SAT+Prep+Warm-ups

**02/10/2014 & 02/25/2014**
Writing > Improving Sentences // Part or all of the following sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Select the option that produces the best sentence. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. // __They are smaller than their counterparts in Africa, so Asiatic lions__ can be found only in Gir, a forest region in northwest India. Answer Choices (A) They are smaller than their counterparts in Africa, so Asiatic lions (B) Its counterparts in Africa are bigger, but the Asiatic lion (C) The Asiatic lion is smaller than their counterparts in Africa, they (D) The counterparts of African lions in Asia are smaller, although they (E) Smaller than their counterparts in Africa, Asiatic lions **__Hint__**: It is illogical to relate the size of Asiatic lions to their location in India. Make sure that the sentence does not draw an illogical connection between the relative size of Asiatic lions and the fact that they are only found in Gir. **__Explanation__**: Choice (E) is correct. It avoids the faulty logic of the original by removing the unnecessary pronoun “They” and the conjunction “so” so that the size of the two types of lions is the only thing being compared.

**02/11/2014 & 02/26/2014**
//Writing > Identifying Sentence Errors// //The following sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence contains no error, select choice E.// (a) **A meteorite shows** an enormous variation (b) **in size, from** micron-sized dust particles filtering (c) **slowly through** the atmosphere to giants (d) **weighing many** tons. (e) **No error** __Hint__: Try to determine whether the subject of the sentence should be singular or plural __Explanation__: The error in this sentence occurs at (A), where there is noun-noun disagreement. Instead of the singular “A meteorite,” the plural “Meteorites” is needed to agree with the plural nouns found later in the sentence (“particles” and “giants”). In addition, the singular verb “shows” should be changed to “show.”

**02/12/2014 & 02/28/2014**
Writing > Identifying Sentence Errors //The following sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence contains no error, select choice E.// __Hint__: Remember that pronouns must agree in number with the nouns to which they refer. __Explanation__: The error in this sentence occurs at (B), where the plural noun “wolves” is used incorrectly as the referent of the singular pronoun “it.” Either “the wolf” or “a wolf” should be used instead.
 * (A)__Although__** it is not a fast runner, **(B)__wolves__** can maintain a loping run for many miles, **(C)__running__** throughout the night **(D)__if necessary__**. **(E)__No error__**

**02/18/2014 & 03/03/2014**
Writing > Improving Sentences Part or all of the following sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Select the option that produces the best sentence. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. The first public botanical garden in the United States, the Elgin Botanic Garden in New York City was established to provide plant materials for __studying by medical students__. (A) for studying by medical students (B) for medical students to study (C) to medical students for their study (D) for the study of medical students (E) that medical students will study Hint: Ask yourself, “Why was the Elgin Botanic Garden established?” __Explanation__: Choice (B) is correct. It avoids the error of the original by replacing the awkward and imprecise “for studying by medical students” with “for medical students to study.”

**02/19/2014 & 03/04/2014**
Writing > Identifying Sentence Errors

//The following sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence contains no error, select choice E.// (A)__As__ a Supreme Court justice, Thurgood Marshall (B)__was known for__ his quest to end racial discrimination, his (C)__opposition to__ the death penalty, and (D)__he supported__ free speech and civil liberties. (E)__No error.__ __Hint:__ Think about how the structure of the sentence communicates what Thurgood Marshall was known for. __Explanation__: The error in this sentence occurs at (D), where there is a flaw in parallelism. To parallel the noun phrases previously used in the sentence (“his quest...” and “his opposition...”), “his support of” is needed in place of “he supported.”

**02/20/2014 & 03/05/2014**
Writing > Identifying Sentence Errors

//The following sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence contains no error, select choice E.// Today, **(A)__also__** representing nations **(B)__and other__** political entities, **(C)__flags are used__ (D)__to represent__** youth groups, athletic competitions, and international bodies. **(E)__No error__** Bottom of Form
 * __Hint__**: Think about how to indicate that flags are used for many things besides “representing nations.”
 * __Explanation__**: The error in this sentence occurs at (A), where there is an improper idiom. The phrase “in addition to” is needed in place of “also.”

**02/21/2014 & 03/06/2014**
Writing > Improving Sentences Top of Form //Part or all of the following sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Select the option that produces the best sentence. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A.// __Jean Piaget, a Swiss psychologist, and the first scientist that made__ systematic studies of how children learn. (A) Jean Piaget, a Swiss psychologist, and the first scientist that made (B) Jean Piaget was a Swiss psychologist, also the first scientist making (C) As a Swiss psychologist, it was Jean Piaget who was the first scientist making (D) Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget, the first scientist in having made (E) The Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget was the first scientist to make
 * __Hint__**: “Jean Piaget” is the subject of the sentence; what is the main verb?
 * __Explanation__**: Choice (E) is correct. It avoids the sentence fragment error of the original by providing a main verb, “was,” to express a complete thought.

**03/10/2014 & 03/24/2014**
Writing > Improving Sentences //Part or all of the following sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Select the option that produces the best sentence. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A.// The wide variety of spices and condiments used in sausage making __including salt and, it depends__ on the ethnic or regional origin of the recipe, coriander, nutmeg, cloves, garlic, vinegar, mace, pepper, chili peppers, or pistachio nuts. (A) including salt and, it depends (B) include salt, depending (C) includes salt, and it depends (D) includes salt and, depending (E) including salt and, depending
 * __Hint__**: Note that the subject of the sentence is “variety,” not “spices and condiments.”
 * __Explanation__**: Choice (D) is correct. It avoids the error of the original by using a singular verb, “includes,” to agree with the singular noun, “variety,” and by eliminating the unnecessary pronoun “it.”

**03/12/2014 & 03/25/14**
Writing > Identifying Sentence Errors //The following sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence contains no error, select choice E.//
 * (A) __Among__** the **(B) __most widespread of__** marine animals, starfish and sea urchins **(C) __inhabit__** all seas **(D) __except that of__** the polar regions. **(E) __No error__**
 * __Hint__**: Remember that pronouns must agree in number with the nouns to which they refer.
 * __Explanation__**: The error in this sentence occurs at (D), where there is improper pronoun use. The plural pronoun “those” should be used to refer to the seas (plural noun) of the regions.

**03/13/2014 & 03/26/2014**
Writing > Identifying Sentence Errors //The following sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence contains no error, select choice E.// From its modest beginnings (A) __as__ a series of brief vignettes to (B) __its establishment as__ the longest-running prime-time animated series on television, //The Simpsons// (C) __transformed__ the way (D) __both the__ audiences and television programmers view the animated sitcom. (E) __No error__
 * __Hint__**: Be aware that here the word “the” implies specific audiences rather than audiences in general.
 * __Explanation__**: The error in this sentence occurs at (D), where there is an improper idiom. What follows each part of the “both...and” construction must be grammatically parallel, but here “both” is followed by the article “the” while “and” is followed by the noun “television programmers.”

**03/14/2014 & 03/27/2014**
Writing > Improving Sentences Part or all of the following sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Select the option that produces the best sentence. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. After serving two terms in the Texas State Senate, **__Barbara Jordan’s election__** to the United States House of Representatives, where she served from 1973 to 1979. (A) Barbara Jordan’s election (B) it was Barbara Jordan who was elected (C) it was Barbara Jordan’s election (D) Barbara Jordan had been elected (E) Barbara Jordan was elected
 * __Hint__**: Ask yourself, “What happened to Barbara Jordan after serving two terms in the Texas State Senate?”
 * __Explanation__**: Choice (E) is correct. It avoids the error of the original by placing the appropriate subject (“Barbara Jordan”) immediately after the modifying phrase (“After serving two terms in the Texas State Senate”).

**03/17/2014 & 03/31/2014**
Writing > Identifying Sentence Errors //The following sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence contains no error, select choice E.//
 * (A) __Formerly__** called manacles or shackles, handcuffs **(B) __consist of__** two metal rings **(C) __joined by__** a short chain; once fastened shut, **(D) __it requires__** a key to open. **(E) __No error__**
 * __Hint__**: Think about what the noun/pronoun agreement.
 * __Explanation__**: The error in this sentence occurs at (D), where there is illogical pronoun reference. There is nothing in the sentence to which the singular pronoun “it” can logically refer. The plural pronoun “they” is needed to refer to the plural noun “handcuffs.”

**03/18/2014 & 04/01/2014**
Writing > Identifying Sentence Errors //The following sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence contains no error, select choice E.// In the interior of the Arctic islands during the melting season, even small streams must be crossed **(A) __with great care__ (B) __because__** near-zero water temperatures and the **(C) __typically__** rocky and unstable nature of **(D) __stream__** beds. **(E) __No error__**
 * __Hint__**: Think about why “even small streams must be crossed with great care.”
 * __Explanation__**: The error in this sentence occurs at (B), where there is an inappropriate idiom. The phrase “due to” should be used in place of “because.”

**03/19/2014 & 04/02/2014**
Writing > Improving Sentences //Part or all of the following sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Select the option that produces the best sentence. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A.// Unlike her sister Heather, who would always put spiders safely outside if she found them in the house, __Joanne’s fear kept her from going anywhere near the creatures__. (A) Joanne’s fear kept her from going anywhere near the creatures (B) Joanne’s fear is what kept her from going anywhere near the creatures (C) fear is why Joanne had not gone anywhere near them (D) Joanne was too afraid to go anywhere near the creatures (E) they scared Joanne too much to go anywhere near them
 * __Hint__**: Make sure to avoid comparing two things of completely different types (such as a person and “fear”).
 * __Explanation__**: Choice (D) is correct. It avoids the error of the original by logically comparing a person, “Heather,” to another person, “Joanne,” instead of to a possessive noun, “Joanne’s fear.”

**03/20/2014 & 04/03/2014**
Writing > Improving Sentences //Part or all of the following sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Select the option that produces the best sentence. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A.// Since William the Conqueror in 1066, every British sovereign has been crowned in Westminster Abbey except Edward V and Edward VIII, __neither of them were__ crowned. (A) neither of them were (B) neither were (C) neither of whom was (D) with neither being (E) with neither who had been
 * __Hint__**: “Neither” is singular, not plural.
 * __Explanation__**: Choice (C) is correct. It avoids the error of the original by replacing “them” with “whom” and by using an appropriate verb form, the singular “was,” to agree with the singular “neither.”

**04/07/2014**
Writing > Improving Sentences Chilean novelist and short-story writer María Luisa Bombal wrote innovative and influential stories featuring __heroines which create__ fantasy worlds in order to escape from unfulfilling love relationships and restricted social roles. (A) heroines which create (B) heroines, they create (C) heroines, they created (E) heroines that were creating
 * (D) heroines who create**
 * __Hint__**: Remember that different pronouns are used to refer to things and to people (even fictional characters).
 * __Explanation__**: Choice (D) is correct. It avoids the pronoun error of the original by using an appropriate relative pronoun (“who”) to refer to people (“heroines”).Bottom of Form

**04/08/2014**
Writing > Identifying Sentence Errors //The following sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence contains no error, select choice E.//
 * (A) __Except for__** the phonograph, the performances **(B) __of great musicians__** and the voices of famous people **(C) __would have been__** lost **(D) __to history__**. **(E) __No error__**
 * __Hint__**: When choosing prepositions, pay attention to their meaning.


 * __Explanation__**: The error in this sentence occurs at (A), where there is inappropriate word choice. In this context, “Except for” doesn't make sense. Instead, “Without” is needed.

**04/09/2014**
Writing > Improving Sentences //Part or all of the following sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Select the option that produces the best sentence. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A.// The finest quality raw silk comes from the commonly domesticated silkworm, //Bombyx mori//, __it feeds__ on the leaves of the mulberry tree. (A) it feeds (B) feeding (C) they feed (D) which feeds (E) having fed
 * __Hint__**: Think about the proper way to join two related independent clauses.
 * __Explanation__**: Choice (D) is correct. It avoids the comma splice error of the original by providing the appropriate modifying phrase “which feeds on the leaves of the mulberry tree.”

**04/10/2014**
Writing > Identifying Sentence Errors //The following sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence contains no error, select choice E.// Besides **(A) __conserving__** forest resources, recycling produces fewer pollutants **(B) __than does__** the conventional pulping and bleaching processes **(C) __that__** are normally used **(D) __to create__** paper. **(E) __No error__**
 * __Hint__**: Ask yourself, “What is recycling being compared to?”
 * __Explanation__**: The error in this sentence occurs at (B), where there is subject-verb disagreement. The singular verb “does” does not agree with the plural noun “processes.” The plural verb “do” is needed instead.

**04/14/2014 & 04/22/2014**
Critical Reading > Sentence Completions //Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, **best** fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.// Since the explanations offered are --- to the exposition, it would be unfair to treat them as--- parts of the studies under consideration. (A) tangential. . subsidiary (B) irrelevant. . superfluous (C) referable. . correspondent (D) incidental. . essential (E) crucial. . immutable
 * __Hint__**: The logic of this sentence indicates that the word in the first blank must be inconsistent with the word in the second blank.
 * __Explanation__**: The words filling the blanks are opposites, since if the “explanations” are one thing, it is “unfair to treat them” as the opposite. They are “incidental” and cannot be treated as the opposite of incidental, namely, “essential.”

**04/15/2014 & 04/23/2014**
Critical Reading > Sentence Completions //Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, **best** fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.// Because he was --- in the face of danger, the explorer won the government’s highest award for conspicuous bravery. (A) virile (B) heedless (C) dauntless (D) callow (E) timorous
 * __Hint__**: The missing word is a synonym for “brave.”
 * __Explanation__**: Choice (C) is correct. Someone who was “dauntless,” or fearless, when faced with danger might very well earn an award for bravery.

**04/16/2014 & 04/24/2014**
Critical Reading > Sentence Completions //Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, **best** fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.// The --- of Queen Elizabeth I impressed her contemporaries: she seemed to know what dignitaries and foreign leaders were thinking. (A) symbiosis (B) malevolence (C) punctiliousness (D) consternation (E) perspicacity
 * __Hint__**: Think about which word describes a person’s ability to perceive the thoughts of others.
 * __Explanation__**: Keep in mind that the words after the colon will explain or exemplify the first part of the sentence. This means that the missing term describes someone who “seemed to know what dignitaries and foreign leaders were thinking.” Such a person is said to have great “perspicacity,” or perception.

**04/28/2014 & 05/05/2014**
Critical Reading > Sentence Completions //Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, **best** fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.// When, in 1864, a factory established by Alfred Nobel to manufacture nitroglycerin blew up, the scientist discovered that the explosive was as --- as it was powerful, --- to detonate without warning. (A) dormant. . ready (B) fickle. . unlikely (C) volatile. . liable (D) unprecedented. . intended (E) inactive. . designed
 * __Hint__**: The structure of the sentence suggests that the last phrase—which begins with the second blank—will in some way define the word missing from the first blank in the sentence.
 * __Explanation__**: Choice (C) is correct. It makes sense to say that when his factory exploded, Nobel discovered how “volatile,” or unpredictable, nitroglycerin could be; in fact, it was “liable” to, or prone to, detonate unexpectedly.

**04/29/2014 05/06/2014**
Critical Reading > Sentence Completions //Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, **best** fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.// Because she has a great need for ---, she loathes the public appearances demanded of her as a leading literary figure. (A) luxury (B) privacy (C) reward (D) devotion (E) distraction
 * __Hint__**: The correct answer describes a condition valued by people who dislike public attention.
 * __Explanation__**: The first part of the sentence describes a cause and the second part describes resulting behavior. The literary figure desires “privacy” and so she finds public appearances loathsome.

**04/30/2014 & 05/07/2014**
//Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, **best** fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.// Although the scientist claimed to have made a major breakthrough in his research, the evidence he offered as proof of his assertion was --- at best. (A) conclusive (B) indubitable (C) paltry (D) copious (E) extensive
 * __Hint__**: The word “Although” means that the missing term will likely cast doubt on the scientist’s claim.
 * __Explanation__**: “Paltry,” or meager, fits within the context of this sentence because it questions or qualifies the scientist’s claim of achieving a “major breakthrough.”

**05/01/2014 & 05/08/2014**
Critical Reading > Sentence Completions //Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, **best** fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.// Ms. Fergusson’s main criticism of the artist’s rendering of the ancient mammal’s physical appearance is that, unsupported by even a --- of fossil evidence, the image is bound to be---. (A) modicum. . speculative (B) particle. . supplemented (C) perusal. . substantiated (D) fabrication. . obsolete (E) recapitulation. . exhausted
 * __Hint__**: The words “unsupported by even” signal that there is very little evidence.
 * __Explanation__**: A “modicum” is a small amount. Since the artist did not have even a small amount of evidence, the image must have been “speculative.”

**05/12/2014**
Critical Reading > Sentence Completions //Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, **best** fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.// The new administrator was ---; he considered new ideas worthy of consideration but ultimately --- the old ways. (A) an iconoclast. . undermined by (B) an opportunist. . reminiscent of (C) a sentimentalist. . preferable to (D) a traditionalist. . inferior to (E) an idealist. . instructive about
 * __Hint__**: The part of the sentence after a semicolon is likely to explain or develop the first part of the sentence.
 * __Explanation__**: A “traditionalist” is someone who adheres to a time-honored set of practices or beliefs. “Inferior to” describes something that is of lesser quality or value than something else. An administrator certainly could be a traditionalist, or adhere to time-honored practices. If the new administrator prefers older, established ways of doing things, it makes sense to say that he might consider newer ideas but ultimately, or in the end, decide that they are inferior to, or lesser in value than, older ideas.

**05/13/2014 & 05/19/2014**
Critical Reading > Sentence Completions //Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, **best** fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.// Tantra paintings from India are not only beautiful but also ---: in addition to their aesthetic value, they are used to facilitate meditation. (A) garish (B) valuable (C) numerous (D) ornate (E) functional
 * __Hint__**: The part of the sentence after the colon provides support for the first part of the sentence.
 * __Explanation__**: Choice (E) is correct. Facilitating meditation is a function—something valuable about tantra paintings in addition to their beauty

**05/21/2014**
Critical Reading > Sentence Completions //Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, **best** fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.// Confident that her own political platform would --- at election time, the mayor considered her opponent's sudden popularity less a threat than ---. (A) falter. . a boon (B) strengthen. . a calamity (C) prevail. . a distraction (D) alter. . an error (E) waver. . a diversion
 * __Hint__**: Consider how a “confident” mayor would see her own political platform, then how she would view her opponent's “sudden popularity.”
 * __Explanation__**: Choice (C) is correct. The mayor was confident about her campaign, so it makes sense to suggest that she felt her political platform would “prevail,” or triumph. The phrase “less...than” indicates that as a result of her confidence, the mayor found her opponent's popularity to be less than a threat; she considered it a mere “distraction.”