Essay Using the space provided on this page and the next, write an essay in response to the prompt below. “An influential person is one who leaves a footprint in the sand of our soul. To me, the most influential person I can think of is . . .” Assignment: Complete the sentence above with an appropriate phrase. Then write an essay supporting your completed statement. –THE SAT WRITING SECTION– 187 5658 SAT2006[05](fin).qx 11/21/05 6:45 PM Page 187 –THE SAT WRITING SECTION– 188 5658 SAT2006[05](fin).qx 11/21/05 6:45 PM Page 188 Identifying Sentence Errors Each of the following sentences has four underlined words or phrases. Read each sentence and determine which underlined portion, if any, has an error in grammar, usage, word choice, or idiom (standard expression). If there is no error, select choice (e). No sentence has more than one error. 1. Although he is b est known for his Sherlock Holmes se ries, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle having penned dozens (a)(b)(c) of stories and novels that did not include his beloved sleuth. No error (d)(e) 2. Often mistak en for termites, carpenter ants have longer bodies and shorter wings than termites, and while (a)(b)(c) termite antennae are straight, the antennae of the carpenter variety is bent or “elbowed.” No error (d)(e) 3. C ontrary from their expectations, many people find themselves wanting to go back to work (a)(b)(c) w ithin months of their retirement. No error (d)(e) 4. Mary Cassatt, an American Impressionist painter born in 1844, b ecame famous mainly (a) for her p ortraits of women and their children, unlike other Impressionists of her time (b)(c) w ho were known for their landscapes. No error (d)(e) 5. The hit television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation has spa wned a new interest in criminal studies, (a) r esulting in the expansion of many existing criminal justice programs and which created many new (b)(c)(d) programs across the country. N o error (e) –THE SAT WRITING SECTION– 189 5658 SAT2006[05](fin).qx 11/21/05 6:45 PM Page 189 Improving Sentences In each of the sentences below, part or all of the sen- tence is underlined. The underlined text may contain an error in sentence construction, grammar, word choice, or punctuation. Choice a repeats the original underlined text. If there is no error in the underlined portion, choose a. If there is an error, select the answer choice that most effectively expresses the meaning of the sentence without any ambiguity or awkwardness. 6. When choosing a college, one should consider several factors, s uch as class size, teacher-to-stu- dent ratio, and where the school is located. a. such as class size, teacher-to-student ratio, and where the school is located b. such as class size, the teacher-to-student ratio, and location c. such as class size, teacher-to-student ratio, and location d. such as class size, how many teachers to every student, and location e. such as the class size, teacher-to-student ratio, and the location 7. H eld in 1927, President Calvin Coolidge presided over the ceremony to officially commence the carving of Mount Rushmore. a. Held in 1927, President Calvin Coolidge presided over the ceremony to officially com- mence the carving of Mount Rushmore. b. Held in 1927, it was President Calvin Coolidge who presided over the ceremony to officially commence the carving of Mount Rushmore. c. The carving of Mount Rushmore was officially commenced in 1927 at a ceremony that was presided over by President Calvin Coolidge. d. President Calvin Coolidge presided over the 1927 ceremony that officially commenced the carving of Mount Rushmore. e. The 1927 ceremony, presided over by Presi- dent Calvin Coolidge, which officially com- menced the carving of Mount Rushmore. 8. In the 1950s, families that were lucky enough to have a television had three or four channels to choose from, althoug h today’s families may have three or four TVs and hundreds of channel choices. a. although today’s families may have three or four TVs and hundreds of channel choices b. while today’s families may have three or four TVs and hundreds of channel choices c. however, today’s families may have three or four TVs and hundreds of channel choices d. families today may have three or four TVs and hundreds of channels on them e. although for today’s families, there may be three or four TVs and hundreds of channel choices –THE SAT WRITING SECTION– 190 5658 SAT2006[05](fin).qx 11/21/05 6:45 PM Page 190 Improving Paragraphs Questions 9–10 are based on the following passage, a first draft of an essay about student volunteer programs. Read the passage and the questions that follow. For each question, choose the answer that will most improve the pas- sage. Some questions ask you to choose the best revision of a particular sentence or pair of sentences. Other ques- tions ask you to consider how to best improve the overall organization of the passage. In each case, the correct answer is the one that most closely conforms to the conventions of formal writing. (1) Student volunteerism continues to be a hot topic in education. (2) It is a growing trend in middle school and high school curriculums, and even in some elementary schools. (3) In a typical volunteer program, stu- dents are required to volunteer a certain number of hours each marking period. (4) Typically students choose from a short list of charities or organizations to work with. (5) More progressive or established programs allow students to develop their own non-profit program to benefit a cause of their choosing. (6) For me, volunteering has been an amazing experience. (7) I discovered that it felt really good every time I accomplished something for my organization. (8) It felt especially good to know that I was helping peo- ple who really needed it. (9) I volunteered four hours a week, sometimes five if I had the time. (10) I got to spend time with my friends while we made a difference in our community. (11) In my school, the volunteer program is called the “Kids Care Core.” (12) The word “core” signifies that it’s an essential part of our curriculum and a requirement for everyone. (13) We are divided into small teams. (14) Each team chooses a local organization and we donate our time throughout the semester. (15) My group chose to help collect unwanted eyeglasses, which get sent around the world to people who can’t afford glasses. (16) Together we collected over 100 pairs of eyeglasses! (17) From my experience I know that I will continue to volunteer after I graduate, and I want to encour- age everyone to do the same. 9. Which of the following is the most logical order of the paragraphs? a. 1, 2, 3, 4 b. 1, 3, 2, 4 c. 2, 3, 4, 1 d. 4, 3, 2, 1 e. 1, 4, 2, 3 –THE SAT WRITING SECTION– 191 5658 SAT2006[05](fin).qx 11/21/05 6:45 PM Page 191 10. Which of the following is the most effective combination of sentences 13 and 14 (reprinted below)? (13) We are divided into small teams. (14) Each team chooses a local organization and we donate our time throughout the semester. a. We are divided into small teams, each of which chooses a local organization and we donate our time throughout the semester. b. We are divided into small teams, and we each choose a local organization to which we donate our time to throughout the semester. c. We are divided into small teams and local organizations to donate our time to throughout the semester. d. Divided into small teams, we choose a local organization and donate our time throughout the semester. e. After we are divided into small teams, we choose a local organization to donate our time to throughout the semester. –THE SAT WRITING SECTION– 192 5658 SAT2006[05](fin).qx 11/21/05 6:45 PM Page 192 . the sentence above with an appropriate phrase. Then write an essay supporting your completed statement. THE SAT WRITING SECTION 187 5658 SAT2 006[05](fin).qx 11/21/05 6:45 PM Page 187 THE SAT. do the same. 9. Which of the following is the most logical order of the paragraphs? a. 1, 2, 3, 4 b. 1, 3, 2, 4 c. 2, 3, 4, 1 d. 4, 3, 2, 1 e. 1, 4, 2, 3 THE SAT WRITING SECTION 191 5658 SAT2 006[05](fin).qx. (b)(c)(d) programs across the country. N o error (e) THE SAT WRITING SECTION 189 5658 SAT2 006[05](fin).qx 11/21/05 6:45 PM Page 189 Improving Sentences In each of the sentences below, part or all of the sen- tence