SAT Writing : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing

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Example Questions

Example Question #151 : 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.

You are won't to be so rude in public that hardly anyone wants to go out with you. 

Possible Answers:

won't

wonted

will not

wont

want

Correct answer:

wont

Explanation:

The word "won't" is a contraction of the words "will not." The word "wont," on the other hand, is a word that means someone is likely to do something, or has a tendency to do something. In the sentence above, "wont" is correct and "won't" isn't.

Example Question #22 : Correcting Apostrophe Errors

The ancient herd of bison made it's way across the open plains.

Possible Answers:

its'

their

bison's

its

it's

Correct answer:

its

Explanation:

"It's" is a contraction for the words "it is." "Its" indicates possession. Therefore, in the sentence above, "its" is correct, and "it's" is not.

Example Question #152 : 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 would love to see Professor Cromwell speak, but I cant stand his verbosity.

Possible Answers:

I can't stand

I can not stand

I wont stand

i cant stand

I cant stand

Correct answer:

I can't stand

Explanation:

The word "cant" means something entirely different from the word "can't," which is a contraction of the words "can" and "not." Cant refers to hypocritical or overtly sanctimonious discourse, which obviously has little bearing on this sentence, since "can't" is obviously intended to function as a verb in this context. The best way to correct the underlined portion is: "I can't stand"

Example Question #23 : Correcting Apostrophe 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.

I love eating at the convent: the nuns bread is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.

Possible Answers:

I love eating at the convent: the nuns bread is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.

I love eating at the convent: the nuns' bread is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.

I love eating at the convent, the nuns bread, is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.

I love eating at the convent, the nun's bread, is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.

I love eating at the convent. The nuns bread is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.

Correct answer:

I love eating at the convent: the nuns' bread is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket.

Explanation:

Use an apostrophe to indicate possession, if the noun ends in "s" then the apostrophe should follow the "s." If the noun does not end in "s" then add an "s" after the apostrophe. The best way to correct the underlined portion is: "I love eating at the convent: the nuns' bread is simply superior to the stuff you can get at the supermarket."

Example Question #153 : 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.

Its positively beastly and unsightly to eat like that at a banquet.

Possible Answers:

Its positive beastly and unsightly

Its positively beastly and unsightly

Its' positively beastly and unsightly

It's positively beastly and unsightly

Its positively beastly, unsightly

Correct answer:

It's positively beastly and unsightly

Explanation:

“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "It's positively beastly and unsightly"

Example Question #155 : 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.

Say what you want about legends, but I have a hard time believing any lion let a mouse get that close to it's paw.

Possible Answers:

and I have a hard time believing any lion let a mouse get that close to it's paw.

but I have a hardly time believing any lion let a mouse get that close to it's paw.

but I have a hard time believing any lion let a mouse get that close to it's paw.

but I have a hard time believing the lion let a mouse get that close to it's paw.

but I have a hard time believing any lion let a mouse get that close to its paw.

Correct answer:

but I have a hard time believing any lion let a mouse get that close to its paw.

Explanation:

“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "but I have a hard time believing any lion let a mouse get that close to its paw."

Example Question #154 : 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.

The wounded lion needed some creature to help remove the thorn from it's paw.

Possible Answers:

from its' paw.

from its paw.

for it's paw.

from it's paw.

with it's paw.

Correct answer:

from its paw.

Explanation:

“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "from its paw."

Example Question #155 : 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.

Theres a lot that won't happen for you if you refuse to take charge over your own life.

Possible Answers:

There's a lot that won't happen for you

Theres a lot that won't happens for you

Theres a lot that won't happen for one

Theres a lot that wont happen for you

Theres a lot that won't happen for you

Correct answer:

There's a lot that won't happen for you

Explanation:

The word "theres" is not correct, and is something entirely different from the word "there's," which is a contraction of the words "there" and "is." The latter is clearly what should be in the sentence above, and as such, the best way to correct the underlined portion is: "There's a lot that won't happen for you."

Example Question #156 : 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.

Its extremely difficult to own and operate a restaurant; there are a number of massive logistical problems to contend with on a daily basis.

Possible Answers:

It's extreme difficult to own and operate a restaurant

It's extremely difficult to own and operate a restaurant

Its extremely difficult to own and operate a restaurant

Its extremely difficult to own and operates a restaurant

Its extremely difficult to own and operate a restaurants

Correct answer:

It's extremely difficult to own and operate a restaurant

Explanation:

“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is: "It's extremely difficult to own and operate a restaurant."

Example Question #157 : 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.

The guys cars had all broken down at the same time: they were all out of luck.

Possible Answers:

The guys' cars had all broke down

The guy's cars had all broken down

The guys' cars had all broken down

The guys cars had all been broken down

The guys car had all broken down

Correct answer:

The guys' cars had all broken down

Explanation:

Use an apostrophe to indicate possession. If the noun ends in "s" then the apostrophe should follow the "s." If the noun does not end in "s" then add an "s" after the apostrophe. The word in the sentence above is clearly meant to be "guys," due to the pronoun in the second half of the sentence. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is: "The guys' cars had all broken down."

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