高等英语考试中攻克句子改错题,最全的语法详解

You don’t need to know that this sentence is an example of bad subordination.Just notice that the two parts of the sentence don’t go together. Why don’t theyfit together? Because there’s something strange about the middle of the

sentence. You hit the comma, and then the sentence takes an unexpected turn.The first part of the sentence sets you up: Since Teddy thought his first date with Maria went well, you expect something along the lines of he invited her outagain or he kissed her on her front porch, right? Instead, you get the phrase sothat. That just sounds incorrect and doesn’t make a lot of sense.

Knowing the sentence contains an error allows you to eliminate A. In B, the word although gives you exactly the same sort of problem that plagues the original sentence. Same with C, because. He thought the date went well

because he called her every day the next week? No. That doesn’t make sense.In E, the word and doesn’t go with the although that starts the sentence. Plug

D back into the sentence to make sure it fits: Because Teddy thought his first date with Maria went well, he called her every day for the next week. Lookin’ good.

As we emphasized a few times already, relying on your ear and on what “soundsright” is dangerous on the SAT. The SAT wants you to trust your ear and go with what you think might sound right in converSATion or casual English.

Remember that the SAT is anything but casual and that Improving Sentences questions test standard written English, not the same English you speak with friends or family. That makes learning the rules and familiarizing yourself withthese words all the more important.

最后绝招

Cheap Tricks

We put the Cheap Tricks at the end of this chapter because you should use themonly in Cases of Desperation. Only two Cases of Desperation on Improving Sentences questions merit resorting to Cheap Tricks:

You can’t eliminate even one answer choice.