SAT Writing : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas in Lists
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
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Example Questions
Example Question #21 : 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.
Billy is a phenomenal outdoorsman: he has been camping in Minnesota, New Mexico, and Florida. No error
Minnesota, New Mexico, and Florida,
Minnesota and New Mexico, and Florida.
No error
Minnesota, New Mexico and, Florida.
Minnesota, new Mexico, and Florida.
No error
When there are three or more items in a list, each item should be separated with a comma. If there is a conjunction in a list of three or more, the comma should precede the conjunction. Therefore, the best way to write the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "Minnesota, New Mexico and, Florida." The best answer is no error.
Example Question #22 : 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.
Lana is an amazing athlete: she loves running swimming and pole vaulting. No error
running swimming and pole vaulting,
running, swimming, pole, and vaulting.
No error
running, swimming, and pole vaulting.
running swimming, and pole vaulting.
running, swimming, and pole vaulting.
When there are three or more items in a list, each item should be separated with a comma. If there is a conjunction in a list of three or more, a comma should precede the conjunction. Therefore, the best way to write the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "running, swimming, and pole vaulting." Note that "pole vaulting," even though it's a phrase comprised of two different words, only makes up a single item of the list in question.
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.
Reading writing, and arithmetic have long been considered the most basic building blocks of elementary education.
Reading writing and arithmetic have
Reading writing, and arithmetic have
Reading writing and arithmetic, have
Reading, writing, and arithmetic, have
Reading, writing, and arithmetic have
Reading, writing, and arithmetic have
The list that is the subject of the sentence contains three separate elements, but only appropriately separates two of them. All lists of three or more elements need to have commas between each component. The only answer choice that appropriately does this is "Reading, writing, and arithmetic have."
Example Question #21 : 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.
Paul's favorite books include histories; biographies; and paperback romances.
histories, biographies, and paperback romances.
histories and biographies, paperback romances.
histories biographies and paperback romances.
histories, biographies; paperback romances.
histories; biographies; and paperback romances.
histories, biographies, and paperback romances.
When using a list of three or more things in a sentence, a comma must be placed between each item of the list. The best way to write the underlined portion of the above sentence is, "histories, biographies, and paperback romances."
Example Question #22 : 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 three vegetables that you need to make a good broth are onions carrots and celery.
onions carrots, and celery.
onions, carrots, and celery.
onions carrots and, celery.
onions: carrots: celery.
onions carrots and celery.
onions, carrots, and celery.
When using a list of more than two things in a sentence, a comma must be placed between each item in the list. The best way to write the underlined portion of the above sentence is, "onions, carrots, and celery."
Example Question #23 : 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.
Running, jumping, and rock, climbing are all excellent ways to stay in shape.
Running, jumping, and, rock, climbing,
Running, jumping, and rock climbing
Running, jumping and rock, climbing
Running, jumping, rock climbing
Running, jumping, and rock, climbing
Running, jumping, and rock climbing
When using a list of three or more things in a sentence, a comma must be placed between each item of the list. Note that "rock climbing," even though it is comprised of two words, is only a single item in the list. The best way to write the underlined portion of the above sentence is, "Running, jumping, and rock climbing"
Example Question #24 : 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 Mongols, the Huns and, the Parthians are all peoples that used horse archers in warfare.
The Mongols, the Huns and, the Parthians
The Mongols the Huns and the Parthians
The Mongols or the Huns and the Parthians
The Mongols-the Huns-the Parthians
The Mongols, the Huns, and the Parthians
The Mongols, the Huns, and the Parthians
When using a list of three or more things in a sentence, a comma must be placed between each item of the list. Note that the comma near the conjunction should precede the conjunction, rather than following it. The best way to write the underlined portion of the above sentence is, "The Mongols, the Huns, and the Parthians."
Example Question #25 : 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.
There are many kind of animals at the zoo including bears lions and tigers.
bears, lions, and tigers,
bears, lions, and tigers.
bears lions, and tigers.
bears lions and tigers
bears, lions, and, tigers.
bears, lions, and tigers.
Whenever a list of three or more things appears in a sentence, all three of the items must be separated from one another by commas or conjunctions. While lists are often preceded by colons this is not always the case, and is not the case here. Note that a comma must also precede "and" in this situation. The best choice to correct the underlined portion above is "bears, lions, and tigers."
Example Question #26 : 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.
Four things are important when you play board games: patience knowledge, of the rules, and generosity.
patience, knowledge of the rules, and, generosity.
patience knowledge, of, the, rules, and generosity.
patience knowledge, of the rules, and generosity
patience, knowledge, of the rules, and generosity.
patience, knowledge of the rules, and generosity.
patience, knowledge of the rules, and generosity.
Whenever a list of three or more things appears in a sentence, all three of the items must be separated from one another by commas or conjunctions. In this case, "knowledge of the rules" is a phrase which comprises a single item in the list. Note that the rules for comma usage in lists remain the same if the list follows a comma. The best choice to correct the underlined portion above is "patience, knowledge of the rules, and generosity."
Example Question #27 : 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.
Our math teacher has many great qualities: he is kind he is patient and he is extremely intelligent.
he is kind, he is patient, and he is extremely, intelligent.
he is kind he is patient, and he is extremely intelligent.
he is kind, he is patient and he is extremely intelligent.
he is kind he is patient and he is extremely intelligent.
he is kind, he is patient, and he is extremely intelligent.
he is kind, he is patient, and he is extremely intelligent.
Whenever a list of three or more things appears in a sentence, all three of the items must be separated from one another by commas or conjunctions. In the sentence above, each phrase near the end of the sentence constitutes an item in the list. The best choice to correct the underlined portion above is "he is kind, he is patient, and he is extremely intelligent."
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