All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : 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 paper was definitely the most thorough researched work she had done all year, but she was still worried that the teacher wouldn't like it. No error
it
No error
was
she'd done
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 Adjective And Adverb Errors
The lights were dimmed slow, and the crowd gasped when the blue glow of the painted letters became apparent.
gasped
slow
became apparent
No error
were dimmed
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 Adjective And Adverb Errors
The sharp beak and beady eyes of a common farm chicken can be terrifying to those who have never seen this animal previous.
No error
can be terrifying
previous
sharp beak and beady eyes
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.
Contrary to popular belief, if one were to compare the hunting prowess of female lions with that of male lions, the females would be the best hunters. No error
female lions with male lions
No error
were to compare
best
to popular belief
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 process to me in an excruciating detailed manner; you don’t need to worry about me forgetting anything.
anything
excruciating
to me
No error
manner; you
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 #1 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
The kite caught the breeze, flew up in the air, danced graceful about the sky, and lodged itself in a tree.
flew
graceful
No error
and lodged itself in a tree
in the air
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 #1 : Identifying Other Adjective And Adverb Errors
It was impossible to choose between the litter, because all of the kittens were just too adorable!
kittens
no error
!
, because
between
between
The correct adverb here would be among, because there are multiple kittens in a litter, not just two.
Example Question #1 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
The scapula are not actual connected to the rib cage through any bones or joints.
are
or joints
through any
actually
No error
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 Other Adjective And Adverb Errors
She will arrive lately than expected due to travel issues.
lately than expected.
lately expectedly.
later expectedly
expectedly lately.
later than expected.
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 #4 : Identifying Adjective And Adverb Errors
In the following question, please choose the best sentence improvement.
The parents looked at their college graduate so proud that they seemed to glow with happiness.
so very proud
so proud
so much pride
so prideful
so proudly
so proudly
The word proud needs to be an adverb because it is modifying looked.
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