SAT Writing and Language Test The EvidenceBased Writing

SAT Writing and Language Test The Evidence-Based Writing and Language Test

General Information 1 section with 4 passages 35 minutes long 11 questions per passage, with 44 questions total

1. Take Your Time Most students will have no trouble finishing the SAT Writing and Language test. Although your fellow test takers may be rushing along, do not get caught up in that. If you are going to edit well, you must be very thorough.

2. Pace Yourself to Finish When Time is Called It is much more likely that you will pick up on a grammar issue, if you look carefully one at a time as opposed to rushing to the end just so that you can go back and double -check your work. You have nearly 8: 45 minutes per passage. Pace yourself as you go so you don’t go too quickly or too slowly.

3. Underline and Circle Key Information as You Read Long Questions Take advantage of the fact that you can write all over the test. Underline and circle anything that seems especially important as you read through the questions. Also, circle anything that sounds “off” as you read. It probably won’t be “No Change” if what you circled is part of a question.

4. Try to “Hear” as You Read by Silently Mouthing Things This will help you pick up on things like Pauses for punctuation Parallel Proper phrasing idiom usage HEARING the words will help you notice if it “sounds” right. Be careful: informal language and style are not correct on the SAT.

5. Think About the Meaning Focus not only on looking for minor grammar errors but also consider how you can make the meaning of what is written as LOGICAL as possible. The SAT Writing and Language test is more about editing than just proofreading. Look at the “big picture. ”

6. Consider Relevant Context Consider the context surrounding potential grammar errors: Logical Tense Tone transitions agreement consistency Sometimes you might need to read beyond what is underlined so that your answer will be consistent with what follows. When in doubt: take the time to check it out.

7. Consider Reading the Passage Through Once Before Answering the Questions With nearly 9 minutes and a little under one minute per question, you should have plenty of time to complete the test. Consider reading through the passage once, before you answer individual questions. Look for: Overall flow Meaning This makes more sense than finishing early and possibly missing questions you could have answered correctly.

8. Try to Create Your Own Answer Before Looking as the Choices Try to create your own answer before looking at the choices. Coming up with an answer first, puts you in control, rather than allowing the test to control you. You can narrow your thoughts before looking at the choices.

9. Do Not Hesitate to Come Back to Questions Skip a question and go on to the next one. While you are working through other questions, an answer may come to you. Look at the problem question one more time with fresh eyes. The answer may seem easier to find the second time around.

10. Use Similarities Among the Answers to Eliminate Choices If you have an SAT Writing and Language question with choices like these: A) Additionally B) Also C) In contrast D) Moreover Additionally, also and moreover are similar in meaning. Since they can’t all be correct, they are all wrong. In contrast must be the correct choice.

11. If you must guess, be smart about it There is no penalty for guessing Fill in every question The SAT will often have a few of same answer choices in a row. Do not avoid picking an answer because you used it once before. “No Change” has just as much of a chance as any other option. Once you have made a thoughtful choice, DO NOT SECOND GUESS

12. Realize That These Are Grammar Rules, Not Merely Grammar Preferences Teachers that insist you use formal third person voice in essays or marked off points for starting sentences with “but” or “because” are instituting their own style preferences. SAT Any DOES NOT DO THIS. issue you encounter will be a clear grammatical or structural error.

13. Give the SAT the Benefit of the Doubt The test does not have tricks or gimmicks For example, Don’t just pick all short answers. Or A is more likely to be correct than D (Someone told you this. ) NO If you pick an answer because it represents well-written English you will be right.

SAT Grammar Review Sentence Basics Wordiness Parallelism Modifier Placement Logical Comparisons Coordination and Subordination Singular and Plural Agreement Diction (Proper Wording) Punctuation Commas Semicolons Colons Dashes Apostrophes Quantitative Graph Analysis

SAT Grammar Review A sentence expresses a complete thought with both a subject and a predicate. Who won the game? The sky is falling. Don went to see the latest movie at theater last night. A sentence fragment expresses an incomplete thought: Need the latest results from the survey To my house A cup of coffee with my breakfast Fixed fragments: YOU Need the latest results from the survey GO To my house I LIKE A cup of coffee with my breakfast

SAT Grammar Review Sentence Basics A run-on sentence consists of two or more complete sentences that are not joined together with appropriate punctuation or transitions. Dan worked diligently on his computer his son read a book. You don’t take out the trash, I will be very angry. The forecast was for a tornado, we headed to the basement. It was a long time ago, an ocean covered what is now a modern city. Possible ways to fix above run-ons: Dan worked diligently on his computer while his son read a book. If you don’t take out the trash, I will be very angry. The forecast was for a tornado; we headed to the basement. A long time ago, an ocean covered what is now a modern city.

SAT Grammar Review Wordiness Quality writing demands clear descriptions, but a longer sentence is not necessarily a better one. Repetitive and irrelevant wording must be removed. Incorrect I am going to run for the distance of three miles. Correct I am going to run for three miles. (It is common knowledge that a mile measures distance, so this wording is extra. )

SAT Grammar Review Wordiness Incorrect Teachers who educate people often have to work long hours grading papers and planning lessons. Correct Teachers who educate people often have to work long hours grading papers and planning lessons. (A teacher by definition educates people, so this information is unnecessary. ) Quantitative easing, the process in which a central bank increases the money supply, can be used to stimulate the economy. Fine as is. Since “quantitative easing” is a specialized term, clarifying its meaning is helpful.

SAT Grammar Review Parallelism Excellent writing requires more than just the necessary information. The information must be presented in a way that is consistent, flowing and parallel. Incorrect Correct Eating sandwiches and to drink Eating sandwiches and drinking milk are my lunchtime mainstays. Neither the dog or the cat made Neither the dog nor the cat a mess. made a mess. Respond to the essay question quickly and with thoroughness. Respond to the essay question quickly and thoroughly.

SAT Grammar Review Modifier Placement Place descriptions in logical spots in the sentence so that the object of the discussion is clear. Clarify vague or dangling modifiers. Incorrect Correct About to get out of bed, the covers were removed. About to get out of bed, he removed the covers. (This clarifies who was getting out of bed. ) After eating the whole pizza, ready to take a nap was John. After he ate the whole pizza, John was ready to take a nap. (This places John in a more logical spot. )

SAT Grammar Review Logical Comparisons Make sure that the sentence compares the correct number and types of things so that the comparison is logical. Incorrect Correct Your locker is always neater than me. Your locker is always neater than mine. (Compare a locker to locker; not locker to person. ) The president of the steel company is more qualified than the computer company. The president of the steel company is more qualified than the president of the computer company. (Compare a president to a president; not president to a company. ) My sister is better than everybody at solving differential equations. My sister is better than everybody else at solving differential equations. (The sister is not a part of the group to which she is being compared. )

SAT Grammar Review Coordination and Subordination Parts of sentences must coordinate and subordinate. Parts of sentences must be joined by logical connecting words. Incorrect The newspaper delivery didn’t come, and we watched the television news. She finished her homework, she is going to play video games. Mary loves to go for bike rides, and she loves the wind rushing through her hair. Correct The newspaper delivery didn’t come, so we watched the television news Since she finished her homework, she is going to play video games. Mary loves to go for bike rides, for she loves the wind rushing through her hair.

SAT Grammar Review Verb Tense and Use Basic Conjugation Patterns Past Present Future He was He is He will They were They are They will She tasted She tastes She will taste We washed We wash We will wash Past Perfect Present Perfect Future Perfect I had been I have been I will have been They had been They have been They will have been She had tasted She has tasted She will have tasted We had washed We have washed They will have washed

SAT Grammar Review Some irregular verbs. . . Present Tense I am Past Tense I was Past Participle I have been Become Became Become Begin Began Begun Bring Brought Choose Chosen Do Did Done Draw Drew Drawn Drink Drank Drunk Drive Drove Driven Fly Flew Flown Get Gotten Grow Grew Grown

SAT Grammar Review Irregular Verbs (Continued) Incorrect Correct In the 19 th century, Phillip has In the 19 th century, Phillip had been a naval officer before he became a pirate. The gift was purchased by you. You purchased the gift. (Use the ACTIVE voice rather than the passive voice. ) If he was winning, he would If he were winning, he would have been much more satisfied.

SAT Grammar Review Singular and Plural Agreement Matching subjects and verbs would be easy if they were always placed next to one another. On the SAT determining the correct numbering agreement among nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and verbs can be challenging. Find the subject first. Remember Singular subjects take verbs with an s – The boy runs. Plural subject take verbs with NO s – The boys run.

SAT Grammar Review Singular and Plural Agreement (continued) Incorrect Correct The pilot who has flown many planes are captaining our The pilot who has flown many planes is captaining our flight. Either the table or the chair need to be fixed. Either the table or the chair needs to be fixed. The union of carpenters advocate for better pay. The union of carpenters advocates for better pay. Each person need to perform their best if we are going to succeed. Each person needs to perform their best if we are going to succeed. Every dress for the bridesmaids were the same. Every dress for the bridesmaids was the same. If you need to find a book, one should seek assistance from a librarian. If you need to find a book, you should seek assistance from a librarian. Andy and Tanner were thrilled to drive on his boat. Andy and Tanner were thrilled to drive on Andy’s boat.

SAT Grammar Review Diction (Proper Wording) The SAT will assess your ability to distinguish between commonly confused words and to recognize proper idiomatic expressions. Confused words General Rules Accept vs. Except Accept: receive Except: excluding Affect vs. Effect Affect: typically a verb (to affect) Effect: typically a noun (the effect) Beside vs. besides Beside: next to Besides: in addition to Between: comparing one thing at a time, typically two objects. Among: comparing three or more objects. Between vs. among

SAT Grammar Review Diction (Proper Wording) continued Confused words Complement vs. compliment Have vs. of General Rules Complement: complete something Compliment: flattery Have: action word/verb I would have Of: preposition/ connecting word NOT I would of It’s vs. its Its: possession It’s: “It is” Lie vs. lay Lie: recline Lay the pillow down before you lie down. Lay: place Than: for comparisons Then: for time There: place Their: possession They’re: “they are” Than vs. then There vs. their vs. they’re

SAT Grammar Review Diction (Proper Wording) continued Confused Words Too vs. to Your vs. you’re Whose vs. who’s Who vs. whom General Rules To: connecting preposition Too: comparisons Two: number Your: possession You’re: “you are” Whose: possession Who’s: “who is” Who: subject - substitute HE Whom: object – substitute HIM

SAT Grammar Review Common Idiomatic Expressions At a high rate By hand In essence At the outset By mistake In the wrong Under cover of To excess At all costs By no means On average On display At play For lack of On behalf of In theory At length in agony At times In demand Out of the question Under stress Out of context In turn

SAT Grammar Review Punctuation - Commas General Guideline Appropriate Use Separate a phrase (dependent clause) from a complete sentence (independent clause). Once you have completed your homework, you may watch your favorite television show. Join two complete sentences when there is a transitional work, like the FANBOYS: for, and nor, but, or, yet, and so. Separate extra information (parenthetical phrases) from the rest of the sentence. The shark seemed excited about all the fish in the water, but the scuba divers were worried about all the activity. My history textbook, which I have had since the beginning of the year, occupies a special shelf in my locker.

SAT Grammar Review Punctuation – Commas continued General Guideline Separate items in list with commas. Appropriate Use My favorite forms of punctuation include commas, semicolons, and dashes. Do not use commas to separate parts of a sentence if everything in the sentence is needed to make it clear and logical. A car that is speeding away from the police poses a danger to the community. Just because a sentence is long does not mean that it needs commas. The European Organization for Nuclear Research has used its world-class particle accelerator to make significant strides in particle physics. A clarifying phrase (appositive) needs to be separated by commas. George Washington, the first president of the United States, has the U. S. capital named after him.

SAT Grammar Review Semicolons General Guideline You can use a semicolon to separate two complete, related sentences. Use a semicolon to separate items in a list when at least one of the items has a comma or commas within it. Appropriate Use I am excited to go to the amusement park; I can’t wait to ride the big roller coaster. John’s rock band traveled to New York, Boston, and Hartford in the Northeast; Chicago, Columbus, and Cleveland in the Midwest; and Orlando, Charleston, and Birmingham in the South.

SAT Grammar Review Colons General Guideline Use a colon after a complete sentence to set off a list. Use a colon after a complete sentence to set off a clarification. Appropriate Use When you go to the store, please pick up the following items: soap, gum, and batteries. We were shocked to learn who the true villain in the film was: the seemingly friendly storekeeper.

SAT Grammar Review Dashes General Guidelines Although other punctuation can often work, the dash can provide variety in you writing when you need to indicate an interruption or change of thought. A dash can be used to interrupt a sentence and provide a change of voice. Dashes can set off a parenthetical phrase. If you start with a dash at one end of the phrase, you need to use a dash at the other end of the phrase. Appropriate Use Be careful when crossing the street ― it is not very safe. (A colon or semicolon could work in this case also. ) We lost the game ― hardly a surprise given our terrible effort ― but at least our dreadful season was over. Test anxiety ― something that affects many students ― can be managed by setting realistic expectations for test performance.

SAT Grammar Review Apostrophes General Guidelines Appropriate Use an apostrophe before the “s” The toy’s instructions were rather to indicate that a singular entity confusing. possesses something. Use an apostrophe after the “s” to indicate that a plural entity possesses something. All players’ equipment must be within the rules.

SAT Grammar Review Apostrophes continued General Guideline Appropriate Use an apostrophe to indicate a It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor if contraction with pronouns: they’re, it’s, you’re concerned that your friends you’re, who’s) shared their cold when you visited them. No matter whose cold it was, they’re No apostrophe with possession: going to be glad that you found out if their, its, your, whose you show symptoms. Who’s going to argue with that? Use an apostrophe before the “s” to indicate possession after a noun that is already plural. The women’s restroom is next to the men’s.

Quantitative Graph Analysis Determine whether the following claims are supported or not supported based upon the information in the graph. 1. The majority of the U. S. population is under 40 years old. 2. It is about three times as likely that a randomly selected U. S. citizen is in his or her 40 s or 50 s as it is that he or she is in his or her 60 s or 70 s. 3. Women represent a slight minority of the overall U. S. population.

Quantitative Graph Analysis 1. Automotive speed and fuel economy, when considering speeds between 55 and 80 miles per hour, have an inverse relationship. 2. An increase in wind speed causes a proportional decrease in fuel efficiency because of an increase in wind resistance and friction. 3. A car like the one tested by researchers who made this graph will likely have a fuel efficiency of approximately 22 miles per gallon at a speed of approximately 77 miles per hour.

Good Luck on the SAT!