Unlike the previous two multiple-choice sections, Improving Paragraphs does not focus on grammar. Although remembering the grammar rules we’ve talked about in previous chapters will occasionally prove helpful, these questions will focus on improving the utility and clarity of writing, rather than on fixing grammar.

There are four kinds of Improving Paragraphs questions:

Sentence revision questions are by far the most common question type—about 7 of the 12 Improving Paragraphs questions will cover sentence revision. As their name suggests, sentence revision questions require you to revise an entire sentence, or a portion of one. Revision questions will ask you things like which word should be added to clarify the meaning of a particular sentence, or which multiple choice answer is the best revision of a phrase.

Sentence addition questions will ask you which sentences or phrases should be added in order to make a smoother transition or clarify meaning.

Combining sentence questions, as you might guess, will ask you to pick the best way to combine two or more sentences.

Analysis questions will ask you things like which sentence best sums up the essay, or how a particular sentence functions.

We’ll cover each of these types of questions in greater detail later in the chapter.