SAT Writing : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas
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Example Questions
Example Question #141 : 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 best way forward is to choose one of the following three paths: keep working as you have been give up or find another option.
keep work as you have been, give up or find another option.
keep work as you have been, give up, or find another option.
keep working as you have been, give up or, find another option.
keep working as you have been give up or find another option.
keep working as you have been, give up, or find another option.
keep working as you have been, give up, or find another option.
In a list of three or more items in a sentence, all the items must be separated by commas, conjunctions, or both. In the sentence above, there are commas missing between all of the items that follow the colon.
Example Question #401 : Correcting Punctuation Errors
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're going to succeed in war, you must be able to control the battlefield your troops and the flow of battle.
you must be able to control the battlefield; your troops; and the flow of battle.
you must be able to control: the battlefield your troops and the flow, of battle.
you must be able to control the battlefield, your troops, and the flow of battle.
you must be able to control the battlefield, your troops and, the flow of battle.
you must be able to control the battlefield your troops and the flow of battle.
you must be able to control the battlefield, your troops, and the flow of battle.
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 above is: "you must be able to control the battlefield, your troops, and the flow of battle."
Example Question #142 : 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.
I need the following three things from the store: a bell pepper a tomato and an onion.
store: a bell pepper, a tomato, and an onion.
store: a bell pepper a tomato and an onion.
store: a bell pepper, a tomato and an onion.
store: a bell pepper: a tomato: and an onion.
store. A bell pepper a tomato and an onion.
store: a bell pepper, a tomato, and an onion.
Every time there is a list of three or more items in a sentence, those items must be separated by commas, conjunctions, or both. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is: "store: a bell pepper, a tomato, and an onion."
Note that a comma correctly introduces the list, and that it does so following an independent main clause.
Example Question #44 : 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.
Please stop cheating on tests being rude in class and treating your brother poorly.
Please stop cheating on tests, being rude in class, and, treating your brother poorly.
Please stop cheating on tests being rude in class and treating your brother poorly.
Please stop cheating on tests, being rude in class, and treating your brother poorly.
Please, stop cheating on tests being rude in class and treating your brother poorly.
Please stop, cheating on tests, being rude in class, and treating your brother poorly.
Please stop cheating on tests, being rude in class, and treating your brother poorly.
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 above is: "Please stop cheating on tests, being rude in class, and treating your brother poorly."
Note that while colons are often used to introduce lists, it is only correct to use a colon following an independent clause that does not end with a verb.
Example Question #44 : 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 several factors that contribute to poor health later in life: eating fatty foods poor exercise habits and spending too much time indoors.
in life: eating fatty foods, poor exercise habits, and spending too much time indoors.
in life: eating fatty foods poor exercise habits and spending too much time indoors.
in life: eating fatty foods, poor exercise habits and, spending too much time indoors.
in life eating fatty foods, poor exercise habits, and, spending too much time indoors.
in life: eating fatty foods, poor exercise, habits and spending too much time indoors.
in life: eating fatty foods, poor exercise habits, and spending too much time indoors.
Every time there is a list of three or more things in a sentence, those things must be separated by commas, conjunctions, or both. When lists include only two items, no comma is required. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "in life: eating fatty foods, poor exercise habits, and spending too much time indoors."
Example Question #1653 : 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.
Doctors can specialize in a variety of different disciplines including cardiology pediatrics and podiatry.
Doctors can specialize in a variety of different disciplines, including cardiology, pediatrics and podiatry.
Doctors can specialize in a variety of different disciplines including: cardiology pediatrics and podiatry.
Doctors can specialize in a variety of different disciplines including cardiology, pediatrics, and podiatry.
Doctors can specialize in a variety of different, disciplines including cardiology pediatrics and podiatry.
Doctors can specialize in a variety of different disciplines including cardiology pediatrics and podiatry.
Doctors can specialize in a variety of different disciplines including cardiology, pediatrics, and podiatry.
Every time there is a list of three or more things in a sentence, those things must be separated by commas, conjunctions, or both. If only two items are in a list a comma should not separate the items. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "Doctors can specialize in a variety of different disciplines including cardiology, pediatrics, and podiatry."
Example Question #143 : 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.
I love all kinds of food, but I especially enjoy pasta pizza and hamburgers.
and I especially enjoy pasta pizza and hamburgers.
but I especially enjoy pasta, pizza, and hamburgers.
and I especially enjoy pasta pizza, and hamburgers.
but I especially enjoy: pasta pizza and hamburgers.
but I especially enjoy pasta pizza and hamburgers.
but I especially enjoy pasta, pizza, and hamburgers.
Each item in a list of three or more items must be separated by commas, conjunctions, or both. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "but I especially enjoy pasta, pizza, and hamburgers."
Example Question #1655 : 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 extraordinarily frustrated that you failed to take out the trash do your homework and clean your room.
I am extraordinarily frustrated that you failed to take out the trash do your homework and clean your room.
I am extraordinarily frustrated that you failed to take out the trash, do your homework, and clean your room.
I am extraordinarily frustrated that you failed to, take out the trash, do your homework, and clean your room.
I am extraordinarily frustrated that you failed to; take out the trash, do your homework, and clean your room.
I am extraordinarily frustrated that you failed to: take out the trash, do your homework, and clean your room.
I am extraordinarily frustrated that you failed to take out the trash, do your homework, and clean your room.
Items in lists of three or more be separated from each other by commas, conjunctions, or both. The example sentence includes no such commas (although it does have a conjunction before the final item, this conjunction must be preceded by a comma in order to be correct). The best way to correct the examples sentence is, "I am extraordinarily frustrated that you failed to take out the trash, do your homework, and clean your room."
Example Question #1656 : 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 find it difficult to stay focused in class when the other students talk chew gum or write too loudly.
I find it difficult to stay focused in class when the other students talk, chew gum, or write too loudly.
I find it difficult to stay focused in class when the other students talk chew gum or write too loud.
I find it difficult to stay focused in class when the other students talk chew gum or write too loudly.
I find it difficult to stay focused in class when: the other students talk, chew gum, or write too loudly.
I find it difficult to stay focused in class when the other students talk, chew gum or write too loud.
I find it difficult to stay focused in class when the other students talk, chew gum, or write too loudly.
Items in lists of three or greater be separated from each other by commas, conjunctions, or both. The example sentence is thus clearly wrong, since it has no commas at all in it. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "I find it difficult to stay focused in class when the other students talk, chew gum, or write too loudly."
Note that the main clause in this sentence ends with a verb, therefore a comma rather than a colon is correctly precedes the list.
Example Question #3823 : 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.
Getting through a long day is a lot easier if you drink water eat fruit, and think positive thoughts.
Getting through a long day is a lot easier if you drink water eat fruit, and think positive thoughts.
Getting through a long day is a lot easier if you drink water, eat fruit, and think positive thoughts.
Getting through a long day is a lot easier if you drink water eat fruit and think positive thoughts.
Getting through a long day is a lot easier if you; drink water eat fruit, and think positive thoughts.
Getting through a long day is a lot easier if you; drink water; eat fruit; and think positive thoughts.
Getting through a long day is a lot easier if you drink water, eat fruit, and think positive thoughts.
Items in lists of three or greater be separated from each other by commas, conjunctions, or both. The items in the list above are, "drink water," "eat well," and "think positive thoughts." These items are correctly phrased using a parallel structure, but are not correctly separated with commas.
The best way to correct the example sentence is, "Getting through a long day is a lot easier if you drink water, eat fruit, and think positive thoughts."
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