SAT Writing July

Practice Questions for SAT Writing

Here are some practice questions designed to help your student hone her writing skills for the SAT.

Question 1: Grammar and Usage

Passage Excerpt: [1] The committee members, who have been working tirelessly on the project, deserves recognition for their efforts. [2] Each member has contributed uniquely valuable skills to the initiative. [3] The committee's dedication and hard work has not gone unnoticed.

Question 1: Which of the following best replaces the underlined portion to make the sentence grammatically correct?

A) deserves recognitionB) deserve recognitionC) deserving of recognitionD) has deserved recognition

Question 2: Effective Language Use

Passage Excerpt: [1] The new software update, which was released last month, has greatly improved the performance of our systems. [2] Additionally, it also includes several new features that users have requested. [3] As a result, customer satisfaction has significantly increased.

Question 2: Which of the following changes should be made to the underlined portion to improve the sentence's conciseness and eliminate redundancy?

A) Additionally, it also includesB) Additionally, it includesC) It has also includedD) Including additionally

Question 3: Sentence Structure

Passage Excerpt: [1] The researchers conducted the experiment in a controlled environment to ensure accuracy. [2] During the process, they collected data, and analyzed it to draw conclusions. [3] The results were then published in a leading scientific journal.

Question 3: Which of the following changes should be made to improve the sentence structure of the second sentence?

A) During the process, they collected data, analyzed it, and drew conclusions.B) During the process, they collected data; analyzing it to draw conclusions.C) During the process, they collected data and analyzing it to draw conclusions.D) During the process: they collected data, and analyzed it to draw conclusions.

Question 4: Punctuation

Passage Excerpt: [1] The annual report highlights several key achievements; including increased revenue, expanded market share, and improved customer satisfaction. [2] These accomplishments reflect the hard work and dedication of our team. [3] Moving forward, we aim to build on this success by implementing new strategies.

Question 4: Which of the following best corrects the punctuation error in the first sentence?

A) highlights several key achievements: includingB) highlights several key achievements, includingC) highlights several key achievements includingD) highlights several key achievements; these include

---

Answer Key

1. Answer: B) deserve recognition

• Explanation: "Committee members" is a plural subject, so the verb should be "deserve."

1. Answer: B) Additionally, it includes

• Explanation: The word "also" is redundant when "additionally" is used. Removing "also" makes the sentence more concise.

1. Answer: A) During the process, they collected data, analyzed it, and drew conclusions.

• Explanation: This option lists the actions in a parallel structure, making the sentence clear and concise.

1. Answer: B) highlights several key achievements, including

• Explanation: A comma is needed to correctly set off the phrase "including increased revenue, expanded market share, and improved customer satisfaction."