Download Out With Vocab, In With Usage

LC3 11-12 p32 SAT FC
9/15/04
1:05 PM
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Out With Vocab, In With Usage
THE WRITING SKILLS SECTION ON THE NEW SAT WILL TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
OF GRAMMAR—NOT THE DICTIONARY. LC HIGHLIGHTS THE MUST-KNOW RULES
FOR TEST DAY.
M
emorizing vocabulary words used to
be a big part of SAT prep. Students
worried over obscure dictionary definitions in hopes of solving complex
analogies. Thankfully, those days are
over (analogies have been eliminated from the SAT). Rather than require students to memorize arcane lists of words, the new SAT places greater
emphasis on students’ knowledge of grammar and usage.
Studying for the test will not only improve your score, but
will also improve your writing skills for college.
The new SAT has two verbal sections: Critical Reading
and Writing. The Writing section includes both a timed
essay and a series of Writing Skills questions designed
to test basic knowledge of the English language and
proper written expression. There are three types of
Writing Skills questions: identifying errors, correcting
sentences, and improving paragraphs. The best way to
prepare for them is to brush up on basic grammar rules
and, as always, to practice.
Each of the scientists was interested in
genetic research.
Some nouns, like politics and headquarters, appear to
be plural but are usually treated as singular.
Politics is an art.
> SUBJECTVS.VS.
OBJECT
SUBJECT
OBJECT
Remember the difference between subject and object.
A subject performs the action of the verb. An object
receives the action of the verb or a prepositional phrase.
You will need to use different pronouns in each case.
Subjective pronouns: I, he, she, we, they
Objective pronouns: me, him, her, us, them
Subject: He bought a bouquet of roses.
Object: He bought me a bouquet of roses.
> AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT
We all learn in grade school that the subject of a sentence must agree with the verb.
This same distinction applies to who
and whom. Who is the subject, while
whom is the object.
John walks the dog.
Subject:
John
Jane and John
walk the dog.
A singular subject takes
a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb. The
rule is easy to follow in simple sentences. When sentences become more complex, just keep your eye on the
subject and verb. If the subject is singular, the verb must
be singular, even if plural words intervene.
The pleasant memory of summer barbecues and late-night dances was never far
from her thoughts.
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There are also certain words that always take a singular verb, regardless of what follows them: each, either,
everyone, someone.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 Literary Cavalcade
Who is going to
the movies with Dana?
Object: With whom is Dana
going to the movies?
>BEWARE
BEWARE
YOUR
EAR
YOUR
EAR
Because slang and common expressions often break grammatical rules, we get used to
hearing things that are incorrect. It’s important to study
the basic rules of grammar so you can retrain your
ears—and eyes—to pick up on errors in sentences. By
studying the grammar tips above and doing the practice questions, you can avoid falling into common traps
on test day.
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PRACTICE FOR THE NEW SAT
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE THREE DIFFERENT
TYPES OF QUESTIONS BELOW
IDENTIFYING ERRORS
If there is an error in any of the following sentences, it is underlined and assigned a letter. Select
the one underlined part of the sentence that must be changed to make the sentence correct. Some
sentences contain no error.
1. Excessive consumption of caffeine could affect long-term heart health because the
(A)
(B)
(C)
increased blood pressure and elevated pulse puts undue stress on the heart. No Error
(D)
(E)
2. While the twins look identical, each has her own distinct personality. No Error
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
3. It is likely that the opening of the new stadium, previously scheduled for June 1, would
(A)
(B)
(C)
be delayed because of a construction workers’ strike. No Error
(D)
IMPROVING PARAGRAPHS
Read the following paragraph, and then
review the questions to determine what
changes should be made in order to improve
its clarity.
Archaeology is the study of pre-history
through objects and fossils. Archaeologists
must identify sites where they believe towns
and communities to be located thousands of
years ago and excavate many feet of dirt to
uncover their remains. Conservators then
catalogue the fragments and try to put them
together to restore the original objects, solving
the puzzle of history. Sometimes the artifacts
have been eroded, fragmented, or otherwise
damaged by time.
ILLUSTRATIONS BY ROB DUNLAVEY
4. Which revision would most improve the
logic of this paragraph?
(A) move the first sentence to the end
(B) move the second sentence to the end
(C) place the third sentence between the
first and second sentences
(D) place the fourth sentence between the
second and third sentences
(E) no revision needed
5. How would you improve the second sentence?
(A) Remove the word “must”
(B) Change the word “uncover” to “abscond”
(C) Change “to be” to “to have been”
(D) Change “excavate” to “have excavated”
(E) Change “remains” to “remainders”
(E)
IMPROVING SENTENCES
In the sentence below, part of the sentence
is underlined. Beneath it are five ways of
phrasing the underlined portion. Choose the
answer that best expresses the meaning of
the original sentence in the most clear and
precise manner.
6. Bordered by Jordan and Israel, the name
of the Dead Sea is a result of its high salt
content, which makes it impossible for
anything to live in the water.
(A) name of the Dead Sea is a result of
(B) name of the Dead Sea refers to
(C) Dead Sea is a reference to
(D) Dead Sea is named for
(E) Dead Sea’s name refers to
Fill in your answers here.
1
A
B
C
D
E
2
A
B
C
D
E
3
A
B
C
D
E
4
A
B
C
D
E
5
A
B
C
D
E
6
A
B
C
D
E
Literary Cavalcade NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004
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