SAT Writing : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #91 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation

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 forward all of my mail to: 1236 Vinewood Lane, as that is where I'll be staying this summer.

Possible Answers:

to:

to,

to

to.

Correct answer:

to

Explanation:

You are only permitted to use a colon to separate clauses when the colon is placed where a period could also logically be placed. In other words, the clause prior to the colon MUST be a grammatically independent clause. In the sentence above, the colon is incorrect because you can't put a period after "Please forward all of my mail to." The best solution is to eliminate the colon altogether.

Example Question #92 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation

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.

Her famous, if unconventional, recipe for gumbo included: turkey and a very small amount of rubber.

Possible Answers:

included,

included;

included:

included

Correct answer:

included

Explanation:

Colons are used to introduce lists, but they are not used to introduce ALL lists. You are only permitted to use a colon to separate clauses when the colon is placed where a period could also logically be placed. In other words, colons must be preceded by an independent In the sentence above, the colon is incorrect because you can't put a period after "I really hate going to the store and." Therefore, the best solution is to eliminate the colon.

Example Question #93 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation

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 only two necessary qualities for a successful career as a tour guide: Patience and magnanimity.

Possible Answers:

tour guide: patience

tour guide. Patience

tour guide: Patience

tour guide; patience

Correct answer:

tour guide: patience

Explanation:

The colon is correctly placed in the example sentence. It comes after an independent clause and introduces a list; however it is incorrect to capitalize the first letter after a colon (unless a capitalized quotation is being introduced).

Example Question #94 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation

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 a few authors more than the rest, McCarthy, Bill, and Bradbury to name a few.

Possible Answers:

rest!

rest.

rest;

rest,

rest:

Correct answer:

rest:

Explanation:

A colon may be used in a sentence to separate a list of things from the rest of the sentence (so long as it follows an independent clause). "Rest:" is the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above. Since "McCarthy, Bill, and Bradbury to name a few," is not an independent clause using a period or a semicolon in this situation would be incorrect.

Example Question #95 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation

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 forward my correspondence to: my P.O box.

Possible Answers:

too:

to;

to:

to

to,

Correct answer:

to

Explanation:

A colon may be used to separate clauses in a sentence, but it may only be used where you would also be able to use a period (after an independent clause). The best way to write the sentence above is to delete the colon: "Please forward my correspondence to 1238 Drury Lane."

Example Question #96 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation

The hardest parts of being in high school are: dealing with acne, dealing with girls, and getting up early.

Possible Answers:

The hardest parts of being in high school are dealing with acne, dealing with girls, and getting up early.

The hardest parts of being in high school are: dealing with acne, dealing with girls, and getting up early.

The hardest parts of being in high school are dealing with acne dealing with girls and getting up early.

The hardest parts of being in high school are, dealing with acne, dealing with girls, and getting up early.

The hardest parts of being in high school are, dealing, with acne, dealing, with girls, and getting, up early.

Correct answer:

The hardest parts of being in high school are dealing with acne, dealing with girls, and getting up early.

Explanation:

While a colon may be used to separate clauses in a sentence (including a list), it may only be used where you would also be able to use a period (after an independent clause). Colons should never come in the middle of a clause. The best way to write the sentence above is to delete the colon: "The hardest parts of being in high school are dealing with acne, dealing with girls, and getting up early."

Example Question #97 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation

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've been upset ever since: you took my job.

Possible Answers:

since

since:

since;

since,

since.

Correct answer:

since

Explanation:

A colon may be used in a sentence to separate a list of things from the rest of the sentence, or to preface a dependent clause that explains the main clause. A colon can, however, never be placed in the middle of a clause, as it is here. The correct answer here is to eliminate the colon.

Example Question #98 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation

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 you curse like that: you only serve to embarass yourself and the family.

Possible Answers:

that,

that!

that;

that?

that.

Correct answer:

that,

Explanation:

Colons are used to introduce lists or information that directly follows from a dependent clause. "When you curse like that" is not an independent clause; it cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence. The colon is inappropriate in this sentence and should be changed into a comma.

Example Question #99 : 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.

Today I bought: headphones, a new set of speakers, and six new records to play on my grandfather's turntable.

Possible Answers:

Today I bought: headphones, a new set of speakers, and six new records to play on my grandfathers turntable.

Today I bought: headphones, a new set of speakers, and six new records to play on my grandfather's turntable.

Today I bought: headphones a new set of speakers, and six new records to play on my grandfather's turntable.

Today I bought: headphones a new set of speakers and six new records to play on my grandfather's turntable.

Today I bought headphones, a new set of speakers, and six new records to play on my grandfather's turntable.

Correct answer:

Today I bought headphones, a new set of speakers, and six new records to play on my grandfather's turntable.

Explanation:

Colons serve two main purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses of a sentence, where the first clause is an independent main clause, and the second clause defines or explains the first clause. For the first purpose, however, you should avoid using a colon after a verb or a preposition. The best way to correct the sentence above is to delete the colon. 

Example Question #101 : 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.

Whenever I find myself faced with a particularly arduous task: I always ask my friends for help. 

Possible Answers:

Whenever I find myself faced by a particularly arduous task:

Whenever I find myself faced with a particularly arduous task,

Whenever I find myself faced with a particularly arduous task:

Whenever I find myself faced with a particularly arduous task;

Whenever, I find myself faced with a particularly arduous task:

Correct answer:

Whenever I find myself faced with a particularly arduous task,

Explanation:

Colons serve primarily two purposes. The first is to precede a list of three or more things in a sentence, and the second is to join two clauses of a sentence where the first clause is independent, and the second clause explains, defines, or clarifies the main clause. For the second purpose, however, you may only use a colon where a period might otherwise be used. To correct the sentence above change the colon into a comma.

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