SAT Writing Q: please help!

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>He was somewhat uncertain about how to use the new machine and asked for more specific instructions be sent. No Error. </p>

<p>The answer is C. Can someone explain why? Is it idiomatic?</p>

2

<p>Now I know why some people score horribly and others like me score 700+ with no practice.</p>

<p>You need to have a good ear.</p>

<p>it could be “he asked for more specific”</p>

3

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</p>

<p>There are only a few idiom errors on each SAT. Missing a few writing questions doesn’t mean a “horrible” score. Plus, not knowing one idiom is hardly an indicator of one’s overall SAT writing score. </p>

<p>OP: The correction would be “asked that more specific instructions be sent.” </p>

<p>And if you are unfamiliar with idioms, here’s a list of idioms:</p>

<p>[Reading</a> and Writing Tips for the SAT and ACT: SAT Idiom List](<a href=“http://ultimatesatverbal.blogspot.com/p/sat-idiom-list.html]Reading”>http://ultimatesatverbal.blogspot.com/p/sat-idiom-list.html)</p>

4

<p>It’s very simple.
If the sentence had ended at “specific instructions”, then it would have been okay to use “asked for”. However, this is not the case. The sentence following “asked for” is “specific instructions be sent”. Therefore, the correction would be: “asked that more specific instructions be sent”.</p>

5

<p>Thanks, everyone! IceQube, thanks so much for the idioms list. </p>

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</p>

<p>This is the only question I missed…</p>

6

<p>Oh yea my bad… now when I reread it, having “for” makes it seem to wrong.</p>

<p>I.E.</p>

<p>Wrong:For it be sent</p>

<p>Right: That it be sent.</p>

7

<p>Also right: for it to be sent (not an option, however).</p>

<p>Remember, “ask” and “require” can take subjunctive or not. “I asked that she be early” or “I asked her to be early” are both okay. This flexibility isn’t an option for the other command/suggestion words. It will be one day, though.</p>