A) NO CHANGE B) cities C) citie's D) cities'

The SAT Writing and Language Test is a vital component of the SAT, designed to evaluate a student's mastery over written English, including grammar, punctuation, and effective language use. The section is primarily multiple-choice, challenging students to read passages and identify and correct errors or weaknesses.

Performance on this section is scored to assess one's proficiency in standard English conventions and the ability to improve the quality and impact of the written language. As such, test-takers should hone their grammar skills and understand the nuances of effective writing to excel in this portion of the SAT.

Understanding grammar rules is fundamental to writing clearly and correctly. In the context of the SAT and beyond, a strong grasp of grammar includes knowing how to properly use different parts of speech, verb tenses, punctuation, and how to structure sentences.

For example, recognizing the difference between possessives (indicating ownership) and plurals (indicating more than one) is essential. Common mistakes involve the misuse of apostrophes, leading to confusion between plural forms, which typically end with an 's', and possessive forms, which can either have an apostrophe before the 's' (singular possessive) or after the 's' (plural possessive).

The distinction between possessive and plural forms is a frequent source of confusion. A plural noun represents more than one of something, like 'cities', without an apostrophe. A possessive noun shows ownership, such as 'the city's landmarks' for singular possession or 'the cities' landmarks' for multiple cities owning something collectively.

Recognizing the context in which a noun is used helps determine the correct form. Does the noun simply denote more than one ('The cities have tall buildings'), indicating a plural? Or does it imply ownership ('The cities' mayors are meeting'), requiring a possessive form? Accurate use of these forms is essential for clear communication.

Preparing for the SAT requires a strategic approach that goes beyond familiarity with the material. Effective preparation involves consistent practice, using study guides, and taking full-length practice tests. When studying grammar, it is crucial to not only learn the rules but also apply them in exercises.

Students should analyze their performance on practice tests to identify areas of weakness and refocus their study efforts accordingly. Test-taking strategies, time management, and understanding the format of the test are also key aspects of preparing for the SAT. With a comprehensive and methodical preparation strategy, students can improve their confidence and proficiency on test day.