anything.
Example Question #2 :Identifying Other Adjective And Adverb Errors
The kite caught the breeze,flewupin the air, dancedgracefulabout the sky,and lodged itself in a tree.
in the air
graceful
and lodged itself in a tree
flew
No error
graceful
In this sentence, the adjective “graceful” is used to describe the verb “danced.” Adverbs, not adjectives, should describe verbs, so the adverb version “gracefully” would be better. The corrected sentence reads:The kite caught the breeze, flew up in the air, danced gracefully about the sky, and lodged itself in a tree.
Example Question #3 :Identifying Other Adjective And Adverb Errors
It was impossible to choosebetweenthe litter, becauseall of thekittenswere just too adorable!
kittens
between
, because
no error
!
between
The correct adverb here would be among, because there are multiple kittens in a litter, not just two.
Example Question #4 :Identifying Other Adjective And Adverb Errors
The scapulaarenotactualconnected to the rib cagethrough anybonesor joints.
No error
through any
or joints
actually
are
actually
In this sentence, the adjective “actual” is used to describe the verb “connected.” The adverb should be used instead. The corrected sentence reads:The scapula are not actually connected to the rib cage through any bones or joints.
Example Question #1 :Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
She will arrivelately than expecteddue to travel issues.
lately than expected.
expectedly lately.
later than expected.
lately expectedly.
later expectedly
later than expected.
The underlined portion of the sentence uses an adverb "lately," where an adjective should be used. The only answer choice that properly uses an adjective is "later than expected," which is the correct answer choice.
Example Question #6 :Identifying Other Adjective And Adverb Errors
在following question, please choose the best sentence improvement.
The parents looked at their college graduateso proudthat they seemed to glow with happiness.
so much pride
so very proud
so proud
so prideful
so proudly
so proudly
The wordproudneeds to be an adverb because it is modifyinglooked.