SAT Writing : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation
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Example Questions
Example Question #62 : 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.
The flocks leader was buffeted by the headwind, but being a rather strong goose he kept his flock on track.
The flocks leader was buffeted by the headwind; but being a rather strong goose he kept his flock on track.
The flock's leader was buffeted by the headwind; but being a rather strong goose he kept his flock on track.
The flocks's leader was buffeted by the headwind, but being a rather strong goose he kept his flock on track.
The flocks leader was buffeted by the headwind, but being a rather strong goose he kept his flock on track.
The flock's leader was buffeted by the headwind, but being a rather strong goose he kept his flock on track.
The flock's leader was buffeted by the headwind, but being a rather strong goose he kept his flock on track.
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 error above is: "The flock's leader was buffeted by the headwind, but being a rather strong goose he kept his flock on track."
Example Question #63 : 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.
All four teams captains were fined for misconduct: all four teams had behaved badly, and the tournament had been a huge debacle.
All four teams captains were fined for misconduct: all four teams had behaved badly, and the tournament had been a huge debacle.
All four teams' captains were fined for misconduct: all four teams had behaved badly, and the tournament had been a huge debacle.
All four teams captains were fined for misconduct: while all four teams had behaved badly, and the tournament had been a huge debacle.
All four teams captains were fined for misconduct: and all four team's had behaved badly, and the tournament had been a huge debacle.
All four team's captains were fined for misconduct: all four teams had behaved badly, and the tournament had been a huge debacle.
All four teams' captains were fined for misconduct: all four teams had behaved badly, and the tournament had been a huge debacle.
Apostrophes can be used to indicate possession or to form a contraction. If a noun ends in "s" and an apostrophe is used to indicate position 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 above is: "All four teams' captains were fined for misconduct: all four teams had behaved badly, and the tournament had been a huge debacle."
Example Question #64 : 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.
Its extraordinarily difficult to make a living as a painter: I have great respect for those who try.
Its extraordinarily difficult to make a living as a painter, I have great respect for those who try.
Its extraordinarily difficult to make a living as a painter: I have great respect for those who try.
Its extraordinarily difficult to make a living as a painter; I have great respect for those who try.
It's extraordinarily difficult to make a living as a painter: I have great respect for those who try.
Its' extraordinarily difficult to make a living as a painter: I have great respect for those who try.
It's extraordinarily difficult to make a living as a painter: I have great respect for those who try.
“It’s” is a contraction of it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. Since the word is clearly functioning as a verb in the example sentence, the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "It's extraordinarily difficult to make a living as a painter: I have great respect for those who try."
Example Question #65 : 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.
The jury would not render it's verdict, and the judge was furious with each member of it.
The jury would not render it's verdict, so the judge was furious with each member of it.
The jury would not render it's verdict, but the judge was furious with each member of it.
The jury would not render their verdict, and the judge was furious with each member of it.
The jury would not render it's verdict, and the judge was furious with each member of it.
The jury would not render its verdict, and the judge was furious with each member of it.
The jury would not render its verdict, and the judge was furious with each member of it.
“It’s” is a contraction of it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. Remember that although a jury is made up of many people (usually 12), it acts grammatically as a singular noun (the jury). The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "The jury would not render its verdict, and the judge was furious with each member of it."
Example Question #191 : 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 geeses' flight paths were disrupted by the massive storm.
The geeses' flight paths were disrupted by the massive storm.
The geese's flight path were disrupted by the massive storm.
The geese's flight paths were disrupted by the massive storm.
The geeses' flight paths was disrupted by the massive storm.
The geeses' flight path were disrupted by the massive storm.
The geese's flight paths were disrupted by the massive storm.
One should 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 plural of "goose" is "geese," not "geeses", so the best way to correct the example sentence is, "The geese's flight paths were disrupted by the massive storm."
Example Question #192 : 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.
All four of the boy's had their toys wrecked by the flood; the poor children were terribly disappointed.
All four of the boy's had their toys wrecked by the flood:
All four of the boys' had their toys wrecked by the flood;
All four of the boy's had their toys wrecked by the flood;
All four of the boys' had their toys wrecked by the flood;
All four of the boys had their toys wrecked by the flood;
All four of the boys had their toys wrecked by the flood;
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 apostrophe in "boys" above is erroneous (there is no possession indicated) and should be deleted.
Example Question #72 : 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.
The house of cards was compromised utterly: it's structural integrity simply was not enough for the load it had to bear.
The house of cards was compromised utterly: it's structural integrity simply was not enough for the load it had to bear.
The house of cards was compromised utterly: its structural integrity simply was not enough for the load it had to bear.
The house of cards was compromised utterly, but its structural integrity simply was not enough for the load it had to bear.
The house of cards was compromised utterly: its structural integrity simple was not enough for the load it had to bear.
The house of cards was compromised utterly: its' structural integrity simply was not enough for the load it had to bear.
The house of cards was compromised utterly: its structural integrity simply was not enough for the load it had to bear.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. The best way to correct the example sentence is, "The house of cards was compromised utterly: its structural integrity simply was not enough for the load it had to bear."
Note that a colon can be used to separate two clauses where the first clause is an independent clause, and the second clause explains, defines, or clarifies the first clause.
Example Question #73 : 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 know that life can be hard, but its also quite beautiful if you allow for it to be.
I know that life can be hard, but its also quite beautiful if you allow for it to be.
I know that life can be hard, or its also quite beautiful if you allow for it to be.
I know that life can be hard, but it's also quite beautiful if you allow for it to be.
I know that life can be hard, and its also quite beautiful if you allow for it to be.
I know that life can be hard, but its also quite beautiful if one allows for it to be.
I know that life can be hard, but it's also quite beautiful if you allow for it to be.
“It’s” is a contraction of "it is." “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. In this case, we can see that the "its" is supposed to be acting as a verb, so the best way to correct the example sentence is, "I know that life can be hard, but it's also quite beautiful if you allow for it to be."
Example Question #74 : 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.
The very old mens' coats were battered and ruined in the storm, but they trudged on.
The very old mens coats were battered and ruined in the storm, but they trudged on.
The very old mens' coats were battered and ruined in the storm, but they trudged on.
The very old mens coat's were battered and ruined in the storm, but they trudged on.
The very old men's coats were battered and ruined in the storm, but they trudged on.
The very old mens's coats were battered and ruined in the storm, but they trudged on.
The very old men's coats were battered and ruined in the storm, but they trudged on.
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 plural of "man" is "men," not "mens." The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "The very old men's coats were battered and ruined in the storm, but they trudged on."
Example Question #75 : 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.
Its hard to understand Viktor, because his accent is incredibly thick.
It's hard to understand Viktor, his accent is incredibly thick.
It's hard to understand Viktor, because his accent is incredibly thick.
Its hard to understand Viktor, his accent is incredibly thick.
It's hard to understand Viktor, because his accent is incredible thick.
Its hard to understand Viktor, because his accent is incredibly thick.
It's hard to understand Viktor, because his accent is incredibly thick.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. In this sentence we can tell that a verb is needed, so obviously the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "It's hard to understand Viktor, because his accent is incredibly thick."
Note that because it is modifying the verb "is" "incredibly" needs to be an adverb, not an adjective.
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