If I were to "re-write" that sentence, I would get the strongest noun who is doing something -- the coach -- to be the sentence subject:

 

Although Beth and her sisters worked equally hard during practice, their high school basketball coach found that Beth was the best player during games.

 

It's the coache's discernment that is doing the acting in this busy sentence!

 

The SAT question itself is horrible -- no two ways about it!  What is wrong depends upon what the student chooses to fix, but the sentence as it is written is ungrammatical.

 

Melinda Borrell

From: "John Chorazy" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 9:30:50 AM
Subject: SAT question


Good morning... Your opinions of the SAT and its methods may vary, but I'd like to ask your thoughts on this particular question:
 
According to ) their high school basketball coach, ) although Beth and her sisters worked

equally hard in practice, Beth ) tended to outperform them both ) during games. No error
 
My11th graders decided that b is the correct answer with the following logic - the relationship between the clauses "Beth and her sisters worked equally hard in practice" and "Beth tended to outperform them both during games" should established by "although" between them. However, "although" is misplaced since "According to their high school basketball coach" doesn't modify "although Beth and her sisters worked equally hard in practice". I can see how both clauses might work to modify "Beth tended to outperform them both during games," but it's an awkward sentence. Maybe not necessarily grammatically flawed, but awkward.
SAT suggests that (e), no error, is the correct answer. My students disagree. I'd appreciate your thoughts and comments.
Thanks as always...
 
John
 
 

--
John Chorazy
English III Honors and Academic
Pequannock Township High School
973.616.6000

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