The Directions
Here are the SAT’s directions for Identifying Sentence
Errors. Memorize them now to avoid having to read them and waste
time when you take the actual test.
Directions:
The following sentences test your knowledge of grammar, usage, diction
(choice of words), and idiom.
Some sentences are correct.
No sentence contains more than one error.
You will find that the error, if there
is one, is underlined and lettered. Elements of the sentence that
are not underlined will not be changed. In choosing answers, follow
the requirements of standard written English.
If there is an error, select the one
underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence
correct and fill in the corresponding oval on your answer sheet.
If there is no error, fill in answer oval
E. |
These directions are models of clarity. But there are
two subtle points that are important to understand. First, the phrase follow
the requirements of standard written English means you
must use the rules that govern formal writing rather than the rules
that govern the way you talk. That means, “Hello, how are you?”
instead of “What’s up?” Second, the directions tell you
that some of the actual questions are completely correct. That’s
what answer choice E is all about. Students tend to
find these questions especially tough. When they can’t find any
errors, they’re not sure if they’re missing something or if the
sentence really is perfect. Well, we did a little snooping around
through the SAT II Writing and discovered that about one-fifth of
the Identifying Sentence Errors questions on the test will be answer E.
We expect that ratio to more or less carry over to the new SAT Writing
section. That means you don’t need to be alarmed if you can’t find
an error. That will happen in about one out of every five questions.
