What It Targets
- Concision Questions
- Rhetoric & Style Questions
- Redundancy Questions
- Sentence Revision Questions
The Trap
The SAT often gives you four answer choices that are:
- grammatically correct
- factually accurate
- saying almost the exact same thing
Three choices are bloated.
One choice says the same thing with fewer words.
The SAT almost always prefers the concise version.
The Real Rule
The rule is NOT:
Always pick the shortest answer.
The rule is:
If two answers mean the same thing, choose the one with fewer unnecessary words.
The College Board rewards clear, efficient writing.
Concision in Action
Wordy
She is standing at the door.
Concise
She stands at the door.
Both are grammatically correct.
Both communicate the same idea.
The second version uses fewer words.
Therefore:
She stands at the door.
would be the preferred SAT answer.
The SAT Concision Checklist
Whenever multiple choices seem correct, ask:
Question 1
Do all of these choices mean the same thing?
If no:
Stop.
This is not a concision question.
Question 2
Does one choice say the same thing with fewer words?
If yes:
That choice is usually correct.
Common SAT Red Flags
Redundancy
The sentence says the same thing twice.
Wordy
past history
Better
history
Wordy
each and every
Better
each
Wordy
basic fundamentals
Better
fundamentals
Fluff Words
These words often add little or no meaning:
- really
- very
- basically
- definitely
- actually
- in order to
Wordy
due to the fact that
Better
because
Wordy
in order to determine
Better
to determine
Passive Voice
The SAT often prefers direct wording.
Wordy
The ball was thrown by John.
Better
John threw the ball.
The DELETE Option
Always check DELETE.
The SAT frequently includes:
DELETE the underlined portion.
If the sentence remains clear and complete after deletion, DELETE is often correct.
The One Big Exception
Never choose a shorter answer that removes important information.
Incorrect
Researchers discovered.
Discovered what?
Important information is missing.
Better
Researchers discovered a new species of deep-sea coral.
The sentence is complete.
Guided Practice
Question 1
The committee conducted a review that was comprehensive and thorough.
A) comprehensive and thorough
B) comprehensive
C) very comprehensive and thorough
D) exceptionally comprehensive and thorough
Question 2
The scientist was able to successfully identify the source of the contamination.
A) was able to successfully identify
B) successfully identified
C) was successful in identifying
D) had the ability to identify
Question 3
The students collaborated together on the project.
A) collaborated together
B) collaborated
C) worked collaboratively together
D) collaborated jointly
Question 4
The company expanded due to the fact that consumer demand increased.
A) due to the fact that
B) because
C) owing to the fact that
D) as a result of the fact that
Question 5
The research team completely eliminated all possible errors.
A) completely eliminated all possible errors
B) eliminated all possible errors
C) eliminated errors entirely and completely
D) fully and completely eliminated all errors
Answer Key
1
B) comprehensive
"Thorough" repeats the idea already contained in "comprehensive."
2
B) successfully identified
Same meaning.
Fewer words.
3
B) collaborated
Collaborate already means "work together."
4
B) because
Same meaning.
Much more concise.
5
B) eliminated all possible errors
"Completely" is unnecessary because "eliminated all possible errors" already implies completeness.
SAT Shortcut Summary
If multiple answers:
- are grammatically correct
- are factually correct
- mean the same thing
Choose the one that:
- removes redundancy
- removes fluff
- removes unnecessary repetition
- communicates the idea most directly
The SAT rewards efficient writing, not complicated writing.
CONCISION & REDUNDANCY PRACTICE EXAM
Directions
For each question, choose the option that completes the text with the most logical, concise, and direct phrasing, eliminating any unnecessary fluff, repetition, or redundancy.
Question 1
The regional environmental task force implemented a series of controlled burns across the prairie ecosystem, a strategic choice that they made in order to cultivate and encourage the natural germination of dormant native grass seeds.
A) a strategic choice that they made in order to cultivate and encourage
B) choosing strategically to cultivate and encourage
C) in order to cultivate and encourage
D) to encourage
Question 2
Art historians studying the late-period charcoal sketches of Augusta Savage argue that the minimalist contours of the human figures evoke a deeply emotional response from viewers who look at the pieces.
A) from viewers who look at the pieces.
B) from viewers.
C) from people who are viewing the artwork.
D) out of viewers looking at the art pieces.
Question 3
The federal monetary agency adjusted the baseline interest rates _________ inflationary pressures had finally begun to stabilize across commercial banking sectors.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and concise phrasing?
A) because of the fact that
B) due to the fact that
C) on account of the fact that
D) because
Question 4
Mitochondria utilize a specialized inner membrane to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP); this complex biochemical process is the mechanism that provides the vital energy needed to power cellular functions.
A) this complex biochemical process is the mechanism that provides the vital energy needed
B) this process provides the energy
C) which is a biochemical process providing vital energy that is needed
D) this process is the structural mechanism providing vital energy
Question 5
Although the unique variations observed within the isolated dialect appear native to the region, historical linguists have successfully traced their origins back to early 17th-century maritime English.
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A) successfully traced their origins back
B) successfully traced their origins
C) traced their origins back
D) traced their origins
Question 6
The municipal zoning committee voted to allocate surplus funding toward the immediate development of urban green spaces, which are parks and gardens filled with trees, to combat the city's growing heat-island effect.
A) which are parks and gardens filled with trees,
B) which are defined as green areas,
C) namely parks and community gardens,
D) DELETE the underlined portion.
Question 7
The molecular data gathered from the protostellar envelope surrounding the planet IRAS 16293 revealed the presence of volatile organic compounds _________
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A) that had never been seen before in any previous observations.
B) never seen before in previous observations.
C) never previously observed.
D) that were completely new and never seen before.
Question 8
During the stress-testing simulation of the prototype drone wing, a structural fracture along the primary carbon-fiber seam was sustained by the apparatus.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and concise phrasing?
A) a structural fracture along the primary carbon-fiber seam was sustained by the apparatus.
B) the apparatus sustained a structural fracture along the primary carbon-fiber seam.
C) a structural fracture was sustained along the primary carbon-fiber seam by the apparatus.
D) sustaining a structural fracture along the primary carbon-fiber seam was done by the apparatus.
Question 9
Researchers excavating the shipwreck site off the coast of Alexandria recovered several intact amphorae jars, which were ancient clay vessels, that still contained trace chemical residues of imported olive oil.
A) which were ancient clay vessels,
B) vessels made of clay from ancient times,
C) being ancient vessels constructed of clay,
D) DELETE the underlined portion.
Question 10
While studying the defensive behaviors of Bombus terrestris (buff-tailed bumblebees), the researchers observed that each individual bee consistently returned back to the exact same foraging coordinate.
A) each individual bee consistently returned back
B) each bee consistently returned
C) each and every individual bee returned back
D) every individual bee consistently returned back
Answer Key & Teacher Solutions
Question 1
Answer: D
"In order to" is unnecessary fluff that simplifies down to "to." "Cultivate" and "encourage" mean the same thing here, making them redundant.
Option D says it in the fewest words possible.
Question 2
Answer: B
A "viewer" is, by definition, someone looking at the art.
Options A, C, and D all introduce severe textual redundancy by repeating this idea.
Question 3
Answer: D
All choices mean the exact same thing, but A, B, and C use wordy, multi-word idioms.
Option D is the most direct and efficient transition word.
Question 4
Answer: B
Phrases like "complex biochemical process," "mechanism," and "vital" add unnecessary rhetorical fluff.
"Energy needed to power cellular functions" is redundant because energy is what powers functions.
Option B preserves the core meaning.
Question 5
Answer: D
"Traced" structurally implies looking back at origins.
Adding "back," "origins," or "successfully" introduces unnecessary fluff.
Option D is perfectly clean.
Question 6
Answer: D
This tests the DELETE rule.
The phrase "urban green spaces" is already fully clear and understood within the context of the sentence, meaning the descriptive explanation adds no new value and should be completely removed.
Question 7
Answer: C
"Never seen before" and "previous observations" say the exact same thing twice.
Option C beautifully condenses the entire phrase down to:
never previously observed
Question 8
Answer: B
This targets passive voice.
Options A, C, and D use convoluted passive constructions.
Option B uses direct active voice:
Subject + Verb + Object
which dramatically improves concision.
Question 9
Answer: A
The Exception to "Shorter Is Better"
While D (DELETE) is tempting, "amphora" is a rare, technical historical term that requires an explicit definition so the sentence remains clear to the reader.
Option A provides this essential information most concisely.
Question 10
Answer: B
"Each" and "individual" are redundant when paired together.
"Returned" already contains the directional idea of going "back."
Option B removes both redundancies.
Concision Patterns Seen in This Drill
Redundant Pairs
- cultivate and encourage
- each and every
- returned back
- viewers who look
Wordy Transitions
- because of the fact that
- due to the fact that
- on account of the fact that
Passive Voice
- was sustained by
- was done by
Unnecessary Definitions
Sometimes DELETE is correct.
However, if a term is highly technical or unfamiliar, a brief definition may still be necessary.
The SAT Rule
When two choices are:
- grammatically correct
- factually accurate
- expressing the same idea
The SAT almost always rewards the more concise version.