A question from Barron's SAT 26th edition

Test Preparation
1

<p>So on page 762 and number 4, the question is: </p>

<p>Raise High the Roofbeat, Carpenters is a novel written by the notoriously reclusive J.D. Salinger.</p>

<p>A. Raise High the Roofbeat, Carpenters is a novel written by the notoriously reclusive J.D. Salinger.
B. Raise High the Roofbeam, Carpenters were a novel written by the notorious reclusive J.D. Salinger.
C. Raise High the Roofbeam, Carpenters were a novel that the notoriously reclusive J.D. Salinger wrote.
D. As a notorious reclusive, J.D. Salinger has written a novel that is called Raise High the Roofbeam, Carpenters.
E. Raise High the Roofbeam, Carpenters is the name of a novel that was written by the notorious reclusive J.D. Salinger.</p>

<p>I chose D because all the other answer choices were passive even though D sounded a bit awkward. I thought passive always bad and that’s why I picked D. So, is passive sometimes wrong? I am so confused.</p>

2

<p>I think it’s A. The verb tense used in D sounds funny. The placement of the subordinate clause (is that what it’s called?) also sounds wrong.</p>

3

<p>I think A.</p>

4

<p>“a novel that is called” is wordy and awkward. While often a good rule of thumb, the active voice does not always mean a better sentence.</p>

5

<p>Also, it would be incorrect to assume that JD Salinger wrote the novel while he was notoriously reclusive although he might not always have been, which D implies. A is the best choice</p>

6

<p>Reclusive is an adjective not a noun so you can’t say as a reclusive. It must be as a recluse. Thus, D is wrong. A is correct.</p>