SAT Writing : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas in Lists
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Example Questions
Example Question #31 : 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.
Before dinner, we have to peel the potatoes, set the table, light the candles, and put the chicken in the oven.
peel the potatoes, set the table, light the candles, and put the chicken in the oven.
peel the potatoes; set the table light the candles, and put the chicken in the oven.
peel potatoes set the table light the candles and put the chicken in the oven.
peel the potatoes, set the table, light the candles, and, put the chicken in the oven.
peel, the potatoes, set, the table, light the, candles, and put, the chicken in the oven.
peel the potatoes, set the table, light the candles, and put the chicken in the oven.
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. This sentence contains no errors, so the best choice is the one that reproduces the example sentence, "peel potatoes, set the table, light the candles, and put the chicken in the oven."
Example Question #31 : 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.
If you go camping, be sure to bring excellent gear a good companion and something to read.
excellent gear a good companion, and something to read.
excellent gear, a good companion, and something to read.
excellent gear with good companion and something to read.
excellent gear or a good companion and something to read.
excellent gear a good companion and something to read.
excellent gear, a good companion, and something to read.
Every time there is a list of three or more things in a sentence, the items in that list must be separated by commas, conjunctions, or both. In the sentence above, there are commas missing between items of the list. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "excellent gear, a good companion, and something to read."
Example Question #32 : 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.
When I feel glum, I like to do the following things to take the edge off: go for a run make myself food and watch television.
edge off: go for a run make myself food and watch television.
edge off: go for a run make, myself food and watch television.
edge off go for a run, make myself food and watch television.
edge off go for a run make myself food and watch television.
edge off: go for a run, make myself food, and watch television.
edge off: go for a run, make myself food, and watch television.
Every time there is a list of three or more things in a sentence, those things must be separated by commas, conjunctions, or both. In the sentence above, there is a comma missing between the first two items of the list that follow the colon. The best way to correct the underlined portion is: "edge off: go for a run, make myself food, and watch television."
Example Question #34 : 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 true problems that were facing our fast deteriorating project were as follows: we didn't have enough money we didn't have enough time and we didn't have the right people.
we did not have enough money, we didn't have enough time and we didn't have the right people.
we didn't have money we didn't have time and we didn't have the right people.
we didn't have enough money we didn't have enough time and we did not have the best people.
we didn't have enough money, we didn't have enough time, and we didn't have the right people.
we didn't have enough money we didn't have enough time and we didn't have the right people.
we didn't have enough money, we didn't have enough time, and we didn't have the right people.
Every time there is a list of three or more things in a sentence, those things must be separated by commas, conjunctions, or both. In the sentence above, the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is:"we didn't have enough money, we didn't have enough time, and we didn't have the right people."
Example Question #35 : 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.
I asked our landlord to take care of the broken drainpipe clean up the yard and fix all of our locks.
I asked our landlord to take care of the broken drainpipe clean up the yard and fix all of our locks.
I asked our landlord, to take care of the broken drainpipe clean up the yard and fix all of our locks.
I asked our landlord to take care of the broken drainpipe, clean up the yard, and fix all of our locks.
I asked our landlord: to take care of the broken drainpipe clean up the yard and fix all of our locks.
I asked our landlord: to take care of the broken drainpipe, clean up the yard and fix all of our locks.
I asked our landlord to take care of the broken drainpipe, clean up the yard, and fix all of our locks.
Every time there is a list of three or more things in a sentence, those things must be separated by commas, conjunctions, or both. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "I asked our landlord to take care of the broken drainpipe, clean up the yard, and fix all of our locks."
Example Question #1641 : 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.
In order to survive, people need the following three things: safe food adequate shelter and clean water.
safe food adequate shelter and clean water
safe food adequate shelter, and clean water.
safe food, adequate shelter, and clean water.
safe food adequate shelter or clean water.
safe food, adequate shelter, or clean water.
safe food, adequate shelter, and clean water.
Every time there is a list of three or more things in a sentence, those things must be separated by commas, conjunctions, or both. In the sentence above, there is a comma missing between the first two items of the list that follow the colon. The best choice is: "safe food, adequate shelter, and clean water."
Example Question #1642 : 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 am a big fan all Roncesvales sports teams: I love the Bulls I love the Hawks I love the Bears and I love the Cubs.
I love the Bulls I love the Hawks I love the Bears and I love the Cubs.
I love the Bulls I love the Hawks I love the Bears, and I love the Cubs.
I love the Bulls I love the Hawks, I love the Bears and I love the Cubs.
I love the Bulls, I love the Hawks, I love the Bears, and I love the Cubs.
I love the Bulls, I love the Hawks, I love the Bears, or I love the Cubs.
I love the Bulls, I love the Hawks, I love the Bears, and I love the Cubs.
Every time there is a list of three or more things in a sentence, those things must be separated by commas, conjunctions, or both. In the sentence above, there are a number of commas missing. The best choice is: "I love the Bulls, I love the Hawks, I love the Bears, and I love the Cubs."
Example Question #38 : 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 most important things in court are the testimony of witnesses the work of the lawyers and a fair and impartial judge.
the testimony of witnesses: the work of the lawyers, and a fair and impartial judge.
the testimony of witnesses the work of the lawyers and a fair and impartial judge.
the testimony of witnesses, the work of the lawyers, and a fair and impartial judge.
the testimony of witnesses; the work of the lawyers; and a fair and impartial judge.
the testimony of witnesses the work of the lawyers, and a fair and impartial judge.
the testimony of witnesses, the work of the lawyers, and a fair and impartial judge.
Every time there is a list of three or more things in a sentence, those things must be separated by commas, conjunctions, or both. In the sentence above, there are commas missing between all the items in the list. Commas should separate the two items, and precede the "and."
Example Question #1643 : 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.
That chain has built an empire on three products: their chicken their rice and their beans.
three products: their chicken, their rice, and their beans.
three products, their chicken their rice and their beans.
three products: their chicken their rice and their beans.
three products: their chicken, their rice and their beans.
three products: their chicken their rice, and their beans.
three products: their chicken, their rice, and their beans.
Every time there is a list of three or more things in a sentence, those things must be separated by commas, conjunctions, or both. The sentence above is missing commas between all the items in the list after the comma (including the item preceded by "and").
Example Question #1644 : 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.
Before we go, I need to change my clothes: use the restroom: and find my bus pass.
I need to: change my clothes, use the restroom and find my bus pass.
I need to change my clothes, use the restroom, and find my bus pass.
I need to change my clothes; use the restroom, and find my bus pass.
I need to change my clothes: use the restroom: and find my bus pass.
I need to change my clothes use the restroom, and find my bus pass.
I need to change my clothes, use the restroom, and find my bus pass.
Lists of three or more items in a sentence must have those items separated by commas, conjunctions, or both. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "I need to change my clothes, use the restroom, and find my bus pass."
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