SATs Word Choice & Sentence Clarity 3

Question 1

Which sentence avoids a dangling modifier?

Accepted Answer

Walking to school, Maria noticed a lost dog.

Answer

In the first sentence, 'walking to school' correctly modifies 'Maria,' the subject.

Question 2

Which word best replaces 'got' in: 'She got a promotion after years of dedication.'?

Accepted Answer

All of the above are acceptable replacements

Answer

All three alternatives — earned, received, and acquired — are more precise and formal than 'got.'

Question 3

Which option corrects the wordiness? 'At this point in time, we need to make a decision.'

Accepted Answer

Now, we need to make a decision.

Answer

'At this point in time' is a wordy phrase; 'now' conveys the same meaning concisely.

Question 4

In the sentence 'The council voted to ban smoking inside all public facilities,' what does 'facilities' most nearly mean?

Accepted Answer

buildings

Answer

In this context, 'facilities' refers to physical buildings or spaces used by the public.

Question 5

Which sentence correctly uses 'affect' versus 'effect'?

Accepted Answer

The new law will affect millions of workers.

Answer

'Affect' is typically a verb meaning to influence; 'effect' is typically a noun meaning a result.

SATs (Standard Assessment Test) Practice Test