SAT Improving Sentence Errors III
This is the third SAT Improving sentence Errors quiz that will test you on your ability to improve sentences. It is modelled after the actual questions on the SAT Writing section. Read the questions carefully and answer. So, let's try out the quiz. All the best!
- 1.
Between John and David, he is stronger.
- A.
Between
- B.
And
- C.
He
- D.
Is
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
C. HeExplanation
The pronoun "he" is used correctly in this sentence. It refers back to one of the two people mentioned earlier, John or David, and indicates that the person being referred to is stronger.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Many people questioned if realistic drama has any place in Victorian society.
- A.
Many
- B.
If
- C.
Has
- D.
In
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
C. HasExplanation
The question is testing subject-verb agreement. In this sentence, "realistic drama" is the subject and "has" is the correct verb form to agree with the singular subject. Therefore, the correct answer is "has."Rate this question:
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- 3.
Tragically, the starter was benched in his first season after a number of setbacks and injuries.
- A.
Tragically
- B.
Was
- C.
Benched
- D.
Number of
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
E. No ErrorExplanation
The given sentence is grammatically correct and does not contain any errors. The word "tragically" is used to emphasize the unfortunate situation of the starter being benched. The verb "was" is in the correct past tense form to match the subject "starter". The word "benched" is the correct past participle form of the verb "bench" to indicate that the starter was removed from the game. The phrase "number of" is used correctly to indicate that there were multiple setbacks and injuries. Therefore, the sentence is error-free.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Can you please explain to me to whom this package is addressed?
- A.
Can
- B.
To me
- C.
Whom
- D.
Is
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
E. No ErrorExplanation
The given sentence is grammatically correct and does not contain any errors.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Many people believes that the body of knowledge in science is growing at an increasing rate.
- A.
Many
- B.
Believes
- C.
Body
- D.
Is
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
B. BelievesExplanation
The given sentence contains a subject-verb agreement error. The verb "believes" should be changed to "believe" to match the plural subject "Many people." Therefore, the correct answer is "believe."Rate this question:
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- 6.
David couldn't never believe that his grandmother lived to be one hundred years old.
- A.
Never
- B.
That
- C.
His
- D.
Be
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
A. NeverExplanation
The word "never" is unnecessary in the sentence because "couldn't" already implies a negative meaning. Therefore, using "never" creates a double negative, which is grammatically incorrect. The correct sentence should be "David couldn't believe that his grandmother lived to be one hundred years old."Rate this question:
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- 7.
Three restless five-year olds were throwing paperclips, were drawing on the blackboard, and shouted out.
- A.
Olds
- B.
Throwing
- C.
Drawing
- D.
And shouted out
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
D. And shouted outExplanation
The given sentence is grammatically correct. It describes the actions of three restless five-year-olds who were throwing paperclips, drawing on the blackboard, and shouting out. The phrase "and shouted out" is appropriately used to indicate an additional action performed by the children.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Public radio, which is managed by many top media officials, are funded primarily by private donations.
- A.
Which
- B.
By
- C.
Many
- D.
Are
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
D. AreExplanation
The subject of the sentence is "Public radio," which is singular. Therefore, the verb "are" should be changed to "is" to agree with the subject. The correct sentence would be "Public radio, which is managed by many top media officials, is funded primarily by private donations."Rate this question:
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- 9.
The ancient concept of an earth-centered universe was challenged by Copernicus in the sixteenth century.
- A.
Ancient concept
- B.
An
- C.
Was
- D.
In the
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
E. No ErrorExplanation
The given sentence is grammatically correct and does not contain any errors. It states that the ancient concept of an earth-centered universe was challenged by Copernicus in the sixteenth century. This implies that before Copernicus, the prevailing belief was that the Earth was at the center of the universe, but Copernicus challenged this idea.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Corruption is a serious problem for many governments in the world and it is not such a large problem for the US.
- A.
Is
- B.
For many governments
- C.
And
- D.
Not such a large problem
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
C. AndExplanation
The given sentence is grammatically correct. It states that corruption is a serious problem for many governments in the world, but it is not such a large problem for the US. The word "and" is used correctly to connect the two contrasting statements.Rate this question:
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- 11.
The celebrity Oprah Winfrey is possible the foremost advocate of adult fiction these days.
- A.
Is
- B.
Possible
- C.
Foremost
- D.
These days
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
B. PossibleExplanation
The sentence is stating that Oprah Winfrey is one of the biggest supporters or promoters of adult fiction currently. The word "possible" is used to indicate that she is likely or perhaps the most prominent advocate of adult fiction. Therefore, the word "possible" is correctly used in this context.Rate this question:
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- 12.
The actors were worried when the curtain would not raise at the beginning of the production.
- A.
Were
- B.
When
- C.
Raise
- D.
At
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
C. RaiseExplanation
The word "raise" is the correct answer because it is the correct verb form to use in this sentence. The sentence is in the past tense, so the past tense form of the verb "raise" should be used, which is "raised." The sentence is also in the passive voice, so the verb should be in the past participle form, which is also "raised." Therefore, "raise" is the correct choice.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Some people believe that among rap, country, and popular music, rap is better.
- A.
Some people
- B.
Believe
- C.
Among
- D.
Better
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
D. BetterExplanation
This question is testing the understanding of comparative adjectives. The correct answer is "better" because it is the comparative form of the adjective "good". The sentence is comparing rap, country, and popular music, and stating that rap is superior or of higher quality compared to the other two genres.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Years ago, there were much films on Biblical themes; now, the subject is almost taboo.
- A.
Ago
- B.
Much
- C.
On
- D.
Now
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
B. MuchExplanation
In this sentence, the word "much" is used incorrectly. The correct word to use in this context is "many" because it refers to countable nouns like "films." "Much" is used for uncountable nouns. Therefore, the correct answer is to replace "much" with "many."Rate this question:
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- 15.
The President balked at the new constitution for it limited its powers as military leader.
- A.
Balked at
- B.
The new constitution
- C.
It
- D.
Its
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
D. ItsExplanation
The pronoun "its" is the correct answer because it refers to the possessive form of "the President's." In this context, "its" is used to indicate that the new constitution limited the powers of the President as a military leader.Rate this question:
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- 16.
I can hardly fathom how large the universe really is; actually, I can't believe it's still getting bigger.
- A.
Can hardly
- B.
The universe really
- C.
Actually
- D.
Bigger
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
E. No ErrorExplanation
The given sentence is grammatically correct and does not contain any errors. The phrase "can hardly" is used correctly to indicate that the speaker finds it difficult to comprehend the vastness of the universe. The adverb "really" is appropriately placed to emphasize the magnitude of the universe. The word "actually" is used to contrast the speaker's disbelief with their initial statement. The word "bigger" is used correctly to convey the idea that the universe is continuously expanding.Rate this question:
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- 17.
The Cuban Missile Crisis was averted when Kenendy struck a secret deal with the Soviets.
- A.
Was averted
- B.
When
- C.
Struck
- D.
With the Soviets
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
E. No ErrorExplanation
The given sentence is grammatically correct and does not contain any errors. It states that the Cuban Missile Crisis was averted, and this was achieved when Kennedy struck a secret deal with the Soviets. The sentence is clear and coherent, providing a logical explanation for how the crisis was avoided.Rate this question:
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- 18.
A poorly performance is typical of students who take tests under pressure.
- A.
Poorly
- B.
Is
- C.
Who
- D.
Under
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
A. PoorlyExplanation
The word "poorly" is the correct answer because it correctly modifies the verb "performance," indicating that the performance is of low quality or not satisfactory. It effectively describes the performance of students who take tests under pressure.Rate this question:
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- 19.
I pity a man whom would sacrifice his honor for security.
- A.
I
- B.
Whom
- C.
Would
- D.
His
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
B. WhomExplanation
The correct answer is "whom." In this sentence, "whom" is used as the object of the verb "pity." It refers to the man who would sacrifice his honor for security. "Whom" is the correct pronoun to use here because it is the object of the verb and follows a preposition ("pity").Rate this question:
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- 20.
All the hurricane victims except for Mr. Mills and me have decided to accept the settlement proposed by the insurance company.
- A.
Except
- B.
Me
- C.
Accept
- D.
By
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
B. MeExplanation
The correct answer is "me" because it is the correct pronoun to use after the preposition "except." In this sentence, "except" is used to indicate that everyone, except for Mr. Mills and the speaker (me), has decided to accept the settlement. Therefore, the pronoun "me" is needed to indicate that the speaker is also not accepting the settlement.Rate this question:
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- 21.
At least four people, including me, have decided to drop the class because of the racist teacher.
- A.
At least
- B.
Me
- C.
Have decided
- D.
Because of
- E.
No Error
Correct Answer
E. No ErrorExplanation
The given sentence is grammatically correct and does not contain any errors. It effectively conveys the message that at least four people, including the speaker, have made the decision to drop the class due to the teacher's racism.Rate this question:
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Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
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Current Version
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Apr 18, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Feb 07, 2007Quiz Created by
Vaibhav Agarwal
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