SAT Writing Test - 5

Instructions: Read the entire sentence carefully but quickly, paying attention to underlined choices (A) through (E). Select the underlined word or phrase that needs to be changed to make the sentence correct. Some sentences contain no error at all.

1. Though some of the details of the journey have faded over time, I do remember seeing the myriad twinkling lights of the cities below as we flew above the eastern seaboard and look down at the empty landscape to the north, where all you could see were trees and tiny bodies of water reflecting like mirrors in a sea of green.
A) as we flew above the eastern seaboard and look down at the empty landscape to the north, where
B) flying above the eastern seaboard and look down at the empty landscape to the north, where
C) as we flew above the eastern seaboard and look down at the empty landscape to the north, that is where
D) as we fly above the eastern seaboard and look down at the empty landscape to the north, that is where
E) as we flew above the eastern seaboard and looked down at the empty landscape to the north, where

2. When necessary, firefighters implement measures to protect property, such as removing any nearby combustibles and setting up a sprinkler system, which not only wets any flammable material, but also increases the relative humidity in the vicinity.
A) which not only wets any flammable material, but also increases
B) and not only wets any flammable material but also increased
C) which not only wets any flammable material but it also increases
D) which not only wets any flammable material but it also increase
E) which not only wets any flammable material but also increasing

3. Set in the 1840s, Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is considered for many to be the greatest American novel.
A) is considered for many to be the greatest American novel.
B) is considered by many to be the greatest American novel.
C) is considered by many to be the great American novel.
D) is considered to be the greatest American novel for many.
E) was considered to be the greatest American novels by many.

4. Popular across Britain and its former empire, cricket is a sport that is often played over two to three days, with breaks for lunch and tea.
A) that is often played over two to three days, with
B) often played over two to three days and
C) that often plays over two to three days, with
D) that, over two to three days, is often played with
E) within two to three days, is often played with

5. Aquatic insects are the group of living things used most commonly for monitoring the health of aquatic environments, being very susceptible to pollution.
A) Aquatic insects are the group of living things used most commonly for monitoring the health of aquatic environments, being very susceptible to pollution.
B) Aquatic insects, as a group of living things, are very susceptible to pollution, used most commonly for monitoring the health of aquatic environments.
C) Aquatic insects are very susceptible to pollution, which are the group of living things used most commonly for monitoring the health of aquatic environments.
D) Aquatic insects, which are very susceptible to pollution, are the group of living things used most commonly for monitoring the health of aquatic environments.
E) Aquatic insects are the group of living things used most commonly for monitoring the health of aquatic environments, being very susceptible to pollution.

Instructions: Improving Paragraphs (5 Questions)

(1) Because of the emphasis on interactive, student-centered language teaching, recent language pedagogy often overlooks the importance of introducing new language with examples before asking learners to use the language correctly on their own. (2) But without observing new language in use, how can students learn anything new? (3) Instead of being forced to sink or swim, learners benefit from incremental support when new language is taught. (4) This approach empowers students to absorb and eventually use the language on their own.

(5) In order for language learners to achieve the goal of acquiring and taking ownership of the language taught in the classroom; they must first be exposed to it. (6) This happens through rich presentations that include models of conversations, explanation of grammar with plenty of examples, visual illustrations of new vocabulary, definitions, and sentences that demonstrate words in context. (7) However, many current foreign language textbooks, in their attempt to be learner-centered, skip the critical step of presenting new language thoroughly. (8) This means that language teachers must bridge the gap and introduce material in meaningful ways that make up for what the textbook does not provide. (9) Paradoxically, then, in the push for student-centered materials, the teacher is often required to take a larger role in the classroom as they supply essential introductory material that is lacking in many textbooks.

(10) Teachers can provide support for the process of language learning in several important ways. (11) First, language teachers need to evaluate textbooks to see whether the activities are designed to introduce and teach new language or if the exercises are simply testing what has not been adequately presented in the text. (12) Second, by presenting new language in multiple ways, with examples that are engaging and authentic, the need for accessible learning input can be met. (13) After presenting new language, the next way to support student learning is to create opportunities for controlled practice of the language that helps build both familiarity and confidence. (14) These supporting approaches to instruction provide scaffolding that reduces frustration for both the students and the teacher when new language is being taught.

(15) To presume that students can learn whatever they need simply by helping each other is not realistic. (16) It is ridiculous to think that. (17) For students to understand and acquire unknown language, what they need are helpful explanations and examples from the teacher, especially if the textbook does not provide enough. (18) Having instruction that is learner-centered does not require all activities to revolve around the students taking on the roles of teacher and cooperative learner.

6. In context, which is the best revision of the underlined portion of sentence 3 (reproduced below) ?
Instead of being forced to sink or swim, learners benefit from incremental support when new language is taught.
A) struggle or cope on their own
B) adjust
C) be resourceful
D) survive or perish
E) fail or float

7. What must be done to sentence 5?
A) Replace the semicolon after "classroom" with a colon.
B) Change "In order for language learners to achieve" to "So that language leaners can reach".
C) Change "taking and acquiring" to "taking and to acquire".
D) Combine sentence 5 with sentence 6 by changing "classroom; they" to "classroom and therefore they".
E) Combine sentence 5 with sentence 6 by replacing the semicolon after "classroom" with a comma.

8. Which sentence should be deleted?
A) 6
B) 13
C) 15
D) 16
E) 17

9. What should be done to sentence 18?
A) Place sentence 18 before sentence 15.
B) Combine sentence 18 with sentence 17 by changing the period after "enough" to a comma.
C) Change "require" to "involve".
D) Change "all" to "enough".
E) Insert a comma after "students".

10. The final paragraph would be improved if which of the following sentences were added?
A) Teachers can supply additional language examples when students need fresh ideas during the production stage.
B) Difficult dialogues that can only be memorized are useless.
C) By focusing on providing learner support, which includes introducing, demonstrating, practicing, and finally producing new language, instruction that centers on what students need for successful interaction in a foreign language is possible
D) Textbooks must never be regarded as a substitute for teachers and what they bring to the classroom.
E) Carefully chosen activities provide students with the support they need to be able to improvise with the amount of language they have recently acquired.

SAT Writing Test - 5

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