The Sentence Skills section tests revising and improving sentences.

Outline

• Clarify what the Sentence Skills section focuses on: revising and improving sentences, not calculations, listening, or independent reading tasks.

• Identify the types of questions you’ll encounter: identify errors, select the best revision, and enhance overall clarity.

• A compact example to illustrate the idea: why a revised version is preferable and how parallel structure and word choice matter.

• Practical strategies for approaching these questions: read carefully, spot faults, eliminate the wrong answers, and aim for concise, clear writing.

• Common trouble areas to watch for: grammar, punctuation, pronoun reference, parallelism, and modifier placement.

• Quick resources and habits to reinforce writing instincts without turning it into a project.

What kind of questions show up in Sentence Skills?

Here’s the thing: the Sentence Skills section isn’t about math or listening. It’s about how well you can revise and improve sentences. Think of it as a language tune-up. Your goal is to spot issues, tighten the wording, and make the sentence sing with clarity. If you’ve ever read a sentence and felt a subtle wobble—like something isn’t quite right—that’s the moment these questions are testing you.

The core idea is simple: you’ll be asked to revise or improve sentences to be more correct, clear, and effective. This means looking at syntax, punctuation, and word choice, and deciding which version of a sentence communicates best. Other topics like calculations or listening comprehension aren’t part of this section, so the emphasis stays on how well written a sentence can be.

A quick illustration to anchor the idea

Let me explain with a tiny, practical example. Imagine a sentence that’s a little wordy and a touch clunky:

Original: The teacher suggested that the students should try to complete their assignments quickly, and that they should also check their answers.

Now, four options pop up. The right move is to choose the version that tightens the language and keeps meaning intact. The clean revision might be:

The teacher suggested that the students complete their assignments quickly and check their answers.

Why this one works:

• It uses parallel structure: “complete” and “check” line up verbs in the same form.

• It drops extra “should” and the repeated “that,” which makes the sentence crisper.

• It preserves the meaning while removing redundancy.

That tiny example shows the heart of Sentence Skills: you’re not changing the idea; you’re improving how the idea is presented.

What types of questions will you encounter?

Here are the kinds you’re likely to see, packaged in a way that gives you a mental checklist as you move through the test:

• Identify errors in a sentence

• Spot subject-verb mismatches, pronoun confusion, or punctuation mistakes.

• Choose the best revision of a sentence

• Pick the option that makes the sentence clearer, more precise, and grammatically correct.

• Improve sentence structure and flow

• Rewrite for parallelism, proper modifiers, and logical order.

• Correct punctuation and word choice

• Decide where a comma, semicolon, or dash helps, and choose words that fit the context.

• Enhance overall effectiveness

• Focus on conciseness and readability without changing the intended meaning.

If you’re thinking, “This sounds like a writing coach, not a test,” you’re not far off. It’s all about communication, not mystery rules. And yes, the more you practice recognizing what disrupts smooth writing, the faster you’ll spot the right revision in the moment.

A tiny sample that clarifies the approach

Here’s a micro-question you might encounter:

Original: The committee has decided that the proposal will require additional funding, they also noted that timelines would likely shift.

Which version is best?

A) The committee has decided that the proposal will require additional funding, and that timelines would likely shift.

B) The committee has decided that the proposal will require additional funding and that timelines would likely shift.

C) The committee has decided the proposal will require additional funding, they noted that timelines would likely shift.

D) The committee decided the proposal will require additional funding, and timelines would shift.

Correct answer: B

Why B works: it preserves tense consistency, uses parallel structure, and avoids the awkward comma splice or pronoun ambiguity that can sneak in with other choices.

How to approach these questions in practice

• Read the sentence once, then read the prompt. If the prompt asks you to “revise for clarity,” expect changes that trim redundancy and sharpen meaning.

• Check the big three first: subject-verb agreement, pronoun reference, and parallel structure. If any of those feel off, you already know where some options will fail.

• Look for modifiers that don’t clearly describe the word they’re meant to modify. Misplaced modifiers are sneaky and easy to miss.

• Watch punctuation. A comma splice or a run-on sentence is a red flag; a semicolon or dash can fix it, but only if the meaning stays intact.

• Compare options with the original meaning. The best revision should improve clarity without altering what you’re saying.

• Use elimination. Often you can discard two clearly wrong choices, then choose between the remaining two by focusing on conciseness and flow.

Common stumbling blocks to keep in mind

• Subject-verb agreement: The key is to keep the subject and verb aligned in number.

• Pronoun clarity: A sentence should clearly point to the noun it’s referring to; ambiguous pronoun references derail meaning.

• Misplaced modifiers: Place descriptors as close as possible to what they modify to avoid confusing readers.

• Punctuation: Commas, semicolons, and dashes can change rhythm and meaning. Use them to guide the reader, not to trip them up.

• Parallel structure: When you list actions or ideas, keep the verbs in the same form. It feels off when one item is a noun and the next is a verb.

• Word choice: Subtle shifts in diction can clarify or muddy intent. Choose words that suit the tone and context.

Smart ways to sharpen your sentence-skill instincts

• Read widely and notice how writers structure sentences. Newspapers, magazines, and well-edited blogs model clean revisions in real time.

• Build a mini glossary of grammar signals you care about: parallelism, pronoun clarity, modifier placement, and tense consistency.

• Practice with quick, low-pressure exercises. Even a few minutes a day helps your brain recognize patterns faster.

• Use reliable grammar resources. Purdue OWL is a practical reference, and grammar-focused sections in reputable writing guides can be helpful. When you come across a rule you’re unsure about, jot it down and come back to it.

• Don’t overthink. If you’re unsure, eliminate the obviously wrong options first, then compare the remaining ones for conciseness and clarity.

A few habits that keep your writing sharp

• Read sentences aloud. If something sounds clunky, it probably is clunky on the page.

• Prefer active voice when it preserves clarity, but don’t pretend passive voice is wrong every time. Some contexts demand it.

• Aim for concise language. If a word doesn’t add meaning, it’s fair game to trim.

• Let meaning drive structure. The way you arrange words should help the reader grasp the point quickly.

Bringing it all together

The Sentence Skills section is really about communication finesse. It tests your ability to revise sentences so they’re clean, precise, and easy to follow. You’ll encounter questions that require you to correct errors, refine phrasing, and tighten up the writing without changing the underlying idea. Think of it as polishing a sentence until it shines—without altering what it’s saying.

If you approach each item with a calm strategy—spot the fault, weigh the options, and choose the version that reads most clearly—you’ll move through the section with more confidence and less guesswork. And remember, this is a skill you can improve with small, consistent practice and a couple of trusty reference spots to double-check tricky rules.

A final nudge of encouragement

Writing isn’t a mystery box you have to crack; it’s a set of habits you can tune. By paying attention to how ideas are connected, where modifiers sit, and how sentences flow, you’ll not only handle Sentence Skills questions more smoothly—you’ll also notice your everyday writing getting a little smoother, too. So, the next time you come across a sentence that feels a notch too heavy, try reworking it with parallel structure and tighter phrasing. You might be surprised by how quickly clarity appears.

If you’re curious to explore more about grammar basics or want a quick reference point for common sentence patterns, reputable resources like Purdue OWL or well-regarded grammar blogs can be handy companions. And yes, you’ll keep getting better at this by reading keenly and writing with intention. Eventually, those subtle shifts add up, and your writing starts to feel natural, confident, and, dare we say, a bit more polished.