Writing Question Types
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Understanding Writing and Language Questions
Both the SAT and ACT include sections that test your ability to revise and edit written passages. These questions assess your command of standard English conventions, effective language use, and rhetorical skills. Knowing the question types helps you approach each one strategically.
SAT Writing and Language Question Categories
Standard English Conventions (About 26% of questions)
- Sentence Structure: Identifying and correcting run-ons, fragments, and comma splices
- Punctuation: Using commas, semicolons, colons, dashes, and apostrophes correctly
- Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensuring verbs match their subjects in number
- Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement: Making pronouns match what they refer to
- Verb Tense and Form: Maintaining consistent and appropriate verb tenses
Expression of Ideas (About 24% of questions)
- Development: Adding, revising, or retaining information for clarity
- Organization: Logical ordering of sentences and paragraphs
- Effective Language Use: Precision, concision, and style
- Transitions: Connecting ideas smoothly between sentences and paragraphs
ACT English Question Categories
Production of Writing (29-32% of questions)
- Topic Development: Relevance, purpose, and focus of content
- Organization, Unity, and Cohesion: Logical structure and flow
Knowledge of Language (13-19% of questions)
- Word Choice: Precision and clarity in vocabulary
- Style and Tone: Maintaining consistent voice and register
Conventions of Standard English (51-56% of questions)
- Sentence Structure and Formation: Complete, clear sentences
- Punctuation: All standard punctuation marks
- Usage: Grammar rules including agreement and verb forms
Key Strategies for Writing Questions
Strategy 1: Read the Entire Sentence or Paragraph
Context matters. Before selecting an answer, read the full sentence and surrounding text to understand the intended meaning.
Strategy 2: Know When "NO CHANGE" is Correct
Both tests include a "NO CHANGE" option. Choose it only when the original text is grammatically correct and stylistically effective. Never assume NO CHANGE is wrong just because it is offered first.
Strategy 3: Shorter is Often Better
When choosing between grammatically correct options, the most concise answer that preserves meaning is usually correct. Eliminate wordy or redundant choices.
Strategy 4: Check for Consistency
Ensure verb tenses, pronouns, and style remain consistent throughout the passage. A shift in tense or person often signals an error.
Examples
Example 1: Subject-Verb Agreement
Original: "The collection of rare books were donated to the library last month."
Question: Which choice maintains proper subject-verb agreement?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) was
(C) have been
(D) are
Solution: The answer is (B) was. The subject is "collection" (singular), not "books." Singular subjects require singular verbs.
Example 2: Punctuation - Comma Usage
Original: "The scientist, who discovered the new element received international recognition."
Question: Which choice uses punctuation correctly?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) The scientist who discovered the new element, received
(C) The scientist, who discovered the new element, received
(D) The scientist who discovered the new element received
Solution: The answer is (C). The phrase "who discovered the new element" is a nonessential clause that should be set off by commas on both sides. Alternatively, (D) with no commas would also be acceptable if treated as essential, but (C) is correct given the original comma placement.
Example 3: Concision
Original: "In the modern world of today, technology has changed how we communicate with each other."
Question: Which version is most concise while maintaining the meaning?
(A) NO CHANGE
(B) In today's world, technology has changed how we communicate.
(C) In the modern world of today, technology has changed communication.
(D) Today, technology has changed how we communicate with each other and with one another.
Solution: The answer is (B). "Modern world of today" is redundant, and "with each other" is implied by "communicate." Choice (B) removes the redundancy while preserving meaning.
Practice
Test your understanding with these practice problems.
1. "Neither the teacher nor the students was prepared for the fire drill." Is this correct? If not, what should it be?
Show Answer
The sentence is incorrect. With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the closer subject ("students" - plural). It should be: "Neither the teacher nor the students were prepared for the fire drill."
2. Which is correct: "Each of the players have their own locker" or "Each of the players has his or her own locker"?
Show Answer
"Each of the players has his or her own locker" is correct. "Each" is singular and requires a singular verb ("has") and singular pronoun ("his or her"). Note: Modern usage increasingly accepts "their" as a singular pronoun, so "has their" may also appear.
3. Fix the comma splice: "The experiment failed, the scientist started over with new materials."
Show Answer
Several corrections are possible: (1) "The experiment failed; the scientist started over." (2) "The experiment failed, so the scientist started over." (3) "The experiment failed. The scientist started over."
4. Choose the most effective transition: "The company invested heavily in renewable energy. _____, profits increased by 20%."
Show Answer
As a result or Consequently works best because the second sentence shows an effect of the first. "However" or "Nevertheless" would incorrectly suggest contrast.
5. "The reason why she left early is because she had an appointment." What is wrong with this sentence?
Show Answer
This sentence is redundant. "The reason...is because" repeats the idea of causation. Correct versions: "The reason she left early is that she had an appointment" or "She left early because she had an appointment."
6. Identify the error: "Walking through the park, the trees were beautiful in autumn colors."
Show Answer
This is a dangling modifier. "Walking through the park" seems to modify "trees," but trees cannot walk. Correct: "Walking through the park, I noticed the trees were beautiful in autumn colors."
7. Which is more concise and correct: "She is a woman who is very intelligent" or "She is a very intelligent woman"?
Show Answer
"She is a very intelligent woman" is more concise. The first version uses unnecessary words ("who is") without adding meaning.
8. Where should a semicolon be placed? "The team practiced daily they wanted to win the championship."
Show Answer
"The team practiced daily; they wanted to win the championship." A semicolon joins two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning.
9. Fix the pronoun error: "The committee made their decision after hours of deliberation."
Show Answer
In formal writing, collective nouns like "committee" are typically singular: "The committee made its decision after hours of deliberation." However, if the members acted individually, "their" could be acceptable.
10. What is the correct possessive form: "The childrens toys" or "The children's toys"?
Show Answer
"The children's toys" is correct. "Children" is already plural, so the possessive is formed by adding 's (not s').
Check Your Understanding
Answer these questions to verify your mastery of the key concepts.
- Can you identify the main categories of SAT Writing and Language questions?
- Can you recognize and correct subject-verb agreement errors?
- Can you use semicolons, colons, and commas correctly?
- Can you identify dangling modifiers and fix them?
- Can you choose the most concise version of a sentence without losing meaning?
If you answered "no" to any of these questions, review the corresponding section before moving on.
Next Steps
- Practice identifying grammar errors in your own writing
- Create flashcards for punctuation rules
- Move on to Guided Practice to work through full question sets with strategies