by Talal Ali Jan

cracking the
Digital SAT
WRITING – Manual #07

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Transitions

Example 1

Architects don't often become as famous as other types of artists, such as (1) painters, so their work can
have a greater effect in the long term. Architecture is essentially the art we live in. Buildings shelter and
protect us throughout our lives for home, work, and play. Even if we've never stood in any of the buildings
designed by master architects, we've probably been in plenty of buildings that incorporate their
influences.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) painters, however, their work can have
C) painters, and their work can have
D) painters, but their work can have

Example 2

Conditions in the interior of Antarctica are inhospitable to many forms of life: sub-zero temperatures, high
winds, and extreme dryness make it impossible for most animals to survive. The Antarctic Peninsula and
the surrounding islands have milder temperatures and liquid water, (12 whereas more animals can thrive
there.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) when
C) since
D) so

Example 3

Conditions in the interior of Antarctica are inhospitable to many forms of life: sub-zero temperatures, high
winds, and extreme dryness make it impossible for most animals to survive. (1) The Antarctic Peninsula
and the surrounding islands have milder temperatures and liquid water, more animals can thrive there.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) Because the Antarctic Peninsula
C) Although the Antarctic Peninsula
D) Whereas the Antarctic Peninsula

Example 4

Healthy arctic marine mammals have a thick layer of fat beneath the (1) skin. Tropical marine mammals
have very few fat reserves in their bodies. As a result, many of them dwell primarily in the warm waters
that surround coral reefs.

1. What is the best way to join the sentences at the underlined portion?

A) skin, however tropical marine mammals have

B) skin, so tropical marine mammals have
C) skin, but tropical mammals having
D) skin, whereas tropical marine mammals have

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Exercises: Transitions

1. In the past, coffees were blended to suit a homogenous popular taste, ________ many different
coffee flavors are now being produced.

A) for
B) but
C) and
D) because

2. _______ researchers are unable to drill into the earths core, its chemical composition remains a
mystery.

A) While
B) Because
C) Despite
D) Although

3. The Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world. _______, some people
believe that its architectural beauty has never been surpassed.

A) On the other hand

B) For example
C) Indeed
D) However

4. Music serves no obvious purpose. It has, ______, played a role in every known civilization on
earth.

A) however
B) therefore
C) in fact
D) moreover

5. _______ modern technology offers remarkable opportunities for self-expression and

communication, it also offers many possibilities for distraction.

A) Because
B) Despite
C) Since
D) While

6. In order to save an endangered species, preservationists must study it in detail. _______,

scientific information about some endangered animals is scarce.

A) However
B) Therefore
C) In fact
D) Likewise

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7. Pyramids are most commonly associated with ancient Egypt ________, many people are
surprised to learn that the Nubians, who lived in modern-day Sudan, constructed a far greater
number of pyramids than the Egyptians did.

A) Consequently
B) In fact
C) In addition
D) For example

8. _______ modern chemistry keeps insects from ravaging crops, removes stains, and saves lives,
constant exposure to chemicals is taking a toll on many people's health.

A) Because
B) Although
C) Despite
D) Since

9. In the Middle Ages, fairs often attracted large crowds and led to rioting. _______, authorities were
reluctant to grant permission for fairs to be held.

A) In fact
B) Nevertheless
C) Therefore
D) Furthermore

10. Skilled managers are in high demand. ________, management professionals with the right
experience and credentials are some of the most sought-after professionals in the world.

A) Nevertheless
B) Indeed
C) Besides
D) However

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Exercise II
1. On the screen, three people walk in a garden. The image is black-and-white, and the figures move in a
jerky way. After a few seconds, they disappear. Filmed in 1888, Roundbay Garden Scene seems
primitive in comparison to the slick, sophisticated Hollywood films of today. (1) Therefore, it is the oldest
surviving film in existence.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) Additionally
C) In fact
D) Instead

2. In 1959, Project Mercury became the first human spaceflight program led by the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration (NASA). The project was aimed at putting an American into orbit before the
Soviet Union could accomplish that goal. (1) However, the program ran until 1963 and involved seven
astronauts flying six solo trips.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) In addition, the program
C) Nevertheless, the program
D) The program

3. Chimpanzees and bonobo monkeys resemble each other physically, but their social behaviors differ
greatly. Chimpanzees have an omnivorous diet, a troop hunting culture, and complex social relationships.
Bonobo monkeys, (1) on the other hand, eat mostly fruit, rarely hunt, and do not have a strict social
hierarchy.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) therefore
C) moreover
D) consequently

4. A gamelan is a traditional musical ensemble from Indonesia, typically from the islands of Java and Bali.
Gamelans typically feature a variety of instruments, including xylophones, gongs, and bamboo flutes.
Some ensembles also include vocalists. (1) Nevertheless, gamelan music is an integral part of Indonesian
culture.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) Thus, gamelan music
C) For example, gamelan music
D) Gamelan music

5. Many people fear or dislike spiders, but spiders are mostly beneficial because they prey on insects and
other pests. The spiders commonly seen out in the open during the day are usually harmless and unlikely
to bite people. (1) For instance, poisonous spiders generally spend most of their time in woodpiles,
corners, or boxes and rarely come into contact with human beings.

1.
A) NO CHANGE

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B) In contrast
C) Therefore
D) Nevertheless

6. (1) Although computerized fingerprint scanners have been a staple of spy movies for decades, but until
recently, they were rarely found in the real world. Over the last few years, (2) therefore, scanners have
become common in many different locations, including police stations, high security buildings, and even
computer keyboards. The price of a scanner has also decreased significantly. (3) However, it is now
possible to purchase a USB fingerprint scanner for under $100.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) While computerized
C) Since computerized
D) Computerized

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) in fact
C) however
D) for example

3.
A) NO CHANGE
B) Next
C) In fact
D) Likewise

7. Executive editors play one of the most important roles at a newspaper or magazine: they oversee
assistant editors and generally have the final say about which stories are published. (1) Meanwhile, if a
writer covering local news proposed a piece about the candidates in a city election, the executive editor
would decide whether to approve the article and determine what angle the writer should take. Executive
editors also plan budgets and negotiate contracts with freelance writers, sometimes called "stringers."
Although many executive editors work for newspaper publishers, some also (2 work for television stations
or advertising firms.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) For instance
C) Similarly
D) Instead

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) work extremely long hours.
C) find their jobs challenging.
D) collaborate with their colleagues.

8. Straw has been used as a building material for centuries. Contrary to popular belief, it is not easily
destroyed. (1) In fact, it can actually be quite hardy. In the nineteenth century, settlers in the Nebraska
Sandhills used straw to build houses when wood and clay were scarce; some of the structures are still
standing today. Builders are hoping such longevity is a trend, but new homes that use straw do have
some updates. In the updated structures, (2) however, the straw is pressed into panels and framed with

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timber for reinforcement. The panels are then covered in brick so that no straw remains exposed to the
elements.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) Therefore
C) For example
D) However

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) meanwhile
C) for example
D) moreover

9. The Silk Road acquired its name from the lucrative trade in Chinese silk carried out along its 4,000
miles, beginning during the Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD). The Chinese took great interest in the safety
of their (1) goods, and they extended the Great Wall of China to ensure the protection of their trade
routes.

Trade on the Silk Road was a significant factor in the development of China, India, Persia, Europe, and
Arabia, opening long-distance political and economic interactions. (2) Because silk was certainly the
major trade item from China; numerous other types of goods also traveled along tie Silk Routes. The Silk
Road facilitated cultural trade among many different cultures.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) goods, they
C) goods, but they
D) goods, therefore they

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) While silk
C) Despite Silk
D) Silk

10. By turning the camera on herself, Cindy Sherman established her reputation as one of the most
respected photographers of the late twentieth century. (1) Despite the majority of her photographs are
pictures of herself, these photographs are most definitely not her self-portraits. Rather, Sherman uses
herself as a vehicle for commentary on a variety of issues of the modem world: the role of the woman, the
role of the artist, and many more. It is through these ambiguous and eclectic photographs that Sherman
has developed a distinct signature style. (2) Moreover, she has raised challenging and important
questions about the role and representation of women in society, the media and the nature of the creation
of art.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) For
C) Since
D) Although

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2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) Therefore
C) However
D) Consequently

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Non-Essential and Essential Clauses

Example 1

Correct: The Tower of London, which was begun by William the Conqueror in 1078, is one of the
largest and most imposing fortifications in England

Correct: The Tower of London is one of the largest and most imposing fortifications in England.

Ø Non-essential clauses must always be surrounded by commas; if one or both of the commas are
removed, the sentence is incorrect.

Incorrect: The Tower of London, which was begun by William the Conqueror in 1078 is one of
the largest and most imposing fortifications in England.

Incorrect: The Tower of London which was begun by "William the Conqueror in 1078, is one of
the largest and most imposing fortifications in England.

Incorrect: The Tower of London which was begun by William the Conqueror in 1078 is one of
the largest and most imposing fortifications in England.

Example 2

London, which was originally built by the Romans along the banks of the Thames more than two
thousand years (1) ago contains some extremely modern neighborhoods.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) ago; contains
C) ago, containing
D) ago, contains

Ø Essential Clauses With and Without "That”

Example 3

Incorrect: Parrots are one of the most difficult pets, that a person can have because they are intelligent,
demanding, and live for up to 50 years.

Incorrect: Parrots are one of the most difficult pets that, a person can have because they are intelligent,
demanding, and live for up to 50 years.

Correct: Parrots are one of the most difficult pets that a person can have because they are intelligent,
demanding, and live for up to 50 years.

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Example 4

The store where I work has a return policy I have always found amusing. Normally, customers have one
year from the purchase date to return unwanted or defective item; however, (1) customers, who make
purchases on February 29th, have four years to return their items. The store's owner reasons that
customers should have the right to return an item until the next occurrence of the date on which they
bought it. Since February 29th occurs only once every four years, customers should thus be allowed
nearly 1,500 days to decide whether they truly want a toaster or pair of shoes.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) customers, who make purchases on february 29th
C) customers who make purchases on february 29th,
D) customers who make purchases on february 29th

Example 5

The hexacopter, a lump of steel propellers and lenses, is both camera and flying machine. This
contraption is revolutionizing the way news is reported. In the past, (1) journalists, who wanted to
obtain aerial shots of events to accompany their stories, were forced to rely on conventional
helicopters, which often flew too high to capture detailed images. The hexacopter, however, can catapult
itself into the air and hover right above the scene the photographer wishes to record.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) journalists who wanted to obtain aerial shots to accompany their stories,
C) journalists, who wanted to obtain aerial shots to accompany their stores
D) journalists who wanted to obtain aerial shots to accompany their stores

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Exercise: Non-Essential and Essential Clauses

1. Along with her (1) husband Martin Luther king, Coretta Scott King played an important role in the Civil
Rights Movement. She was most active after 1968, when she took on the leadership of the struggle for
racial equality herself and became a key figure in the women's movement.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) husband Martin Luther King;
C) husband, Martin Luther King,
D) husband, Martin Luther King

2. Some animal trainers claim that most obedience programs consist of no more than teaching a dog
tricks. A (1) dog, that has undergone obedience training, may understand commands such as "sit,”
"down," and "heel" but may still engage in destructive and aggressive behaviors such as chewing shoes
or digging tip flowers

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) dog that has undergone obedience training
C) dog that, has undergone obedience training
D) dog, that has undergone obedience training

3. Lisa See, author of the (1) best-selling novel, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, has always been
intrigued by stories that have been lost, forgotten, or deliberately covered up. To research the book, See
traveled to a remote area of China (2) that, she was told, only one foreigner before her had ever visited.
While there, See was able to investigate a secret type of writing that women had kept hidden for over a
thousand years.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) best-selling novel Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
C) best-selling novel, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan
D) best-selling novel Snow Flower and the Secret Fan,

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) that she was told,
C) that, she was told
D) that; she was told

4. Alfred Mosher Butts, the American (1) architect, who created Scrabble™, intended it to be a variation
on the existing word game Lexiko. The two games had the same set of letter tiles and point values, which
Butts had worked out by analyzing the frequency with which letters appeared in newspaper and
magazines. He decided the new game should be called "Criss-Crosswords" and added the 15 x 15
game board. Butts created a few sets (2) himself, but the first manufacturers who inspected them did not
think that the game was likely to become very popular.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) architect, he created Scrabble™,
C) architect who created Scrabble™,

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D) architect; who created Scrabble™

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) himself, but the first manufacturers, who inspected them,
C) himself, but the first manufacturers, who inspected them
D) himself; however, the first manufacturers who inspected them

5. In November 1895, German (1) physicist Wilhelm Roentgen accidentally discovered an image created
by rays emanating from a vacuum tube. Further investigation showed that the rays penetrated many
kinds of matter. A week after his discovery, Roentgen photographed the hand of his (2) wife, Anna, clearly
revealing her wedding ring and bones. The image, which electrified the general (3) public aroused great
scientific interest in the new form of radiation.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) physicist Wilhelm Roentgen,
C) physicist, Wilhelm Roentgen
D) physicist, Wilhelm Roentgen,

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) wife, Anna clearly revealed
C) wife Anna; clearly revealing
D) wife Anna, this clearly revealed

3.
A) NO CHANGE
B) public, aroused
C) public, and aroused
D) public; aroused

6. Grant Wood's best known (1) painting, American Gothic is one of the few images to reach the status of
universally recognized cultural icon. It was first exhibited in 1930 at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it is
still located. Photographs of the painting, which was awarded a $300 (2) prize appeared in newspapers
country-wide and brought Wood immediate recognition. Since then, it has been borrowed and satirized
endlessly for advertisements and cartoons.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) painting American Gothic
C) painting American Gothic,
D) painting, American Gothic,

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) prize, and appeared
C) prize, appeared
D) prize, appearing

7. Certification for school (1) librarians also known as school media specialists, varies by state. Some
states require school media specialists to be certified teachers, while others require they have only a
Masters of Library Science. Some require a Masters Degree in Education with a specialization in library

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science. In contrast, almost all states require (2) librarians, who work in local libraries, to obtain
professional certification.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) librarians. Who are also known
C) librarians, they are also known
D) librarians, also known

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) librarians who work in local libraries,
C) librarians who work in local libraries
D) librarians and work in local libraries

8. Although Mt. Everest is the highest mountain in the world, it is less challenging to climb than some of
the other mountains in the Himalayas. High elevations and low temperatures (1) do, however, create a
difficult and dangerous trek. (2) Mountain climbers, who want to trek to the summit of Mt. Everest, are
advised to ensure that they are properly equipped and physically capable of making the journey.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) do; however,
C) do however
D) do, however

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) Mountain climbers, who want to trek to the summit of Mt. Everest
C) Mountain climbers who want to trek to the summit of Mt. Everest
D) Mountain climbers who want to trek, to the summit of Mt. Everest,

9. First recorded in 1835, the (1) disease, polio, baffled scientific researchers for decades. It was (2) in
fact, the most serious public health problem of the mid-20th century, and scientists were frantic for a cure.
During the 1940s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the world's most recognized polio victim, in 1938,
he founded the (3) organization, March of Dimes to fund the development of a cure. Before a vaccine was
finally discovered by an American (4) scientist Jonas Salk in 1955, more than 80 percent of polio patients
received help from the foundation.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) disease polio
C) disease, polio
D) disease polio,

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) was, in fact,
C) was in fact;
D) was, in fact

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3.
A) NO CHANGE
B) the organization March of Dimes,
C) the organization March of Dimes
D) the organization, March of Dimes.

4.
A) NO CHANGE
B) scientist Jonas Salk,
C) scientist, Jonas Salk
D) scientist, Jonas Salk,

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 Cracking the Digital SAT – Writing

Additional Comma Uses, Colons and Dashes

Ø Commas should be used:

1) To Separate Items in a list

Example 1

Correct: The museum's new open-storage display brings some 900 vintage World's Fair souvenirs out of
attics, desk drawers, shoeboxes, and museum archives for visitors to view.

Correct: The museum's new open-storage display brings some 900 vintage World's Fair souvenirs out of
attics, desk drawers, shoeboxes and museum archives for visitors to view.

Ø No comma should ever be used after the word and.

Example 2

Incorrect: The museum's open-storage display brings over 900 vintage World's Fair souvenirs out of
attics, desk drawers, shoeboxes, and, museum archives for visitors to view.

Incorrect: The museum's open-storage display brings over 900 vintage World's Fair souvenirs out of
attics, desk drawers, shoeboxes and, museum, archives for visitors to view.

2) To Separate Adjectives Whose Order Could be Reversed

Example 3

Correct: One of the Queens Museum's recent exhibits featured works by contemporary artists from
Japan, Taiwan, and Ireland, offering patrons the chance to see a kind of innovative, passionate art that
larger museums often ignore.

Correct: One of the Queens Museum's recent exhibits featured works by contemporary artists from
Japan, Taiwan, and Ireland, offering patrons the chance to see a kind of passionate, innovative art that
larger museums often ignore.

Correct: One of the Queens Museum's recent exhibits featured works by contemporary artists from
Japan, Taiwan, and Ireland, offering patrons the chance to see a kind of innovative and passionate art
that larger museums often ignore.

3) After a Close-Parenthesis Where a Comma Would Normally be Necessary

Correct: The Tower of London was constructed as a prison in the eleventh century (1078 to be exact), but
over the centuries it has been used as everything from an armory lo a treasury.

Incorrect: The Tower of London was constructed as a prison in the eleventh century, (1078 to be exact),
but over the centuries it has been used as everything from an armory to a treasury.

4) After Introductory Words and Phrases

Correct: At first, it looked as if the storm was going to miss us by a few hundred miles.

Correct: Nevertheless, Armstrong persisted and became an extraordinary musician.

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 Cracking the Digital SAT – Writing

Colons and Dashes

Colons should be used in two situations:

I. Before a list
II. Before an explanation

Ø Colon before a list

Example 1

Incorrect: Photographer and filmmaker George Picker chronicled artists such as/including: folk singers,
jazz musicians, and visual artists.

Correct: Photographer and filmmaker George Picker chronicled a wide variety of artists: folk singers,
jazz musicians, and visual artists were all among his subjects.

Ø Colon before an explanation

Example 2

Incorrect: The Amazon parrot does not make an ideal pet for most people because: it requires much
more attention and entertainment than many other animals do.

Correct: The Amazon parrot does not make an ideal pet for most people for one major reason: it
requires much more attention and affection than many other animals do.

Ø Dashes have three major uses:

I. Set off a non-essential clause

II. Introduce a list or explanation
III. Create a deliberate pause

Example 3

Incorrect: London — which is a very old city, has many new buildings.
Correct: London — which is a very old city — has many new buildings.

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Exercise: Colons and Dashes

1. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest national park in the United Stales, represents everything
compelling about Alaska. It is immense - larger, in fact, than Belgium. It showcases towering mountains -
Mount St. Elias stands (1) over 18,000 feet tall as well as glaciers. Alaska's human history is also
displayed in the mining towns of McCarthy and Kennicott. Just getting there is an (2) adventure: it's a long
day's drive through miles of wilderness to reach the park's entrance.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) over 18,000 feet tall —
C) over 18.000 feet tall,
D) over 18,000 feet tail;

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) adventure; it being a long day's drive
C) adventure, but it's a long day's drive
D) adventure. Its a long day's drive

2. A dentist's job includes tasks (1) such as: filling cavities, examining X-rays, and applying protective
sealant. Dentists, who receive medical training similar to that of (2) doctors — can also perform oral
surgery on patients and write prescriptions. They also educate patients about caring for teeth and gums
by encouraging them to follow a variety of healthy habits - taking fluorides, flossing, brushing, and abiding
by a healthy diet.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) such as filling cavities; examining
C) such as filling cavities, examining
D) such as: filling cavities examining

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) doctors, can
C) doctors can
D) doctors; can

3. A novel method of air (1) conditioning - which is taking root among some of the world's most powerful
corporations, uses the simple power of ice. Not only is the system more environmentally friendly but it
also saves millions of dollars in utility bills. The system (2) works by: making ice at night, when lower
power usage means energy is cheaper and lower temperatures require less power to freeze water. The
larger the difference between nighttime and daytime temperatures, the greater the energy savings.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) conditioning. Which
C) conditioning, which
D) conditioning which

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) works, by making ice at night

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C) works by making ice at night,

D) works by making ice at night –

4. The northern snakehead is a Fish that lives up to its (1) name: its head tapers to a point, making it look
as if (2) someone, perhaps a mad scientist - had grafted a snake's head and several inches of scaly body
onto a fish. Its fins hang unevenly from its body, as though they were tacked on as an afterthought. Given
the fish's wild appearance, it's hardly a surprise that scientists have given it a (3) nickname - Frankenfish

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) name. It's head tapers to a point
C) name, its head tapers to a point;
D) name its head tapers lo a point

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) someone perhaps
C) someone. Perhaps
D) someone - perhaps

3.
A) NO CHANGE
B) nickname Frankenfish
C) nickname: Frankenfish
D) nickname; Frankenfish

5. The appearance of mosaic (1) murals, pictures made of many small pieces - has remained unchanged
for thousands of years. However, the last few decades have seen the emergence of a new (2) style.
Colorful three-dimensional stone wall murals. One such mural was produced by Janna Morrison in 2005.
She combined the piecework of mosaic murals with traditional soap stone slab carving (3) to produce:
lifelike tropical plants, flowers, and sea life scenes ranging in size from a few inches to life-size plants
inlaid along entire wails.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) murals - pictures
C) murals, pictures,
D) murals. Pictures

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) style, colorful, three-dimensional
C) style: colorful, three-dimensional
D) style; colorful three-dimensional

3.
A) NO CHANGE
B) to produce; lifelike, tropical plants, flowers,
C) to produce - lifelike tropical plants, flowers,
D) to produce lifelike tropical plants, flowers

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 Cracking the Digital SAT – Writing

Apostrophes: Possessive vs. Plural

Singular Plural (-s, -es) Singular Possessive (-‘s) Plural Possessive (-s’)
Artist Artists Artist's Artists'
Business Businesses Business’s Businesses'

Example 1

Correct: The birds are flying. (= More than one bird is flying.)
Correct: The businesses are open. (= More than one business is open.)

Example 2

Correct: The bird’s wings are red. (= The wings of the bird are red.)
Correct: The business’s policy is new. (= The policy of the business is new.)

Example 3

Correct: The birds’ wings are red. (= The wings of the birds are red.)
Correct: The businesses’ policies are new. (= The policies of the businesses are new.)

Example 4

Incorrect: The birds flying over the city.

Correct: The bird's flying over the city. (= The bird is flying over the city.)

Example 5

It's vs. Its

It's = it is, it has

Its = possessive of it
lts', Its's = do not exist

Incorrect: Some critics of the Internet have argued that it is a danger because it's (it is) vastness
threatens people's intellectual health.

Incorrect: Some critics of the Internet have argued that, it is a danger because its' vastness threatens
people's intellectual health.

Correct: Some critics of the Internet- have argued that it is a danger because its vastness threatens
people's intellectual health.

Example 6

An artists' colony is a place where creative (1) practitioner's live and interact with one another. Colonies
often select their artists through an application process, and residencies range from a few weeks to over
a year. Since colonies such as MacDowell and Yaddo were founded in the early 20th century, they have
exhibited hundreds of (2) artist's works and provided important spaces for collaboration and
experimentation.

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1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) practitioners
C) practitioners'
D) practitioner's,

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) artists works
C) artist's work's
D) artists' works

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 Cracking the Digital SAT – Writing

Exercise: Apostrophes: Possessive vs. Plural

Identify any plural or possessive error involving the pronouns, and write the correct version of the
underlined word. Some of the underlined words may not contain an error.

1) Despite its brilliance and power, the sun grew out of tiny particles suspended in enormous clouds
of dust and gas.

2) The British scientist J.D. Bernal believed that human beings would eventually be replaced by
creatures who's bodies were half-human and half-machine.

3) Instrument-makers have tried to reproduce a Stradivarius violin's precise sound for hundreds of
years, but all of they're attempts have been unsuccessful.

4) Bats can perceive and stalk their prey in complete darkness, using a system of ultrasonic sounds
to produce echo's that identify it's location.

5) A computer program devoted to facial recognition can determine people's emotions by following
there faces' movements and linking its readings with a database of expressions.

6) George Westinghouse was an electrical industry pioneer who's first major invention, the rolary
steam engine, earned him many scientists' admiration when he was still a young man.

7) Although Los Angeles has long been famous for it's traffic jam's, pedestrians are now able to walk
in the cities center with much greater ease.

8) The woolly mammoth's appearance and behavior have been studied more than those of most
prehistoric animals because there bones have been discovered in many different locations.

9) Individuals whose goal is to obtain an advanced degree in speech-language pathology must first
receive they're undergraduate degree in a related field.

10) If the idea of traveling across the United States in an 18-wheeler, flying a commercial jet or
crossing the Atlantic in a cargo vessel appeals to you, then a career in transportation might be
just what your looking for.

11) The peacock is a bird who's penchant for showing off its bright, multicolored plumage has made it
a symbol of vanity and pride in many different cultures.

12) The gray wolf, which once lived throughout much of North America, is now rarely spotted
because it's habitat has been almost entirely destroyed.

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 Cracking the Digital SAT – Writing

Pronoun and Noun Agreement

Ø A pronoun must agree with the noun to which it refers, i.e. its antecedent or referent. Singular
pronouns (e.g. she, it) must agree with singular nouns, and plural pronouns (e.g. they) must
agree with plural pronouns.

Example 1

The cacao bean is the dried and fully fermented fatty bean of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao). (1) Their
the source of cocoa butter and solids, including chocolate, as well as an ingredient in many
Mesoamerican dishes such as mole and tejate.

1.
A) No change
B) It's
C) Its
D) They're

Example 2 - Things

Incorrect: While the tomato is botanically a fruit, they are considered a vegetable for culinary purposes.

Correct: While the tomato is botanically a fruit, it is considered a vegetable for culinary purposes.

Ø Likewise, a plural noun must, be replaced with a plural pronoun.

Incorrect: While the tomatoes are botanically fruits, it is considered a vegetable for culinary purposes.

Correct While tomatoes are botanically fruits, they are considered a vegetable for culinary purposes.

Example 3 – Noun Agreement

Ø Singular noun agreement

Incorrect: Orville Wright, along with his brother Wilbur, are considered inventors of the airplane.

Correct: Orville Wright, along with his brother Wilbur, is considered an inventor of the airplane.

Ø Plural noun agreement

Incorrect: Capitalizing on the national bicycle craze of the early 1890s, Orville and Wilbur Wright decided
to open a shop and become a bicycle seller.

Correct: Capitalizing on the. national bicycle craze of the early 1890s, Orville and Wilbur Wright decided to
open a shop and become bicycle sellers.

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 Cracking the Digital SAT – Writing

Example 4 – Missing or Ambiguous Antecedent

Daniel Liebeskind and Frank Gehry are among the most celebrated architects in the world. (1) He
is known for using unconventional building materials such as corrugated metal to create tilled geometrical
structures.

1.

A) NO CHANGE
B) Their
C) Gehry
D) He would be

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 Cracking the Digital SAT – Writing

Exercise: Pronoun and Noun Agreement

1. New types of digital technology have allowed acoustic engineers to create sophisticated noise-filtering
devices. As a result, (1) he or she can now eliminate unwanted noise with a precision never before
possible

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) one
C) we
D) they

2. Hidden between a bookstore and a cafe, San Francisco's Jack Kerouac Alley is easy to overlook. Once
a place to throw garbage, (1) they’ve been transformed into an inviting pedestrian-only thoroughfare,
complete with decorative lampposts and poetry in English and Chinese lining the walkway.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) they’d
C) it’s
D) he’s

3. Deserts are found on every continent including Antarctica. (1) Its often the site of unusual rock
formations and, in some cases, amazing archaeological finds. Many of the largest ones, including the
Gobi Desert, the Great Basin Desert, and the Patagonian Desert, are located in the shadows of immense
mountain ranges that block moisture from nearby oceans or bodies of water.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) They’re
C) Their
D) It’s

4. The most common movements we make while asleep are rapid eye movements. When we dream, our
eyes move in accordance with what we are dreaming about. If, for example, we dream about watching a
game of tennis, (1) one's eyes will move from left to right with each volley. These movements, generated
in the dream world, escape from normal sleep paralysis and leak into the real world. Seeing a sleeping
person's eyes move is the strongest sign that (2) he or she is dreaming.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) our eyes
C) their eye's
D) they're eyes

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) they're
C) there
D) one

5. You're up to your knees in mud and weeds, getting bitten by things you can't identify, (1) One's

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 Cracking the Digital SAT – Writing

surroundings seem to grow more hostile by the minute. Meanwhile, you search for a creature that
probably ran away hours ago and couldn't care less about communing with you. And as you open your
notebook, the sky opens and drenches (2) them. Welcome to the world of nature writing.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) You’re surroundings
C) Your surroundings
D) Their surrounding’s

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) the pages.
C) that.
D) this.

6. Miles Dewey Davis III (May 26, 1926 – September 28, 1991) was an American jazz musician,
trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Known for creating a unique sound and style through the use of
non-traditional instruments such as the French horn, Davis joined Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington as
(1) the most renowned performers in the United States during the mid-twentieth century.

A) NO CHANGE
B) the most renowned performers,
C) one of the most renowned performers
D) one of the more renowned performers -

7. According to author Nadine Gordimer, the process of writing fiction is unconscious, emerging from what
people learn and how (1) they live. Gordimer, who was born in South Africa in 1923, was an authority on
that subject. (2) They received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1991, having attained international
recognition for her work. At the time she won (3) that, she had published 10 novels, dozens of short
stories, essay collections, and a play.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) one lives.
C) you live.
D) we live.

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) This
C) One
D) She

3.
A) NO CHANGE
B) the award
C) them
D) that thing

8. Webs allows spiders to catch prey without having to expend energy chasing it around. However, (1) it's
a tiring dilemma because of the large amount of protein required, in the form of silk. In addition, silk
quickly loses its stickiness and become inefficient at capturing prey. As a result, spiders often eat (2) it’s

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 Cracking the Digital SAT – Writing

own webs daily to regain some of the energy used in spinning. The silk proteins are thus recycled.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) spinning a web is tiring process
C) its a tiring process
D) they’re process is tiring

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) its own web’s
C) there own webs’
D) their own webs

9. There are over 3,000 lizard species, but the Komodo dragon, a reptile with ancestors that date back
more than 100 million years, wins the prize for being the largest living lizard in the world. (1) They're name
came from rumors of a large dragon-like lizard inhabiting the warm, hilly islands of Indonesia. Indeed, the
yellow color of its long, forked tongue reminds people of a mythical fire-spitting dragon. Despite its ancient
roots, the Komodo dragon was unknown to (2) them until 1910, when it was observed in Komodo National
Park.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) Their
C) Its
D) It's

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) researchers
C) those people
D) it

10. There are around 300 octopus species, all of which can change colors, squirt poison, and exert a
force greater than their own body weight. In fact, (1) they're part of an elite group of marine creatures with
remarkably large brains. Scientists have found that octopuses can not only navigate their way through
mazes, but they can also solve problems quickly and remember (2) that.

1.
A) NO CHANGE
B) their
C) its
D) it's

2.
A) NO CHANGE
B) the solutions.
C) those.
D) this.

SAT with Talal 25

Cracking the SAT Getting Up To Speed #1

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