SAT Language and Editing

SAT Language and Editing

Timed Practice #1 (45 sec)

Multiple Choice

Running and playing in the hot sun had a tiring _______________on the soccer players.

Choose the word with the correct spelling and context meaning to BEST complete this sentence:

• A.

  
  

  affect

• B.

  
  

  affective

• C.

  
  

  effect

• D.

  
  

  effective

Explanation (C)

• The correct usage and spelling is effect.

• In the selected sentence, effect is a noun and means the result or consequence.

• The remaining answer choices are most often used as adjectives (affective and effective) or as a verb (affect).

Multiple Choice

Tanya needs the following items for the overnight camping trip flashlight, sleeping bag, compass, and hiking boots.

Choose the answer that is the most effective substitute for the underlined part of the sentence. If no substitute is necessary, choose ‘Leave as is’

• A.

  
  

  Leave as is

• B.

  
  

  camping trip; flashlight, sleeping bag, compass, and hiking boots

• C.

  
  

  camping trip, flashlight, sleeping bag, compass, and hiking boots

• D.

  
  

  camping trip: flashlight, sleeping bag, compass, and hiking boots

Explanation (D)

• camping trip: flashlight, sleeping bag, compass, and hiking boots is the correct answer because a colon is used after an independent clause to introduce a list.

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of a verb phrase in the sentence

"Stella loved playing football, and though it might have bothered her,

she never complained when the boys teased her about being a girl; she knew she could play better than them."

• A.

  
  

  complained

• B.

  
  

  being a girl

• C.

  
  

  might have bothered her

• D.

  
  

  None of these are verb phrases

Explanation (C)

• A verb phrase includes a verb, often a linking verb like "is" or "was" and any modifiers that go with it as a phrase. In this case, though "bothered" is the action verb that goes with the other words.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses prepositional phrases to add variety and interest to its meaning?

• A.

  
  

  The jets roared very loudly.

• B.

  
  

  The military

  jets zoomed through the sky with a loud booming sound.

• C.

  
  

  Even though we were expecting them, the loud jets surprised us.

• D.

  
  

  The military jets flew by making very loud noises.

Explanation (B)

• The sentence that uses prepositional phrases to create the most vivid imagery and energy is the following one: The military

  jets zoomed through the sky with a loud booming sound.

• The two prepositional phrases used in this sentence are "through the sky" and "with a loud booming sound."

Multiple Choice

Golden retrievers are friendly family pets. ___________________ known for having good temperaments with young children.

Choose the word that is spelled correctly and fits BEST in the context of the sentence.

• A.

  
  

  Their

• B.

  
  

  There

• C.

  
  

  They're

• D.

  
  

  Their

Explanation (C)

• They're is the correct answer. It is a contraction of the words they and are.

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of a adjectival phrase in the sentence?

"The players all dove to floor, competing over the loose ball that bounced quickly down the court."

• A.

  
  

  to the floor

• B.

  
  

  The players all dove

• C.

  
  

  that bounced quickly down the court

• D.

  
  

  None of these are adjectival phrases

Explanation (C)

• that bounced quickly down the court A adjectival phrase includes a noun and verb with adjectives that modify. Here, the phrase modifies "ball."

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses a infinitive phrase as a modifier?

• A.

  
  

  Do you want to pass my class with the least amount of effort possible?

• B.

  
  

  On the camping trip, all of the women gathered firewood for the first night.

• C.

  
  

  The best way to cook a grilled cheese is with a strip of bacon in the middle.

• D.

  
  

  The people who designed the scavenger hunt made it more difficult than necessary.

Explanation (C)

• The correct answer is The best way to cook a grilled cheese is with a strip of bacon in the middle.

• The infinitive phrase "to cook a grilled cheese" is used to modify the noun "way" as an adjective.

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of a absolute phrase in the sentence?

"Juanita waited her turn to audition in a state of nervous excitement, jaws clenched in anticipation; she just knew she'd make the show."

• A.

  
  

  Jaws clenched

• B.

  
  

  she just knew

• C.

  
  

  state of nervous excitement

• D.

  
  

  None of these are absolute phrases

Explanation (A)

• A absolute phrase includes a noun and a participle (usually an -ing or -ed verb that does not serve as a verb).

• In this case, "clenched" is a participle that modifies "jaws," making this an absolute phrase.

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of a verb phrase in the sentence?

"The dog on the couch, though it looked vicious, was growling in

order to beg for a cupcake, his favorite treat."

• A.

  
  

  was growling

• B.

  
  

  The dog on the couch

• C.

  
  

  though it looked vicious

• D.

  
  

  None of these are verb phrases

Explanation (A)

• A verb phrase includes a verb, often a linking verb like "is" or "was" and any modifiers that go with it as a phrase.

• In this case, "was" is the linking verb that goes with "growing."

Multiple Choice

Choose the sentence in which the prepositional phrase "down the street" BEST explains where the speaker was driving.

• A.

  
  

  Driving down the street, I saw the cat.

• B.

  
  

  Driving, I saw the cat down the street.

• C.

  
  

  I saw the cat driving down the street.

• D.

  
  

  While driving, I saw the cat down the street.

Explanation (A)

• In this sentence, the prepositional phrase is modifying the verb driving, not the noun cat.

• The question asks that "down the street" describe where the speaker is driving--not where the cat is located.