CHAPTER 5
1. Writing and Language Question Types
5. Developing and Coordinating Ideas
16. The Active and Passive Voices
What is the SAT Writing and Language Test?
The second section of the SAT is the Writing and Language Test, a 35-minute, 44-question multiple-choice test that is, according to the College Board, designed to assess your
proficiency in revising and editing of a range of texts in a variety of content areas, both academic and career-related, for expression of ideas and for conformity to the conventions of Standard Written English grammar, usage, and punctuation.
The Writing and Language Test consists of four passages, each 400–450 words long, in four categories: careers, social studies, humanities, and science. (For an example of the Writing and Language Test, look at Section 2 of the Diagnostic SAT in Chapter 2.) You are asked to analyze underlined portions of each passage and determine whether they need to be revised according to the standards of
• clear expression
• verb, modifier, and pronoun agreement
• standard idiomatic expression
• logical diction
• verb tense, mood, and voice
• logical transitions
• coordination and development of ideas
• stylistic consistency
• punctuation
How is the Writing and Language Test used?
Colleges use your SAT Writing and Language Test score as a measure of your ability to write clearly and effectively according to the rules of Standard Written English. Good writing and editing skills are essential to success in the liberal arts and sciences, so most colleges expect you to develop proficiency in those areas.
The Writing and Language Test is scored on a scale from 10 to 40. It is added to your Reading Test score and the sum of these scores is multiplied by 10 to give your Reading and Writing score, which ranges from 200 to 800.
Sound intimidating? It’s not.
If you just take the time to master the 18 lessons and complete the 15 exercise sets in this chapter, you will be ready for anything the SAT Writing and Language Test can throw at you.
Lesson 1: Writing and Language Question Types
Writing and Language Test Questions
Questions on the SAT Writing and Language Test ask you to consider the clarity, grammar, coherence, or style of an underlined portion of a passage, and make any necessary changes to improve it. They focus more on the clear expression of ideas than on obscure grammar rules.
Clarity Questions
Clarity questions ask whether a phrasing conveys an idea clearly and precisely. You must use your reading skills and language sense to understand what the writer is trying to say—even if the phrasing is awkward and unclear—and to clarify the writer’s idea when necessary.
In fact, nothing that we observe in our physical world—not the moon, not a beach ball, not even a water droplet—24 complies perfectly with the mathematical definition of a sphere.
24
A) NO CHANGE
B) overlaps perfectly with
C) corresponds perfectly to
D) concurs perfectly on
This sentence is trying to express the relationship between the real world and the abstract world of mathematical definitions, but complies doesn’t quite fit because it means acts in accordance with a wish, command, or regulation, and a mathematical definition is none of those. Also, overlaps doesn’t work, because it means extends over so as to cover partly, and this idea does not apply to the relationship between the real world and an abstraction. Finally, concurs doesn’t work because it means is of the same opinion, but mathematical definitions don’t have opinions. The best choice is C because it makes sense to say that a situation does or does not correspond to a definition.
Grammar and Usage Questions
Grammar and usage questions ask whether a word or phrase obeys the rules of Standard Written English. They require you to understand the rules of verb and pronoun agreement, punctuation, mood, voice, syntax, coordination, and idiom. If that sounds scary—or if you haven’t received much instruction in these rules—don’t worry. We will cover all of them in the lessons to follow.
As the American population grows, ages, and gains better access to affordable health care insurance, the demand for primary medical services 1 are expected to skyrocket.
1
A) NO CHANGE
B) is
C) has been
D) would be
In the original phrasing, the verb are does not agree in number (Lesson 4) with the singular subject demand. All of the other choices correspond to a singular subject, but only choice B works in this context. Choice C is incorrect because the present perfect (Lesson 13) form, has been, implies that a previous event extends a consequence to the present, but the sentence is about an ongoing and future state of affairs. Choice D is incorrect because the subjunctive mood (Lesson 17), would be, implies a hypothetical or counterfactual statement, but this sentence is making a factual claim.
Coherence and Development Questions
Coherence and development questions ask you to pay attention to the logical flow of the passage from phrase to phrase, sentence to sentence, and paragraph to paragraph, as well as how the ideas in a passage relate to the main idea.
Pay attention when the sentences or paragraphs in a passage are numbered. This numbering means you will be asked about the logical flow and coherence of the passage, for example whether the sentences in a paragraph should be rearranged, where a given sentence should be inserted, or whether a given sentence should be deleted.
18 Montessori dedicated herself to traveling the world and preaching the benefits of child-centered education. In the 25 years after their founding, Montessori schools were regarded as a remedy to the educational problems associated with rapid urban population growth throughout Europe. However, as fascism began to proliferate in the 1930s throughout Spain, Italy, and Germany, child-centered education came to be seen as a threat to the power of the state. In 1933, the totalitarian regimes in Italy and Germany closed all Montessori schools and declared them subversive.
18
Which choice provides the most effective introduction to the paragraph?
A) NO CHANGE
B) Montessori’s first school enrolled 50 students from poor working class families.
C) Montessori did not have a particularly nurturing relationship with her own son, Mario, who was raised by another family.
D) As the Montessori method was gaining a foothold, Europe was undergoing dramatic social and political change.
Choice A is a poor introduction because it indicates a fact that is not developed in the rest of the paragraph. The only appropriate option is choice D, since the paragraph is about how the growth of fascism in Europe affected Montessori schools. Choice B is incorrect because the paragraph is not about the first Montessori school. Choice C is incorrect because the paragraph is not about Montessori’s personal family relationships.
Style Questions
Style questions ask whether a word, phrase, or sentence is consistent in style and pattern with other elements of the passage.
Don’t be surprised when you don’t hit your goal on the first try. You need to fail to succeed. And although you should ask for help when you need it, don’t whine about your failures and setbacks. 22 If one cannot learn to process failure with dignity, any ultimate victory is less honorable.
22
Which choice best maintains the stylistic pattern of the previous sentences?
A) NO CHANGE
B) You can’t have a pity party and a victory party at the same time.
C) Self-pity is not conducive to success in either the short or long term.
D) The honor of one’s victory is measured by the dignity with which it is met.
The question asks you to focus on style more than content. The style of the first two sentences is imperative, informal, and aphoristic. That is, they directly command the reader with simple, pithy instructions. Choice A, however, is indirect, formal, and abstract. It uses the formal third person pronoun one, which breaks from the use of the second person you in the rest of the paragraph. Choice C breaks the pattern of addressing the reader directly, and a word like conducive is overly formal. Choice D also is too abstract and formal to fit the pattern. The best choice is therefore B, which maintains the tone and style of a snappy dictum with a second-person subject.
Lesson 2: Parsing Sentences
What Is Parsing?
Good writers know how sentences work. They can take every sentence apart and examine how its essential components—clauses, verbs, subjects, objects, punctuation, conjunctions, and modifiers—work together to convey one or more clear ideas. This task is called parsing.
To ace the SAT Writing and Language Test, and to become a better writer, you must learn how to parse your sentences into their clauses. A clause is any phrase that conveys a complete idea. It must contain a subject, a verb, and any necessary verb complements, like objects or predicate adjectives.
Sentences and Their Clauses
Every sentence consists of one or more clauses. Let’s look at two sentences—one simple and one complicated—and parse them into their clauses.
Sentence 1: Go! This is the simplest sentence in the English language. It consists of just a single verb, go, and an implied subject, you. That’s all we need to convey an idea. In this case, the idea is a command to leave.
Independent clauses are phrases that can stand on their own as sentences because they contain a subject, a verb, and any necessary verb complements, and convey a complete thought.
Dependent clauses are phrases that include a subject, a verb, and any necessary verb complements, but cannot stand on their own as sentences because they include elements that depend on other clauses.
For instance, in the sentence
Although we were tired, we kept going.
the phrase before the comma is a dependent clause, and the phrase after the comma is an independent clause. The first clause depends on the second one because it includes the word although.
Sentence 2: Generally regarded as the most daunting course in the undergraduate science curriculum, Introduction to Organic Chemistry not only provides a necessary foundation in the principles of physical chemistry, but also introduces students to important experimental methods at the heart of modern medical research.
This sentence is more complicated, because it conveys three ideas: two main ideas and one secondary idea.
These three ideas are coordinated within the sentence to clarify the relationships among them. The two main ideas are conveyed in independent clauses—that is, they could stand alone as independent sentences—while the secondary idea is conveyed in a dependent clause (which can’t stand on its own as a sentence). The phrase not only…but also shows that the two main ideas express supporting facts.
Lesson 3: Trimming Sentences
The Law of Trimming
Every sentence must convey a clear and coherent idea even after it has been “trimmed.”
Trimming means eliminating modifiers and modifying phrases from a sentence to see its core—the subject, verb, and any necessary verb complements of each clause. Once you’ve trimmed a sentence, it’s much easier to pinpoint any problems in grammar, logic, or clarity.
Trimming involves three steps:
1. Eliminate any nonessential prepositional phrases.
2. Eliminate introductory, interrupting, or concluding modifying phrases.
3. Eliminate any remaining nonessential modifiers like adjectives and adverbs.
Prepositional Phrases
A preposition is any word—such as up, to, around, from, into, by, on, for, of, as, or with—that can be used to complete sentences like these:
The squirrel ran ____________ the tree.
Democracy is government ____________ the people.
I went to the party ____________ a brain surgeon.
A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition plus the noun phrase that follows it, such as
…from sea to shining sea…
…in the beginning…
…for the money…
Modifying Phrases
Modifying phrases, which include participial phrases (Lesson 8), appositive phrases (Lesson 8), adjectival phrases, and adverbial phrases, are typically separated from the main clause by commas or dashes.
As luck would have it, we were saved at the last minute.
We were saved—as luck would have it—at the last minute.
We were saved at the last minute, as luck would have it.
Nonessential Modifiers
Nonessential modifiers are adjectives or adverbs that are not essential to conveying the central idea of the clause.
I have a terrible headache.
She ran quickly from the house.
Essential Modifiers
One type of essential modifier is the predicate adjective, which is tied to the subject by a linking verb. Predicate adjectives should not be trimmed because they are essential to conveying the core idea of the clause.
The sky is blue.
Prepositional phrases are also sometimes essential.
The cake is in the oven.
Trimming sentences helps you to eliminate clutter so you can better analyze the essential parts of the sentence.
Exercise Set 1: Sentence Cores
The team of advisors, arriving slightly ahead of schedule, were met at the airport by the Deputy Prime Minister.
A) NO CHANGE
B) were being
C) was
D) being
Today, juggling the demands of family and work often seem too difficult for many young professionals.
A) NO CHANGE
B) seems
C) will seem
D) would seem
The fact that even well-intentioned institutions can so easily become dysfunctional have forced many observers to become cynical about social change.
A) NO CHANGE
B) would force
C) has forced
D) are forcing
The Immigrant Defense Project, based in New York City, provide expert legal advice and advocacy for immigrants and their loved ones.
A) NO CHANGE
B) have provided
C) provides
D) have been providing
The intensity of these workouts, which include both agility circuits and weight training, are a problem for many who are not already in good shape.
A) NO CHANGE
B) are problems
C) are problematic
D) is a problem
The anthology focuses on the works of modern poets, but includes some older works as well.
A) NO CHANGE
B) includes
C) but include
D) include
The theory of quantum electrodynamics, although maddeningly counterintuitive, makes astonishingly accurate predictions about the behavior of subatomic particles.
A) NO CHANGE
B) making
C) would make
D) make
Surprisingly absent from the game were the crowds traditional routine of taunting the opposing players.
A) NO CHANGE
B) was the crowds
C) were the crowd’s
D) was the crowd’s
An education at an inexpensive public university can be as good, if not better, than an elite private college.
A) NO CHANGE
B) as good as, if not better than, one at
C) as good as, if not better than,
D) as good, if not better, than one at
Lesson 4: Verb Agreement
Subject-Verb Agreement
After you’ve trimmed the sentence, ask: does every verb agree with its subject? For instance, in the sentence My favorite team are losing, the verb disagrees with its subject in number: since team is a singular subject, are should be changed to is. Subject-verb agreement problems often show up when sentences have tricky subjects or inverted syntax.
Tricky Subjects
The phenomena studied by climate scientists 32 is of interest to the entire planet.
32
A) NO CHANGE
B) has been
C) are
D) being
The correct answer is C because the subject, phenomena, is the plural of phenomenon. Some Latin-derived words have tricky plurals, for instance bacterium/bacteria, continuum/continua, criterion/criteria, curriculum/curricula, datum/data, and medium/media.
Neither of the books 15 are appropriate for a fourth-grade class.
15
A) NO CHANGE
B) is
C) have been
D) being
The correct answer is B because the subject is not books, but neither, which is singular. Notice that the phrase of the books is a prepositional phrase, so it can be trimmed.
Inverted Syntax
Some sentences have an inverted syntax: the subject comes after the verb, making it a bit tricky to see whether they agree. It often helps to “un-invert” these sentences by removing any “dummy subjects” and rearranging the remaining phrases.
Behind every Portiello sculpture 12 lies countless hours of work.
12
A) NO CHANGE
B) lie
C) laid
D) lain
The correct answer is B, because the subject of the sentence is hours, which is plural. This one is hard to catch because the sentence is inverted. You can “un-invert” the sentence by just swapping the phrases on either side of the verb: Countless hours of work lie behind every Portiello sculpture. Notice that sculpture cannot be the subject of the verb because it is the object of the prepositional phrase behind every Portiello sculpture.
Last year, there 19 was nearly fifty applications submitted for every seat in the first-year class.
19
A) NO CHANGE
B) would be
C) were
D) has been
The correct answer is C, because the subject of the sentence is the plural applications. Again, this sentence is inverted, and the “un-inverted” version is Last year, nearly fifty applications were submitted for every seat in the first-year class. Notice that every word in the original sentence is accounted for, except for there, which is a dummy subject.
Exercise Set 2: Verb Agreement
Just as dusk was settling on the pond, the flock of geese scattered by a shotgun blast.
A) NO CHANGE
B) were scattered
C) was scattered
D) was scattering
In every teaspoon of topsoil is over two million microorganisms, forming a highly complex ecosystem.
A) NO CHANGE
B) was
C) are
D) being
How important should strength conditioning to a marathon training regimen?
A) NO CHANGE
B) are
C) is
D) would
This technology, developed by the American military for field communications, has become essential to many private industries as well.
A) NO CHANGE
B) was developed
C) was being developed
D) having developed
The committee agreed that the new principal should both inspire students and should maintain a rigorous academic culture.
A) NO CHANGE
B) should also maintain
C) also maintain
D) maintain
The labor coalition, which consists of representatives from all of the skilled worker unions, have expressed concern in the new hiring policies.
A) NO CHANGE
B) has expressed concern about
C) have expressed concern with
D) has expressed concern with
The explosiveness of political revelations in the book explain why it is selling at such a feverish pace.
A) NO CHANGE
B) explains why it is selling at such a feverish pace
C) explain the feverish pace of it’s sales
D) explains why its selling at such a feverish pace
S. J. Perelman’s absurdist and florid writing style is regarded as one of America’s greatest humorists.
A) NO CHANGE
B) The absurdist and florid writing style of S. J. Perelman
C) S. J. Perelman, whose writing is characterized by an absurdist and florid style,
D) S. J. Perelman and his absurdist and florid writing style
Grizzlies rarely attack humans, but they will protect their territory from anyone they would have regarded as a threat.
A) NO CHANGE
B) regarded
C) had regarded
D) regard
Lesson 5: Developing and Coordinating Ideas
Paragraph Cohesiveness
Every good paragraph must be focused, logical, and consistent. It should focus on a single main idea, develop any necessary aspects of that idea, and avoid irrelevancies. Many SAT Writing and Language questions ask you to address problems with cohesiveness.
One natural gas extraction technique, hydraulic fracturing or “fracking,” continues to spark debate. Opponents suggest that the high-pressure fluid used to fracture deep rock formations may release carcinogens such as radon into groundwater supplies and that fracking can induce earthquakes. Supporters, on the other hand, counter that this activity is taking place well below even the deepest aquifers and is sealed off from public water supplies. 30 Earthquakes, also known as seismic tremors, are notoriously difficult to predict.
30
Which choice best develops the main idea of the paragraph?
A) NO CHANGE
B) Seismologists have been studying such human-induced seismic activity for may years.
C) Most of these supporters have financial ties to the industry.
D) Further, any seismic activity fracking induces is minuscule, since the rock fractures it creates are tiny.
The correct answer is D. The first sentence of the paragraph establishes that the central idea is the debate sparked by fracking. The second sentence specifies two objections to fracking made by its opponents. The third sentence specifies a counterpoint to this first objection, but not to the second one. If the paragraph is to continue developing its main idea, therefore, it should specify a counterpoint to the second objection, as in choice D. The other choices are incorrect because they depart from the central purpose of the paragraph, which is to describe the substantive points on both sides of the fracking debate.
Coordinating Style
Pay attention to the consistency of style within and between paragraphs. Although individual sentences should vary in content, length, and structure as needed, they should nevertheless maintain a consistent style, unless a shift in style serves a clear purpose.
When you make a decision, you can never be fully aware of the millions of little chemical and electrical reactions in your brain that have nudged you toward that choice. But even if somehow you could be, you could never say that you chose any of those reactions. They are beyond your control. 18 So how can we ever really say that we “make” our own decisions? What you call your free will may not be so free after all.
18
Which change to this sentence best maintains the stylistic cohesiveness of the paragraph?
A) Change “So” to “But.”
B) Omit “really.”
C) Change “we” to “you” and “our” to “your.”
D) Omit “that.”
This question asks you to focus on style rather than logic. (Of course, the logic has to work, too.) Choice C is best because the rest of the paragraph is written in the second person (you and your). Using first person plural pronouns (we and our) in this sentence doesn’t violate any rule of grammar or logic, but it does disrupt the style of the paragraph as a whole.
Coordinating Ideas within Sentences
A sentence with multiple ideas must use proper phrasing to indicate the importance and logical relationship of those ideas. The main idea should be expressed in the main independent clause, and secondary ideas are usually conveyed with dependent clauses or with modifiers or modifying phrases. The logical relationships among ideas are usually conveyed with logical conjunctions or adverbs such as because, therefore, and however.
28 We are not the customers; we are the product in this transaction, even when we subscribe to a newspaper or website. We are an audience being sold to advertisers, and our attention must be maintained and manipulated regardless of our needs and wants.
28
A) NO CHANGE
B) In this transaction, we are the product and not the customers, even when we subscribe to a newspaper or website.
C) We are the product in this transaction, even when we subscribe to a newspaper or website, not the customers.
D) Even when we subscribe to a newspaper or website, we are not the customers in this transaction, but the product.
In choices A, B, and C, the reference to this transaction is not clear, because in each case this phrase precedes the referent clause, we subscribe to a newspaper or website. (The transaction is the act of subscribing, a fact that is clear only if the reference to subscribing comes before the reference to the transaction.) Only choice D arranges the clauses to make this reference clear. Also, the sequencing of the clauses in choice D emphasizes the ironic relationship between them: it should surprise us to know that we are not the customers even when we are paying for a service. Lastly, the concluding phrase in choice D, but the product, sets up the following sentence, which explains how we are the product.
Coordinating with Punctuation
When coordinating ideas within a sentence, you often have to decide whether and how to use commas, semicolons, and colons. Here are three rules to remember:
• When combining independent clauses with a comma, you must also use a logical conjunction. Leaving out this conjunction is a mistake called a comma splice. For instance, you can’t write We had a great time, T.J. played his guitar, but you can write We had a great time, but T.J. played his guitar.
• You can join two independent clauses with a semicolon, but only if the clauses support, but don’t explain, each another. For instance: We were having a great time; T.J. played his guitar.
• You can join two independent clauses with a colon, but only if the second clause explains the first. For instance: We had a great time: T.J. played his guitar. (This means that we had a great time because T.J. played his guitar.)
31 Despite being a best-selling author, Brian Greene is a professor of physics, he is also a cofounder of the World Science Festival in New York City, an event that draws nearly half a million people each year.
31
A) NO CHANGE
B) As a physics professor and best-selling author, Brian Greene is the cofounder of the World Science Festival in New York City, which
C) The World Science Festival in New York City, being cofounded by physics professor and best-selling author Brian Greene,
D) Cofounded by best-selling author and physics professor Brian Greene, the World Science Festival in New York City
This sentence coordinates four separate but related ideas. Choice A has two main problems: it contains a comma splice, and it is logically incoherent because it implies that being an author contrasts with being a physics professor. Choice B is incorrect because the introductory modifier, As a physics professor and best-selling author, does not logically modify the main clause. Choice C is incorrect because the interrupting modifier, which is phrased as an explanation, doesn’t logically modify the main clause. The only choice that logically coordinates all three ideas is choice D.
Exercise Set 3: Coordinating Ideas
Director H. K. Schaffer’s third movie has received widespread critical acclaim. This movie is entitled The Return, and she is the daughter of legendary playwright George Schaffer.
A) NO CHANGE
B) The Return, the third movie directed by H. K. Schaffer, daughter of legendary playwright George Schaffer, has received widespread critical acclaim.
C) The daughter of legendary playwright George Schaffer, director H. K. Schaffer’s third movie, The Return, has received widespread critical acclaim.
D) H. K. Schaffer’s third movie is The Return: as the daughter of legendary playwright George Schaffer, her movie has received widespread critical acclaim.
Neuroscientists have made an important discovery concerning the prefrontal cortex of the brain. They discovered that this governs impulse control in humans. This discovery can help us to understand the causes of criminal behavior.
A) NO CHANGE
B) have discovered that impulse control in humans is governed by the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which can help us
C) have discovered that the prefrontal cortex of the brain governs impulse control in humans, which in turn can help us
D) have discovered that impulse control in humans is governed by the prefrontal cortex of the brain. This finding can help us
Electric cars may not be as environmentally friendly as we think, because the electricity they use is often produced in coal-burning power plants, this can produce large quantities of greenhouse gas.
A) NO CHANGE
B) the burning of which
C) which
D) which, when it burns,
Regular exercise not only strengthens your muscles, it also strengthens your brain by keeping it well oxygenated.
A) NO CHANGE
B) muscles; by keeping it well oxygenated it also strengthens your brain
C) muscles, but also it oxygenates your brain to make it strong
D) muscles, but also strengthens your brain by keeping it well oxygenated
Widely regarded as one of the most influential economic treatises of the 20th century, John Maynard Keynes’s The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money forever changed the way social scientists view recessions.
A) NO CHANGE
B) John Maynard Keynes, with his book The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money
C) The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money was written by John Maynard Keynes, which
D) John Maynard Keynes, through his book The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money, which
Lesson 6: Transitions and References
Paragraph Transitions
When starting a new paragraph, pay attention to its logical relationship to the previous paragraph, and make sure you include any language necessary to clarify the transition from the previous paragraph to the new one. Such transitions serve as guideposts to help readers follow your train of thought.
• To extend an idea: indeed, further, furthermore, also, moreover, in fact, additionally
• To illustrate or clarify an idea: for instance, for example, such as, especially, in particular, to illustrate, namely, specifically, in other words, that is, actually
• To show a contrast: however, although, despite, nevertheless, but, on the other hand
• To make a comparison: similarly, likewise, alternatively, also, too
• To show consequence: as a result, so, thus, subsequently, therefore, hence, accordingly, for this reason
• To show explanation or reason: because, since, how, why, as, thus
…Therefore, an important challenge facing the health care industry is how to address the shortfall in primary caregivers without sacrificing quality of care. One possible solution is to incentivize more medical school graduates to choose primary care as their field instead of the more lucrative specialties like surgery and dermatology.
17 It is possible to incorporate more medical professionals like physician assistants (PAs) into primary care teams. They can talk to patients about treatment options, prescribe medications, and even perform technical procedures like bone marrow aspirations.
17
Which choice provides the best transition between paragraphs?
A) NO CHANGE
B) Nevertheless, it is possible
C) Another option is
D) Similarly, we must
The first paragraph indicates a challenge that is facing the health care industry and also presents one possible solution to this problem. The sentence that starts the next paragraph, however, doesn’t indicate any clear connection to the previous paragraph. Choice B is illogical, because Nevertheless implies that the previous paragraph indicates an obstacle to incorporating PAs into primary care teams, but it does not. Choice D is also illogical, because the two proposed solutions are not similar. Choice C, therefore, is the most logical choice.
References
When a sentence uses a pronoun—such as this, such, or that—to refer to an idea or event from a previous clause or sentence, make sure that this reference is clear and precise. If it is not, you may need to replace the pronoun with a more precise noun or noun phrase in order to clarify the idea.
The opponents of fracking are correct to ask questions about the safety and sustainability of this practice. Could it poison the local water supply with carcinogens? Can we spare the vast amount of injection water it requires, especially in times of drought? Could it be causing potentially dangerous seismic activity? 13 But this is not enough—it must also be followed by careful, scientific, and impartial investigation, not just more fear-peddling.
13
A) NO CHANGE
B) this questioning
C) these practices
D) such a concept
In the original phrasing, the pronoun this is ambiguous. What does this refer to? seismic activity? drought? fracking? No, the developmental pattern of the paragraph as a whole indicates that the questioning is what must be followed by careful investigation. Therefore, the only logical choice is B.
Anyone thinking about pursuing a PA (physician assistant) or NP (nurse practitioner) degree should keep in mind that these programs aren’t cheap, and that most states impose strict limits on the kinds of treatment 11 they can provide.
11
A) NO CHANGE
B) he or she
C) these professions
D) these professionals
The phrases physician assistant and nurse practitioner cannot serve as the antecedents of the pronoun they, because, first, they are parenthetical, and second, they are not actually nouns: they are adjectives modifying the noun degree. Therefore, the pronoun reference must be specified. Choice B is incorrect because he or she is no more specific than the original. To choose between C and D, we must ask ourselves, are physician assistants and nurse practitioners examples of professions or professionals? They are individual caregivers, so they are professionals. The professions they represent are medicine or nursing. The correct answer is D.
Exercise Set 4: Transitions and References
Even though the ancient Greeks were likely to see themselves as victims of fate, they were also inclined to regard humans as a privileged species. Coincidentally, in Sophocles’s Antigone, the chorus proclaims that “many wonders there be, but naught more wondrous than man.”
A) NO CHANGE
B) For example,
C) Furthermore,
D) Nevertheless,
As satisfying as it may be to punish wrongdoers, the real impetus behind tough sentencing laws is the belief that long prison terms deter crime. Even worse, the loss of autonomy and dignity that many prisoners experience often exacerbates any psychological issues that made them susceptible to crime in the first place.
A) NO CHANGE
B) However,
C) In other words,
D) As a result,
As societies become more complex and diverse, many people become more fearful and anxious, and thus are inclined to become more reactionary in their political views. Consequently, extremists in the media—talk radio hosts, cable news pundits, and radical bloggers—have access to a deep pool of resentment that they can exploit for financial gain.
A) NO CHANGE
B) Nevertheless,
C) Likewise,
D) For instance,
Lesson 7: Parallelism
The Law of Parallelism
When a sentence contains a list, contrast, or comparison, it must follow the Law of Parallelism: the items being listed, contrasted, or compared should have the same grammatical form.
In the 70s and 80s, American high school math teachers taught almost exclusively by lecture; today, 25 interactive and cooperative methods are more likely to be used.
25
A) NO CHANGE
B) interactive and cooperative methods are more likely to be used by those teachers
C) they are more likely to use interactive and cooperative methods
D) they would be more likely to use interactive and cooperative methods
The two clauses share a common topic, but they are not in the same grammatical form. The first is in the active voice (Lesson 16) but the second is in the passive voice. The Law of Parallelism demands that we phrase the second clause in the active voice as well, as in choice C. Choice D is incorrect because, although it is phrased in the active voice, it uses the subjunctive mood (Lesson 17), would be, which violates both the parallelism and the logic of the sentence.
Ms. Kelly always tries to provide 23 clear instructions that show respect and are fair to all of her students.
23
A) NO CHANGE
B) clear instructions, showing respect and being
C) clear instructions that also are respectful and are
D) instructions that are clear, respectful, and
Choice D provides the most concise and parallel list: clear, respectful, and fair are all simple adjectives. Also, all of these adjectives work idiomatically (Lesson 15) with the prepositional phrase to all of her students.
Standard Parallel Constructions
In Standard Written English, many contrasts or comparisons are made with standard parallel constructions. When using any of these constructions, you must follow two rules:
• Use the standard phrasing precisely.
• Make sure the words or phrases in the A and B slots are parallel.
It often seems that politicians would rather give snappy sound bites 13 instead of working to solve our problems.
13
A) NO CHANGE
B) than work
C) rather than working
D) but not work
Although this sentence sounds okay to most people, it doesn’t conform to Standard Written English. It uses the standard parallel construction rather A than B, but neither choice A nor choice D uses the correct phrasing, since they both omit the word than. Only choice B plays by the rules of idiom and parallelism: rather (give snappy sound bites) than (work to solve our problems).
Analyzing Parallel Constructions
Sometimes tackling parallelism problems can be tough. Here’s a step-by-step approach to make it easier:
1. Underline any phrase that shows a list, contrast, or comparison.
2. Put parentheses around each item being listed, contrasted, or compared.
3. Make sure that anything outside the parentheses uses standard idiomatic phrasing.
4. Make sure the items inside the parentheses have parallel form.
The film festival was not so much a celebration of independent 27 artists; instead it was garish, not to mention a series of commercials for overproduced blockbusters.
27
A) NO CHANGE
B) artists but rather a garish
C) artists as a garish
D) artists, instead it was a garish
The phrase not so much indicates a contrast between two things: someone’s expectations of a film festival and the reality. Let’s isolate this portion that makes the contrast and put parentheses around the items being contrasted:
not so much (a celebration of independent artists); instead it was (garish, not to mention a series of commercials for overproduced blockbusters)
Does the part outside the parentheses use standard idiomatic phrasing? No. On the previous page, we saw that the proper phrasing is not so much A as B. Let’s fix that:
not so much (a celebration of independent artists) as (garish, not to mention a series of commercials for overproduced blockbusters)
Now, are the items parallel? No. The first item is a noun phrase starting with a determiner (a word such as the, a, an, some, any, or many), but the second item starts with an adjective. Let’s fix that:
not so much (a celebration of independent artists) as (a garish series of commercials for overproduced blockbusters)
Therefore, the correct answer is C.
Gerunds vs. Infinitives
Some nouns look like verbs. For instance, an infinitive— the basic to form of a verb such as to eat, to think, or to be—serves as the subject of the sentence To know her is to love her. Likewise, a gerund—a noun formed by adding -ing to a verb like eating, thinking, and being—serves as the subject of the sentence Being healthy is better than being thin.
When constructing a list, contrast, or comparison, you can often choose between an infinitive form (for example, I like to hunt, swim, and fish) and a gerund form (for example, I like hunting, swimming, and fishing). Often, the two forms are interchangeable, but sometimes one is clearly preferable to the other.
When using an infinitive or gerund in a sentence, always ask: would the alternative form sound better? There are few clear-cut rules for choosing between infinitives and gerunds, and most are based on convention or idiom, so once you’ve taken care of all grammatical considerations, trust your ear.
The real purpose of this meeting is 27 for brainstorming ideas about opening new markets for our European product line.
27
A) NO CHANGE
B) to brainstorm
C) the brainstorming of
D) brainstorm
The core of this sentence is the purpose is, so what follows this phrase must be a noun phrase that defines the purpose. The prepositional phrase for brainstorming cannot serve as a noun phrase, because prepositional phrases are modifiers, not nouns. The only two choices that could serve as noun phrases are B and C. However, choice C is not idiomatic (Lesson 15), and therefore the correct answer is B. As a rule of thumb, infinitives serve concisely to express purpose, as in I went to the store to buy milk.
Exercise Set 5: Parallel Structure
The new party platform focuses on tax code reform, improving the schools, and repairing relations with the labor unions.
A) NO CHANGE
B) reformation of the tax code
C) reforming the tax code
D) tax code reformation
Good study habits are not so much about working hard, but rather about how wisely you use your time.
A) NO CHANGE
B) hard, but using your time wisely
C) hard as how wisely you use your time
D) hard as about using your time wisely
The food here is not only very fresh, but the price is also very reasonable.
A) NO CHANGE
B) also very reasonably priced
C) it is also very reasonably priced
D) also very reasonably priced as well
The financial crisis was exacerbated by two important factors: the skittishness of investors and the fecklessness of regulators.
A) NO CHANGE
B) the feckless regulators
C) how feckless the regulators were
D) the regulators’ fecklessness
I can’t decide whether I should give Maria the tickets or Caitlyn.
A) NO CHANGE
B) to give Maria the tickets or
C) Maria should get the tickets or
D) to give the tickets to Maria or to
I prefer Liszt’s technical virtuosity, as opposed to Chopin’s romantic beauty.
A) NO CHANGE
B) virtuosity, rather than
C) virtuosity to
D) virtuosity, to
The festival draws tourists from all over who come not so much for the music but rather because of the free-wheeling, Bohemian atmosphere.
A) NO CHANGE
B) as for
C) but for
D) as because of
Lesson 8: Coordinating Modifiers
Dangling Participles
When a sentence begins with a participial phrase, the subject of that participial phrase must match the subject of the main clause. If these subjects don’t match, then this phrase is called a dangling participle.
• Participles are words, such as broken and thinking, that derive from verbs but cannot, by themselves, serve as verbs in a sentence.
• Present participles are words that end in -ing, such as swimming, that serve either as components of verb phrases (as in, I am swimming) or as adjectives (as in, The swimming children could not hear the ice cream truck).
[Note: Although present participles and gerunds (Lesson 7) look identical, don’t confuse them. Gerunds are -ing words that serve as nouns, as in I love swimming.]
• Past participles are words, such as toasted or broken, that either end in -ed or take an irregular past participle form, and that also serve either as components of verb phrases (as in, I have toasted the bagels or The glass has broken) or as adjectives (as in, I love toasted bagels or Be careful of the broken glass).
• Consequential (or “perfect”) participles combine having with a past participle, as in Having broken the curse, Fiona could finally become her true self. Consequential participles indicate that some previous action or status extends a consequence to the subject of the participial phrase. In this case, the breaking of the curse affects what Fiona can do.
• A participial phrase is a modifying phrase that includes a participle (as in, Having finished our project, we celebrated with a nice dinner).
Widely considered one of the most challenging pieces for piano, 7 Franz Liszt stretched the boundaries of musical technique with his Etude no. 5.
7
A) NO CHANGE
B) the boundaries of musical technique were stretched by Franz Liszt’s Etude no. 5
C) Franz Liszt’s Etude no. 5 stretched the boundaries of musical technique
D) the boundaries of musical technique were stretch by Franz Liszt with his Etude no. 5
The sentence begins with a participial phrase based on the past participle considered. What is its subject? That is, what is widely considered one of the most challenging pieces for piano? Clearly, it is Etude no. 5. Since the subject of the main clause must match the subject of the participial phrase, the correct answer is C.
Pondering this question as so many ancient Greek philosophers did, 20 the argument Plato made was that the sphere is an “ideal form,” inaccessible to our physical senses.
20
A) NO CHANGE
B) it was Plato who argued
C) Plato argues
D) Plato argued
The sentence begins with a participial phrase based on the present participle pondering. What is its subject? That is, who was pondering this question as so many ancient Greek philosophers did? Clearly, it is Plato. The subject of the main clause must therefore also be Plato. This eliminates A and B. Since this sentence is stating a historical fact about a long-dead philosopher, it must use the past tense, so the correct answer is D.
Misplaced Modifiers
Modifying phrases must obey the Law of Proximity: Every modifying phrase should be placed as close as possible to the word it modifies without disrupting the sentence.
31 In an emergency, I am amazed by how composed Marco can be.
31
A) NO CHANGE
B) I am amazed, in an emergency, by how composed Marco can be.
C) I am amazed by how composed Marco can be in an emergency.
D) I am, in an emergency, amazed by how composed Marco can be.
All of these sentences are identical except for the placement of the prepositional phrase in an emergency. Where should it go? The Law of Proximity says it should be as close as possible to the word that it modifies. So what word does it modify? A good way to answer that is to ask: what question does it answer? It answers the question, when is Marco composed? Therefore, it is an adverbial phrase modifying the adjective composed. Therefore, choice C is best, because it places the prepositional phrase after composed. Notice that choices A, B, and D imply that in an emergency modifies the main verb of the sentence, which implies that I am amazed in an emergency, not that Marco is composed in an emergency.
40 A splendid example of synthetic cubism, Picasso painted Three Musicians in the summer of 1924.
40
A) NO CHANGE
B) Picasso painted Three Musicians, a splendid example of synthetic cubism,
C) Picasso, who painted Three Musicians, a splendid example of synthetic cubism
D) Picasso painted Three Musicians, a splendid example of synthetic cubism, it was
This sentence starts with a modifying phrase known as an appositive. An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that acts like an adjective and modifies the noun or noun phrase that it is adjacent to. For instance, in the phrase baseball game, the word baseball is an appositive, modifying the noun game. Even though baseball is a noun, it is acting like an adjective. Appositives are always adjacent to the nouns they modify. Since the appositive phrase a splendid example of synthetic cubism describes the painting, and not Picasso himself, choice A is incorrect. Choice C is incorrect because it does not contain an independent clause, and choice D is incorrect because it commits a comma splice. Therefore, the correct answer is B.
Exercise Set 6: Coordinating Modifiers
Although emotionally drained, Martha’s creative instinct compelled her to keep writing.
A) NO CHANGE
B) it was her creative instinct that compelled Martha
C) Martha was compelled by her creative instinct
D) her creative instinct compelled Martha
Even with a sprained ankle, the coach forced Adam to go back into the game.
A) NO CHANGE
B) Even though Adam had a sprained angle, the coach forced him
C) The coach, even with a sprained ankle, forced Adam
D) Adam was forced by the coach, even with a sprained ankle,
Lacking any real sailing skills, David’s primary concern was keeping the boat upright.
A) NO CHANGE
B) David had the primary concern of
C) it was David’s primary concern to
D) David was primarily concerned with
We found the long-lost manuscript searching through a box of old letters in the attic.
A) NO CHANGE
B) Searching through a box of old letters in the attic, we found the long-lost manuscript.
C) We found the long-lost manuscript in the attic searching through a box of old letters.
D) In the attic, we found the long-lost manuscript searching through a box of old letters.
To get a good jump out of the blocks, sprinters say that proper hip positioning is essential.
A) NO CHANGE
B) For getting a good jump out of the blocks, sprinters say that proper hip positioning is essential.
C) Sprinters say it is essential for getting a good jump out of the blocks for hip positioning to be proper.
D) Sprinters say that proper hip positioning is essential to getting a good jump out of the blocks.
Although unhappy with the angry tone of the debate, the senator’s plan was to remain calm and rational and to stick to her central policy issues.
A) NO CHANGE
B) the senator planned
C) it was the senator’s plan
D) the plan was for the senator
After searching for months for the perfect rug, we finally found one at a garage sale.
A) NO CHANGE
B) then we finally found one
C) one finally appeared
D) one was finally found by us
Lesson 9: Using Modifiers Logically
Illogical Modifiers
The modifiers in a sentence must never convey contradictory or redundant ideas.
21 Whenever I use Grand Central Station, my train usually never comes on time.
21
A) NO CHANGE
B) My train usually never comes on time whenever I use Grand Central Station.
C) My train usually always doesn’t come on time whenever I use Grand Central Station.
D) When I use Grand Central Station, my train rarely comes on time.
The original sentence contains three words that modify the main verb: the conjunction whenever and the adverbs usually and never. But they are contradictory. Is my train late whenever I use Grand Central Station? Is it usually late? Is it never on time? Choice B just swaps the location of the modifying phrase, so it doesn’t solve the problem. In choice C, usually contradicts both always and whenever. Choice D is best because it contains no contradictory modifiers.
Although the twins were reared by different adoptive parents in different countries, many of their idiosyncrasies 27 and peculiarities are absolutely identical.
27
A) NO CHANGE
B) are absolutely identical
C) and peculiarities are identical
D) are identical
Choices A and C are redundant because idiosyncrasies and peculiarities are synonyms. Choice B is incorrect because identical is an absolute modifier, which means that it is redundant to modify it further with adverbs such as so, very, more, most, extremely, or absolutely. (One pair of things cannot be more identical than another pair.) Therefore, the correct answer is D.
Adjectives vs. Adverbs
Never use an adjective to do the job of an adverb.
• Adverbs (such as quickly and gently) modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, and usually end in -ly. Some common adverbs that don’t end in -ly are always, away, ever, never, there, here, so, too, yet, and very.
• Adjectives (such as fast and gentle) modify nouns, and usually don’t end in -ly, but some do, such as lovely, lonely, motherly, fatherly, neighborly, friendly, costly, sickly, beastly, lively, womanly, likely, and scholarly.
I was impressed by how poised Ricardo was and 36 how cogent his argument was presented.
36
A) NO CHANGE
B) how cogently he presented his argument
C) his argument was presented cogently
D) he presented his argument cogently
The Law of Parallelism (Lesson 7) requires the underlined phrase to begin with how or a similar interrogative pronoun (Lesson 11). However, we can’t use the adjective cogent to modify the verb was presented; we must use the adverb cogently. The only parallel option that doesn’t misuse a modifier is choice B.
The movers carried the dishes 16 gentler than they did the lamp, which they had broken by accident.
16
A) NO CHANGE
B) gentler than
C) more gently than they did
D) more gently than
The underlined modifier describes the verb carried, so it must be a comparative adverb more gently rather than the comparative adjective gentler. Choice D is incorrect because the phrase than the lamp makes an illogical comparison (Lesson 10) between a verb and a noun. The correct answer, therefore, is C.
Ambiguous Modifiers
Some words can serve as either adjectives or adverbs, depending on the context.
You are not expected to come into the office if you are 21 feeling sickly; please stay home until you are well.
21
A) NO CHANGE
B) feeling sick; please stay home until you are good
C) feeling sickly; please stay home until you are good
D) feeling sick; please stay home until you are well
The word sickly, although it may look like an adverb because it ends in -ly, is an adjective meaning feeble and often sick. It is not appropriate to use sickly to describe someone who just doesn’t feel well occasionally. Since the sentence is clearly referring to a temporary illness, the correct phrase is feeling sick. Also, the opposite of sick is well, not good. Therefore, the correct answer is D.
Binary and Nonbinary Comparisons
Comparative adjectives (such as faster, more beautiful, cheaper, or more interesting) are used to make binary comparisons, that is, comparisons between only two things. Superlative adjectives (such as fastest, most beautiful, cheapest, or most interesting) are used only to compare more than two things.
I don’t know which is 33 most troubling: his apathy or his incompetence.
33
A) NO CHANGE
B) most troubling;
C) more troubling:
D) more troubling;
Since the sentence is considering only two qualities, his apathy and his incompetence, the comparison is binary, and so it requires the comparative adjective, more troubling. To choose between C and D, you need to know the rules of colons and semicolons (Lesson 5 and Lesson 18). Except in very rare situations, when you use a semicolon, both phrases it separates must be independent clauses. However, the phrase that follows the underlined portion is not an independent clause but a specifier, specifying the pronoun which. Therefore, it should be preceded by a colon, as in choice C.
Comparative Forms
Comparative adjectives that are participial always take more: more grueling, more tired, more shocked. Those with more than two syllables usually take more: more beautiful, more painstaking, more confrontational. But adjectives with one or two syllables usually take the -er suffix: faster, kinder, gentler.
Incorporating the partnership turned out to be 11 much more simple than our lawyers had thought it would be.
11
A) NO CHANGE
B) much more simply
C) much simpler
D) simpler by much
Since the adjective simple is not participial and doesn’t have more than two syllables, its standard comparative form is simpler. Also, since it modifies the gerundive noun incorporating, it must take the comparative adjective form, simpler, rather than the comparative adverb form, more simply. Therefore, the correct answer is C.
Exercise Set 7: Using Modifiers Logically
In the second debate, she was able to emphasize her points much stronger than she did in the first one.
A) NO CHANGE
B) her much stronger points
C) her points much more strongly
D) much more her strong points
Although we love to hike as a family, we never usually get to spend extended time in the wilderness.
A) NO CHANGE
B) almost never
C) usually never
D) hardly never
Once the storm winds subsided and their vehicles could be dispatched, the response teams coordinated their efforts much more effective than they had during the last hurricane.
A) NO CHANGE
B) much more effectively than
C) much more effectively than they had during
D) much more effective than
The joy on the children’s faces proved that the party was an unqualified success.
A) NO CHANGE
B) successfully unqualified
C) a disqualified success
D) unqualified in its success
Good trainers know that, although challenge is a key to success, pushing athletes harder doesn’t always lead to better outcomes.
A) NO CHANGE
B) more hardly doesn’t always
C) more hard always doesn’t
D) harder always doesn’t
Our chemistry teacher never told us about the test until three minutes before she gave it.
A) NO CHANGE
B) didn’t tell
C) never had told
D) hardly ever told
Even the drastic spending cutbacks won’t hardly address the growing budget deficit.
A) NO CHANGE
B) hardly wouldn’t
C) wouldn’t hardly
D) will hardly
Lesson 10: Making Comparisons
Logical Comparisons
All comparisons must be logical in two ways: they must compare only things in the same category, and they must not be self-contradictory.
Anna has earned the respect of her fellow teammates by working 14 harder than anyone on the team.
14
A) NO CHANGE
B) more hardly than anyone
C) more hardly than anyone else
D) harder than anyone else
Recall from Lesson 9 that hard can serve as either an adjective or an adverb, depending on the context. Here, harder works as a comparative adverb, modifying the verb work. However, the comparison is illogical because Anna herself is on the team, and she cannot work harder than she herself can. Therefore, she must be excluded from the comparison, and the correct answer is D.
The turnout for this year’s art festival was even better than it was for 14 last year’s.
14
A) NO CHANGE
B) last year
C) that of last year’s festival
D) last year’s festival’s turnout
This sentence contrasts two things: the turnout for last year’s festival and the turnout for this year’s festival. The correct answer is A, because this phrasing makes a clear and logical contrast even though the noun phrase art festival is omitted. This is okay because it is implied by parallel inference: The turnout for this year’s art festival was even better than it was for last year’s (art festival). Choice B makes an illogical comparison (a turnout cannot be compared to a year), and choices C and D are redundant because they both repeat the reference to the turnout, which is already accomplished by the pronoun it.
Quantitative Comparisons
In general, we use less, much, and amount to refer to continuous or uncountable quantities, as in less traffic, much more money, and a large amount of food. In contrast, we use fewer, many, and number to refer to countable quantities, as is in fewer cars, many more dollars, and a large number of pizzas.
If you want to refer to a quantity that is both countable and continuous, you can go either way, depending on which aspect of the quantity you want to emphasize. For instance, units like miles are countable yet can take continuous values, so it is not technically incorrect to say either This car gets fewer miles per gallon or This car gets less miles per gallon. But both phrases are awkward. You can avoid this awkwardness altogether by saying something like This car is less fuel-efficient.
In an attempt to decrease the 41 amount of violent incidents at the festival, authorities will be selling less licenses to vendors of alcoholic beverages.
41
A) NO CHANGE
B) amount of violence at the festival, authorities will be selling fewer
C) number of violent incidents at the festival, authorities will be selling less
D) amount of violent incidents at the festival, authorities will be selling fewer
Choice A is incorrect because amount should not be used with a countable and noncontinuous quantity such as incidents, and less should not be used with a countable and noncontinuous quantity such as licenses. Choice B corrects both problems because violence is uncountable but licenses are countable, so amount of violence and fewer licenses are both logical phrases. Choice C is incorrect because less licenses is illogical, and choice D is incorrect because amount of violent incidents is illogical.
Exercise Set 8: Logical Comparisons
Ignoring online trolls, especially the persistent ones, is often more difficult than attacking them outright.
A) NO CHANGE
B) to outright attack them
C) to attack them outright
D) it is attacking them outright
Many critics agree that Kyrchek’s latest film is better than anything she has done.
A) NO CHANGE
B) everything she has done
C) anything else she has done
D) any of the work she did
The motors of all-electric cars are much quieter than combustion engine cars.
A) NO CHANGE
B) combustion engines
C) cars with combustion engines
D) those of combustion engines
The Surrealists were as inscrutable, if not more so, than the Dadaists.
A) NO CHANGE
B) inscrutable as, if not more inscrutable than,
C) inscrutable as, if not more so, than
D) inscrutable, if not more inscrutable, than
Mathematics lessons given by the Japanese teachers, unlike teachers in American classrooms, were focused on solving a single complex problem rather than many simpler but similar problems.
A) NO CHANGE
B) American teachers
C) those given by American teachers
D) American classrooms
To contemporary readers, Modernist poetry is much less accessible than even Victorian or Elizabethan poetry.
A) NO CHANGE
B) Victorian or Elizabethan poets
C) those of Victorian or Elizabethan poets
D) that of Victorian or Elizabethan poetry
As transparency in banking increases, less customers will voluntarily pay unreasonable account fees.
A) NO CHANGE
B) fewer customers would
C) fewer customer will
D) less customers would
Lesson 11: Pronoun Agreement
Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Every definite pronoun, such as it, him, herself, and their, must agree in number with its antecedent.
Our team of financial advisors safeguards the identity and confidentiality 10 of their clients.
10
A) NO CHANGE
B) of each and every client of theirs
C) of its clients
D) of every one of their clients
The pronoun their disagrees in number with its antecedent, team. (This may seem strange to those of you from the UK or Commonwealth countries, where collective nouns like team are treated as plurals. In American English, such collectives are singular.) The only choice with a singular pronoun is C.
Interrogative Pronouns
Interrogative pronouns are the pronouns we use to ask questions such as who? what? where? when? why? and how? When used as definite pronouns, they must agree in category with their antecedents: who refers to a person; what refers to a thing, action, or concept; where refers to a place; when refers to a time; why refers to a reason; and how refers to an explanation.
The filibuster is a strategy 18 where senators can extend debate in order to delay or prevent a vote.
18
A) NO CHANGE
B) when
C) that
D) whereby
A strategy is a plan of action, not a place. Therefore, the pronoun where disagrees with its antecedent in kind. Likewise, a strategy is not a time, so choice B is wrong also. Choice C creates an illogical sentence fragment. The correct answer is D because whereby means by which. (Unlike where, whereby does not necessarily refer to a place.)
Ambiguous Pronouns
Every definite pronoun should have an unambiguous antecedent. Avoid using pronouns that could refer to more than one antecedent.
19 The coach told Mike that he would have to miss the next game due to the infraction.
19
A) NO CHANGE
B) Mike was told by the coach that he would have to miss the next game due to the infraction.
C) The coach told Mike that, due to the infraction, Mike would have to miss the next game.
D) The coach told Mike that, due to the infraction, he would have to miss the next game.
In the original phrasing, the pronoun he is ambiguous: would Mike have to miss the game, or would the coach? Choice B only changes the voice from active to passive, so it does not solve the problem. Choice D moves the modifying phrase but does not correct the ambiguous antecedent problem. Choice C avoids the problem by not using a pronoun at all.
Shifting Pronouns
Once you choose a pronoun to refer to a particular antecedent, stick with it.
My wife and I enjoy going to all of our alumni events because 19 you meet so many interesting people there.
19
A) NO CHANGE
B) the many people that you meet there are so interesting
C) we meet so many interesting people there
D) of meeting so many interesting people there
Choices A and B contain pronoun shifts: the first person plural pronouns (my wife and I, our) shift to the second person (you), even though these pronouns refer to the same antecedent. Choice D is unclear and awkward because the gerund meeting is not linked to the subject.
Exercise Set 9: Pronoun Agreement
There are many times during a match where you can lose points if you fail to focus on the fundamentals.
A) NO CHANGE
B) where one’s points can be lost
C) when you can lose points
D) when one’s points can be lost
Although one should never read so quickly that you can’t absorb the material, increasing your reading speed slightly can actually help to increase your focus and retention.
A) NO CHANGE
B) you should never
C) one could never
D) you shouldn’t even
Learning new vocabulary words requires much more than memorizing their definitions.
A) NO CHANGE
B) it’s definition
C) they’re definitions
D) its definition
The mission of the Arts Council is to encourage young students to appreciate the fine and the performing arts. Their programs have been adopted by schools citywide.
A) NO CHANGE
B) It’s
C) Its
D) They’re
Our study shows that the new training program has helped players to avoid injuries, and to recover more quickly when they do.
A) NO CHANGE
B) if they do
C) when their injured
D) if they do get injured
The bonobo, Pan paniscus, may be the most peaceful primate species, but it is not beyond occasional outbreaks of violence.
A) NO CHANGE
B) its
C) they are
D) their
The nitrogen cycle is the process when nitrogen becomes converted into different chemical forms as it is processed by marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
A) NO CHANGE
B) where
C) by which
D) so that
Lesson 12: Pronoun Case
The Subjective and Objective Cases
A pronoun must take the subjective case— I, he, she, we, or they—when it acts as or is being equated with the subject of a verb. A pronoun must take the objective case—me, him, her, us, or them—when it is acting as the object of a verb or a prepositional phrase.
As the waiter was talking to 12 Jenna and me, we could see the enormous tattoo on his neck.
12
A) NO CHANGE
B) Jenna and I, we
C) Jenna and I, both of us
D) Jenna and me both
To determine the proper case of a pronoun, you must ask, is it the subject of a verb, or the object of a verb or prepositional phrase? Since the phrase Jenna and me is the object of the prepositional phrase to Jenna and me, this pronoun is correctly in the objective case. Since the pronoun we serves as the subject of the verb could see, it is correctly in the subjective case. Therefore, the correct answer is A.
I am honored that the team has selected 7 Alex and myself as captains.
7
A) NO CHANGE
B) Alex and I as
C) Alex and myself for
D) Alex and me as
The original sentence uses a reflexive pronoun where an objective pronoun is required. Since the phrase Alex and myself is the object of the verb has selected, it should take the objective form, Alex and me, as in choice D.
But wait—isn’t the reflexive myself required because the subject of the sentence is I? No, because I is the subject of the first clause, I am honored, but the underlined phrase is part of the second clause, the team has selected Alex and me. Since the subject and object are not one and the same in the second clause, the reflexive case is incorrect.
The Reflexive Case
Reflexive pronouns—myself, himself, herself, oneself, ourselves, or themselves—serve in two situations:
• as the object of a verb or preposition when it is identical to the subject of the same verb.
I did it all by myself. She cut herself.
• as an emphatic adjective.
Joan had dinner with Oprah herself.
I myself would never have been invited.
After Ronaldo’s written request was rebuffed by the board, 22 he took his case to Elena.
22
Which choice best emphasizes the fact that Elena has a special status?
A) NO CHANGE
B) he himself took his case to Elena
C) he took his case by himself to Elena
D) he took his case to Elena herself
The only choice that emphasizes Elena’s status is D. In choice B, the reflexive pronoun emphasizes Ronaldo’s initiative. In choice C, it emphasizes Ronaldo’s solitude.
The Possessive Case
Possessive pronouns—your, whose, their, its—do not use apostrophes. Their homophones with apostrophes—you’re, who’s, they’re, it’s—are contractions.
29 Its hard to know when you’re dog is becoming dehydrated unless you check it regularly.
29
A) NO CHANGE
B) It’s hard to know when your
C) Its hard to know when your
D) It’s hard to know when you’re
The correct answer is B. Only the contractions should get the apostrophes. Notice that the only contraction in the underlined phrase is It’s = It is.
Exercise Set 10: Pronoun Case
The challenge problems were much easier for Alexa and Jill than they were for Julian and I.
A) NO CHANGE
B) myself and Julian
C) Julian and me
D) mine and Julian’s
Since our flight leaves on Saturday, it might be difficult for him and me to stay for the entire conference.
A) NO CHANGE
B) him and I
C) he and I
D) he and myself
There really is no point in us delaying this decision any longer.
A) NO CHANGE
B) ourselves
C) we
D) our
If we are going to resolve this matter, you and me are going to have to make some compromises.
A) NO CHANGE
B) you and myself
C) you and I
D) I and yourself
Although we haven’t seen each other in years, Justine and myself have always been closest friends.
A) NO CHANGE
B) me
C) I
D) mine
Us Giants fans have suffered through our share of disappointing defeats.
A) NO CHANGE
B) Us Giant’s fans
C) We Giants fan’s
D) We Giants fans
The owner of the restaurant offered my wife and me a complimentary bottle of wine.
A) NO CHANGE
B) myself
C) I
D) mine
Lesson 13: Verb Tense and Aspect
Coordinating Tenses
The tense of any verb must coordinate logically with that of any other verbs in the sentence, as well as with the developmental pattern of the passage as a whole. Multiple verbs in the same sentence do not always have to have the same tense, but they do have to work together to convey a clear and logical set of ideas.
Although Frances Perkins was not the first government official to advocate for workplace safety, she 12 has been the first who implemented substantial labor reform through legislation such as the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
12
A) NO CHANGE
B) is the first to have implemented
C) was the first having implemented
D) was the first to implement
Since both clauses refer to events that happened many decades ago, they should both use past tense verbs. Choices A and B are incorrect because they both use present tense verbs. Choice D is best because it uses the correct tense and the infinitive to implement is parallel to the infinitive to advocate in the first clause.
When Marie Curie shared the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics with two other scientists—her husband Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel—she 40 has been the first woman to win the prize.
40
A) NO CHANGE
B) would be
C) was
D) is
The two clauses in this sentence are linked by the conjunction when, indicating that they are indicating simultaneous events or states of being. Since the first verb, shared, is in the past tense, the second one should be as well. Therefore, the correct answer is C.
Historical vs. Timeless Facts
In standard English, historical facts take the past tense, but timeless facts or beliefs take the present tense.
The ancient Greek philosopher Zeno 19 taught that change is an illusion.
19
A) NO CHANGE
B) teaches that change is an illusion
C) teaches that change was an illusion
D) taught that change would be an illusion
The fact that Zeno taught is a historical fact and should take the past tense, but the belief that “change is an illusion” may or may not be tied to a previous era. If you want to imply that this belief is no longer accepted, you may put it in the past tense: The ancient Greek philosopher Zeno taught that change was an illusion. But if you want to imply that it is still widely believed, you may use the present tense: The ancient Greek philosopher Zeno taught that change is an illusion. The only grammatically correct option, then, is choice A.
Currency of Art and Ideas
Facts about the content of currently available works of art or literature have currency, and therefore take the present tense.
In Act V of King Lear, Cordelia and Lear 10 were captured by Edmund, who had promised to show them no mercy.
10
A) NO CHANGE
B) were captured by Edmund, who has
C) are captured by Edmund, who had
D) are captured by Edmund, who has
Since King Lear is a widely available work of literature, its action is conventionally described in the present tense. Only choice D places both verbs correctly in the present tense.
Verb Aspects
The aspect of a verb indicates how its action or status applies to the subject or situation. For instance, here are examples of a present tense verb with five different aspects:
Ever since it reached its peak in 1991, violent crime 10 declined precipitously, not just in the United States but around the globe.
10
A) NO CHANGE
B) have declined
C) has declined
D) would decline
This sentence indicates that a current status is a consequence of a previous situation, and therefore the present consequential form in choice C, has declined, is correct. Choice A is incorrect because the phrase ever since indicates that the decline is not in isolated event in the past. Choice B is incorrect because the verb does not agree in number with the subject, crime. Choice D is incorrect because this statement is not counterfactual or hypothetical, and therefore the subjunctive mood (Lesson 17) is inappropriate.
The Consequential Aspect
Many people—English teachers included—are confused about what the consequential aspect means. Verbs in the consequential aspect—such as have eaten, had eaten, and will have eaten—are often said to represent the “perfect tenses.” This is a double misnomer: “perfect” does not describe the function of the verb, and an aspect is not a tense. The term consequential aspect is more accurate, because it indicates that the verb indicates status-as-consequence.
Consider the sentence I have lived in New York. This indicates that my current status is a consequence of the fact that I lived (and might still live) in New York. Some people claim that the consequential aspect implies ongoing status. Wrong: I can say this even if I currently live in Connecticut. Some people claim it implies an indefinite time period. Wrong again: I can say this even if I know that I lived there precisely from August of 1989 to September of 1990. Some claim it implies completion of action or status. Wrong: I can say this even if I still live in Manhattan, as in I have lived in New York for over 25 years now.
Your English (or French or Spanish or Latin) teachers may still insist on referring to the “perfect tenses.” Just remember that they are really talking about verbs in the consequential aspect, and that this aspect indicates status-as-consequence.
Unlike its competitors, which have enjoyed a long period of profitability, PinkCorp 31 had its share of financial troubles.
31
A) NO CHANGE
B) has had
C) would have
D) would have had
Since the first verb, have enjoyed, is in the present tense, this sentence is comparing the current fortunes of PinkCorp with the current fortunes of its competitors. Therefore, choice A is incorrect because it is in the past tense. Choices C and D are incorrect because the sentence is indicating facts, not hypothetical or counterfactual situations, and therefore the subjunctive mood (Lesson 17) is incorrect. Choice B is correct because it uses the present consequential form to show that PinkCorp’s previous troubles affect its current status.
Irregular Verb Forms
Verbs in the consequential aspect always use the past participle (Lesson 8) form of the verb, as in had taken, has taken, and will have taken. Some of these past participles take irregular forms.
*When these participles are used as adjectives, they can also take the -en suffix, as in drunken sailor, shrunken heads, and sunken ship. However, these alternative forms are not used in verb phrases. For instance, we would never say baby Leonard has drunken his milk. Instead, we would say baby Leonard has drunk his milk.
Douglas did not get the CEO position, even though he 10 has ran one of the largest divisions within the company for nearly ten years.
10
A) NO CHANGE
B) runs
C) is running
D) has run
Choice A is incorrect because the present consequential form requires the past participle, but ran is the past tense form of to run, not the past participle. Choices B and C are incorrect because neither the simple present tense runs nor the present progressive is running works logically with the modifier for nearly ten years.
Present vs. Consequential Participles
A present participle phrase indicates that the participial verb and the main verb have the same tense. If you want to indicate that the participial verb precedes and extends a consequence to the main verb, use the consequential participle. The consequential participle combines having with the past participle, as in having spoken.
36 Taking the honors-level introductory physics course, Jess felt more than prepared to take AP physics level 2.
36
A) NO CHANGE
B) Having took
C) Having taken
D) She took
This sentence is trying to indicate not only how Jess feels about taking AP physics 2, but why she feels that way. However, the present participle taking implies that Jess took introductory physics and AP physics at the same time. Of course, this is illogical: she felt good about taking AP physics because she had already taken introductory physics. Therefore, the consequential participle having taken is required, as in choice C. Choice B is incorrect because took is the past tense form, not the past participle form. Choice D is incorrect because it creates a comma splice and does not indicate any logical relationship between the clauses.
Exercise Set 11: Verb Tense and Aspect
Developing the first hydrogen cell engine, the team should hope to reveal it at the technology expo this December.
A) NO CHANGE
B) Having developed the first hydrogen cell engine, the team would hope
C) Developing the first hydrogen cell engine, the team hopes
D) Having developed the first hydrogen cell engine, the team hopes
Without spending so much as an hour on research, Dale already wrote the first draft of her term paper.
A) NO CHANGE
B) having spent so much as an hour on research, Dale has already written
C) spending so much as an hour on research, Dale has written
D) having spent so much as an hour on research, Dale has already wrote
As soon as Hannah arrived home from vacation, she had immediately started to plan her next trip.
A) NO CHANGE
B) had arrived home from vacation, she
C) had arrived home from vacation, she had
D) arrived home from vacation, she
Having taken the wrong path, the hikers feared that they might not be able to reach base camp by nightfall.
A) NO CHANGE
B) Taking the wrong path, the hikers feared
C) Having taken the wrong path, the hikers had feared
D) Taking the wrong path, the hikers had feared
Although Pinocchio seems like a quaint children’s story, its characters would represent some of the central archetypes from Greek, Roman, Judeo-Christian, and even Babylonian mythological traditions.
A) NO CHANGE
B) represented
C) represent
D) had represented
Elayna is well qualified for this position because she has performed very well as a team leader on many similar projects.
A) NO CHANGE
B) had performed
C) would perform
D) was performing
Hundreds of recreational divers come each year to explore the site where the galleon had sank over three hundred years ago.
A) NO CHANGE
B) sank
C) has sunk
D) has sank
At his death in 2010, J. D. Salinger was regarded as one of the premier writers of the 20th century, he had only published one full-length novel, The Catcher in the Rye.
A) NO CHANGE
B) although he would have published only
C) despite having published only
D) although he would publish only
Lesson 14: Diction and Redundancy
Redundancy
The Law of Parsimony: All else being equal, the shorter the better.
When considering whether to add a word or phrase to a sentence, always ask: does this actually add relevant meaning to the sentence? If not, leave it out.
Michael stole the ball and 31 sped quickly down the court with only seconds remaining left to go in the game.
31
A) NO CHANGE
B) sped quickly down the court with only seconds remaining
C) sped down the court with only seconds left
D) sped down the court with only seconds remaining to go
The original sentence is triply redundant. The verb to speed means to run quickly, so the phrase sped quickly is redundant. Also, the phrase remaining left to go is doubly redundant, since the phrases seconds remaining in the game, seconds left in the game, and seconds to go in the game all mean the same thing. The only option without redundancy is C.
In 1922, the totalitarian governments of Italy and Germany closed all Montessori schools and declared 20 them subversive in that they might undermine the regimes.
20
A) NO CHANGE
B) that they were subversive in undermining the regimes
C) them subversive in undermining the regimes
D) them subversive
The adjective subversive means seeking to undermine the established power structure. Therefore, the phrases in choices A, B, and C are redundant, so the best choice is D.
Logical Diction
Logical diction questions ask you to choose the word to best convey a particular idea. When tackling logical diction questions, look at any phrase in which the word is embedded, and make sure that it clearly and logically conveys the idea that the sentence intends.
Word of Montessori’s success with the Casa dei Bambini soon began to 17 distribute internationally, and her methods for child-centered education became widely adopted across Europe.
17
A) NO CHANGE
B) increase
C) spread
D) exhibit
The subject of the verb distribute is Word of Montessori’s success, which is a type of information. But information cannot logically distribute anything, so choice A is incorrect. Choice B is incorrect because information cannot increase. Choice D is incorrect because information cannot exhibit. The only choice that conveys a clear and logical idea is choice C, spread, which helps convey the fact that news of Montessori’s success became widely known.
Common Mix-Ups
Some diction errors are “sound-alike” errors, in which words are confused with similar-sounding words. Below is a list of common mix-ups. Make flashcards for the pairs that confuse you.
accept (v) = to agree to take
I accept the offer.
except (prep) = not including
I like all except that one.
adapt (v) = to make suitable to a purpose
I adapted the motor to fit the boat.
adopt (v) = to choose as one’s own
They adopted a child.
adept (adj) = highly skilled
She’s an adept speaker.
affect (v) = to influence
It affected me deeply.
effect (n) = result or consequence
It had a good effect.
allude (v) = to make an indirect reference
He alluded to their secret.
elude (v) = to escape from; to avoid
They eluded capture.
allusion (n) = an indirect reference
Her speech included an allusion to Othello.
illusion (n) = misconception or misperception
I love optical illusions.
ambivalent (adj) = having conflicting feelings
I feel ambivalent about going to the party.
ambiguous (adj) = having more than one meaning
That phrase is ambiguous.
cite (v) = to credit as a source of information
The author cited many sources.
cite (v) = to commend for meritorious action
She was cited for bravery.
site (n) = location of a particular activity or structure
That is the site of the battle of Antietam.
sight (v) = to see at a specific location
She was sighted in the crowd.
compliment (n) = a praising personal comment
Compliments are always appreciated.
complement (n) = something that makes a whole
Brie is a fine complement to this wine.
council (n) = an advisory committee
I’m a member of the executive council.
counsel (v) = to give advice
She counseled me wisely.
discrete (adj) = distinct
The machine has hundreds of discrete parts.
discreet (adj) = prudently secretive
Please be discreet about our meeting.
elicit (v) = to bring out or to call forth
The joke elicited uncomfortable laughter.
illicit (adj) = unlawful
Don’t engage in illicit activities.
eminent (adj) = prominent and distinguished
She is an eminent historian.
imminent (adj) = about to happen
I sense imminent laughter.
flaunt (v) = to show (something) off
If you’ve got it, flaunt it.
flout (v) = to show disregard for
Don’t flout the rules.
gambit (n) = a risky opening move
He made a bold strategic gambit.
gamut (n) = the complete range
Her emotions ran the gamut.
imply (v) = to suggest or hint at
A handshake implies an agreement.
infer (v) = to draw a conclusion from evidence
Please don’t infer hostile intent.
phase (n) = stage in a process
This is the third phase of the project.
faze (n) = to disturb (someone’s) composure
She was not fazed by the interruption.
precede (v) = to come before
Thunder is always preceded by lightning.
proceed (v) = to go on, usually after a pause
Please proceed with the task.
principal (n) = head of a school
Our principal spoke at the assembly.
principal (n) = the initial investment in an account
Many investments risk a loss of principal.
principle (n) = guiding rule or value
I reject that proposal on principle.
reticent (adj) = reserved or reluctant to talk freely
He has been reticent in our therapy sessions.
reluctant (adj) = disinclined to do something
I’m reluctant to reveal personal information.
Exercise Set 12: Diction and Redundancy
Even the strongest pesticides could not abolish the beetles.
A) NO CHANGE
B) delete
C) retract
D) eradicate
Although statistics cannot prove theories, but they can invalidate them by ruling out the correlations they imply.
A) NO CHANGE
B) they can refute
C) but they can debunk
D) they can smear
Well-trained wine experts can separate out the tastes of dozens of different grapes, regions, and vintages.
A) NO CHANGE
B) certify
C) acknowledge
D) discern
It’s almost impossible to achieve a consensus of unified opinion on those matters on which the group members have widely different priorities and values.
A) NO CHANGE
B) a unified consensus of opinion
C) a consensus in opinion
D) consensus
Often, the town council will debate an issue for weeks before appointing a formal decision.
A) NO CHANGE
B) compelling
C) making
D) predetermining
Although loved by audiences worldwide, the film was soundly disparaged by many critics.
A) NO CHANGE
B) confronted
C) impaired
D) repudiated
At the present moment in time, we cannot process your request because we have lost the connection to our server.
A) NO CHANGE
B) At this moment in time, we
C) Currently, we
D) We
After the neighbors filed a noise complaint, the workers had to hamper their work by 6:00 every evening or risk municipal fines.
A) NO CHANGE
B) subside
C) curtail
D) lower
Once she found a supportive group of friends who appreciated her talents and idiosyncrasies, Daryl’s self-esteem began to proliferate.
A) NO CHANGE
B) blossom
C) multiply
D) enlarge
Taxpayers are unlikely to fund an expensive public project unless it is designed to solve an imminent problem that is likely to occur in the future.
A) NO CHANGE
B) a problem that is imminently likely to occur in the future
C) a problem that is imminently likely
D) an imminent problem
Originally built as an engine for a small tractor, the motor had to be evolved in order to meet the needs of the portable generator.
A) NO CHANGE
B) correlated
C) amended
D) adapted
The sounds, themes, and images in advertisements are carefully chosen to subtly intimidate consumers to buy things they may not need.
A) NO CHANGE
B) propel
C) induce
D) oppress
The negotiations became very apprehensive when the topic shifted to company ownership.
A) NO CHANGE
B) neurotic
C) tense
D) worried
Although he is usually reticent to talk about his personal life, he is more than happy to talk about the merits of the various Star Wars films.
A) NO CHANGE
B) reticent about
C) disinclined to talk with regard to
D) unwilling about
Many of the government ministers have been in exile since they were impeded in the 2016 military coup.
A) NO CHANGE
B) scuttled
C) ousted
D) snubbed
Corporations that value cooperation over competition tend to see less incidents of elicit behavior such as embezzlement.
A) NO CHANGE
B) fewer incidents of illicit
C) fewer incidence of illicit
D) less incidents of illicit
Lesson 15: Idiomatic Expression
Idioms
An idiom is a common phrase that has a rigid wording and (usually) a nonliteral meaning. Examples include a piece of cake, push through, on fire, see the light, go in on, drop by, and under fire. When using idioms, be sure that you understand their meanings and phrase them precisely.
To catch idiom errors on the SAT, pay attention to prepositions, and trust your ear: when a preposition is underlined, ask: would another preposition sound better here, or is a preposition necessary at all? Don’t think too hard: idioms often have nonliteral meanings, so they sometimes defy logic.
Games and other group challenges are a means 39 through fostering team spirit to the campers.
39
A) NO CHANGE
B) of fostering team spirit among
C) for fostering team spirit for
D) of fostering team spirit with
Always pay special attention when an underlined phrase contains a preposition (Lesson 3). Notice whether the choices include alternative prepositions, and (if so) trust your ear to choose among them. Which sounds more natural: a means through fostering, a means for fostering, or a means of fostering? Hopefully, your ear tells you that the last choice is the most idiomatic. In order to choose between B and D, you have to check another idiomatic phrase. Which sounds more natural: team spirit among the campers, or team spirit to the campers? The first one is more idiomatic, so the correct answer is B.
Prepositional Idioms
Most idiom errors are wrong preposition errors. Prepositions play an essential role in many idiomatic phrases, and it’s easy to mix them up. A wrong preposition can make a phrase unidiomatic, or it can turn it into a completely different idiom.
agree with = share the opinion of (a person)
agree to = accept (a proposal or offer)
agree on = arrive at (a mutual decision)
agree about = have similar sentiments about (a situation)
angry with = annoyed at (a person)
angry about = annoyed about (a situation)
concerned with = involved with (an activity or issue)
concerned about = worried about (a situation)
take in = apprehend (an idea or perception)
take on = undertake (a challenge); oppose (a person)
take after = resemble (a parent or mentor)
wait for = stay until (an event)
wait on = serve (someone) at a restaurant
The first amendment to the Constitution is concerned primarily 39 about the Enlightenment values of free thought and free expression.
39
A) NO CHANGE
B) for
C) with
D) DELETE the underlined word
Although it is idiomatic to say the first amendment is about something, it is not idiomatic to say the first amendment is concerned about something, because the idiomatic phrase concerned about means worried about, and a constitutional amendment cannot worry. On the other hand, concerned with means involved with as a matter of interest, which fits the context of this sentence perfectly. Therefore, the correct answer is C.
Exercise Set 13: Standard Idiom
After exchanging dozens of texts over several weeks, we all finally agreed with a plan to go hiking in the Adirondacks.
A) NO CHANGE
B) to
C) on
D) for
The new color scheme for the living room is not very different than the old one.
A) NO CHANGE
B) to
C) compared to
D) from
The lawyers will be reviewing employee contracts in the next few days to be sure that they comply in the recently updated regulations.
A) NO CHANGE
B) about
C) with
D) to
I prefer the soft, diffuse light of the new LED bulbs more than the light of the old compact fluorescent bulbs.
A) NO CHANGE
B) over
C) to
D) in comparison to
Although the terms of the plea deal seemed very generous, the defendant did not agree to the offer because it included an admission of guilt.
A) NO CHANGE
B) about
C) with
D) on
Several agents were dispatched to Philadelphia for the purpose of investigating the new leads.
A) NO CHANGE
B) for investigating
C) to investigate about
D) to investigate
The professor has sole authority to determine about which activities qualify for field credit.
A) NO CHANGE
B) which activities qualify for
C) about which activities qualify in
D) which activities that qualify for
The teens were at the school board meeting to voice their arguments on the proposal to move the school starting time.
A) NO CHANGE
B) with
C) for
D) to
The final song was a tribute about Dr. Whelan, the choral director who would be retiring in June.
A) NO CHANGE
B) on
C) for
D) to
Lesson 16: The Active and Passive Voices
The Passive Voice
When the subject of a verb is not the “actor” of that verb, the clause is in the passive voice. For instance, the boy kicked the ball is an active voice clause because the subject, boy, indicates who is doing the kicking. But the ball was kicked by the boy is in the passive voice, because the subject, ball, indicates what is receiving the kicking.
Henry ate all of his steak, but 33 his vegetables were uneaten.
33
A) NO CHANGE
B) left his vegetables
C) had his vegetables left
D) so his vegetables were
The first clause, Henry ate all of his steak, is in the active voice, but in choices A and D, the second clause is in the passive voice, and so does not attribute the action to Henry. Choice C is awkward and unclear. Choice B improves the parallelism and clarity of the sentence by matching the voices of the clauses and indicating who is leaving the vegetables uneaten.
Our lab experiment was designed by Amy and 33 Antonio ran it.
33
A) NO CHANGE
B) run by Antonio
C) Antonio was the one who ran it
D) was ran by Antonio
The first clause of this compound sentence is in the passive voice. Since the second clause concerns the same subject as the first, the Law of Parallelism suggests that it should also take the passive voice. Choices A and C are incorrect because they are in the active voice. Choice D uses the past tense form ran rather than the past participle run. The most concise and parallel option is B.
Which Voice Should I Use?
Passive clauses are usually wordier and less direct than active clauses. To be concise and direct, use the active voice. However, on the SAT, the passive voice is not necessarily wrong. Passive clauses can be used whenever it is helpful to emphasize the receiver of an action or status.
I came out of my physical examination feeling as if 18 they had poked me with a hundred probes and somebody had stabbed me with a hundred needles.
18
A) NO CHANGE
B) I had been poked by a hundred probes and they had stabbed me with
C) they had poked me with a hundred probes and I had been stabbed by
D) I had been poked by a hundred probes and stabbed by
Choice D is the most parallel option because the last two clauses share a subject, the passive voice, and similar prepositional phrases. In choices A, B, and C the voices are inconsistent and the pronoun they lacks a clear antecedent.
12 To prevent potentially fatal errors by surgeons and nurses, a checklist is carefully executed before each operation starts.
12
A) NO CHANGE
B) errors, surgeons and nurses carefully execute a checklist before each operation starts
C) errors by surgeons and nurses before each operation starts, a checklist is carefully executed
D) errors by surgeons and nurses, before each operation starts a checklist is carefully executed
Choices A, C, and D, are vague because the passive voice makes it unclear who is executing the checklist. The writer should indicate this fact clearly and directly. Choice B accomplishes this by placing the main clause in the active voice.
Lesson 17: Verb Mood
What Is Grammatical Mood?
The mood of a verb indicates the general purpose of the clause.
• The indicative mood indicates factual claims, as in I went to the park.
• The imperative mood indicates suggestions or commands, as in You should go to the park, or Go to the park!
• The interrogative mood asks questions, as in Did you go to the park?
• The subjunctive mood indicates counterfactuals, hypotheticals, or potentials, as in I wish I had gone to the park or You may go to the park after school.
If the engine 40 would run for too long on low-grade fuel, the pistons will wear out.
40
A) NO CHANGE
B) were to run
C) runs
D) should run
You may have been told that conditional (if-then) statements are always subjunctive. Wrong! Consider the isosceles triangle theorem: If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then its base angles are congruent. This is a fact, so each clause is phrased in the indicative mood. The sentence above represents a similar if-then fact. One clue is that the second clause, the pistons will wear out, is in the indicative mood. Therefore, the first clause should be in the indicative mood also, as in choice C.
If my lawyer 13 would have been more thorough in his cross-examination, he would have revealed the inconsistencies in her testimony.
13
A) NO CHANGE
B) had been
C) is
D) has been
The underlined verb is counterfactual, because it indicates that my lawyer was not thorough. Therefore, the first clause should take the subjunctive mood. However, choice A is incorrect because would have been is not idiomatic phrasing for an if– clause. The correct subjunctive form is had been, as in choice B. Choices C and D are incorrect because they are both in the indicative mood.
The Imperative Mood
Commands or requests in the imperative mood can be indicated in three ways.
• To make a direct, second-person command, use the infinitive form without an explicit subject, as in Stop smoking!
• To express a command or suggestion that is indicated by another verb (such as prefer that, suggest that, demand that, propose that, or insist that) or adjective (such as it is necessary/important/imperative/essential/better/vital/crucial that) use the infinitive form with an explicit subject, as in My doctor demanded that I stop smoking or My doctor said that it is imperative that I stop smoking.
• To express a command or suggestion that is not indicated by another verb or adjective, use the auxiliary should or must before the infinitive form, as in My doctor said that I must stop smoking.
After Ms. Parker scolded Daniel for the third time, she demanded that he 31 left the room.
31
A) NO CHANGE
B) must leave
C) leave
D) should leave
The verb demanded indicates that the underlined verb is a command, so must or should would be redundant. Therefore, we indicate the imperative with the infinitive leave, as in choice C. Choice A is incorrect because it is in the indicative mood. Choices B and D are incorrect because they include redundant auxiliaries. (Choices B and D are acceptable in the UK or Commonwealth countries, but not in standard American English.)
The Subjunctive Mood
The subjunctive mood is usually indicated by subjunctive auxiliaries: can, could, may, might, and would. A verb in the present subjunctive takes an auxiliary followed by the infinitive form of the verb, as in We might go to the beach. A verb in the past subjunctive takes an auxiliary followed by the past consequential (Lesson 12) form of the verb, as in Your grandmother would have loved to see you in that dress.
However, if a counterfactual is part of a conditional (if–) or wishful (I wish that–) clause that is not indicating permission or potential, it does not take a subjunctive auxiliary.
• If a verb is in a present wishful or conditional counterfactual clause, it takes the simple past form without an auxiliary, as in I wish I had a million dollars or If I had a million dollars….
• If the verb to be is in a present wishful or conditional counterfactual clause, it takes the form were without an auxiliary, as in I wish I were ten years younger or If I were ten years younger….
• If a verb is in a past wishful or conditional counterfactual clause, it takes the past consequential form without an auxiliary, as in I wish I had caught the ball or If I had caught the ball….
After the game, the coach admitted that he 10 would not have called the trick play if his starting quarterback had been on the field.
10
Which choice best indicates that the coach was uncertain about his options?
A) NO CHANGE
B) did not call
C) might not have called
D) could not have called
The question asks you to choose the option that indicates that the coach was uncertain about his options. Choice A is incorrect because it is consistent with the possibility that the coach knew precisely which plays he would have called for each quarterback. Choice B is incorrect because this clause is counterfactual, and so cannot take the indicative mood. Choice D is incorrect because the auxiliary could indicates inability rather than uncertainty. Choice C is correct because might indicates that the coach was not certain about what he would have done if the starting quarterback had been in the game.
Conditional Counterfactuals
Any present conditional counterfactual form of the verb to be is usually phrased starting with if–, but in formal writing it can start with were:
Typical: If I were shorter, I could wear that outfit.
Formal: Were I shorter, I could wear that outfit.
Similarly, any past conditional counterfactual clause can be phrased starting with if– or with had:
Typical: If he had studied, he would have passed the test.
Formal: Had he studied, he would have passed the test.
The sailors would not have encountered the hurricane 31 had they departed only a day earlier.
31
A) NO CHANGE
B) if they would have departed
C) if they departed
D) if they would depart
The underlined phrase indicates a past conditional counterfactual, so it should take the form if they had departed. However, this is not a choice. Fortunately, choice A provides an equivalent phrasing, so it is the correct answer. Choices B and D are incorrect because a conditional counterfactual does not take the auxiliary would. Choice C is incorrect because a counterfactual cannot take the indicative mood.
Exercise Set 14: Verb Mood and Voice
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, who would later come to be known as Mark Twain, would have been 25 years old when the Civil War started in 1861.
A) NO CHANGE
B) would of been 25 years old when the Civil War had started
C) was 25 years old when the Civil War started
D) was 25 years old when the Civil War would have started
If the goalie had not slipped backward, he might not have blocked the shot and saved the game.
A) NO CHANGE
B) did not slip
C) had not of slipped
D) would not have slipped
The ushers demanded that we must turn off our cell phones until the intermission.
A) NO CHANGE
B) should turn
C) turn
D) turned
As we move through our daily routines, we tend to become agitated when our rituals are changed, our habits are disrupted, or something violates our expectations.
A) NO CHANGE
B) our expectations are violated
C) something would violate our expectations
D) something violated our expectations
As expected, the rule against protests was dropped by the management, who even expressed sympathy with the workers who had registered their complaints.
A) NO CHANGE
B) the rule against protests would have been dropped by the management
C) the management would have dropped the rule against protests
D) the management dropped the rule against protests
If the strong winds and rains would have continued for much longer, the small island town probably would have lost power completely.
A) NO CHANGE
B) had continued
C) continued
D) did continue
Our tour guide suggested that we explore the tiny hillside town, which is nearly 17 centuries old.
A) NO CHANGE
B) the tiny hillside town be explored by us
C) we should explore the tiny hillside town
D) we had explored the tiny hillside town
As Gina began climbing the long staircase, she wished that she would have wore her pumps instead of high heels.
A) NO CHANGE
B) had worn
C) would have worn
D) wore
Lesson 18: Punctuation
Interrupters
Interrupting modifiers must be bracketed by identical punctuation marks: either both commas or both dashes. Dashes are slightly more emphatic than commas and draw more attention to the interrupter.
The 42 coelacanth—a fish species once widely believed to be extinct, is found primarily in the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean.
42
A) NO CHANGE
B) coelacanth—a fish species once widely believed to be extinct—is
C) coelacanth: a fish species once widely believed to be extinct—is
D) coelacanth, a fish species once widely believed to be extinct is
Choice A is incorrect because the interrupting appositive is bracketed by different punctuation marks: a dash and a comma. Only choice B uses the same punctuation mark on both ends of the interrupter.
Apostrophes
Apostrophes should be used exclusively for possessives and contractions. Never use apostrophes to pluralize.
Only after a class-action suit was filed did the landlord consider giving the 42 renter’s their money back.
42
A) NO CHANGE
B) renters their
C) renter’s they’re
D) renters there
Here, renters is a plural nonpossessive noun, and their is a plural possessive pronoun. Choices A and C are incorrect because apostrophes should be used only in contractions and possessives. Choice D is incorrect because there is not a plural possessive pronoun. Therefore, the correct answer is B.
Possessives
To turn a plural noun ending in -s into a possessive, just add an apostrophe at the end. For instance, the boys’ swim team. For singular nouns that end in -s, tack on -’s. For instance, Mr. Jones’s class.
Possessive pronouns—your, whose, their, its—do not use apostrophes. Their homophones with apostrophes—you’re, who’s, they’re, it’s—are contractions.
They did not know it at the time, but Gwen was 42 Chris’s cousin’s daughter.
42
A) NO CHANGE
B) Chris’ cousin’s
C) Chris’s cousins
D) Chris’ cousins
Both underlined words are possessives: the daughter is the cousin’s daughter and the cousin is Chris’s cousin. Even though Chris ends in an -s, it is not plural, so it is incorrect to use only an apostrophe to make it possessive. Both words require the -’s possessive form, so the correct answer is A.
Use Commas Sparingly
As a rule of thumb, use commas only where necessary. Commas are more often overused than underused.
The 42 subject, that intimidates me the most, is calculus.
42
A) NO CHANGE
B) subject that intimidates me the most, is
C) subject, that intimidates me the most is
D) subject that intimidates me the most is
The phrase that intimidates me the most is a restrictive clause, which means that the sentence would lose its central meaning if it were removed. Therefore, it shouldn’t be separated from the main clause by commas, as in choice A. In fact, no commas are necessary at all, so the correct answer is D.
When to Use Commas
The primary job of a comma is to separate
• items in a list, as in
He was fat, dumb, and lazy.
• coordinate adjectives, as in
He gave a long, boring speech.
• modifying phrases from the main clause, as in
In fact, I am appalled.
• dependent clauses from the main clause, as in
Whenever I try, I fail.
• independent clauses from other independent clauses, but only with a conjunction, as in
I think, therefore I am.
Commas can also be used to
• introduce a quotation, as in
Tom said, “I ain’t goin’!”
• indicate an appositive title, as in
She read from her book, Blue Nights.
• format an address or date, as in
Saturday, July 19, 2014 or Cleveland, Ohio.
• signal an addressee, as in
Get going, buster!
The 16 philosopher, Immanuel Kant was known to take long, regimented walks, he claimed that they were essential to his thought process.
16
A) NO CHANGE
B) philosopher, Immanuel Kant was known to take long, regimented walks; he claimed
C) philosopher Immanuel Kant was known to take long regimented walks, he claimed
D) philosopher Immanuel Kant was known to take long, regimented walks; he claimed
This sentence contains two independent clauses, but choices A and C commit a comma splice by joining them with only a comma. Choices B and D correct this problem by inserting a semicolon between the independent clauses. Choice B is incorrect, however, because the first comma does not serve any grammatical function. The correct answer, then, is D.
Colons and Semicolons
Colons and semicolons should always be preceded by independent clauses.
• A semicolon must also be followed by an independent clause that supports the first one.
The girls were tired; they needed a nap.
• A colon must be followed by a list, a specifier, or an explanatory independent clause.
They were a party of three: Elisa, Jen, and Kate.
The girls needed only one thing: sleep.
The girls were tired: they had practiced for hours.
(These rules apply to the SAT, but they have obscure exceptions. For example, semicolons can also be used instead of a comma to separate items in a list when those items themselves contain commas, as in We will visit Providence, Rhode Island; Concord, Massachusetts; and Mystic, Connecticut.)
But there was one more factor that the experimenters hadn’t 14 considered; peer pressure.
14
A) NO CHANGE
B) considered: peer pressure
C) considered peer pressure
D) considered, peer pressure
Choice A is incorrect because the semicolon is not followed by a supportive independent clause. Choice C is incorrect because it provides no indication about the relationship between the main clause and the phrase peer pressure. This phrase is a specifier, that is, it specifies the factor mentioned in the main clause. Therefore, it should be preceded by a colon, as in choice B.
Exercise Set 15: Punctuation and Apostrophes
Unlike linear accelerators, cyclotrons—such as the one Ernest Lawrence built in Berkeley, California, use magnets to accelerate subatomic particles in a circular path.
A) NO CHANGE
B) cyclotrons, such as the one Ernest Lawrence built in Berkeley, California—use
C) cyclotrons, such as the one Ernest Lawrence built in Berkeley, California use
D) cyclotrons—such as the one Ernest Lawrence built in Berkeley, California—use
Runners, who step out of they’re lanes during the first two laps, will be disqualified.
A) NO CHANGE
B) Runners who step out of their lanes during the first two laps, will
C) Runners, who step out of their lanes during the first two laps, will
D) Runners who step out of their lanes during the first two laps will
Many electric cars do save money on energy, but they are not cheap: efficiency has its price.
A) NO CHANGE
B) cheap, efficiency
C) cheap—efficiency,
D) cheap: efficiency,
Don’t adopt a rescue dog, until your sure they’re free of parasites and infectious diseases.
A) NO CHANGE
B) dog until you’re sure it’s
C) dog, until your sure it’s
D) dog; until you’re sure its
Its easy to see—even on the dreariest of days, how Paris earned it’s reputation as the City of Love.
A) NO CHANGE
B) It’s easy to see, even on the dreariest of days, how Paris earned its
C) Its easy to see, even on the dreariest of days, how Paris earned its
D) It’s easy to see even on the dreariest of days how Paris earned it’s
Having decided to postpone her education, for at least two years Jill began to look for a job in social media.
A) NO CHANGE
B) education for at least two years, Jill began
C) education, for at least two years, Jill began
D) education for at least two years Jill began
Our project was plagued by two main issues; cost overruns and bureaucratic red tape.
A) NO CHANGE
B) issues: cost overruns, and
C) issues: cost overruns and
D) issues; cost overruns, and
CHAPTER 5 ANSWER KEY
Exercise Set 1: Sentence Cores
1. C If we trim the sentence, we find that the core is The team were met. But since team is a singular collective noun, it does not agree with the plural verb were. (Note that advisors cannot be the subject because it is part of a prepositional phrase.) The only choice that provides us with a singular verb is C. (This may sound strange if you were raised in the UK or a Commonwealth country, since, in the Queen’s English, team and other such collective nouns are regarded as plurals. But the SAT is an American test, so here we must treat them as singulars.)
2. B The subject of this sentence is juggling (a gerund, Lesson 7), which is singular, so it disagrees in number with the plural verb seem. (Note that demands cannot be the subject because it is part of a prepositional phrase.) Choice B corrects the agreement problem. Choice C is incorrect because the sentence specifies a fact about today, which requires the present tense, not the future tense. Choice D is incorrect because would indicates the subjunctive mood (Lesson 17), and so it incorrectly implies that the statement is hypothetical or counterfactual.
3. C The singular subject of this sentence, fact, disagrees with the plural verb have forced. (Note that institutions cannot be the subject of this clause because it is the subject of a separate clause, institutions…become dysfunctional.) Choice C fixes this problem because has can take a singular subject. Choice B is incorrect because it uses the subjunctive mood, contradicting the indicative (Lesson 17) nature of the sentence. Choice D is incorrect because are disagrees with the singular subject.
4. C The singular subject Project disagrees with the plural verb provide. Choice C provides the correct singular conjugation. Choices B and D are incorrect because both are conjugated for plural subjects.
5. D The singular subject intensity disagrees in number with the verb are. (Note that workouts cannot be the subject because it is part of a prepositional phrase.) Choice D corrects this problem. Choices B and C are incorrect because they also disagree in number with the subject.
6. A The original phrasing is clear and logical. The singular subject anthology agrees with the verb includes. (Note that works cannot be the subject because it is part of a prepositional phrase.) Choice B is incorrect because the two parallel predicates require a conjunction between them. Choices C and D are incorrect because include does not agree with the singular subject.
7. A The original phrasing is clear and logical. The singular subject theory agrees with the verb makes. Choice B is incorrect because the participle making cannot stand alone as a verb. Choice C is incorrect because the subjunctive mood should not be used when conveying facts. Choice D is incorrect because make does not agree with the singular subject.
8. D This sentence has an inverted syntax. The “uninverted” version is The crowds traditional routine of taunting the opposing players were surprisingly absent from the game. This sentence has two problems: crowds should be changed to the possessive crowd’s because it is modifying the noun routine, and the verb were does not agree with the singular subject routine. Only choice D corrects both problems.
9. B In each choice, the phrase between the commas is an interrupting phrase. According to the Law of Trimming, the sentence must remain clear and coherent even after it has been removed. Choices A and D are incorrect because as good than is not idiomatic (Lesson 15). Choice C is incorrect because it makes an illogical comparison (Lesson 10). One type of education can be compared only with another type of education, so the logic and phrasing in choice B is correct.
Exercise Set 2: Verb Agreement
1. C The phrase scattered by is not idiomatic unless it is part of a passive voice verb (Lesson 16), so choice A is incorrect. Choice B is incorrect because were does not agree with the singular subject flock. Choice D is incorrect because the progressive aspect (Lesson 13) cannot indicate a sudden reaction to something like a shotgun blast. Only choice C has the correct voice and conjugation.
2. C This is an inverted sentence. The “uninverted” version is Over two million microorganisms is in every teaspoon of topsoil, forming a highly complex ecosystem. Clearly, the verb is disagrees with the plural subject organisms, and should be changed to are. Choice B is incorrect because was is in the wrong tense and disagrees with the plural subject. Choice D is wrong because being cannot stand alone as a verb.
3. C This is an inverted sentence. If you missed this one, you probably didn’t read the sentence carefully enough. Notice that that there is no be between conditioning and to, so the wording in choice A is illogical. Choice B is incorrect because the singular subject conditioning disagrees with the plural verb are. Choice C is correct because is agrees with the singular verb. Choice D is incorrect because it does not form a complete sentence.
4. A The original phrasing is correct because the interrupter is a logical participial phrase (Lesson 8) that modifies the subject technology. Choices B and C are both incorrect because they render the preceding comma illogical and create parallel predicates unlinked by a conjunction. Choice D is incorrect because it creates an illogical participial phrase.
5. D This sentence uses a standard parallel construction (Lesson 7), both A and B, and therefore requires a verb that matches the form of the previous verb, inspire. Only choice D maintains this parallel structure. Choices B and C both include extra words that disrupt the parallel structure.
6. B In choices A and C, the verb have expressed disagrees with the singular subject coalition. Choice D is incorrect because concern with is the incorrect idiom (Lesson 15) for indicating worry. The correct idiom is concern about, as in choice B.
7. B Choices A and C are incorrect because the verb explain disagrees with the singular subject explosiveness. Choice D is incorrect because its is a possessive form, not a contraction.
8. C The predicate of the sentence indicates that the subject should be S. J. Perelman, and not his writing or his style. Therefore, choices A, B, and D have illogical subjects. Only choice C works logically with the predicate of the sentence.
9. D Since this sentence is about the habits of the grizzly bear, the verbs should take the present tense, habitual aspect (Lesson 3) and indicative mood (Lesson 17). Only choice D is correct in both regards. Choice A is incorrect because it uses the subjunctive mood. Choices B and C are incorrect because they are in the past tense.
Exercise Set 3: Coordinating Ideas
1. B The original sequence of sentences is not logically coordinated. Choice B coordinates the ideas logically by emphasizing the central idea (that The Return has received widespread acclaim) in the main clause, and relegating the minor facts to modifying phrases. In choice C, the introductory modifying phrase does not logically modify the subject of the main clause. In choice D, the colon (Lesson 18) is misused and the prepositional phrase does not logically modify anything in the sentence.
2. D The original set of sentences should be combined because they all relate one key idea about a common topic. Choices B and C are incorrect because, in both cases, the interrogative pronoun (Lesson 11) which has no logical antecedent. Choice D is best because it consolidates the first two sentences effectively, and clarifies the subject of the last clause.
3. C The original sentence commits a comma splice (Lesson 5) because the clause following the comma qualifies as an independent clause. Also, the pronoun this lacks a logical antecedent. Choice B is illogical because the power plants are not being burned. Choice C is best because a clause whose subject is which is no longer independent, so the comma splice problem is fixed. Additionally, which can logically refer to the plural noun power plants. Choice D is incorrect because it lacks a logical antecedent.
4. D The original sentence contains a standard parallel construction (Lesson 7) not only A but also B. However, choices A, B, and C do not use standard idiomatic phrasing. Additionally, in both B and C, the two instances of the pronoun it refer to different antecedents. Only choice D avoids redundancy and uses standard idiomatic phrasing.
5. A The original phrasing is best. The sentence begins with a participial phrase (Lesson 8), which must coordinate with the main clause by sharing its subject. This participle describes a treatise, so the subject of the main clause must be the book, not Keynes, therefore choices B and D are incorrect. Choice C is incorrect because the interrogative pronoun (Lesson 11) which does not coordinate logically with the antecedent Keynes.
Exercise Set 4: Transitions and References
1. B The first sentence indicates a general fact about the ancient Greeks, and the quote from Antigone in the second sentence provides a specific example to illustrate that fact. Therefore, choice B, For example, is the most logical choice. Choice A is incorrect because a coincidence is a surprising simultaneity of events, but these sentences indicate no such simultaneity. Choice C is incorrect because the second sentence does not extend a previous claim. Choice D is incorrect because the second sentence does not contrast the first.
2. B The first sentence describes a belief about tough sentencing, but the second sentence indicates a fact that undermines that belief. Therefore, the most logical transition is However. Choice A, Even worse, is incorrect because the second sentence doesn’t describe an escalation of negativity. Choice C is incorrect because the second sentence does not clarify or paraphrase anything. Choice D is incorrect because the second sentence does not describe a result.
3. A The first sentence describes a general social trend, and the second sentence describes a result of that trend. Therefore, Choice A, Consequently, provides a logical transition. Choice B is incorrect because the second sentence does not indicate an ironic or surprising situation. Choice C is incorrect because the second sentence does not indicate a situation that is analogous to any previously mentioned. Choice D is incorrect because the second sentence does not exemplify anything described in the first sentence.
Exercise Set 5: Parallel Structure
1. C The second and third items in the list, improving and repairing, are gerunds, therefore the first item should also be a gerund, as in choice C.
2. D This sentence uses the standard parallel construction, not so much A as B. Choices A and B are incorrect because they do not use correct idiomatic phrasing. Choice C is incorrect because the second item in the contrast, how wisely you use your time, is not parallel in form to the first item, about working hard. Since the first item is a prepositional phrase, the second should be as well, as in choice D.
3. B This sentence uses the standard parallel construction not only A but also B. Choices A and C are incorrect because they do not use correct idiomatic phrasing. Choice D is incorrect because also and as well are redundant.
4. A This sentence gives a binary list, so the items should have parallel grammatical and semantic form. The first item in the list, the skittishness of investors, is a noun phrase defining a personal characteristic of a group of people, so the second item should do the same. Only choice A maintains both the grammatical and semantic parallelism.
5. D Choices A, B, and C are all ambiguous because, with each phrasing, the dilemma is unclear: it could be read to mean that I’m trying to decide between giving the tickets to Maria and giving Caitlyn to Maria, which is of course nonsensical. Only choice D is unambiguous: the choice is between giving the tickets to Maria and giving the tickets to Caitlyn.
6. C This sentence uses the standard parallel construction prefer A to B. Choices A and B are incorrect because they do not use standard phrasing. Choice D is incorrect because the comma serves no grammatical purpose.
7. B This sentence uses the standard parallel construction not so much A as B. Choices A and C are incorrect because neither uses the standard phrasing. Choice D is incorrect because the second item, because of the freewheeling, Bohemian atmosphere, does not have the same grammatical form as the first item, for the music. Choice B is best because it uses the standard phrasing and the items, for the music and for the freewheeling, Bohemian atmosphere, are both prepositional phrases.
Exercise Set 6: Coordinating Modifiers
1. C The subject of the participle drained is Martha, not her instinct. (Just ask: who was drained?) Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they include dangling participles. The only option with the correct subject is choice C.
2. B The prepositional phrase with a sprained ankle modifies Adam, not the coach, so choice A is incorrect because it contains a dangling modifier. Choice B corrects this problem by using a dependent clause with a clear subject, verb, and object. Choices C and D are incorrect because neither clarifies who has the sprained ankle.
3. D The subject of the participle lacking is David. (Who lacked any real sailing skills?) Therefore, choices A and C contain dangling participles. Choice B is incorrect because the phrase had the primary concern is unidiomatic and unclear.
4. B What was searching through a box of old letters? We were. By the Law of Proximity, the modifying phrase should be as close to its subject—the word that it modifies—as possible, as in choice B. Choices A, C, and D are all incorrect because each implies that the manuscript was searching through the box of old letters.
5. D Choice A is incorrect because the (infinitive) noun phrase To get a good jump out of the blocks does not play any grammatical role in the main clause. Choice B is incorrect because the prepositional phrase for getting a good jump out of the blocks is too far away from the adjective it modifies, essential. Choice C is incorrect because the prepositional phrase for hip positioning to be proper does not logically modify any part of the main clause. Choice D is best because it places the prepositional phrase next to the adjective it modifies.
6. B The adjective unhappy describes the senator, not her plan, so choice A is illogical. Choices C and D likewise have illogical subjects. Only choice B uses a subject that corrects for the dangling modifier.
7. A The original phrasing is best, because it contains a clause that coordinates logically with the participial phrase that starts the sentence. Choice B is incorrect because then is redundant. Choices C and D are incorrect because they both allow the participial phrase to dangle.
Exercise Set 7: Using Modifiers Logically
1. C Choice A is incorrect because the comparative adjective much stronger cannot modify the verb emphasize. The comparative adverb, more strongly, is required, as in choice C.
2. B Choices A and C are incorrect because the adverbs never and usually are contradictory. Choice D is incorrect because hardly never is not an idiomatic phrase. The idiomatic phrases are hardly ever or almost never, as in choice B.
3. C Choices A and D are incorrect because the verb coordinated cannot be modified with the adjective effective. Choices B and C both use the proper adverbial form effectively, but choice B is incorrect because it makes an illogical comparison (Lesson 10).
4. A The original phrasing is best, because one of the meanings of unqualified is total, so an unqualified success is a complete success. Choice B is incorrect because successfully unqualified is not a sensible phrase. Choice C is incorrect because disqualified means eliminated from competition because of a rule violation, which does not logically apply to a success. Choice D is incorrect because unqualified in its success is not idiomatic.
5. A The original phrasing is best: recall that harder can serve as either a comparative adjective or a comparative adverb. Choice B is incorrect because more hardly is an illogical phrase. Choices C and D are incorrect because the phrase always doesn’t contradicts the statement that challenge is the key to success.
6. B Choices A and C are illogical because it is untrue that the teacher never told us about the test; she just waited until the last minute to do so. Choice D is incorrect because the phrase hardly ever implies a claim about a long-term trend rather than a specific event.
7. D Choices A, B, and C all contain double negatives that contradict a logical reading of the sentence. Only choice D provides a logical phrasing.
Exercise Set 8: Logical Comparisons
1. A The original phrasing is logical and parallel, because ignoring and attacking are both gerunds. Choices B and C are incorrect because they use the infinitive form, which breaks the parallel structure. Choice D is incorrect because the phrase it is attacking is not parallel in form to the gerund ignoring.
2. C Choices A, B, and D are all illogical comparisons, because Kyrchek’s latest film must be included in anything she has done or everything she has done or any of the work she did. Only choice C excludes her current film so that a logical comparison can be made.
3. B Choices A and C are incorrect because they make a category error in comparing motors of cars to cars. Choice B makes a logical comparison because engines are motors. Choice D is incorrect because it is redundant: those and engines refer to the same noun.
4. B Each choice contains an interrupting modifier, but only choice B remains idiomatic, logical, and grammatical after this interrupter is trimmed from the sentence.
5. C The subject of this sentence is lessons, so the comparison to teachers in choices A and B is illogical. Choice D is incorrect because comparing lessons to classrooms is also illogical. Only choice C makes a logical comparison: the parallel structure makes it clear that the pronoun those refers to lessons.
6. A The original phrasing is logical because it makes a like-to-like comparison between Modernist poetry and Victorian or Elizabethan poetry. Choice B is incorrect because poetry cannot be compared to poets. Choice C is incorrect because those lacks a logical antecedent with which it agrees in number. Choice D is redundant because that and poetry both have the same referent.
7. C Since customers are countable and noncontinuous quantities, less is an illogical modifier, and should be changed to fewer, as in choices B and C. However, choice B is incorrect because the subjunctive would pay contradicts the indicative mood (Lesson 17) in the clause transparency in banking increases.
Exercise Set 9: Pronoun Agreement
1. C Choices A and B are illogical because the pronoun where cannot be used to refer to times. Choice D is incorrect because it commits a pronoun shift from one to you. Only choice C avoids both pronoun problems.
2. B The rest of the sentence uses the second person pronouns you and your, so consistency requires that the underlined portion also use you instead of one, as in choices B and D. Choice D is incorrect, however, because shouldn’t even illogically implies some minimum level of avoidance.
3. A The original phrasing is clear and logical because the possessive pronoun their agrees with the plural antecedent words. Choices B and C are incorrect because they mistake contractions for possessives. Choice D is incorrect because its disagrees with the plural antecedent words.
4. C Choice A is incorrect because the plural pronoun their disagrees with the singular antecedent Arts Council. Choices B and D are incorrect because they are contractions, not possessives.
5. D Choices A and B are incorrect because the verb do—which often refers to a verb in much the same way as a pronoun refers to a noun, as in I don’t often fly first class, but when I do…—does not have a clear “antecedent verb.” Choice D corrects this mistake by clarifying this reference. Choice C is incorrect because it misuses the possessive their.
6. A The original phrasing is correct because it agrees with the singular antecedent bonobo. Choice B is incorrect because its is a possessive, not a contraction. Choices C and D are incorrect because they use plural pronouns.
7. C Choice A is incorrect because the pronoun when must refer to a time, not a process. Choice B is incorrect because a process is not a place. Choice D is incorrect because the phrase so that implies that the nitrogen cycle is an intentional action, which it is not.
Exercise Set 10: Pronoun Case
1. C Since the underlined phrase is the object of the preposition of, it must take the objective case, as in choice C.
2. A As much as most people want to “correct” this sentence, perhaps by changing him and me to us (which would actually make the reference less specific), the original phrasing is correct. This phrase serves as the object of the pronoun for, and therefore both pronouns must take the objective case: him and me. Notice that this is clearer to see when we isolate each element: it is perfectly correct to say it might be difficult for him to stay or it might be difficult for me to stay, therefore it is also acceptable to say it might be difficult for him and me to stay. (Some may object and claim that this phrase serves as the subject of the verb stay, and therefore should take the subjective case. This is incorrect, because to stay is an infinitive (Lesson 7), not a conjugated verb, so it takes no grammatical subject.)
3. D Here, choice A may seem correct, because the pronoun us is the object of the preposition in, right? No: the object of the preposition is delaying. (What is there no point in? Us, or the delaying?) Therefore, the pronoun must be a modifier of the gerund delaying and should take the possessive form, our.
4. C The underlined phrase is the subject of the verb are, and therefore the pronouns must take the subject case: you and I.
5. C The underlined pronoun is part of the subject of the verb have always been, and therefore must take the subjective case, I.
6. D The underlined phrase represents the subject of the verb have suffered, and therefore the verb must take the subjective case, we. The phrase Giants fans serves as an appositive modifier (Lesson 8) to the subject, and therefore must take the form of a noun phrase, as in choice D.
7. A The original phrasing is correct because the phrase my wife and me serves as the indirect object of the verb offered, and therefore must take the objective case.
Exercise Set 11: Verb Tense and Aspect
1. D This sentence is trying to convey not only what the team is hopeful about, but why the team is hopeful. Choice A is incorrect because the present participle developing implies that the developing and the hoping were concurrent, which is illogical. Since the hoping depends on the completion of the development, the consequential participle having developed is required, as in choices B and D. Choice B is redundant because hope to reveal already conveys subjunctive potential, so the auxiliary would is unnecessary.
2. B Common sense tells us that the research must be at least partially completed before the first draft of a term paper can be completed, so the consequential participle having spent is required to show this relationship. Also, the adverb already, without any other time specification, refers to a current status, and therefore the main verb must take the present consequential form, has written, as in choice B.
3. D The phrase as soon as indicates that this sentence is referring to concurrent events. Therefore, any use of the consequential aspect is illogical. Choice D is correct because it is the only one that does not use the consequential aspect.
4. A The use of the consequential participle having taken in the original phrasing is most logical, because the fear described in the main clause could not set in before the hikers were well along on the wrong path. Choice C is incorrect, however, because the past consequential had feared implies that the fear is an antecedent rather than a consequence.
5. C Choice A is incorrect because this sentence is stating a fact, and therefore should take the indicative mood (Lesson 17) rather than the subjunctive mood. Choices B and D are incorrect because the verb seems has already established that this sentence is in the artistic present, and not the past tense.
6. A The use of the present tense in first clause establishes that the sentence is describing a current status. Therefore the present tense indicative mood (Lesson 17) is required, as in choice A. The present consequential has performed is appropriate here because her previous performance clearly extends a consequence to her current status, which explains why she is well qualified.
7. B Choices A and D are incorrect because the consequential aspect requires the past participle sunk rather than the simple past tense sank. Choice C is incorrect because the phrase over three hundred years ago indicates that the verb must be in the past tense.
8. C Choice A is incorrect because it commits a comma splice. Choices B and D are incorrect because the sentence is indicating a fact, and therefore should take the indicative mood (Lesson 17) and not the subjunctive mood (Lesson 17). The use of the consequential participle having published in choice C is correct because this fact extends a consequence to his status when he died.
Exercise Set 12: Diction and Redundancy
1. D To abolish means to formally put an end to a system, practice, or institution, and so it does not apply to an infestation of beetles. Choice B is incorrect because delete applies to written or genetic material or computer memory, not to insects. Choice C is incorrect because retract means to draw or take back, which does not apply to insects. Only choice D, eradicate, describes something that can be done to an infestation of insects.
2. B Choices A and C are incorrect because the use of the conjunction but is redundant with the use of the conjunction although. Choice D is incorrect, because smear means to damage the reputation of, which does not apply to theories. Choice B is best because statistics can refute theories.
3. D Choice A is incorrect because the phrase separate out is redundant, and also because separate describes a physical rather than a mental act. Choice B is incorrect because to certify is to formally attest or confirm, which does not apply to a mental event. Choice C is incorrect because to acknowledge is simply to accept or admit the existence or truth of, which does not at all indicate a particular skill of wine experts. Only choice D, discern, which means to distinguish with difficulty by the senses, reasonably describes what wine experts do with grapes, regions, and vintages.
4. D A consensus is a general agreement, so the phrase consensus of unified opinion is redundant. Choice B is likewise redundant. Choice C is not idiomatic. Choice D provides the most concise, idiomatic, and clear phrasing.
5. C To appoint means to formally or officially assign a role to (someone), and therefore applies only to a person and not to a decision. Choice B is incorrect because the council is making the decision itself, and is not being compelled (forced) to do it. Choice D is incorrect because a predetermined (decided beforehand) decision would not require any extra time to deliberate.
6. A To disparage means to represent as being of little worth, which is precisely what critics might do to a bad movie. Choice B is incorrect because a movie cannot be confronted. Choice C is incorrect because to impair means to weaken or damage something, but this cannot reasonably be done to a movie that is already made. Choice D is incorrect because to repudiate is to refuse to be associated with or to deny the validity of, neither of which is something that critics can do to movies that they did not themselves help create.
7. D None of the modifiers in choices A, B, and C contribute any meaning or emphasis to the sentence, and so all are redundant. The present tense verb cannot process is all that is needed to indicate the present.
8. C Choice A is incorrect because to hamper means to hinder or impede the progress of (something), but it is nonsensical to expect that workers would do this to themselves. Choice B is incorrect because subside (to decrease in intensity) is an intransitive verb, that is, it cannot take an object as this verb does. Choice D is incorrect because work cannot be lowered. Only choice C, curtail (restrict), makes sense in this context.
9. B Choices A and C are incorrect because someone’s self-esteem cannot proliferate (increase rapidly in numbers) or multiply because self-esteem is a unitary thing. Choice D is incorrect because enlarge applies to physical size or extent, which cannot apply to a human psychological trait like self-esteem. Choice B is best because one’s self-esteem can blossom (mature in a healthy way).
10. D Imminent means about to happen, so choices A and B are redundant. Choice C is incorrect because imminently likely is a malapropism of eminently likely. Choice D is best because it is concise and free of redundancy.
11. D To evolve means to develop gradually into a more complex or effective form, but the process of changing a motor is not gradual or passive. Choice B is incorrect because correlated means having a mutual relationship, particularly when one quantity affects another, which does not apply to objects like motors. Choice C is incorrect because to amend means to improve (a document), but a motor is not a document. Choice D is best because to adapt is to make (something) suitable to a new purpose.
12. C Choice A is incorrect because to intimidate means to frighten into compliance, which is not at all subtle. Choice B is incorrect because propel implies a forceful forward motion that is not appropriate to the act of purchasing something. Choice D is incorrect because to oppress is to keep in subservience through assertive authority, which is far too strong and broad a term to describe what advertising may do to individuals. Choice C, induce (successfully persuade), is the most appropriate choice to describe how advertising influences consumers.
13. C Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because apprehensive, neurotic, and worried are all adjectives describing the internal, emotional states of people and are inappropriate for describing the mood of a conversation. (The correct term to describe a situation that induces worry is worrisome, not worried.) Only choice C, tense (causing anxiety), can appropriately describe the mood of negotiations.
14. B Reticent means unwilling to reveal one’s thoughts or feelings. It does not mean reluctant, and so choice A is redundant. Choice B, reticent about, captures the idea most concisely. Choice C is wordy and unidiomatic. Choice D is incorrect because it omits any reference to expression.
15. C Choice A is incorrect because to impede means to obstruct or hinder, but the sentence does not indicate that the ministers were prevented from achieving a goal. Choice B is incorrect because scuttle means deliberately cause to fail, but the sentence does not indicate that the ministers deliberately failed in any effort. Choice D is incorrect because snubbed means rebuffed or ignored disdainfully, but such an action would not cause anyone to go into exile. The best choice is C, ousted, which means driven from power.
16. B Choice A is incorrect because elicit is a verb meaning evoke or draw out. Also, incidents are countable, noncontinuous things and so should be modified by fewer, not less. Clearly, this sentence calls for illicit, an adjective meaning forbidden by law. Choice C is incorrect because incidence means frequency of a disease, crime, or other undesirable thing, so, as an uncountable quantity, it doesn’t go with fewer. The only choice that avoids all diction problems is B.
Exercise Set 13: Standard Idiom
1. C Since the sentence describes a plan that was developed carefully over an extended period of time, the proper idiom is agreed on, as in choice C. Recall that although we can agree with a person, and agree to an offer, we agree on plans that are mutually decided.
2. D The comparative preposition than is required when making unequal comparisons with comparative adjectives, as in smaller than or faster than. Notice, however, that different is not a comparative adjective like these, and it requires the idiom different from.
3. C The proper idiom is comply with (a rule). None of the options in A, B, and D is idiomatic.
4. C The proper idiom here is prefer A to B. Note that this is a standard parallel construction (Lesson 7). Note, also, that the phrases in the comparison—the soft, diffuse light and the light of the old compact fluorescent bulbs—have parallel grammatical form.
5. A Since a plea deal is a type of offer, rather than a general situation (agree about), person (agree with), or mutual plan (agree on), the proper idiom here is agree to, as in choice A.
6. D Recall from Lesson 7 that infinitives often provide the most concise way of expressing purpose, and therefore choice D, to investigate, is the most concise and idiomatic option. Choice A is needlessly wordy, and choices B and C are not idiomatic.
7. B Choices A and C are incorrect because the phrase determine about is not idiomatic. As with most idioms, always ask whether the preposition is required at all. In this case, it is not. Choice D is incorrect because the pronouns which and that are redundant, since they refer to the same antecedent, activities, and play the same grammatical role.
8. C Choice A is incorrect because arguments on is not a standard idiom. You can argue with a person, or you can argue for or argue against a claim or position. Since this refers to a position on a proposal, the only idiomatic option is C, arguments for.
9. D The correct idiom here is a tribute to (a person). Choices A, B, and C are not idiomatic.
Exercise Set 14: Verb Mood and Voice
1. C This sentence is making two factual historical claims, so both claims—about Clemens’s age and when the Civil War started— must take the indicative mood, not the subjunctive mood. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect. (Note that, in choice B, the phrase would of is a common diction error. The proper subjunctive phrasing is would have.)
2. A The original subjunctive phrasing is best, because this clause is counterfactual: the goalie did slip backward. Recall that the past conditional counterfactual takes the same form as the past consequential: had not slipped. Choice B is incorrect because this statement is counterfactual, not indicative. Choice C is incorrect because the preposition of serves no grammatical purpose. Choice D is incorrect because this is not the idiomatic phrasing for a past conditional counterfactual.
3. C Since the verb demanded indicates that the underlined verb represents a command or suggestion, the imperative auxiliaries must and should are redundant in choices A and B. The imperative requires the infinitive form, turn, as in choice C.
4. B This sentence contains a list, the first two items of which are clauses in the passive voice: our rituals are changed and our habits are disrupted. The Law of Parallelism requires that the third item also be a clause in the passive voice, as in choice B.
5. A The original phrasing is best, even though it is in the passive voice. The passive voice is required here so that the two clauses can logically coordinate. Choice B is incorrect because the subjunctive would have been dropped does not coordinate logically with the indicative clause that follows. Choices C and D are incorrect because the appositive pronoun who in the second clause would be taken to refer to the protests, which is illogical.
6. B Choice A is incorrect because the first clause is a past conditional counterfactual and therefore should not include the subjunctive auxiliary would. The past conditional counterfactual requires the same form as the past consequential, had continued, as in choice B.
7. A The original phrasing is best. The verb suggested indicates the imperative mood in the clause that follows, so no imperative auxiliary (should or might) is required. Choice B is incorrect because the passive voice construction does not coordinate with the pronoun which in the second clause. Choice C is incorrect because the imperative auxiliary should is redundant. Choice D is incorrect because the past consequential had explored is illogical.
8. B The verb wished indicates that the underlined verb is past wishful, and therefore it should take the past consequential form, had worn, without the subjunctive auxiliary. Choice A is incorrect because it uses that subjunctive auxiliary would and the past tense wore instead of the past participle worn. Choice C is incorrect because it uses the subjunctive auxiliary. Choice D is wrong because the simple past wore does not indicate the past wishful form of the verb.
Exercise Set 15: Punctuation and Apostrophes
1. D Choice A is incorrect because the interrupting modifier, such as the one Ernest Lawrence built in Berkeley, California, is not bracketed by identical punctuation marks. Only choice D uses identical marks, both dashes, to set off the interrupter.
2. D Choice A is incorrect because the restrictive clause who step out of their lanes during the first two laps should not be separated from the main clause by commas, because it is essential to the core meaning of the sentence. Also, it misuses the contraction they’re for the possessive pronoun their. The only choice that uses the correct pronoun form and does not misuse commas is choice D.
3. A The original phrasing is best because the colon precedes an explanatory independent clause. The statement efficiency has its price helps to explain the fact that electric cars are not cheap. Choice B is incorrect because it commits a comma splice. Choice C is incorrect because the comma serves no grammatical purpose, and a dash should not be used to separate independent clauses. Choice D is incorrect because the comma serves no grammatical purpose.
4. B Choice A is incorrect because it misuses the possessive pronoun your for the conjunction you’re, and because the pronoun they does not agree in number with its antecedent dog. Choice B corrects both of these problems. Choice C is incorrect because it misuses the possessive pronoun your. Choice D is incorrect because the semicolon serves no grammatical purpose and it uses the possessive its instead of the contraction it’s.
5. B Choice A is incorrect because the possessive Its is misused instead of the contraction It’s, because the interrupting phrase is not bracketed by identical punctuation marks, and because the contraction it’s is misused instead of the possessive pronoun its. Choice B corrects all three of these mistakes. Choice C is incorrect because it mistakes Its for It’s. Choice D is incorrect because it mistakes it’s for its, and does not offset the interrupting phrase.
6. B The preposition phrase for at least two years is an adverbial phrase modifying the verb postpone. Choice A is incorrect because the placement of the comma suggests that the prepositional phrase modifies the verb began, which is illogical. Choice B corrects this problem by moving the comma. Choice C is incorrect because the first comma is incorrect. Choice D is incorrect because a comma is required after years.
7. C Choices A and D are incorrect because a semicolon must always be followed by a supporting independent clause. Since the phrase that follows is a specifier that indicates what the main issues were, a colon is required, as in choices B and C. However, choice B is incorrect because a comma should not be used to separate items in a binary list when a conjunction is already being used.