1. Since last September Patricia has been working at theconvenience store down the road.

A. has been working

B. works
C. is working
D. will be working
E. worked

ANSWER: A

EXPLANATION: The sentence indicates that Patricia was working last September and is still working
at the convenience store. This shows continuity from past to present and hence, the use of present
perfect continuous tense would be appropriate.

Option A: Correctly uses present perfect continuous tense.

Option B: Present tense is incorrect here.

Option C: Present continuous tense is incorrect as it does not take into account that she was working
last September.

Option D: Future continuous tense changes the meaning.

Option E: Use of past tense contradicts with the use of Since.

EASY

2. To help freshmen and sophomores in selecting theircourses, candid reviews of courses and
instructorscompiled by juniors and seniors.

A. candid reviews of courses and instructorscompiled by juniors and seniors

B. candid reviews of courses and instructors beingcompiled by juniors and seniors
C. and to compile candid reviews of courses andinstructors by juniors and seniors
D. juniors and seniors have compiled candid reviewsof courses and instructors
E. with juniors and seniors compiling candid reviewsof courses and instructors

ANSWER: D

EXPLANATION: To help freshmen and sophomores in selecting their courses is a modifier which
incorrectly modifies candid reviews. The sentence appears to be saying that the candid reviews
wanted to help the freshmen and sophomores The use of modifier is intended to modify juniors and
seniors.

Option A: Modifier incorrectly modifies candid reviews

Option B: Modifier incorrectly modifies candid reviews

Option C: Sentence is awkward and wordy.

Option D: Modifier correctly modifies juniors and seniors and retains the intended meaning.

Option E: Sentence is awkward and wordy.

MEDIUM
3. The landscape artist who designed New York CitysCentral Park believed that providing scenic
settingsaccessible to all would not only benefit the publicsphysical and mental health and also
foster a sense ofdemocracy.

A. and also foster a sense of democracy

B. as it also fosters a sense of democracy
C. and would foster a sense of democracy also
D. but also foster a sense of democracy
E. and foster a sense of democracy also

ANSWER: D

EXPLANATION: This sentence tests your knowledge of idiomatic expression. The correct usage is not
only . but also. We cannot violate this usage.

Option A: Incorrect idiomatic expression

Option B: Incorrect idiomatic expression and changes meaning.

Option C: Incorrect idiomatic expression. Also, the option is wordy.

Option D: Correct idiomatic expression

Option E: Incorrect idiomatic expression

MEDIUM

4. In areas where deer roam freely, residents must dressto protect themselves against deer ticks that
mighttransmit diseases.

A. areas where deer roam freely

B. areas roamed by deer freely
C. areas, freely roamed by deer
D. areas, in which there are deer that roam freely
E. areas which deer roam free

ANSWER: A

EXPLANATION: The option appears correct as it is with no grammatical errors and the meaning is
clear. We will still check the other four options.

Option A: Correct.

Option B; areas roamed changes the intended meaning and is an awkward construction.

Option C: Awkward construction. Also, the use of comma is incorrect and changes the meaning.

Option D: It is wordy and awkward.

Option E: which is used to denote a thing and is incorrect in this option. Here, we need to denote a
place so, the use of where is appropriate.

EASY
5. Given the cost of a hardcover book, the price of ittypically hovers around $25, many consumers ask
theirbook dealers, When will the paperback be out?

A. the price of it typically hovers

B. and typically it hovers at a price
C. which typically hovers
D. in that it typically hovers
E. they typically hover

ANSWER: C

EXPLANATION: This problem tests your ability to recognize a redundancy in the sentence. the price
of it is redundant(unnecessary) as it has already been used in the form cost of a hardcover book, To
avoid redundancy, we need to substitute it with an appropriate pronoun.

Option A: Redundancy.

Option B: Use of and and it makes the option awkward.

Option C: Correctly eliminates the redundancy by the use of the appropriate pronoun which.

Option D: in that and it make the option awkward.

Option E: they which is plural refers to cost which is singular.

MEDIUM

6. The article featured the Sea Islands because many wereknown there to live as much as their
ancestors of acentury ago had lived.

A. many were known there to live

B. they were known there for living
C. many of the people there were known to live
D. of the many people, they were there living
E. of knowing that many people lived there

ANSWER: C

EXPLANATION: The sentence appears awkward because many does not have a clear reference. The
correct answer option will remove this ambiguity.

Option A: many does not have a clear reference in the sentence.

Option B; they incorrectly refers to the Islands which changes the meaning.

Option C: Use of people eliminates the ambiguity.

Option D: they were there does not clearly answer who were where?

Option E: The sentence incorrectly means that the article knew that many people lived there.and so
on, which is incorrect.

EASY
7. A poetic form congenial to Robert Browning was thedramatic monologue; it let him explore a
charactersmind without the simplifications demanded by stageproductions.

A. monologue, it let him explore

B. monologue, which let him explore
C. monologue that lets him explore
D. monologue; letting him explore
E. monologue by letting him do exploration of

ANSWER: B

EXPLANATION: We cannot use a comma if two sentences can exist independent of each other
without affecting the meaning. If two sentences can exist separately of each other, then a period or
semi-colon is used.

Option A; Use of comma is incorrect.

Option B: Use of which justifies the use of comma and correctly links the two sentences.

Option C; lets is used as present tense when the sentence is written in past tense.

Option D: Use of semi-colon is incorrect as the two sentences cannot exist independently.

Option E: This is a wordy and awkward option.

EASY

8. Many eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Romanticpoets were believers in rebellion against

socialconventions, express strong emotion, and the powerof imagination.

A. were believers in rebellion against socialconventions, express strong emotion

B. are believers in rebelling against socialconventions, strong emotions being expressed
C. who believed in rebellion against socialconventions, express strong emotion
D. believed in rebellion against social conventions, toexpress strong emotions
E. believed in rebellion against social conventions,the expression of strong emotions

ANSWER: E

EXPLANATION: This sentence has an error of wordiness and parallelism. The use of were believers is
unnecessarily wordy and can be better phrased as believed.

Also, parallelism needs to be maintained in the list against social conventions, express strong
emotion and the power of imagination. As, power of imagination is correct, we need to change
express to expression.

Option A: Wordy and error in parallelism.

Option B: We cannot use are (present tense) as the sentence talks about the past.

Option C: Use of express breaks parallelism.

Option D: Use of to express breaks parallelism.

Option E: Corrects the wordiness and maintains parallelism.

MEDIUM
9. At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the proposalto replace the existing Articles of
Confederation with afederal constitution were met with fierce opposition.

A. were met with

B. having been met with
C. it met
D. met with
E. met their

ANSWER: D

EXPLANATION: The underlined portion of the sentence has an incorrect plural verb were to refer to a
singular subject the proposal. So, there is a subject verb agreement error.

Option A: Subject verb agreement error

Option B: Singular subject (the proposal) with plural verb (having).

Option C: Pronoun ambiguity. It is not clear what it refers to.

Option D: Eliminates the subject verb agreement error.

Option E: Plural pronoun (their) cannot be used to refer to singular noun (convention).

EASY

10.When for the first time the United States importedmore oil than it exported, Americans should
haverealized that an energy crisis was imminent and couldhappen in the future.

A. was imminent and could happen in the future

B. could happen imminently in the future
C. will be imminent and happening soon
D. is an imminent thing
E. might be imminent

ANSWER: E

EXPLANATION: This sentence clearly shows a redundancy in the use of could happen in the future
as it means the same as imminent. This redundancy needs to be corrected.

Option A: Redundancy

Option B: Redundancy

Option C: Redundancy

Option D: is (present tense) is incorrect as the sentence is written in past tense.

Option E: Corrects the redundancy.

MEDIUM
 11.Intimacy, love, and marriage are three different, ifinterrelated, subjects.

A. different, if interrelated, subjects

B. interrelated subjects, being, however, different
C. different subjects, whereas they are interrelated
D. different subjects when interrelated
E. subjects that are different although being interrelated

ANSWER: A

EXPLANATION: The sentence appears to have no grammatical error on the face of it. We will go
through all the other options to be sure before finalizing on option A.

Option A: No grammatical error or error in meaning.

Option B: Unnecessarily wordy and too many commas.

Option C: Changes meaning and creates noun redundancy by using subjects twice.

Option D: Fragmented sentence hence, incorrect.

Option E: Unnecessarily wordy and awkward.

EASY

12.In everything from finding comets to spottingsupernovae, amateur astronomers have become so
accomplished and professional astronomers sometimesseek their help.

A. accomplished, and
B. accomplished, also
C. accomplished that
D. accomplished therefore
E. accomplished when

ANSWER: C

EXPLANATION: Inappropriate conjunction and is used. Also, the use of comma is incorrect.

Option A: Inappropriate conjunction and punctuation.

Option B: Inappropriate conjunction and punctuation.

Option C: Correct conjunction and restores the intended meaning of the sentence.

Option D: Use of therefore is correct but therefore is always followed by a comma which is absent in
this case.

Option E: Changes meaning by using when

EASY

13.Since scientific advances are central to progress, basicresearch deserving continuing support.
A. basic research deserving continuing support
B. basic research being what deserves continuingsupport
C. basic research deserves continuing support
D. continuing support is deserved by basic research
E. continuing support is what they deserve in basicresearch

ANSWER: C

EXPLANATION: The use of are suggests that the sentence is written in present tense and should be
continued in present tense to maintain the tense.

Option A: Incorrect use of present continuous tense

Option B: Awkward and wordy

Option C: Correct use of present tense

Option D: Option is in passive which is not preferred in the SAT

Option E: Option is in passive which is not preferred in the SAT

EASY

14.With Americans consuming sugar in record amounts,nutritionists are urging the public to reduce
itsconsumption of sodas, which have largely replacedother, more healthful, beverages.

A. nutritionists are urging the public to reduce itsconsumption of sodas, which

B. nutritionists have been urging that the publicreduces its consumption of sodas; those
C. the public ought to reduce its consuming of sodas,as urged by nutritionists, because they
D. nutritionists urge about reducing public sodaconsumption, which
E. less soda should be consumed by the public, urgenutritionists, which

ANSWER: A

EXPLANATION: The sentence is written in present continuous tense which is evident from the word
consuming in the non-underlined portion of the sentence. Hence, the use of urging is correct.

Also, the pronoun its clearly and correctly refers to the public.

The placement of the pronoun which is correct as it aptly refers to Americans consuming sugar in
record amounts.

Option A: Correct.

Option B: Have been is the incorrect tense. Moreover, a semi-colon cannot be used to join two
incomplete sentences.

Option C: Pronoun ambiguity. It is not clear what they refers to.

Option D: urge about is awkward.

Option E: Option is written in passive which is less preferred in the SAT.

HARD

15.Experts disagree about what is the definition ofintelligence and how to measure it.
A. what is the definition of intelligence and how tomeasure it
B. how to define intelligence, and also itsmeasurement
C. how to define and measure intelligence
D. defining intelligence as well as measurement
E. the definition of intelligence and measuring it

ANSWER: C

EXPLANATION: The sentence is unnecessarily wordy and we should look for an answer that is
concise, grammatically correct and doesnt change the intended meaning.

Option A: Unnecessarily wordy.

Option B: define and measurement break parallelism. Also, use of comma is incorrect.

Option C: Short and simple. Correct.

Option D: It is not clear as to what is to be measured (Measurement of what?).

Option E: definition and measuring break parallelism.

MEDIUM

16.The charges against the organization are beinginvestigated by a committee, it includes

severalsenators.

A. committee, it includes
B. committee; it including
C. committee, and it will include
D. committee, they include
E. committee that includes

ANSWER: E

EXPLANATION: Two complete sentences which can exist independently cannot be joined by a
comma. We need to use a period, comma or an appropriate conjunction.

Option A: Use of comma is incorrect.

Option B: including is awkward and spoils the construction.

Option C: will include changes the meaning.

Option D: They is an incorrect plural pronoun referring to singular noun committee.

Option E: Correct conjunction to combine two sentences without change in meaning.

EASY

17.Travel writing often describes a journey of explorationand endurance, a trip that is risky either
because ofnatural hazards but also because of political unrest.
A. but also because of
B. but also due to
C. or because there was
D. or because of
E. or the cause is

ANSWER: D

EXPLANATION: The sentence is incorrect as the correct expression always uses an or after the use
of either (eitheror). Hence, use of but is incorrect.

Option A: Use of but is incorrect.

Option B: Use of but is incorrect.

Option C: was changes the tense

Option D: Short and simple. Correct.

Option E: Use of cause breaks the structure as the earlier part of the sentence uses because.

EASY

18.Though they had earlier indicated otherwise, it waseventually decided upon by the legislators to
have thebill passed.

A. it was eventually decided upon by the legislatorsto have the bill passed
B. it was eventually decided upon by the legislatorsto pass the bill
C. the eventual decision of the legislators was forpassage of the bill
D. the legislators eventual decision was passingthe bill
E. the legislators eventually decided to pass the bill

ANSWER: E

EXPLANATION: Though they had earlier indicated otherwise acts as a modifier but it incorrectly
modifies the following word it. The modifier uses a pronoun they and the noun referred (legislators)
should be placed next to the modifier.

Option A: The modifier incorrectly modifies it

Option B: The modifier incorrectly modifies it

Option C: The modifier incorrectly modifies the eventual decision

Option D: Use of legislators changes the meaning.

Option E: Correct placement of the modifier.

MEDIUM

19.Spread by rat fleas, millions of people in medievalEurope were killed by bubonic plague.
A. millions of people in medieval Europe were killedby bubonic plague
B. and millions of medieval Europeans killed bybubonic plague
C. this led to the killing of millions of medievalEuropeans by bubonic plague
D. bubonic plague in medieval Europe was whymillions of people were killed
E. bubonic plague killed millions of people inmedieval Europe

ANSWER: E

EXPLANATION: The modifier Spread by rat fleas incorrectly modifies millions of people when it
should modify bubonic plague.

Option A:Incorrect placement of modifier which changes the intended meaning.

Option B: Awkward sentence which does not correctly deliver the intended meaning.

Option C: Awkward sentence which does not correctly deliver the intended meaning.

Option D: Placing bubonic plague next to modifier removes the error but the option is unnecessarily
wordy.

Option E: Correct placement of modifier and correctly delivers the intended meaning.

HARD

20.Traditional Jamaican music, enriched with rock, jazz,and other modern rhythms from America, were
thebasis for reggae.

A. were the basis for

B. have been a basis for
C. become the basis of
D. was the basis for
E. being the basis of

ANSWER: D

EXPLANATION: If we look carefully, there is subject verb agreement in the sentence. The plural verb
were is incorrectly used for the singular subject Jamaican music. The correct answer option will use a
singular verb.

Option A: Plural verb (verb) with singular subject (Jamaican music)

Option B: Plural verb (have) with singular subject (Jamaican music)

Option C: The sentence is written in past tense and become is present tense.

Option D: Correct tense and subject verb agreement.

Option E: Incorrect tense (being)

EASY
21.James Barrie, the author of Peter Pan andother plays, is noted for portraying adulthoodas
unpleasant and childhood is glorified.

A. childhood is glorified
B. childhood as being glorious
C. childhood as glorious
D. childhood glorified
E. glorified childhood

ANSWER: C

EXPLANATION: Whenever we spot and, we need to make sure that the terms of the list should be
parallel. Here, the two terms of the list:adulthood as unpleasant and childhoodis glorifiedare not
parallel. Hence, the correct form should be childhood as.

Option A: childhood is breaks parallelism.

Option B: childhood as being breaks parallelism.

Option C: Correct.

Option D: childhood glorified breaks parallelism.

Option E: glorified childhood breaks parallelism by changing the order of the words.

EASY

22.Medical insurance coverage that requires high monthlypremiums and that is beyond the financial
means ofmany people.

A. that requires high monthly premiums and that is

B. that requires high monthly premiums and it is
C. requiring high monthly premiums are
D. with the requirements of high monthlypremiums are
E. that requires high monthly premiums is

ANSWER: E

EXPLANATION: The use of and that is makes the sentence unnecessarily wordy and doesnt correctly
deliver the intended meaning of the sentence.

Option A: Unnecessarily wordy and the meaning is not clear.

Option B: Unnecessarily wordy and the meaning is not clear.

Option C: Singular subject (Medical insurance coverage) with plural verb (are), Incorrect.

Option D: Singular subject (Medical insurance coverage) with plural verb (are), Incorrect.

Option E: Eliminates the wordiness and subject verb agreement error.

MEDIUM

23.Among the most flavorful cuisines in the United States, New Orleans has also become one of the
most popular.
A. New Orleans has also become
B. New Orleans has also become famous as
C. the cuisine of New Orleans is also
D. cuisines in New Orleans also have become
E. also the cuisine of New Orleans is

ANSWER: C

EXPLANATION: The modifier most flavorful cuisines in the United States incorrectly modifies New
Orleans when it should modify the cuisine of New Orleans.

Option A: Modifier incorrectly modifying New Orleans

Option B: Modifier incorrectly modifying New Orleans

Option C: Correct.

Option D: have become changes the meaning.

Option E: Awkward sentence and changes the intended meaning.

EASY

24.Meals prepared by the Algonquin Indians, who were farmers as well as hunters, included more
maize and pumpkin than other Indian tribes.

A. pumpkin than other Indian tribes

B. pumpkin than did those prepared by other Indian tribes
C. pumpkin than that which other Indian tribes did
D. pumpkin, and this was not the same as other Indian tribes
E. pumpkin; and other Indian tribes did not prepare meals in this way

ANSWER: B

EXPLANATION: As soon as you spot than, be sure that the sentence is testing you on comparison.

Here the comparison is being made between Meals prepared by the Algonquin Indians and other
Indian tribes, which is incorrect. This can be corrected by changing other Indian tribes to meals
prepared by other Indian tribes.

Option A: Incorrect comparison.

Option B: Here, those refers to meals thereby, making the comparison correct.

Option C: Here, that cannot be used to refer to meals as it is singular.

Option D: this was not the same changes the intended meaning of the sentence.

Option E: A semi-colon cant be used to join a complete and incomplete sentence.

MEDIUM
 25.Born of Ibuza parents in Nigeria, novelist Buchi Emecheta moved to England in 1962, since which
she has lived in North London.

A. 1962, since which she has lived in North London

B. 1962 and has lived since then in North London
C. 1962, since then she has lived in North London
D. 1962 and lived since then in North London
E. 1962, and living in North London since that time

ANSWER: B

EXPLANATION: Whenever you spot since in the sentence, be sure that a perfect tense is required to
keep the meaning.

Option A: Use of which is incorrectly used as when is used to refer to time.

Option B: Correct.

Option C: A comma cannot be used to join two complete sentences.

Option D: Absence of perfect tense makes this option incorrect.

Option E: Absence of perfect tense makes this option incorrect.

EASY

26.Laura Ingalls Wilder published her first book and she was sixty-five years old then.

A. and she was sixty-five years old then

B. when she was sixty-five
C. at age sixty-five years old
D. upon the reaching of sixty-five years
E. at the time when she was sixty-five

ANSWER: B

EXPLANATION: Here, the conjunction and is incorrect as it changes the intended meaning of the
sentence. The sentence wants to say that Laura Ingalls published her first book when she was sixty
five.

Option A: use of and changes the meaning

Option B: Use of when delivers the intended meaning

Option C: There is a redundancy in the use of age and old

Option D: There is no mention of age

Option E: at the time and when means the same thing. Redundancy.

EASY
27.The poet Claude McKay was a native of Jamaica who spent most of his life in the United States but
writing some of his poems in the Jamaican dialect.

A. The poet Claude McKay was a native of Jamaica who spent most of his life in the United States but
writing
B. Being that he was a Jamaican who spent most of his life in the United States, the poet Claude
McKay writing
C. Although a native of Jamaica, the poet Claude McKay spent most of his life in the United States, he
wrote
D. Although the poet Claude McKay spent most of his life in the United States, he was a native of
Jamaica and wrote
E. Because he was a native of Jamaica who spent most of his life in the United States, the poet Claude
McKay writing

ANSWER: D

EXPLANATION: We need to be clear that the sentence has been written in the past tense so, the
underlined portion has to be in the past tense.

Option A: writing is breaks the past tense

Option B: Being is almost always incorrect as it changes the meaning.

Option C: The comma after native of Jamaica is redundant and changes the meaning.

Option D: Correct.

Option E: writing is breaks the past tense

HARD

28.Many ancient Eastern rulers favored drinking vessels made of celadon porcelain because of
supposedly revealing the presence of poison by cracking.

A. because of supposedly revealing the presence of poison

B. for being supposed that it would reveal the presence of poison
C. because of being supposed to reveal poison in it
D. for it was supposed to reveal that there is poison
E. because it was supposed to reveal the presence of poison

ANSWER: E

EXPLANATION: We need to keep the sentence is the same tense. The underlined portion of the
sentence is written in past tense so, the whole sentence has to follow the same tense.

Option A: revealing is breaking the past tense used earlier in the sentence.

Option B: being is changing the meaning and making the sentence awkward.

Option C: being is changing the meaning and making the sentence awkward.

Option D: there is poison changes the meaning as it reveals the presence of poison.

Option E: Correct.

MEDIUM
29.John believes that plants respond to human attention, which causes his talking to his African violets
every night.

A. attention, which causes his talking

B. attention and talking is what is done
C. attention and his talks
D. attention; for this reason has been his talking
E. attention; he therefore talks

ANSWER: E

EXPLANATION: The sentence is unnecessarily wordy. We need to look for an answer option that is
concise and doesnt change the meaning.

Option A: Unnecessarily wordy.

Option B: Awkward and wordy

Option C: His is unnecessarily used twice making the sentence awkward.

Option D: Awkward and wordy

Option E: Short and Simple. Correct.

EASY

30.All the demands on soprano Kathleen Battle for operatic performances, solo concerts, and special
guest appearances, tempting her to sing too often and straining her voice.

A. appearances, tempting her to sing too often and straining

B. appearances not only tempt her to sing too often plus they strain
C. appearances tempts her not only into singing too often but then she strains
D. appearances, tempting her into singing too often and she therefore strains
E. appearances tempt her to sing too often and strain

ANSWER: E

EXPLANATION: The sentence is long so we should understand the meaning. Basically, demands on
Kathleen for performances tempt her to sing often and she ends up straining her voice. Also, we should
keep parallelism (between singing and straining) in mind.

Option A: tempting makes the sentence awkward. We should look for a better option.

Option B: Correct idiomatic expression is not only.but also

Option C: Parallelism violated (singing.strains)

Option D: Parallelism violated (singing.strains)

Option E: Correct.

MEDIUM
31.One reason that an insect can walk on walls while a human cannot is that the mass of its tiny body
is far lower than humans.

A. far lower than humans

B. far lower than that of a humans body
C. lower by far than humans
D. far lower than a human
E. far lower than is a humans body

ANSWER: B

EXPLANATION: This is typical problem where the test-taker wants to check your ability to spot
comparison errors. If you read carefully, the comparison is being made between the mass of the
insects body to human. The correct comparison should be between mass of insects body to mass of
humans body.

Option A: Comparison between the mass of the insects body to human

Option B: Correct comparison.

Option C: Comparison between the mass of the insects body to human

Option D: Comparison between the mass of the insects body to human

Option E: Comparison between the mass of the insects body to humans body

EASY

32.In the nineteenth century, reproductions of cathedrals or castles made entirely of ice was often a
popular feature in North American winter carnivals.

A. was often a popular feature

B. often were popular features
C. often was featured popularly
D. often being popular features
E. have been featured popularly

ANSWER: B

EXPLANATION: There is subject verb disagreement in the sentence. The subject reproductions is
plural and the following verb was is singular. Hence, we need an option which uses a plural verb.

Option A: Plural subject (reproductions) with singular verb (was)

Option B: Correct. Plural subject (reproductions) with plural verb (were)

Option C: Plural subject (reproductions) with singular verb (was)

Option D: Being changes the meaning of the sentence

Option E: featured popularly changes the meaning.

EASY
33.A fine orchestral performance will exhibit the skills of the musicians, their abilities to work as an
ensemble, and how he or she responds to the conductor.

A. how he or she responds

B. how to respond
C. their responding
D. their responses
E. they respond

ANSWER: D

EXPLANATION: The use of and indicates that we need to check for parallelism. Moreover, musicians
is a plural noun and should take a plural pronoun. So, he or she is incorrect.

Option A: Use of he or she for musicians is incorrect.

Option B: Change in meaning

Option C: responding breaks parallelism

Option D: Correct. Maintains parallelism.

Option E: Change in meaning

EASY

34.The African tsetse fly does not need a brain, everything it has to do in life is programmed into its
nervous system.

A. brain, everything
B. brain due to everything which
C. brain, for everything
D. brain; since, everything
E. brain whereas everything

ANSWER: C

EXPLANATION: There is an error in punctuation. Two independent sentences cannot be joined by a

comma. Also, we need a proper conjunction to join the sentences.

Option A: Run-on sentence. Conjunction required.

Option B: Unnecessarily wordy.

Option C: Correct.

Option D: Since is usually preferred in the beginning of the sentence.

Option E: whereas is used incorrectly.

EASY
35.She was concerned about how Hank would react to the incident, but searching his face, he did not
seem to be at all embarrassed or troubled.

A. in searching his face, he did not seem to be

B. by searching his face, it showed that he was not
C. a search of his face showed that he seemed not
D. searching his face, he did not seem to be
E. his face being searched showed that he was not

ANSWER: C

EXPLANATION: The underlined portion shows a run-on sentence. Either we require an appropriate
conjunction or we need to combine the parts of the sentence separated by the comma.

Option A: Run-on sentence

Option B: it does not have a clear reference

Option C: Correct.

Option D: Run-on sentence

Option E: being searched makes the option awkward and wordy

MEDIUM

36.Explaining modern art is impossible, partly because of its complexity but largely because of it
rapidly changing.

A. of it rapidly changing
B. it makes rapid changes
C. of the rapidity with which it changes
D. changing it is rapid
E. it changes so rapid

ANSWER: C

EXPLANATION: We need to maintain parallelism in the expression partly X but largely Y; X being
complexity and Y being rapidly. We need to use rapidity to make the word parallel to complexity.

Option A: rapidly breaks parallelism

Option B: rapid breaks parallelism

Option C: Wordy but correct.

Option D: rapid breaks parallelism

Option E: rapid breaks parallelism

EASY
37.People were unprepared for the sinking of the Titanic simply because of believing that the ship was
unsinkable.

A. of believing that the ship was unsinkable

B. of having a belief in the ship as unsinkable
C. they believed that the ship was unsinkable
D. they believed the unsinkable nature of the ship
E. of a belief on their part of an unsinkable ship

ANSWER: C

EXPLANATION: The sentence is written in the past tense (unprepared) and we need to make sure that
the same is followed in the underlined portion of the sentence.

Option A: believing breaks the past tense used earlier in the sentence

Option B: having a belief in the ship changes the meaning

Option C: Correct

Option D: unsinkable nature is awkward.

Option E: belief on their part creates awkwardness.

MEDIUM

38.When the weather forecaster predicts a severe storm, this is when people usually rush to the
supermarket to stock up on groceries.

A. storm, this is when people usually rush

B. storm is usually when people are rushing
C. storm is why people usually rush
D. storm, people usually rush
E. storm, it usually rushes people

ANSWER: D

EXPLANATION: This is a run-on sentence.

Option A: this is when is unnecessary.

Option B: is usually when is unnecessary

Option C: is why is awkward

Option D: Correct

Option E: it does not have a clear reference

MEDIUM
39.When, after bleak and lonely years in an English public school, he returned to India, there was
suddenly perceived by himself a strong desire to write about the people and land he loved.

A. there was suddenly perceived by himself

B. he suddenly was perceived
C. suddenly the feeling that came to him being
D. he suddenly felt
E. suddenly he had the feeling of

ANSWER: D

EXPLANATION: The underlined portion of the sentence is written in passive which is not preferred on
the SAT. An active voice is preferred over passive voice.

Option A: Passive voice is not preferred on the SAT.

Option B: he suddenly was perceived changes the meaning

Option C: came and being contradict each other in tense.

Option D: Concise and correct.

Option E: feeling of a strong desire in unnecessarily wordy.

MEDIUM

40.Curiosity about other people, about the ways they think and act, has caused Jeff to meet some
fascinating characters as well as people which also really bore him.

A. people which also really bore him

B. he encountered really boring people
C. very boring people are also met
D. some very boring people
E. very boring people also

ANSWER: D

EXPLANATION: The use of which is incorrect in the sentence as it is used to refer to people. which
is usually used to refer to thing. Also, the sentence is wordy and we must look for a shot and simple
version without any change in the meaning.

Option A: Use of which is incorrect.

Option B: Use of he is redundant.

Option C: Passive sentences are not preferred in the SAT.

Option D: Correct.

Option E: also is redundant as it means the same as as well as

EASY
 41.During seasons when ticks carrying Lyme disease are most prevalent, signs could be posted to
deter hikers about their venturing into tick-infested areas.

A. about their venturing

B. from their venturing
C. from venturing
D. by not venturing
E. not to venture

EASY

ANSWER: C

EXPLANATION:

The correct expression is deter from. We need to look for this expression in the options.

Option A: Incorrect expression.

Option B: Incorrect expression.

Option C: Correct.

Option D: Incorrect expression.

Option E: Incorrect expression. Also, change in meaning.

42.After Morris had spent ten minutes giving an answer, Claudette found he had given her only one
item of information beyond what she already knew.

A. beyond what she already knew

B. beyond what she knows already
C. beyond her knowledge at the current time
D. to add to what she knew already presently
E. in addition to her present knowledge then

MEDIUM

ANSWER: A

EXPLANATION:

The sentence appears grammatically correct and also, delivers the intended meaning. We will still check
the other answers.

Option A: Correct.

Option B: knows breaks the past tense used earlier in the sentence.

Option C: Unnecessarily wordy.

Option D: Unnecessarily wordy.

Option E: Unnecessarily wordy.

43.Although the kings and queens of England are considered Canadas monarchs, true political power
lies with the prime minister, that person is elected by the Canadian citizenry.

A. true political power lies with the prime minister, that person is elected
B. the person who holds true political power is the prime minister, which is elected
C. true political power lies with the prime minister, who is elected
D. the prime minister, the source of true political power, elected
E. true political power is with the prime minister and is elected

ANSWER: C

EXPLANATION: The comma used in the underlined portion of the sentence is incorrect as the
sentences before and after it can exist separately. Also, that person does not have a clear reference.

Option A: Use of comma is incorrect. that person is awkward.

Option B: which cannot be used to refer to the prime minister.

Option C: who is correctly used to refer to the prime minister.

Option D: Unnecessarily wordy. Also, a verb is required before elected.

Option E: Improper conjunction which changes meaning.

HARD

44.Led by vocalist Marlena McGhee Smalls, Gullah tradition is preserved by the help of the Hallelujah
Singers of South Carolina through songs and stories.

A. Gullah tradition is preserved by the help of the Hallelujah Singers of South Carolina through songs
and stories
B. the Hallelujah Singers of South Carolina help to preserve Gullah tradition through songs and stories
C. the songs and stories of Gullah tradition are preserved through the Hallelujah Singers of South
Carolina
D. it is the Hallelujah Singers that help to preserve the songs and stories of Gullah tradition in South
Carolina
E. South Carolinas Gullah tradition is preserved through songs and stories by the Hallelujah Singers

ANSWER: B

EXPLANATION: The modifier Led by vocalist Marlena McGhee Smalls is incorrectly modifying the
noun immediately following it which is Gullah tradition. Actually, the Hallelujah singers are led by
vocalist Marlena. So, the noun immediately following the modifier should be Hallelujah singers.

Option A: Modifier incorrectly modifying Gullah tradition.

Option B: Correct.

Option C: Modifier incorrectly modifying the songs and stories.

Option D: Modifier incorrectly modifying it.

Option E: Modifier incorrectly modifying South Carolinas Gullah tradition.

HARD
45.Astronomy is the study of celestial bodies in outer space, especially their positions, dimensions,
movements, and composition.

A. especially their positions, dimensions, movements, and composition

B. and especially they are concerned with their positions, dimensions, movements, and composition
C. especially studying their positions, dimensions, movements, and composition
D. especially their positions, dimensions, movements, and with their composition
E. with special study of their positions, dimensions, movements, and including composition

ANSWER: A

EXPLANATION: The underlined portion of the sentence is grammatically correct as it maintains

parallelism in the terms of the list (positions, dimensions, movements, and composition).

Option A: Grammatically correct as it maintains parallelism.

Option B: they cannot be used to refer to astronomy.

Option C: studying is redundant as study has already been used in the sentence.

Option D: with their breaks the parallelism.

Option E: including is redundant as and is already used.

HARD

46.All the talk about controlling noise, keeping rivers clean, and planting trees have not impressed
people enough to be bringing about major changes in laws and lifestyles.

A. have not impressed people enough to be bringing

B. have not made enough of an impression on people to bring
C. have not made people impressed enough to bring
D. has not impressed people enough to bring
E. has not made enough people impressed for bringing

ANSWER: D

EXPLANATION: There is a subject verb disagreement in the sentence. The verb have in the
underlined portion of the sentence is plural and refers to the singular subject talk. So, we need to
have a singular verb has.

Option A: Plural verb (have) with singular subject (has)

Option B: Plural verb (have) with singular subject (has)

Option C: Plural verb (have) with singular subject (has)

Option D: Correct.

Option E: Wordy and awkward.

HARD
47.The furnace exploded, blowing off the door, spraying greasy soot all over the basement floor, and it
would rattle furniture and windowpanes throughout the building.

A. it would rattle
B. it rattled
C. causing the rattling of
D. the result was to rattle
E. rattling

ANSWER: E

EXPLANATION: The sentence intends to say that the explosion of the furnace resulted in blowing off
the door, spraying greasy soot, and it would rattle furniture. We need to make rattle parallel to
blowing and spraying.

Option A: rattle breaks parallelism

Option B: rattled breaks parallelism

Option C: causing the rattling of is unnecessarily wordy

Option D:rattle breaks parallelism

Option E: Correct

EASY

48.The adaptation of a novel for the screen often requires major adjustments in plot because the one
art form differs from the other in having other character revelation techniques.

A. because the one art form differs from the other in having other character-revelation techniques
B. because the two art forms reveal character in different ways
C. because of the differing ways the two may use for revealing a character
D. in as much as there are different ways in the two art forms for character revelation
E. in so far as the two differ in how to reveal character

ANSWER: B

EXPLANATION: Although, the sentence is grammatically sound but the use of character revelation
techniques and in having makes it is awkward and wordy. We must look for an answer option that is
concise and doesnt change the meaning.

Option A: Awkward and wordy.

Option B: Short, simple and correct.

Option C: may changes the intended meaning.

Option D: Awkward and wordy.

Option E: Awkward in the use of so far as

HARD
49.The opposing opinions expressed were that the school should be torn down and, on the other hand,
to keep it as a historical landmark.

A. were that the school should be torn down and, on the other hand, to keep it
B. was that the school should be torn down or kept
C. were that the school should be torn down and that it should be kept
D. were about them tearing the school down and them keeping the school
E. were if they should tear the school down and keeping it

ANSWER: C

EXPLANATION: We need to use an appropriate conjunction to join the school should be torn down
and to keep itas a historical landmark. The use of on the other hand is awkward and wordy.

Option A: Wordy and awkward conjunction

Option B: Use of singular verb (was) with plural subject (opinions)

Option C: Correct.

Option D: Use of them twice makes the option wordy.

Option E: tear and keeping break parallelism.

HARD

50.Feeling, perhaps, that their votes do not matter, the number of young people going to the polls are
becoming increasingly smaller.

A. the number of young people going to the polls are becoming increasingly smaller
B. the number of young people going to the polls is increasingly smaller
C. increasingly smaller numbers of young people are going to the polls
D. young people are going to the polls in increasingly smaller numbers
E. young people, who in increasingly smaller numbers are going to the polls

ANSWER: D

EXPLANATION: There is problem with the placement of the modifier (increasingly smaller). According
to the sentence, the polls are becoming increasingly smaller. The intended meaning is that the number
of young people going to the polls are increasingly smaller. We should place the modifier next to the
noun it intends to modify to correct this error.

Option A: polls are becoming increasingly smaller

Option B: Plural subject (polls) with singular verb (is)

Option C: numbers is incorrect

Option D: Correct.

Option E: Unnecessarily wordy

HARD
51.Unfortunately, soul singer Anita Bakers voice has not weathered the years as well as other singers
have.

A. has not weathered the years as well as other singers have

B. had not weathered the years as well as other singers have
C. has not been weathered by the years as well as the voices of other singers have been
D. has not weathered the years as well as other singers voices have
E. has not weathered the years as good as other singers voices have

ANSWER: D

EXPLANATION:

OPTION A: Incorrect comparison between Anita Bakers voice and other singers.

OPTION B: Incorrect comparison between Anita Bakers voice and other singers.

OPTION C: Wordy and awkward

OPTION D: Correct

OPTION E: Unnecessarily changing as well as to as good as.

MEDIUM

52.The mathematics teacher drew a right triangle on the blackboard, he proceeded to demonstrate
that we could determine the length of the longest side of the triangle if we knew the lengths of its
two shorter sides.

A. The mathematics teacher drew a right triangle on the blackboard, he

B. The right triangle, which was drawn on the blackboard by the mathematics teacher, he
C. After drawing a right triangle on the blackboard, the mathematics teacher
D. A right triangle was first drawn on the blackboard by the mathematics teacher, then he
E. Once a right triangle was drawn on the blackboard by the mathematics teacher, who then

ANSWER: C

EXPLANATION:

OPTION A: A comma cannot be used between two stand-alone sentences

OPTION B: Passive voice is not preferred on the SAT

OPTION C: Correct

OPTION D: Passive and wordy

OPTION E: Passive and wordy

HARD
53. An inside trader is when a corporate officer who has access to inside or privileged information
about a companys prospects uses that information in buying or selling company shares.

A. when a corporate officer who has access to inside or privileged information about a companys
prospects uses that information
B. when a corporate officer has access to inside or privileged information about a companys
prospects and uses that information
C. a corporate officer who has access to inside or privileged information about a companys
prospects and uses that information
D. a corporate officer who has accessed inside or privileged information about a companys
prospects for use of that information
E. that a corporate officer who has access to inside or privileged information about a companys
prospects and he uses that information

ANSWER: C

EXPLANATION:

OPTION A: when is only used to show time and inside trader is not denoting of time

OPTION B: when is only used to show time and inside trader is not denoting of time

OPTION C: Correct

OPTION D: Change in tense and meaning

OPTION E: wordy and awkward

HARD

54.Gymnastics students perform stretching exercises to develop flexibility and to become a more agile
tumbler.

A. exercises to develop flexibility and to become a more agile tumbler

B. exercises for the development of flexibility and to become a more agile tumbler
C. exercises so that they develop flexibility, becoming a more agile tumbler
D. exercises to develop flexibility and to become more agile tumblers
E. exercises because they want to develop flexibility in becoming a more agile tumbler

ANSWER: D

EXPLANATION:

OPTION A: Students is plural and a agile tumbler is singular.

OPTION B: Students is plural and a agile tumbler is singular.

OPTION C: Students is plural and a agile tumbler is singular.

OPTION D: Correct

OPTION E: Wordy and awkward

MEDIUM
55. Because the Ming vase is priceless plus being highly fragile, it is kept safe in a sealed display case.

A. Because the Ming vase is priceless plus being highly fragile,

B. Being that the Ming vase is priceless and also it is highly fragile,
C. Although the Ming vase is priceless and highly fragile,
D. Because the Ming vase is priceless and highly fragile is why
E. Because the Ming vase is both priceless and highly fragile,

ANSWER: E

EXPLANATION:

OPTION A: Students is plural and a agile tumbler is singular.

OPTION B: Being is always incorrect

OPTION C: Although changes the meaning

OPTION D: Because and why show redundancy

OPTION E: Correct

MEDIUM

56. The soft, pulpy flesh of the passion fruit possesses a flavor at once tart and sweet and the flavor
has captivated many prominent chefs, among them Alice Waters.

A. sweet and the flavor has captivated

B. sweet that has captivated
C. sweet that have captivated
D. sweet and the flavors have captivated
E. sweet and the flavor captivates

ANSWER: B

EXPLANATION:

OPTION A: Improper use of conjunction and

OPTION B: Correct

OPTION C: Singular subject flavor disagrees with plural verb have

OPTION D: Singular subject flavor disagrees with plural verb have

OPTION E: Wordy and awkward

MEDIUM
 57.Shakespeares acting company performed in a relatively intimate setting, appearing before smaller
audiences than most theaters today.

A. appearing before smaller audiences than most theaters today

B. they appeared before smaller audiences than most theaters today
C. appearing before audiences smaller than most audiences today
D. having appeared before smaller audiences than most theaters today
E. and they appeared before audiences smaller than the ones at most theaters today

ANSWER: C

EXPLANATION:

OPTION A: Incorrect comparison between audiences and theaters

OPTION B: Plural pronoun they with singular noun company

OPTION C: Correct

OPTION D: Incorrect comparison between audiences and theaters

OPTION E: Plural pronoun they with singular noun company

HARD

58. Observing the interactions of preschoolers in a playground setting, it can be seen that the less
adults relate to the children in their charge, the more these children relate to one another.

A. Observing the interactions of preschoolers in a playground setting, it can be seen

B. Having observed the interactions of preschoolers in a playground setting, it can be seen
C. If one observes the interactions of preschoolers in a playground setting, you can see
D. Observing the interactions of preschoolers in a playground setting, we can see
E. Observing the interactions of preschoolers in a playground setting can be seen

ANSWER: D

EXPLANATION:

OPTION A: The modifier Observing.setting incorrectly modifies it which is not a logical subject.

OPTION B: The modifier Having observed.setting incorrectly modifies it which is not a logical
subject.

OPTION C: The pronouns one and you break parallelism.

OPTION D: Correct

OPTION E: Run-on sentence

MEDIUM
59. Neither the Florida coast nor the Caribbean islands was prepared for the series of hurricanes that
devastated the region in 2004.

A. Neither the Florida coast nor the Caribbean islands was prepared for
B. Neither the Florida coast nor the Caribbean islands have been prepared for
C. Neither the Florida coast or the Caribbean islands were prepared for
D. Neither the Florida coast or the Caribbean islands was prepared for
E. Neither the Florida coast nor the Caribbean islands were prepared for

ANSWER: E

EXPLANATION:

OPTION A: The singular verb (was) is in disagreement with the plural subject (islands)

OPTION B: Incorrect use of present perfect tense when the sentence is written in past tense

OPTION C: The correct idiom is neither.nor

OPTION D: The correct idiom is neither.nor

OPTION E: Correct

MEDIUM

60. Far from being mercenary ambulance chasers, trial lawyers perform a public service by forcing
corporations to consider the potential financial cost of pollution, unsafe products, and mistreatment
of workers.

A. Far from being mercenary ambulance chasers

B. Despite them being mercenary ambulance chasers
C. Far from them being mercenary ambulance chasers
D. Far from having been mercenary ambulance chasers
E. Further from being mercenary ambulance chasers

ANSWER: A

EXPLANATION:

OPTION A: Correct

OPTION B: them is unnecessary

OPTION C: them is unnecessary

OPTION D: having been is unnecessary

OPTION E: Further changes the meaning

HARD