If you are not taking the SAT test on March 13, pretend you are. Your attention will narrow to a list of strategies to use what you know. Deciding ahead what to do to pace yourself and to keep your answer sheet and booklet aligned is important.
Visualizing the predictable aspects of the test, so that reading directions is a review while taking the test, is a major strategy for relaxation during the test. Realizing the various ways you will see certain types of questions is confidence building and knowledge building. Use the conditions to imprint these skills.
For example, today’s question has one section underlined. (Other types of questions underline several different sections.)
All you have to do is to read the sentence. Then, you are looking for the answer. You seek the answer without the extra words and without the comma splice.
Prediction: There will be sentences to correct because of unnecessary words.
Prediction: There will be run-on sentences to correct.
This sentence has a comma between two complete sentences. This is called a comma splice. It is incorrect.
Prediction: You will need to know how to correct some types of sentence by using a comma and a conjunction or by using a semi-colon (instead of a period or in a sentence with commas).
This “comma-splice” sentence is also called a “run-on” sentence. You will sometimes see corrections using a semi-colon. However, the choice here with a semicolon is incorrect.
Some issues to predict and to seek in sentences you are ‘editing’ for errors: subject-verb agreement, run-on sentences, sentence fragments, pronoun-antecedent agreement, and parallel construction.
With a mindset for focusing on what to notice, you can learn how to pick up points by connecting the dots. Look at the question as: What is this testing?
Today, a portion of a sentence is underlined. Read the directions to affirm that you understand that the A. answer is the one to choose if you think the sentence is correct. This sentence is NOT correct.
In short, as always, read the directions to be sure to answer the question that is asked and not some other question! When you look at this sentence, notice the ‘tell’ of unnecessary words.
Even with the the unnecessary words, see the comma joining two sentences. This is the major error known as a comma splice. Two whole sentences are ‘spliced’ or sewn together with a comma.
Not only is B the correct answer, the other answers are a sweep to eliminate. When you do the question for the day, do read the hint. Often, the other information in the sentence will assist you on another question!
While practicing, look at the sentence with the correction several times. This is the way a sentence ‘looks’ when it is correct for the SAT.
One issue with some readers today is answering questions on tests the way that ‘looks right.’ Ironically, this strategy is most harmful to the people who read the most. Today, I read articles in two major magazines. I also read fiction in both magazines. I saw sentence fragments on a regular basis.
No, you have to know how to recognize poor construction and incorrect construction by what you know and not by what you see on a daily basis. You can fortify this knowledge by practicing. Make up questions and possible answers.
Writers struggle with parallel construction. Long sentences offer devious seductions to stray from parallel construction. But bullets are menaces to parallel construction, as well.
Can you find examples? Look for some examples of good construction. Then, you can see the images in your mind of the balance of parallel construction.
- Sleep
- Practice
- Read
- Play
- Notice
- Connect
- Recognize
- Remember
Explain why this list is an example of parallel construction.
Answer: The bullets are all action verbs. In fact, if an ad writer put a period after each one, as ad writers are inclined to do, each of these words would make a complete sentence.
Why would one word be a complete sentence? These words are written as imperative instruction for succeeding on the test. The subject ‘You’ (the reader) is understood. (You sleep. You practice. You read. You play. You notice. You connect. You recognize. You remember.) JudiethCarol&RocketCat—See you next time! Pass This Way! March 2010c.
