The Directions
You know the drill. Learn the directions now so you don’t
have to waste time reading them when you take the actual SAT.
Directions:
The following sentences test correctness and effectiveness of expression.
In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard
written English; that is, pay attention to grammar, choice of words,
sentence construction, and punctuation.
Part of the sentence or the entire sentence is underlined;
beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material.
Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are
different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better
sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A; if not,
select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard
written English; that is, pay attention to grammar, choice of words,
sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result
in the most effective sentence—clear and precise, without awkwardness
or ambiguity. |
Notice that once again, the SAT wants you to follow the
rules of standard written English when you’re answering these questions.
The rules of standard spoken English aren’t accepted
here, so a lot of English that’s passable in speech is considered
incorrect on Improving Sentences questions.
Also notice that because answer choice A is always the
same as the original sentence, you never need to waste time
reading answer choice A. So, unless you think the
sentence contains no error, skip directly to B.
