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Sentence Improvement for SAT

Description: Improve the sentence making skill by practising these questions.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: Sentence Improvement English SAT SAT Improvement in Sentence Sentence correction
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Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.

In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.

Nothing can possibly be conceived in this world, which can be called good, without qualification, except goodwill.

  1. Nothing can possibly be conceived in this world

  2. Nothing can be possibly conceived in the world

  3. Nothing can be possibly conceived in world

  4. Nothing can possibly be conceived in a world

  5. Nothing cannot possibly be conceived in this world


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Correct Answer: Nothing can possibly be conceived in this world

Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.

In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.

I have adopted in this work the method which I think most suitable, proceeding analytically from common knowledge to the determination of its ultimate principle.

  1. I have adopted in this work the method which I think most suitable

  2. I have adopted in this work the method which I think the more suitable

  3. I have adopted in this work the method which I think is the most suitable

  4. I have adopted in this work the method which I think was more suitable

  5. I had adopted in this work the method which I thought was the most suitable


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The sentence bears error of article and auxiliary verb. Definite article 'the' should be used before superlative degree. And auxiliary verb 'is' is also needed after 'think'. This option rectifies both the errors.

Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.

In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.

You will be sorry by the time I have finished you up.

  1. by the time I have finished you up.

  2. by the time I have finished with you.

  3. at the time I have finished up with you.

  4. of the time I have finished you up.

  5. by the time I have finished you.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

This option corrects the error of phrasal verb by replacing 'finish up' by 'finish with', which means 'to complete an action or to end relations with'.

Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.

In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.

Let two separate portions of tea leaves be macerated by precisely the same processes in similar and separate vessels, the one containing harder and the other softer water, either hotter or cooler, the infusion made with the soft water will have by far a strongest taste, although it possesses less color than the infusion made with the hard water.

  1. the one containing harder and the other softer water, either hotter or cooler, the infusion made with the soft water will have by far a strongest taste,

  2. one containing hard water and other soft, either hotter (or) colder the infusion made with the soft water will have the strongest taste

  3. one containing hard or soft water, either hot or cold, the infusion made with soft water will have the strongest taste

  4. one containing hard water and the other soft, either hot or cold; the infusion made with soft water will have a stronger taste

  5. one containing hard water and other soft, either hot or cold, the infusion made with soft water will have the strongest taste


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The sentence bears error of article and degree of adjective. Use of 'the' before 'soft water' is incorrect because the sentence is not talking about a particular soft water. Containing 'harder and softer water' is incorrect because the sentence is not drawing comparison. Similarly, use of hotter or cooler is incorrect. And 'of strongest taste' is incorrect because the sentence is drawing comparison between the taste of beverage made with hot water and made with cold water, so it should be 'of stronger taste'. This option corrects all the errors.

Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.

In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.

Not only are moral laws essentially distinguished from every other kind of practical knowledge, but all moral philosophy rests wholly on them.

  1. but all moral philosophy rests wholly on them.

  2. but all moral philosophy also rests wholly on them.

  3. but even all moral philosophy rests wholly on them.

  4. but all moral philosophy rest wholly on them.

  5. but all moral philosophy also rest wholly on them.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The sentence has error of coordinating conjunction. 'Not only' is always followed by 'but also'. This option corrects the error of conjunction.

Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.

In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.

We can conceive the relation of end to duty in two ways; either starting from the end to find the dutiful actions; and conversely, setting out from these actions to find the end.

  1. and conversely, setting out from these actions to find the end.

  2. and in converse of that, setting out from these actions to find the end.

  3. or conversely, setting it out from these actions to find the end.

  4. or conversely, setting out from these actions to find the end.

  5. and conversely, setting from these actions to find the end.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The sentence bears error of coordinating conjunction. Either should be followed by 'or', not by 'and'. This option rectifies the error of coordinating conjunction by using 'either-or' together.

Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.

In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.

Shakespeare's' Othello' along with several other dramas are going to be played at the theatre.

  1. are going to be played at the theatre.

  2. were going to be played at the theatre.

  3. are going to be played on the theatre.

  4. is going to be played at the theatre.

  5. is going to be played on the theatre.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The sentence bears error of subject-verb agreement. The subject 'Othello' is singular and it should be followed by singular verb 'is' not by 'are'. This option corrects the error.

Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.

In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.

Irritated by the contumacy of the chancellor, the Diet had sent a command to him to recognize the authority of the emperor.

  1. had sent a command to him to recognize the authority of the emperor.

  2. has sent a command to him to recognize the authority of the emperor.

  3. sent a command to him to recognize the authority of the emperor.

  4. sent a command to recognize the authority of the emperor.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

This option corrects the error of tense. The correct usage, representing concurrent action, is “irritated by …the Diet sent”.

Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.

In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.

It appears that beside this general cause of divergence, the staid and unenthusiastic character of Mrs. Otis rather chilled the ardor of her husband.

  1. It appears that beside this general cause of divergence,

  2. It appeared that beside the general cause of divergence,

  3. It appears that besides the general cause of divergence,

  4. It did appear that beside the general cause of divergence,

  5. It appears that besides the cause of general divergence,


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The Sentence bears error of preposition. 'Beside' means 'by the side of', but the sentence implies 'in addition of', which can be represented by 'besides'. So, the correct word here is to use 'besides' not 'beside'. And also use of 'this' is incorrect here, it should be 'the'. This option rectifies these errors, and thus is the correct answer.

Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.

In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.

Mother Nature helps us survive in this world; something as simple as a tree provides us with so much - food, shade, wood and oxygen - and expects nothing in return.

  1. something as simple as a tree provides us with so much - food, shade, wood and oxygen -

  2. something simple as a tree provides us with so much: food shade, wood and oxygen

  3. something simple as a tree provides us with so much; food, shade, wood and oxygen:

  4. something as simple as a tree provides us with so much; food, shade, wood and oxygen:

  5. something like tree which simply provides us with - food, shade, wood and oxygen -


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The sentence is correct as given.

Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.

In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.

You are very impatient with her; you should be a bit considerate.

  1. very impatient with her

  2. very impatient of her

  3. too impatient to her

  4. too impatient with her

  5. very impatient to her


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

'Very', does not show the negativity required. So 'impatient' should be modified by a negative 'too' in place of 'very'. And this option rectifies this error.

Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.

In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.

It is a notion peculiar in ethics; that subjective end is subordinate to the objective end.

  1. It is a notion peculiar in ethics; that

  2. It is a notion peculiar in ethics; which

  3. It is a notion peculiar to ethics, that

  4. It is a notion particular of ethics, that

  5. It is a notion peculiar to ethics, which


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The sentence bears error of preposition. The usage should be 'peculiar to ethics'. This option corrects the error.

Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.

In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.

Moderations in the affections and passions, self control and calm deliberation is not only good in many respects, constitutes part of the intrinsic worth of the person; but they are far from deserving to be called good without qualification although they have been praised by the ancients.

  1. is not only good in many respects, constitutes part of the intrinsic worth of the person; but they are

  2. are not only good in many respects constituting part of the intrinsic worth of the person, but

  3. is good in many respects and constitutes part of the intrinsic worth of the person and are also

  4. are good in many respects and constitute part of the intrinsic worth of person; but they are

  5. are good in many respects, constitute part of the intrinsic worth of people, but which are


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The sentence has multiple errors. Subject 'moderations' is plural. So it should be followed by plural verbs 'are' and 'constitute'. Also, 'not only' does not have a coordinating conjunction and is even otherwise unnecessary. The comma splice, after 'many respects' ought to be replaced by conjunction 'and'. This option rectifies all the errors.

Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.

In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.

He asked his supporters to prepare them for shouldering greater responsibilities.

  1. to prepare them for shouldering greater responsibilities.

  2. preparing them for shouldering greater responsibilities.

  3. to prepare themselves for shouldering greater responsibilities.

  4. to prepare them in shouldering greater responsibilities.

  5. to prepare themselves in shouldering greater responsibilities.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The sentence bears error of reflexive pronoun. When the action comes back to the subject, reflexive pronoun has to be used. In this sentence, the action comes back to the supporters and they have to prepare themselves not 'them'. This option corrects the error of reflexive pronoun.

Directions: The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of each sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. If not, select one of the other choices.

In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence - clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.

The magazine contains a considerable number of words, and a few consecutive texts transcribed partly or wholly in the new system of spelling and these necessarily will have to be assessed as evidence of contemporary English pronunciation by students of the subject.

  1. and a few consecutive texts transcribed partly or wholly in the new system of spelling and these necessarily will have

  2. along with a few consecutive texts partly (or) as a whole in the new system of spelling and these are.

  3. which have a few consecutive texts, transcribed in part (or) wholly in the new system of spelling and these have.

  4. and consecutive texts which are transcribed as a part (or) in whole in the new system and might have.

  5. and a couple of consecutive texts, transcribed partly or wholly in the new system of spelling and these necessarily would.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The sentence is correct as given.

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