Writing > Identifying Sentence Errors

　　The following sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence contains no error, select choice E.

　　1.a (Although not) the b (first animated) feature film, Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs c (was) the first animated film to use up-to-the-minute techniques d (as well as achieving) widespread release. e (No error)

　　Answer Choices

　　(A) A

　　(B) B

　　(C) C

　　(D) D

　　(E) E

　　2.The students a (have discovered) that b (they) can address issues more effectively c (through) letter-writing campaigns d (and not) through public demonstrations. e (No error)

　　Answer Choices

　　(A) A

　　(B) B

　　(C) C

　　(D) D

　　(E) E

　　3.Used a (in place of) buttons, hooks and eyes, b (or) laces, the zipper c (consists of) two rows of plastic or metal teeth d (and bound) to the edges of two strips of fabric. e (No error)

　　Answer Choices

　　(A) A

　　(B) B

　　(C) C

　　(D) D

　　(E) E

　　4.Maude Adams, after her spectacular a (triumph as) the original Peter Pan, b (went about) c (heavy veiled) and was accessible to d (only a handful) of intimate friends. e (No error)

　　Answer Choices

　　(A) A

　　(B) B

　　(C) C

　　(D) D

　　(E) E

　　5.Today a (more than) two million Mayan Indians b (live in) northern Yucatán and highland Guatemala in a manner c (similar to) d (those of) their ancestors. e (No error)

　　Answer Choices

　　(A) A

　　(B) B

　　(C) C

　　(D) D

　　(E) E

　　6.a (After) hours of futile debate, the committee has decided b (to postpone) further discussion c (of the resolution) until d (their) next meeting. e (No error)

　　Answer Choices

　　(A) A

　　(B) B

　　(C) C

　　(D) D

　　(E) E

　　Explanation

　　1.The correct answer is D

　　The error in this sentence occurs at (D), where there is an inappropriate verb form. The infinitive “to achieve” is needed to parallel the infinitive “to use.”

　　2.The correct answer is D

　　The error in this sentence occurs at (D). When a comparison is introduced by the adverb "more," as in "more effectively," the second part of the comparison must be introduced by the conjunction "than" rather than "and not."

　　The other options contain no errors. In (A), the plural verb "have discovered" agrees with the plural subject "students." In (B), the plural pronoun "they" correctly refers to the plural noun "students." In (C), the preposition "through" appropriately expresses the means by which issues are addressed.

　　3.The correct answer is D

　　The error in this sentence occurs at (D), where there is awkward and wordy phrasing. The conjunction “and” should be either deleted or replaced by “that are.”

　　4.The correct answer is C

　　The error in this sentence is (C): the word "heavy" in the phrase "heavy veiled" should not be in the form of an adjective but in the adverbial form since it is used to modify the participle "veiled." The correct sentence reads: Maude Adams, after her spectacular triumph as the original Peter Pan, went about heavily veiled and was accessible to only a handful of intimate friends.

　　5.The correct answer is D

　　The error in this sentence occurs at (D), where there is an inappropriate pronoun. The singular pronoun “that” is needed to refer to the singular noun “manner.”

　　6.The correct answer is D

　　The error in this sentence occurs at (D). A pronoun must agree in number (singular or plural) with the noun to which it refers. Here, the plural pronoun "their" incorrectly refers to the singular noun "committee."

　　The other options contain no errors. In (A), the preposition "After" appropriately introduces a phrase that indicates when the committee made its decision. In (B), "to postpone" is the verb form needed to complete the description of the committee's decision. In (C), the prepositional phrase "of the resolution" appropriately specifies the subject of the postponed discussion.

　　The sentence may be corrected as follows: After hours of futile debate, the committee has decided to postpone further discussion of the resolution until its next meeting.