Quick SAT Writing Question

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>Hey,</p>

<p>Here's a picture of #29 test 6 from the blue book:
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<p>The correct answer is A. However, I put B. </p>

<p>Isn't it supposed to be "that provides" because there is only 1 list? I remember there's a rule that say when there are 2 things separated by an "and," the word directly after needs to correspond with the quantity of the 2nd blank after the "and," which, in this case is "list of job referral centers." I understand that the "that provide" corresponds to the multiple "referral centers," but shouldn't it correspond to "list," not "centers"? </p>

<p>I feel that B is also better because the correct answer, A, should be "is." Right? There IS a directory and list. Not ARE a directory and list because directory and list are each singular.</p>

<p>I usually score in the high 700's for Writing, and automatically understand my mistakes. However, I can't seem to understand why "is" is supposed to be "are."</p>

2

<p>The answer is A.</p>

<p>The sentence is inverted in its subject/predicate (one of the lesser-used CB tricks). It says,</p>

<p>“A job directory and a list of job referral centers (that provide) (information for) students (in need of employment) (is) available through the school’s guidance office.”</p>

<p>“information for students in need of employment” and “through the school’s guidance office” are grammatically correct, so cross those parts out. Now we have:</p>

<p>“A job directory and a list of job referral centers (that provide) (is) available.”</p>

<p>Crossing out some adjectives, we have:</p>

<p>“A directory and a list (that provide) (is) available.”</p>

<p>“A directory and a list” is a compound subject, which requires a compound verb (so it’s “are” instead of “is”). Being a compound subject, “provide” agrees, so that part is right.</p>

3

<p>^Exactly. The key here is to recognize that you have a compound subject, which automatically shows that the correct verbs should be “are” and “that provide”.</p>

4

<p>Got it, thanks guys!</p>

5

<p>Hey! I had a quick improving sentences question. This one is from October 2010 PSAT:</p>

<p>The strange, nonsensical songs of the Icelandic rock group Sigur R</p>

6

<p>A is wordy, B has faulty SV agreement, C has “being” and is super awkward (probably grammatically wrong too somewhere), D has incorrect usage of “to where”.</p>

<p>E is laconic and precise.</p>

7

<p>Okay, thanks! I was debating whether “to where” in D was considered an incorrect usage. Maybe I’m just not familiar with that error, and I was thinking of it in terms of “to the point where”. Thanks for the clarification though.</p>