SAT Writing Day 2

A subway system is expanded to provide service to a growing suburb. A bike-sharing program is adopted to encourage nonmotorized transportation. (1) To alleviate rush hour traffic jams in a congested downtown area, stoplight timing is coordinated.

Which choice best maintains the sentence pattern already established in the paragraph?

When any one of these changes (2) occur, it is likely the result of careful analysis conducted by transportation planners.

The work of transportation planners generally includes evaluating current transportation needs, assessing the effectiveness of existing facilities, and improving those facilities or (3) they design new ones. Most transportation planners work in or near cities,

The work of transportation planners generally includes evaluating current transportation needs, assessing the effectiveness of existing facilities, and improving those facilities or they design new ones. Most transportation planners work in or near cities, (4) but some are employed in rural areas. Say, for example, a large factory is built on the outskirts of a small town. Traffic to and from that location would increase at the beginning and end of work shifts. The transportation planner’s job, might involve conducting a traffic count to determine the daily number of vehicles traveling on the road to the new factory.

Which choice results in the most effective transition to the information that follows in the paragraph?

Traffic to and from that location would increase at the beginning and end of work shifts. The transportation (5) planner’s job, might involve conducting a traffic count to determine the daily number of vehicles traveling on the road to the new factory.

If analysis of the traffic count indicates that there is more traffic than the (6) current road as it is designed at this time can efficiently accommodate, the transportation planner might recommend widening the road to add another lane.

Transportation planners work closely with a number of community stakeholders, such as government officials and other interested organizations and individuals. (7) Next, representatives from the local public health department might provide input in designing a network of trails and sidewalks to encourage people to walk more.

Transportation planners work closely with a number of community stakeholders, such as government officials and other interested organizations and individuals. Next, representatives from the local public health department might provide input in designing a network of trails and sidewalks to encourage people to walk more. (8) According to the American Heart Association, walking provides numerous benefits related to health and well-being. Members of the Chamber of Commerce might share suggestions about designing transportation and parking facilities to support local businesses.

The writer is considering deleting the underlined sentence. Should the sentence be kept or deleted?

(9) People who pursue careers in transportation planning have a wide variety of educational backgrounds.

Most jobs, however, require at least a bachelor’s degree; majors of transportation planners are (10) varied, including fields such as urban studies, civil engineering, geography, or transportation and logistics management. For many positions in the field, a master’s degree is required.

(11) People who pursue careers in transportation planning have a wide variety of educational backgrounds.