SAT prep - Trimming Sentences Practice.pptx

sat practice english

1. Trimming Sentences SAT Prep

2. Trimming sentences- What is it? Defined as ignoring the “nonessential” parts of a sentence. Helps spot subject/verb disagreement Helps to check the core of sentences and helps to make sure writing is clear and effective.

3. How do you trim a sentence? Step I: Cross out all nonessential prepositional phrases Prepositions include: to, from, of, for, by, in, before, with, beyond, or up. Can put them in this sentence and it will make sense: The squirrel ran ______ the tree. Prepositional phrases start with a prepositions and end with nouns (object of the preposition)

4. How do you trim a sentence? Step II: Cross out all interrupting phrases Modifying phrase Usually separated from the main sentence by commas Interrupts the flow of the sentence

5. How do you trim a sentence? Step III: Cross out any other nonessential modifiers and modifying phrases Modifiers and modifying phrases include: adjectives, adverbs, participial phrases Not usually essential to the basic meaning of the sentence Exception: predicate adjectives: She is smart. If smart were taken out, the sentence wouldn’t make sense.

6. What remains? Essential “core” of the sentence

7. Example: My chief concern with this budget, which I have not voiced until today, are the drastic cuts in school funds. Trimmed down: My concern are cuts. Not strong, s-v agreement isn’t there. Concern is singular, cuts is plural- need to revise How could we improve?

8. Although I have not said so until today, I object to the drastic cuts in school funds that are proposed in this budget.

9. Trim to make sure there is a clear and forceful idea. Original: The lack of economic programs and no big country being ready to join it symbolized the problems the League of Nations had in getting established. Trimmed: The lack and no country being ready to join it symbolized the problems. Not really clear or forceful.

10. Revision: The League of Nations never established itself because it lacked viable economic programs and the support of the larger countries.

11. Write the trimmed version of each sentence on the line below it, correcting any verb problems . The team of advisors , arriving ahead of schedule, were met at the airport by the Assistant Prime Minister . _______________________________________________________________________________________ The flock of birds that darted over the lake were suddenly an opalescent silver . _______________________________________________________________________________________ Carmen, along with her three sisters , are unlikely to be swayed by arguments supporting David’s position. ______________________________________________________________________________________ Write the trimmed version of each sentence on the line below it, then rewrite the sentence to make it clearer and more forceful , changing the subject and verb entirely , if necessary . Nearlyinevitably,advancements,orthosebeingpopularlyregardedassuch,havetodowithmodifications,not overhaul . Trimmed : ______________________________________________________________________________________ Revised : _______________________________________________________________________________________ Thedevelopmentofthenewcountry’sgovernmentalsystemwasaffectedinanegativeregardbytherebels’lack of cohesiveness . Trimmed : _______________________________________________________________________________________Revised: _______________________________________________________________________________________

12. Worksheet 2: Trimming Sentences Write the “ trimmed ” version of each sentence , circling the verbs and subjects and correcting any agreement errors . Juggling the demands of both school and my social agenda often seem too much to bear . Othersonthecommittee,likethechairwomanAmandaSanders,isconcernedaboutthelackofattentiongiven to school safety . The waiters ’ professional demeanor — particularly their keen knowledge , their attention to detail , and their cordiality —are what makes dining there such a sublime culinary experience . The system by which candidates for local political offices are selected is archaic and , many contend , unfair . The abundance of companies that fail in their first year of business contribute to an intimidating economic climate .

13. When scientists theorize about the traits that all humans have come to share , They must be keenly aware of the fact that these traits have evolved over millions of generations . The entire industry of tobacco companies and distributors has steadfastly maintained their position that tobacco is not addictive and that smoking is an inalienable right of consumers . ThechallengeofMountEverest,itsconquerorsclaim,isfarmorethelackofoxygenatitsrarefiedheightsthan even the precarious ice falls or precipitous ascents . One in every three Americans agree strongly with the statement : “ Anyone who would run for political office is not worth voting for.” The fact that humans have committed so many atrocities have forced some historians to adopt a cynical perspective on human nature .

14. https:// quizlet.com /637589047/ grammar - trimming - sentences -flash-cards/ https:// youtu.be /G0sxO_NGPB0 Non essential elements

15. Links to practice https://www.varsitytutors.com/sat_writing-identifying-sentence-fragment-and-sentence-combination-errors-problem-19292 https://www.varsitytutors.com/sat_writing-analyzing-combining-and-moving-content-problem-22173 https://www.varsitytutors.com/sat_writing-rewriting-a-full-sentence-problem-25606 https://www.varsitytutors.com/sat_writing-sentence-improvements-and-errors-problem-29935