Typical Errors on the SAT Proofreading Section
- The exacting editor looked extremely close at the young author's final manuscript, but could find no typographical, grammatical, or other errors.
- The team of surgeons worked slowly and steady during the most delicate phase of the operation on the newborn infant's heart.
In the first example, the word "close" is supposed to modify the verb "looked" so it should take the adverb form, "closely." It's easy to misread this sentence because of the expression "taking a close look," in which the word "close" now modifies the noun, "a look," and so is in the correct adjective form.
In the second example, the adjective "steady" should be the adverb "steadily" because it modifies the verb "worked." Here again, if you weren't on the lookout for this type of error, you can see how it would be possible to miss it entirely (just like diction errors).
If this type of error tends to trip you up, you should also review the following category:
- diction errors
More on: SATs and Other Tests
From The RocketReview Revolution: The Ultimate Guide to the New SAT and the PSAT by Adam Robinson. Copyright © 2005. Used by arrangement with Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
If you'd like to buy this book, click here.