Words in Context

The term “English” seems, on the surface, to apply to just one language. On closer examination, (1) therefore, it refers to many different languages, the most obvious of which are the versions spoken within different English-speaking countries.

• NO CHANGE

• for example,

• however,

• moreover,

Answer explanation

First, as always, check what’s changing in the answer choices. In this case, transition words change. That means this question is testing transitions.

When you see transitions changing in the answer choices, look at the ideas that the transition word connects. The transition should be consistent with the

relationship between those ideas. In this case, the two ideas are that English is just one language and that it is many different languages. These ideas contrast with each other, so you need a transition that indicates a contrast. Choices (A), (B), and (D) all indicate that ideas agree with each other, so get rid of them. Only (C) indicates a contrast, so that’s the only choice that is consistent with the ideas here.

Whenever transitions change in the answers, the first thing to figure out is whether the ideas being connected agree or contrast.

Even within a single English-speaking country there are many different dialects of English. In the United States, (2) consequently, distinct regional dialects include those spoken in Boston, the Mid-Atlantic, Southern states, the Upper Midwest, and California.

• NO CHANGE

• additionally,

• by contrast,

• for instance,

Answer explanation

Check what’s changing in the answer choices. The transitions change, so first establish whether the ideas agree or contrast. The first sentence is about the many different dialects, and the second sentence gives a list of distinct regional dialects. These ideas agree, so you want a same-direction transition. Eliminate (C) because it’s an opposite-direction transition.

Choices (A), (B), and (D) are all same-direction transitions, but they indicate different things. Use POE to choose the one that indicates the correct relationship. Consequently indicates a conclusion, which isn’t what the second sentence is here, so eliminate (A). Additionally indicates a new point is being introduced, which also isn’t the case here, so eliminate (B). For instance introduces an example, which is exactly what’s going on here. That means (D) is consistent with the ideas in these sentences.

The speakers of what has come to be known as Appalachian English (3) has used a form of English that few can explain.

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• uses

• use

• using

Answer explanation

First, as always, check what’s changing in the answer choices. In this case, the forms of the verb to use change. Therefore, because the verbs change, you know that the question is testing verbs.

When you see verbs changing in the answer choices, the first thing to check is the subject of the sentence. Is the verb consistent with the subject? In this case, it’s not. The subject of this sentence is speakers, which is plural. Therefore, (A) and (B) have to be eliminated, because both are singular verbs. Eliminate (D) because it makes the sentence incomplete. Only (C) works in this context.

Thus, when you see verbs changing in the answer choices, check the subject first. Subjects and verbs need to be consistent with each other.

Many scholars believe Appalachian pronunciation comes from Scots-Irish immigration, but some (4) theorizes that this dialect of English may be closer to what Londoners spoke in Elizabethan times.

• NO CHANGE

• theorized

• have theorized

• theorize

Answer explanation

Check what’s changing in the answer choices. The verbs are changing. Remember from the previous question that whenever you see verbs changing, make sure the verb is consistent with the subject. Because the subject of this

sentence is some, which is plural, you can eliminate (A), which is singular. Therefore, the verb in (A) is not consistent with the subject.

Then, because all of the other choices are consistent with the subject, make sure they are consistent with the other verbs. All the other verbs in this sentence—believe, comes, may be—are in the present tense, so the underlined verb should be as well, as it is in (D). Eliminate (B) and (C) because they’re both past tense. The correct answer is (D).

Trying to understand these changes (5) demonstrate that although we all technically speak English, we speak very different languages indeed.

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• demonstrate that although we all technically spoke English, we speak

• demonstrates that although we all technically speak English, we might have been speaking

• demonstrates that although we all technically speak English, we speak

Answer explanation

Check what’s changing in the answer choices. It looks like lots of verbs!

First, determine whether demonstrate or demonstrates is consistent with the subject. That subject is Trying, which is singular, thus eliminating (A) and (B).

Then, you have to choose between speak and might have been speaking. Since both of these are consistent with the subject we, pick the one that is most consistent with other verbs. The only other verbs are demonstrates and speak, both of which are in the present tense and don’t use the odd might have been form. Therefore, eliminate (C) because it isn’t consistent. The correct answer is (D).

Speakers of Appalachian English and (6) there families communicate in a way that shows just how influential diversity can be on the language we speak

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• its family communicates

• their families communicate

• it’s family communicates

Answer explanation

Check what’s changing in the answers. Everything changes: the pronoun, family versus families, and communicate versus communicates. Start with the pronoun. A pronoun must be consistent with the noun it refers to, so identify that noun. In this case, the pronoun refers to speakers, which is plural, so the underlined pronoun also has to be plural. Eliminate (B) and (D) because its and it’s are both singular.

Their and there both sound the same, but there indicates a location, which doesn’t work here. Eliminate (A). Their is a possessive pronoun that indicates that the families belong to the speakers, so (C) is the best choice.

As with transitions and verbs, consistency is the first thing to check when pronouns change in the answer choices.

Scholars today are not sure whether Appalachian English belongs to the category of European dialects or American dialects. Really, (7) most are collections of many influences, but the Appalachian dialect seems unique.

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• most of them

• most of those

• most of American dialects

Answer explanation

Check what’s changing in the answer choices. Choices (B) and (C) have pronouns, so find the noun that the pronoun refers back to. The previous sentence mentions European dialects and American dialects, but the pronouns (or the word most in (A)) could refer to either or both. If it’s at all unclear what a pronoun refers to on the SAT, you can’t use one! So eliminate (A), (B), and (C) because the meaning of the sentence isn’t precise with any of those options. Choice (D) makes it absolutely clear what most refers to, so that’s the best choice.

When you see pronouns changing in the answer choices, make sure the pronouns:

are CONSISTENT with the nouns they refer to

are as PRECISE as possible; if they could refer to more than one thing, eliminate them!

The Appalachian region’s (8) solitude from major urban centers has led to some hypotheses that its dialect has remained intact from the days of its earliest settlers.

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• Withdrawal

• Isolation

• Aloneness

Answer explanation

Check what’s changing in the answer choices. In this case, it’s vocabulary.

All the words are similar in meaning, so look for the one that’s most

consistent with the other ideas in the sentence and that gives the most precise

meaning in context. Both solitude and aloneness describe the state of being

alone, which doesn’t work in this context with from major urban centers, so

eliminate (A) and (D).

Withdrawal suggests an action, which also doesn’t make sense here—a

region can’t withdraw from someplace. Eliminate (B). Isolation works here

—it means that the region is separated from the big cities. So (C) gives the

most precise meaning in context.

It is precisely this isolation that has led many scholars to believe that Appalachian English is (9) alike and similar to the English spoken in Shakespeare’s time.

• NO CHANGE

• similar

• likely similar

• similarly alike

Answer explanation

Check what’s changing in the answer choices. In this case, the word similar appears in all the answer choices, and in some it is paired with the word alike. Typically, if you see a list of answer choices wherein one answer is short and the rest mean the same thing but are longer, the question is testing concision.

What, after all, is the difference between the words similar and alike? There isn’t one, so there’s no use in saying both of them, as in (A), or pairing them awkwardly, as in (D). In fact, the shortest answer choice, (B), does everything the other choices do, but it does so in the fewest words. Therefore, (B) is the correct answer.

Unfortunately for linguists, such dialects tend to gradually disappear (10) over time and must therefore be studied before they no longer exist.

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• as time goes on

• bit by bit

• DELETE the underlined portion

Answer explanation

As always, check what’s changing in the answer choices. The phrasing of the underlined portion changes, but notice something different: the option to DELETE the underlined portion. When given this option, try it first. The sentence still makes sense and works grammatically, so hold on to (D). Consider whether there is any reason to use the additional words in (A), (B), or (C). The fact that they all mean essentially the same thing is a good clue

that the question is testing concision. The sentence already says gradually, which means the same thing as over time, as time goes on, and bit by bit, so there is no reason to include those words. Therefore, the correct answer is (D).

The option to DELETE isn’t always right, but try it! If the sentence still works and is consistent and precise without the word or phrase, then chances are that’s the answer.