2 - ] SAT - Common Problems In Grammar And Usage
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The
sentences in this section may contain errors in grammar , usage , choice of
words , or idioms. Either there is just one error in a sentence or the sentence
is correct . Some words or phrases are
underlined and lettered ; everything else in the sentence is correct.
If an underlined word or phrase is incorrect
, choose that letter ; if the sentence is correct , select No error .
Then blacken the appropriate space on your answer sheet .
Example
:
The
region has a climate so severe that plants growing there rarely had
been more than
A B C
twelve
inches high . No error
D E
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
We
were already to leave for the amusement park when John’s car broke
down ; we were
A B
C D
forced to postpone our outing . No error
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
2.
By order of the Student Council , the wearing of slacks by we
girls in school has been
A
B
C D
permitted . No error
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
3
. Each one of the dogs in the show require a special kind
of diet . No error
A
B C D E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
4
. The major difficulty confronting the authorities was the
reluctance of the people to talk
A
B
C
;
they has been warned not to say nothing to the police . No error
D E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
5.
If I were you , I would permit him to take part in such an
exhausting and painful
A
B C D
activity. No error
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
6
. Stanford White , who is one of America’s most notable architects
, have designed many
A
B
C
famous
buildings , among them the original Madison Square Garden . No error
D
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
7
. The notion of allowing the institution of slavery to continue to exist in a democratic
A B C
society had no appeal to either the violent
followers of John Brown nor the peaceful
D
disciples
of Sojourner Truth . No error
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
8
. Some students prefer watching filmstrips to textbooks because
they feel uncomfortable
A
B
C
with the presentation of information in a
non-oral form . No error
D
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
9
. There was so much conversation in back of me that I couldn’t
hear the actors on the
A
B C D
stage . No error
E
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
10
. This book is too; it can help neither you nor I .
No error
A B C D
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
11
. In a way we may say that we have reached the end of the Industrial Revolution .
A B C D
No
error
E
12
. Although the books are altogether on the shelf , they
are not arranged in any kind of
A B C D
order
. No error
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
13
. The reason for my prolonged absence from class was because
I was ill for three weeks .
A B C D
No
error
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
14
. According to researchers , the
weapons and work implements used by Cro-Magnon
A
B
hunters appear being actually quite
“modern .” No error
C D E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
15
. Since we were caught completely unawares , the affect of Ms.
Rivera’s remarks was
A
B
C
startling
; some were shocked , but others were angry . No
error
D
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
16
. The committee had intended both you and I to speak at the
assembly ; however , only
A
B
C D
one
of us will be able to talk . No error
D
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
17
. The existence of rundown “welfare hotels” in which homeless families reside
at
A
B
enormous
cost to the taxpayer provides a shameful commentary of America’s commitment
C D
to
house the poor . No error .
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
18
. We have heard that the principal has decided whom the prize
winners will be and will
A
B C D
announce
the names in the assembly today . No error
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
19
. As soon as the sun had rose over the mountains , the valley became unbearably
hot
A B C
D
and
stifling . No error
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
20
. They are both excellent books , but this one is best .
No error
A B C D
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
21
. Although the news had come as a surprise to all in the room ,
both Jane and Oprah
A B
tried
to do her work as though nothing had happened . No error
C D
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
22
. Even well-known fashion designers have difficulty staying on top from
one season to
A
B
another because of changeable moods and needs in the
marketplace . No error
C D
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
23
. Arms control has been under discussion for decades with the former
Soviet Union , but
A
B
solutions
are still alluding the major powers . No error
C D E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
24
. Perhaps sports enthusiasts are realizing that jogging is not easy
on joints and tendons ,
A B
for
the latest fad is being walking . No error
C D E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
25
. Technological advances can cause factual data to become obsolete
within a short time ;
A
B
yet , students should concentrate on reasoning skills , not
facts . No error
C
D
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
26
. If anyone cares to join me in this campaign , either now
or in the near future , they will
A B
C
D
be
welcomed gratefully . No error
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
27
. The poems with which he occasionally desired to regale the
fashionable world were
A
B
invariably
bad -- stereotyped , bombastic , and even ludicrous
. No error
C
D E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
28
. Ever since the quality of teacher education came under public
scrutiny , suggestions for
A B
upgrading the profession are abounding . No error
C
D E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
29
. Because the door was locked , the police were forced to
break into the apartment
A
B C
through the bedroom window . No error
D
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
30
. I will always remember you standing by me
offering me encouragement . No error
A B C D
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
31
. With special training , capuchin monkeys can enable quadriplegics as
well as other
A
B
handicapped
individuals to become increasing independent . No error
C D E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
32
. Contrary to what had previously
been reported , the conditions governing the truce
A
B
between
Libya and Chad arranged by the United Nations has not yet been
revealed .
C D
No
error
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
33
. Avid readers generally either admire or dislike Ernest Hemingway’s
journalistic style
A
B
of writing ; few have no opinion of him . No error
C D E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
34
In 1986 , the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl has aroused intense
speculation about the
A B
long-term
effects of radiation that continued for the better part of a year . No error
C
D
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
35
. Howard Hughes , who became the subject for bizarre rumors as
a result of his extreme
A B
C
reclusiveness
, was well-known as an aviator , industrialist , and in producing motion
D
pictures
. No error
E
(A)
(B) (C) (D) (E)
Some or all parts of
the following sentences are underlined . The first answer choice . (A) , simply
repeats the underlined part of the sentence . The other four choices present
four alternative ways to phrase the underlined part . Select the answer that
produces the most effective sentence , one that is clear and exact , and
blacken the appropriate space on your answer sheet . In selecting your choice ,
be sure that it is standard written English , and that it expresses the meaning
of the original sentence
example :
The first biography of
author Eudora Welty came out in 1998 and she was 89 years old at the time
(A) and she was 89
years old at the time .
(B) at the time when
she was 89
(C) upon becoming an
89 year old
(D) when she was 89
(E) at the age of 89
years old
(A) (B) (C) (D)
(E)
36
. The child is neither encouraged to be critical or to examine all the
evidence before forming an opinion .
(A)
neither encouraged to be critical or to examine
(B)
neither encouraged to be critical nor to examine
(C)
either encouraged to be critical or to examine
(D)
encouraged either to be critical or to examine
(E)
not encouraged either to be critical or to examine
37
. The process by which the community influence the actions of its members
is known as social control .
(A)
influence the actions of its members
(B)
influences the actions of its members
(C)
had influenced the actions of its members
(D)
influences the actions of their members
(E)
will influence the actions of its members
38
. Play being recognized as an important factor improving mental and
physical health and thereby reducing human misery and poverty .
(A)
Play being recognized
(B)
By recognizing play as
(C)
Their recognizing play as
(D)
Recognition of it being
(E)
Play is recognized as
39
. To be sure , there would be scarcely any time left over for other things if
school children would have been expected to have considered all sides of
every matter , on which they hold opinions .
(A)
would have been expected to have considered
(B)
should have been expected to have considered
(C)
were expected to consider
(D)
will be expected to have considered
(E)
were expected to be considered
40
. Using it wisely , leisure promotes health , efficiency and happiness .
(A)
Using it wisely
(B)
If is used wisely
(C)
Having used it wisely
(D)
Because of its wise use
(E)
Because of usefulness
41
. In giving expression to the play instincts of the human race , new vigor
and effectiveness are afforded by recreation to the body and to the mind .
(A)
new vigor and effectiveness are afforded by recreation to the body and to the
mind
(B)
recreation affords new vigor and effectiveness to the body and to the mind
(C)
there are afforded new vigor and effectiveness to the body and to the mind
(D)
by recreation the body and the mind are afforded new vigor and effectiveness
(E)
to the body and to the mind afford new vigor and effectiveness to themselves by
recreation
42
. Depending on skillful suggestion , argument is seldom used in advertising
.
(A)
Depending on skillful suggestion , argument is seldom used in advertising .
(B)
Argument is seldom used in advertising , which depends instead on skillful
suggestion .
(C)
Skillful suggestion is depended on by advertisers instead of argument .
(D)
Depending on skillful suggestion , argument is seldom used in advertising .
(E)
Depending on skillful suggestion , argument is seldom used in advertising .
43
. When this war is over , no nation will either be isolated in war or peace .
(A)
either be isolated in war or peace
(B)
be either isolated in war or peace
(C)
be isolated in neither war nor peace
(D)
be isolated either in war or peace
(E)
be isolated neither in war or peace
44
. Thanks to the prevailing westerly winds , dust blowing east from the
drought-stricken plains travels halfway across the continent to fall on the
cities of East Coast .
(A)
blowing east from the drought-stricken plains
(B)
that , blowing east from the drought-stricken plains
(C)
from the drought-stricken plains and blows east
(D)
that is from the drought-stricken plains blowing east
(E)
blowing east that is from the plains that are drought-stricken
45
. Americans are learning that their concept of a research worker toiling
alone in a laboratory and who discovers miraculous cures has been highly
idealized and glamorized .
(A)
toiling alone in a laboratory and who discovers miraculous cures
(B)
toiling alone in a laboratory and discovers miraculous cures
(C)
toiling alone in a laboratory to discover miraculous cures
(D)
who toil alone in the laboratory and
discover miraculous cures
(E)
has toiled alone hoping to discover miraculous cures
46
. However many mistakes have been made in our past , the tradition of America ,
not only the champion of freedom but also fair play , still lives among
millions who can see light and hope scarcely anywhere else .
(A)
not only the champion of freedom but also fair play
(B)
the champion of not only freedom but also fair play
(C)
the champion not only of freedom but also fair play
(D)
not only the champion but also freedom and fair play
(E)
not the champion of freedom only , but also fair play
47
. Examining the principal movements sweeping through the world , it can be seen
(A)
Examining the principal movements sweeping through the world , it can be seen
(B)
Having examined the principal movements sweeping through the world , it can be
seen
(C)
Examining the principal movements sweeping through the world can be seen
(D)
Examining the principal movements sweeping through the world , we can see
(E)
It can be seen examining the principal movements sweeping through the world ,
48
. The PCC is broadening its view on what constitutes indecent programming
(A)
The PCC is broadening its view on what constitutes indecent programming
(B)
The PCC , broadening its view on what constitutes indecent programming , has
caused
(C)
The PCC is broadening its view on what constitutes indecent programming , as a
result
(D)
Since the PCC is broadening its view on what constitutes indecent programming
(E)
The PCC , having broadened its view on what constitutes indecent programming
49 . As district attorney , Elizabeth Holtzman not only had the responsibility of supervising a staff of dedicated young lawyers but she had the task of maintaining good relations with the police also .
(A)
but she had the task of maintaining good relations with the police also
(B)
but she also had the task of maintaining
good relations with the police
(C)
but also had the task of maintaining good relations with the police
(D)
but she had the task to maintain good relations with the police also
(E)
but also she had the task to maintain good relations with the police
50
. Many politicians are now trying to take uncontroversial positions on issues
; the purpose being to allow them to appeal to as wide a segment of the
voting population as possible .
(A)
issues ; the purpose being to allow them to appeal
(B)
issues in order to appeal
(C)
issues , the purpose is to allow them to appeal
(D)
issues and the purpose is to allow them to appeal
(E)
issues ; that was allowing them to appeal
The passage below is the unedited draft of a
student’s essay . Parts of the essay need to be rewritten to make the meaning
clearer and more precise . Read the essay carefully .
The essay is followed by six questions about
changes that might improve all or part of the organization , development ,
sentence structure , use of standard written English . In each case , choose
the answer that most clearly and effectively expresses the student’s intended
meaning . Indicate your choice by blackening the corresponding space on the
answer sheet .
[1]
Throughout history , people have speculated about the future . [2] Will it be a
utopia ? they wondered .[3] Will injustice and poverty be eliminated ? [4] Will
people accept ethnic diversity ,learning to live in peace ? [5] Will the world
be clean and unpolluted ? [6] Or will technology aid us in creating a trap for
ourselves we cannot escape , for example such as the world in 1984 ? [7With the
turn of the millennium just around the corner these questions are in the back
of our minds .
[8] Science fiction often portrays
the future as a technological Garden of Eden . [9] With interactive computers ,
TVs and robots at our demand , we barely need to lift a finger to go to school
, to work , to go shopping , and education is also easy and convenient . [10]
Yet , the problems of the real twentieth century seem to point in another
direction . [11] The environment , far from improving , keeps deteriorating . [12]
Wars and other civil conflicts breakout regularly . [13]The world’s population
is growing out of control . [14] The majority of people on earth live in
poverty . [15] Many of them are starving . [16] Illiteracy is a problem in most
poor countries . [17] Diseases and malnourishment is very common .[18] Rich
countries like the U.S.A. don’t have the resources to help the “have-not”
countries .
19] I, think instead of
all the silly inventions such as tablets you put in your toilet tank to make
the water blue ,or electric toothbrushes . [20] More money is spent on space
and defense than on education and health care . [21] Advancements in
agriculture can produce enough food to feed the whole country , yet people in
the U.S. are starving .
[22] Although the USSR is gone , the nuclear threat continues
from small countries like Israel , North Korea , and Iran [23] Until the world
puts its priorities straight , we can’t look for a bright future in the
twenty-first century ,despite the rosy picture painted for us by the science
fiction writers .
51.
In the context of paragraph 1 , which of the following is the best revision of
sentence 6 ?
A)
Or will technology create a trap for ourselves from which we cannot escape ,
for example the world in 1984 ?
(B)
Or will technology aid people in creating a trap for themselves that they
cannot escape ; for example , the world in 1984 ?
(C)
Or will technology create a trap from which there is no escape , as it did in
the world in 1984 ?
(D)
Or will technology trap us in an inescapable world , for example , it did so in
the world of 1984 ?
(E)
Perhaps technology will aid people in creating a trap for themselves from which
they cannot escape , just as they did it in the world of 1984 .
52
. With regard to the essay as a whole , which of the following best describes
the writer’s intention in paragraph 1 ?
(A)
To announce the purpose of the essay
(B)
To compare two ideas discussed later in the essay
(C)
To take a position on the essay’s main issue
(D)
To reveal the organization of the essay
(E)
To raise questions that will be answered in the essay
53
. Which of the following is the best revision of the underlined segment of
sentence 9 below ?
[9]
With interactive computers , TVs and robots at our demand , we barely need to
lift a finger to go to school , to work , to go shopping , and education is
also easy and convenient .
(A)
and to go shopping , while education is also easy and convenient
(B)
to go shopping , and getting an education is also easy and convenient
(C)
to go shopping as well as educating ourselves are all easy and convenient
(D)
to shop , and an easy and convenient education
(E)
to shop , and to get an easy and convenient education
54
. Which of the following is the most effective way to combine sentences 14 , 15
, 16 , and 17 ?
(A)
The majority of people on earth are living in poverty and are starving , with
illiteracy , and disease and being malnourished are also a common problems
(B)
Common problems for the majority of people on earth are poverty , illiteracy ,
diseases , malnourishment , and many are illiterate .
(C)
The majority of people on earth are poor , starving , sick , malnourished and
illiterate .
(D)
Common among the poor majority on earth is poverty , starvation , disease ,
malnourishment , and illiteracy .
(E)
The majority of the earth’s people living in poverty with starvation , disease
, malnourishment and illiteracy a constant threat .
55
. In the context of the sentence 19 , which of the following is the most
effective revision of sentence 19 ?
(A)
Instead they are devoting resources on silly inventions such as tablets to make
toilet tank water blue or electric toothbrushes
(B)
Instead , they waste their resources on producing silly inventions like
electric toothbrushes and tablets for bluing toilet tank water .
(C)
Think of all silly inventions : tablets you put in your toilet tank to make the
water blue and electric toothbrushes .
(D)
Instead , tablets you put in your toilet tank to make the water blue or
electric toothbrushes are examples of useless products on the market today .
(E)
Instead of spending on useful things , think of all the silly inventions such
as tablets you put in your toilet tank to make the water blue or electric
toothbrushes .
56
.Which of the following revisions would most improve the overall coherence of
the essay?
(A)
Move sentence 7 to paragraph 2
(B)
Move sentence 10 to paragraph 1
(C)
Move sentence 22 to paragraph 2
(D)
Delete sentence 8
(E)
Delete sentence 23
Answer
Key
1
. (A) 2 . (C) 3 . (B) 4 . (D) 5 . (E) 6
. (C) 7 . (D) 8 . (B) 9 . (B) 10 . (E) 11
. (E) 12 . (B)
13
. (D) 14 . (C) 15 . (B) 16 . (B) 17 . (D) 18 . (B) 19 . (B) 20 . (D) 21 . (C) 22 . (E) 23 . (D)
24
. (D) 25 . (C) 26 . (D) 27 . (E) 28 . (D) 29 . (E) 30 . (C) 31 . (E) 32 . (D)
33 . (D) 34 . (A)
35
. (D) 36 . (E) 37 . (B) 38 . (E) 39 . (C)
40 . (B) 41 . (B) 42 . (B) 43 . (D) 44 .
(A) 45 . (C)
46
. (C) 47 . (D) 48 . (D) 49. (C) 50 . (B) 51 . (C) 52 . (E) 53 . (E) 54 . (C) 55
. (B) 56 . (C)
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