English 11 SAT-Style Writing Questions

[UNDERLINE ONE] Which choice provides the most effective introduction to the paragraph?

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• NO CHANGE

• Many people prefer the touch-free car wash because it does not scratch car paint.

• It's not worth getting the car washed in the spring because pollen will coat the car every day.

• The cheapest way to get your car clean is to hire a kid from the neighborhood to wash it.

[UNDERLINE TWO] Which choice provides the best transition from the previous paragraph to this one?

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• NO CHANGE

• Nevertheless, a touch-free car wash has other advantages.

• Because a stream of water is never enough to cut through dirt, one should avoid a touch-free car wash.

• For tougher dirt, one should use a car wash that physically scrubs the car.

[UNDERLINE THREE] The writer wants to add a supporting detail to explain the statement in the first part of this sentence. Which choice best accomplishes this goal?

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• NO CHANGE

• and uses less water.

• if the car is in there long enough.

• with friction added to the standard soap and water mixture.

[UNDERLINE FOUR] Which choice most effectively combines the sentences at the underlined portion?

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• car, but being careful and thorough is a necessity.

• car if you are careful and thorough.

• car; therefore thoroughness is required and you must be careful.

• car, for you must be careful and thorough.

[UNDERLINE FIVE] At this point the writer is considering adding the following sentence.

Another benefit is that washing for hours by hand can be a good workout.

Should the writer make this addition?

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• Yes, because it supports the argument that washing by hand is the best kind of car wash.

• Yes, because it encourages people to spend more time outside.

• No, because it is not relevant to the comparison of efficacy among the different methods of car washing.

• No, because it doesn't consider that some might not agree that washing a car is a form of exercise.

[UNDERLINE SIX] Which choice is most consistent with the writer's style and tone throughout the passage?

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• NO CHANGE

• even the best method can have drawbacks.

• despite the awesomeness of hand washing, it has some bummers too.

• nothing is perfect and you're bound to be disappointed no matter what.

[UNDERLINE ONE] The writer wants to add a supporting detail to counter the statement in the first part of this sentence. Which choice best accomplishes this goal?

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• NO CHANGE

• yet many volcanoes are on beautiful tropical islands.

• so those living near volcanoes should be forced to move before something terrible happens.

• but many of the world's active volcanoes are surrounded by cities and have remained quiet for centuries.

[UNDERLINE TWO] Which choice most effectively suggests that danger is something people must learn to live with?

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• NO CHANGE

• run away from

• look at

• surrender to

[UNDERLINE FIVE] Which choice provides the most effective transition between ideas in the paragraph?

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• NO CHANGE

• For all these reasons,

• Misunderstanding their excuses,

• Against these justifications,

[UNDERLINE SIX] At this point the writer is considering adding the following sentence.

In this country people have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Should the writer make this addition?

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• Yes, because it provides an example of why the government shouldn't tell people where to live.

• Yes, because it highlights that people can be happy wherever they choose to live.

• No, because it interrupts the flow of the argument.

• No, because it counters the argument being made.