Question

A) NO CHANGE B) their C) there D) his or her

Short answer

Read the sentence and understand the context. Analyze each of the given options (A) NO CHANGE, (B) their, (C) there, and (D) his or her, and choose the appropriate pronoun that agrees with the noun it is referring to and fits in the context. Ensure that there are no grammatical errors once the word has been replaced. Double-check the sentence with the selected pronoun to confirm correctness and clarity.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the context

Read the sentence or context in which the identified word needs to be replaced. Understand the idea the sentence is trying to convey and take note of the noun that the pronouns are referring to.

Analyze each option

Go through each option and analyze its suitability in the context of the sentence. Check for any grammatical errors or inconsistencies with the options.

Make a decision

Choose the appropriate pronoun that agrees with the noun it is referring to and fits in the context of the sentence. Ensure there are no grammatical errors or inconsistencies in the sentence once the word has been replaced.

Double-check

Read the sentence again with the selected pronoun to ensure that the sentence is now grammatically correct and conveys the intended meaning. Note: The solution provided here is generic, as the specific sentence for this task was not given. Make sure you follow these steps as you analyze and choose the suitable pronoun when you come across a similar exercise.

Key concepts

Pronoun Agreement

The concept of pronoun agreement is fundamental in writing and speaking correctly. Pronouns are words like 'he', 'she', 'it', 'they', and 'we' that replace nouns in a sentence. For a sentence to be clear and accurate, the pronoun must agree with the noun it is replacing in number (singular or plural), gender, and person.

For instance, if we're referring to a single female subject, we use 'she' rather than 'they' or 'he'. Here’s a quick tip: Always identify the noun your pronoun is replacing and ensure they match in terms of the entity's characteristics; if the noun is singular and feminine, the pronoun must be as well.

In SAT Writing and Language, questions that test pronoun agreement focus on your ability to select the pronoun that correctly corresponds to the noun referenced earlier in the sentence. A common error to watch out for is the use of 'they' when referring to a singular noun like 'each student' or 'everyone'. To avoid losing points, one should stick to 'he or she' in such cases unless the context clearly indicates a gender-neutral or plural use, in which 'they' might be acceptable in modern English usage.

Grammatical Consistency

Maintaining grammatical consistency is another pillar of polished writing - it ensures that your sentences don’t just start correctly, but they follow through without confusing shifts in tense, structure, or voice. For the SAT Writing and Language Test, this means keeping an eye on the sentence as a whole and making sure it flows smoothly from one end to the other.

Watch for shifts in verb tense without just cause, which can disrupt the timeline of events you’re describing. For instance, if a sentence begins in the past tense, it should generally continue in that tense unless the context dictates a change: The coach praised the team for their effort, but they are now focusing on the next game. The correct tense should be 'were' to maintain consistency.

Similarly, pay attention to the voice of the verbs – shifting from active to passive voice, or vice versa, can be jarring: Students will submit their essays before reading is began by the teacher. It should be 'reading begins' to keep it active and consistent. During your SAT grammar practice, it's essential to practice identifying and correcting these common errors to enhance your writing’s clarity and cohesion.

SAT Grammar Practice

Consistent and focused SAT grammar practice is key to scoring well in the SAT Writing and Language Test. Alongside pronoun agreement and grammatical consistency, there are several other category areas to master, such as punctuation, modifier placement, and parallel construction.

To prepare effectively, use quality study materials that provide extensive practice questions reflective of the actual SAT format. It is beneficial to take timed practice tests to simulate test-day conditions, which will help to build stamina and improve time management skills. After each practice session, review your answers thoroughly to understand your mistakes.

Regarding pronoun agreement and grammatical consistency, here are a couple of targeted practice strategies:

• Identify pronouns in passages and determine the nouns they replace, checking for agreement.
• Read sentences out loud to catch awkward or inconsistent grammatical constructions.
• Rewrite sentences that contain errors, which can cement the correct usage in your mind.

Remember, practice doesn’t just make perfect; it makes permanent. The habits you build during your preparation will serve you well on test day and beyond in your academic and professional writing.