SAT Skills Insight
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6/1
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Select a score band
Manage word choice and grammatical relationships between words
Skills needed to score in this band
SKILL 1: Recognize vague pronoun usage
SKILL 2: Recognize shift in person (e.g., from third person to second)
SKILL 3: Recognize subject-verb agreement with brief interrupter that alters number and shifts focus away from the proper subject
SKILL 4: Recognize when a subordinate clause must include a subject and verb
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1
Recognize vague pronoun usage
ExampleThe following sentence tests correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of the sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A; if not, select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is, pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence-clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
Big John Patton, a soul jazz organ player of the 1960s, often departed from its aesthetic traditions when collaborating with experimental jazz musicians.
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2
Recognize shift in person (e.g., from third person to second)
ExampleThe following sentence tests your ability to recognize grammar and usage errors. The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. The sentence will not contain more than one error. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice E. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.
If one desires to become an accomplished pianist, you must devote each day to practice and study. No error
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3
Recognize subject-verb agreement with brief interrupter that alters number and shifts focus away from the proper subject
ExampleThe following sentence tests your ability to recognize grammar and usage errors. The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. The sentence will not contain more than one error. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice E. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.
The members of the planning council has given permission to increase the number of trees planted along residential streets. No error
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4
Recognize when a subordinate clause must include a subject and verb
ExampleThe following sentence tests correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of the sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice A repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A; if not, select one of the other choices.
In making your selection, follow the requirements of standard written English; that is, pay attention to grammar, choice of words, sentence construction, and punctuation. Your selection should result in the most effective sentence-clear and precise, without awkwardness or ambiguity.
Many ancient Eastern rulers favored drinking vessels made of celadon porcelain because of supposedly revealing the presence of poison by cracking.
Skills needed to score in the next band
In your reading, choose a paragraph and examine the relationship between the pronouns and their logical antecedents. In your own writing, make sure that your pronouns refer specifically to logical antecedents.
In your reading, try to become aware of idiomatic expressions, especially the use of prepositions. In your own writing, peer edit or proofread for the idiomatic use of prepositions.
In your reading, pay attention to how temporal elements (dates, times, etc.) dictate the appropriate verb forms. In your own writing, be sure to use consistent verb tense.
