Trial

SAT Writing: Improving Sentences

Improving Sentences

Select the choice that results in the best sentence – the sentence that follows the requirements of standard written English and communicates effectively.

Of all the plays in which I have performed, my experience in Shakespeare's King Lear was the most challenging because the lines were so complex.

A.  my experience in Shakespeare's King Lear was the most challenging because the lines were so complex.
B.  my experience in Shakespeare's King Lear challenged me the most because of the complexity of the lines.
C.  the challenge presented by the complex lines of Shakespeare's King Lear was the worst for me.
D.  Shakespeare's King Lear, because of the complexity of the lines, challenged me mostly.
E.  Shakespeare's King Lear was the most challenging for me because the lines were so complex.

Knowsys Method

Read the sentence carefully, listening for errors. If you do not find the error immediately, then check the underlined portion against the Big 8. 

What do you notice about the original sentence?  It sounds a little like "my experience" is a play.  The modifier at the beginning of the sentence describes plays, so the name of a play should directly follow that modifier.  That eliminates answer choices A, B, and C right off the bat. 

D.  Choice D begins with the name of a play, so it fixes the modifier error, but it introduces new problems.  Placing the phrase "because of the complexity of the lines" in commas interrupts the sentence unnecessarily and reads awkwardly.  The use of "mostly" is also incorrect because it changes the meaning of the sentence.  Eliminate choice D.

E.  Choice E fixes the modifier error, it does not change the meaning of the sentence, and it follows a logical sentence structure.  Choice E is correct. 

The correct answer is E.

This is a medium level problem

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