P226 Verbal Review
Quick review of incorrect sentence correction choices
22. Reviewed in class
23. ERROR--needs parallelism.
Choice A repeats the error
Choice B is not parallel (all forms of the sentence are not same structure (what a fungus / its method of reproduction are
not same structure)
Choice C Correct "what it is, how it reproduces, and what those fiddleheads are"
Choice D has a problem with Pronoun Agreement: the sentence starts "what a fungus IS" (singular)--the answer says
"their method" (which is plural)
Choice E is also not parallel: "what it is, how it reproduces, and what is the real nature of those fiddleheads"--final part
does not match structure of first 2.
24. Misplaced modifier
Choice A sounds like the patient's sheets are running a fever (it should be the patient)
Choice B sounds like the patient is actually running (the patient is running a fever, not running a marathon)
Choice C is correct
Choice D sounds like the nurse is only supposed to change the sheets when the patient has a fever--it is supposed to say
to change the sheets of the patient who has a fever right now
Choice E ("being that he was running") is awkward and sounds like sheets are to be changed because the patient has a
fever, instead of identifying the patient as the one with the fever
25. Wordiness
Choices A, B, D, and E all use more words to express the idea than necessary. On the SAT, look carefully at any answers
that appear shorter than the rest--do they express the same information?
26. Correct as is
I wish there were a few honest politicians who (I thought) would represent my views--who refers to the politicians who
represent. It is the subject.
Choice B whom is for object
Choice C which is not for people
Choice D "of whom represent my views" does not make sense
Choice E "I thought" is better than "I was thinking" --on SAT use simple form of verb, usually answers saying "I was
thinking" or that use "being" are wordy and incorrect
27. Modifier problem
Choice A sounds like the road test (not the student driver) was familiar with the route (the student driver's road test)
Choice B same problem and "was itself simple" is awkward
Choice C does not accurately describe situation--the student found the road test simple / the student driver was NOT
simply testing the road
Choice D is correct
Choice E makes no sense and does not correctly express the point of sentence
28. Modifier Problem
Choice A has "A born dance who mastered a wide variety of styles," modifying his superb performances instead of
Gregory Hines (Greg Hines' superb performances)
Choice B is awkward
Choice C is correct
Choices D and E and wordy
29. a) but inevitably failing to master their coursework needs a subject (but THEY inevitably)
b) correct
c) same problem as A
d and e are run ons--missing coordinating conjunction
30. a) not parallel (presenting and submit do not match) and missing subject
b) correct -- has "we must present and submit"
c) missing "we"
d) not parallel--presentation/submit, missing we
e) missing "we"
31. Must identify WHO weighed
a) no subject
b) no subject
c) no subject
d) correct-- When THEY weighed
e) no subject
32. Pronoun error
a) skilled programmer is 3rd person / you is second person
b) also has you
c) has "THEIR whole career" which is plural--skilled programmer is singular
d) correct--spend his whole career (singular and 3rd person)
e) spend (choice d) is a better choice than "spending"
33. Parallelism
a) uses "but" and "nonetheless"--"and makes more sense--"daunting and inspiring"
b) not parallel
c) correct--"daunting because of her temperament and inspiring because of her talent"--is parallel
d) wordy/awkward
e)wordy/awkward