SAT Writing : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas in Lists
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Example Questions
Example Question #661 : Improving Sentences
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices repeats the underlined portion as it is written.
The field rations were evenly distributed between the sailors marines and soldiers.
sailors marines soldiers.
sailors, marines, soldiers.
sailors marines, and soldiers.
sailors marines and soldiers.
sailors, marines, and soldiers.
sailors, marines, and soldiers.
The underlined words make up a list. Such lists need to have each element separated for clarity and understanding. "Sailors, marines, and soldiers" is the best choice among the answers.
Example Question #662 : Improving Sentences
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Many nineteenth century texts on military strategy focused extensively on supplies troops and ammunition.
on supplies troops and ammunition.
on supplies, troops, and, ammunition.
on: supplies troops and ammunition.
on supplies troops, and ammunition.
on supplies, troops, and ammunition.
on supplies, troops, and ammunition.
The underlined phrase contains a series, or a list of grouped items. All series in a sentence must be divided by each other for linguistic and logical clarity. The best way to do this is with commas, making "on supplies, troops, and ammunition," the correct answer.
Example Question #13 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The key to having a succesful road trip is bringing plenty of medicine snacks and water.
plenty, of medicine snacks and water.
plenty medicine snacks and water.
plenty of medicine, snacks, and water.
plenty of medicine snacks and water.
plenty of medicine snacks, and water.
plenty of medicine, snacks, and water.
A list like the one presented in the underlined portion of the sentence needs to be separated somehow, usually by commas. The only choice that appropriately separates the three items is "plenty of medicine, snacks, and water," which is the correct answer.
Example Question #3791 : Sat Writing
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Much of the time, only the most discerning animal trainer cannot tell the difference between thoroughbreds Arabians and saddlebred horses.
between thoroughbreds Arabians and saddlebred horses.
between thoroughbreds Arabians, and saddlebred horses.
between thoroughbreds Arabians and saddlebred, horses.
between, thoroughbreds, Arabians and saddlebred horses.
between thoroughbreds, Arabians, and saddlebred horses.
between thoroughbreds, Arabians, and saddlebred horses.
The three items in the list of the underlined portion of the sentence, "thoroughbreds" and "Arabians" and "saddlebred horses," are lumped together in one large pile. All such lists need to be separated by commas, to show the separate items clearly. The only answer choice that correctly does this is "between thoroughbreds, Arabians, and saddlebred horses."
Example Question #3791 : Sat Writing
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The writer was considered washed up, with a style that was outdated stale and unsatisfying.
with a style that was outdated stale and unsatisfying.
with a style that was outdated stale, and unsatisfying.
with a style that was outdated, stale, and unsatisfying.
with a style that was outdated, stale, and, unsatisfying.
with a style, that was outdated stale and unsatisfying.
with a style that was outdated, stale, and unsatisfying.
A list like the one that makes up the object of the underlined phrase must be have its items appropriately separated by commas, which the sentence does not do as it is written. The only answer choice that correctly separates the three items by using commas is "with a style that was outdated, stale, and unsatisfying."
Example Question #671 : Improving Sentences
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The study of popular culture involves analyzing many different phenomena, including television advertising, and social media.
including television, advertising, and social media.
including, television advertising, and social media.
including television advertising, and social media.
includes television, advertising, and social media.
includes television advertising and social media.
including television, advertising, and social media.
The underlined portion of the sentence includes a list of three items. All such lists must have the items in them separated in some fashion; therefore, the correct answer is "including television, advertising, and social media."
Example Question #11 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas In Lists
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
The four most important Romans of all time are Scipio, Marius Sulla and Caesar.
Scipio Marius Sulla and Caesar.
Scipio, Marius, Sulla, and Caesar.
Scipio, Marius Sulla and Caesar.
Scipio, Marius, Sulla, and Caesar,
Scipio, Marius Sulla; and Caesar.
Scipio, Marius, Sulla, and Caesar.
From the context of the rest of the sentence, you should know that there are four items in the list in the latter half of the sentence. Each item in this list should be separated by commas, therefore the best construction of the underlined portion is, "Scipio, Marius, Sulla, and Caesar." Each of these proper nouns are separate grammatical objects, and should thus be separated with punctuation when used together in a list.
Example Question #1621 : Improving Sentences
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
I like to go camping fishing and hiking, but I just don't have the time.
I like to go camping, fishing, and hiking, but
I like to go camping fishing and hiking, but
I like to go, camping fishing and hiking, but
I like, to go camping, fishing and hiking, but
I like to go camping fishing, and hiking, but
I like to go camping, fishing, and hiking, but
Whenever you have a list of things in a sentence, each item on the list—whether they are nouns, verbs, phrases, etc.—must be separated by commas. Therefore, "I like to go camping, fishing, and hiking, but" is the best way to construct the first part of this sentence. After all, "camping," "fishing," and "hiking," are all separate grammatical items.
Example Question #13 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas In Lists
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
Andrew bought cheese, and milk from the store that afternoon. No error
cheese, or milk
No error
cheese and milk
Cheese, and Milk
cheese, and, milk,
cheese and milk
When there are only two items in a list, it is unnecessary to separate them with a comma. Therefore, the best way to write the underlined section above is, "cheese and milk" with no comma.
Example Question #14 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas In Lists
Replace the underlined portion with the answer choice that results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English. One of the answer choices reproduces the underlined portion as it is written in the sentence.
My favorite cities are Boston and, Chicago. No error
boston and chicago.
Boston, and, Chicago.
No error
Boston and Chicago.
Boston and Chicago,
Boston and Chicago.
When there are only two items in a list, it is unnecessary and confusing to separate them with a comma. Therefore, the best way to write the underlined section above is, "Boston and Chicago." with no comma. Lists of three or more items must, on the other hand, be separated with commas.
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