SAT Writing : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation
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Example Questions
Example Question #76 : 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 cant understand why you treat your mother that way: it's abysmal behavior.
I cant understand why you treat your mother that way; it's abysmal behavior.
I cant understand why you treat your mother that way: it's abysmal behavior.
I can't not understand why you treat your mother that way: it's abysmal behavior.
I can't understand why you treat your mother that way: it's abysmal behavior.
I cant understand why you treat your mother that way, it's abysmal behavior.
I can't understand why you treat your mother that way: it's abysmal behavior.
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 discourse. The latter is clearly what should be in the sentence above, and as such, the best way to correct the underlined portion is, "I can't understand why you treat your mother that way: it's abysmal behavior."
Example Question #77 : 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 tower was crumbling: it's foundations had borne far too many years of abuse.
The tower was crumbling, and it's foundations had borne far too many years of abuse.
The tower was crumbling: it is foundations had borne far too many years of abuse.
The tower was crumbling: its foundations had borne far too many years of abuse.
The tower was crumbling; it's foundations had borne far too many years of abuse.
The tower was crumbling: it's foundations had borne far too many years of abuse.
The tower was crumbling: its foundations had borne far too many years of abuse.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. In the sentence above, we can see that a verb would be extremely strange in place of the "it's," so the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "The tower was crumbling: its foundations had borne far too many years of abuse."
Example Question #78 : 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.
When it's been a long day, theres nothing I look forward to more than eating a nice meal.
When it's been a long day, theres' nothing I look forward to more than eating a nice meal.
When it's been a long day: there's nothing I look forward to more than eating a nice meal.
When it's been a long day, there's nothing I look forward to more than eating a nice meal.
When it's been a long day: theres nothing I look forward to more than eating a nice meal.
When it's been a long day, theres nothing I look forward to more than eating a nice meal.
When it's been a long day, there's nothing I look forward to more than eating a nice meal.
"There's" is a contraction of the words there and is, while "theres" is not a word. In the sentence above, we can see that "is" makes sense in the sentence above, so the best way to correct the sentence above is, "When it's been a long day, there's nothing I look forward to more than eating a nice meal."
Example Question #79 : 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 local church has it's ducks in a row as far as charitable donations go, but there are a number of other problems within the organization.
The local church has it's ducks in, a row as far as charitable donations go, but there are a number of other problems within the organization.
The local church has its ducks in a row as far as charitable donations go but there are a number of other problems within the organization.
The local church has its ducks in a row as far as charitable donations go, but there are a number of other problems within the organization.
The local church has it's ducks in a row as far as charitable donations go, but there are a number of other problems within the organization.
The local church has its ducks in a row as far as charitable donations go and there are a number of other problems within the organization.
The local church has its ducks in a row as far as charitable donations go, but there are a number of other problems within the organization.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. In the sentence above we can see that clearly the intention is to act as a possessive. The best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "The local church has its ducks in a row as far as charitable donations go, but there are a number of other problems within the organization."
Example Question #80 : 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 very hard to find good help these days; most people are entitled and lazy.
It's very hard to find good help these days; most people are entitled and lazy.
It's very hard to find good help these days, most people are entitled and lazy.
Its very hard to find good help these days, most people are entitled and lazy.
Its very hard to find good help these days and most people are entitled and lazy.
Its very hard to find good help these days; most people are entitled and lazy.
It's very hard to find good help these days; most people are entitled and lazy.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. The example sentence needs a verb, so the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "It's very hard to find good help these days; most people are entitled and lazy."
Note that a semicolon is correctly used to separate two independent clauses.
Example Question #201 : 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 the most annoying thing I've ever had to do.
Its is the most annoying thing I've ever had to do.
It's the most annoying thing I've ever had to do.
Its the most annoying thing I've ever had to do.
Its' the most annoying thing I've ever had to do.
Its's the most annoying thing I've ever had to do.
It's the most annoying thing I've ever had to do.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. Since we can see that a "be" verb is required in this sentence, we know that the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "It's been a very long day: I need to go home and get to sleep or I will be a wreck tomorrow."
Example Question #82 : 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 army was about to betray it's general, but he caught wind of what was going on and put a stop to it.
The army was about to betray it's general, but he caught wind of what was going on and put a stop to it.
The army was about to betray it's general; but he caught wind of what was going on and put a stop to it.
The army was about to betray its general; but he caught wind of what was going on and put a stop to it.
The army was about to betray it's general: but he caught wind of what was going on and put a stop to it.
The army was about to betray its general, but he caught wind of what was going on and put a stop to it.
The army was about to betray its general, but he caught wind of what was going on and put a stop to it.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. In the example sentence, we can see that the "its" should not be acting as a verb, so the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "The army was about to betray its general, but he caught wind of what was going on and put a stop to it."
Note also that a coordinating conjunction should not follow a semicolon.
Example Question #83 : 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 problem has grown exponentially in the last few weeks; I don't believe its going to end anytime soon.
The problem has grown exponentially in the last few weeks; but I don't believe it's going to end anytime soon.
The problem has grown exponentially in the last few weeks; and I don't believe its going to end anytime soon.
The problem has grown exponentially in the last few weeks; I don't believe it's going to end anytime soon.
The problem has grown exponentially in the last few week; I don't believe its going to end anytime soon.
The problem has grown exponentially in the last few weeks; I don't believe its' going to end anytime soon.
The problem has grown exponentially in the last few weeks; I don't believe it's going to end anytime soon.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. Since the word in question should be acting as a verb in this sentence, the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "The problem has grown exponentially in the last few weeks; I don't believe it's going to end anytime soon."
Note also that a coordinating conjunction should not follow a semicolon.
Example Question #84 : 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 difficult to understand Larry's behavior; it's almost like he doesn't know how to talk to people.
It's difficult to understand Larry's behavior; it's almost like he doesn't know how to talk to people.
Its difficult to understand Larry's behavior, it's almost like he doesn't know how to talk to people.
It's difficult to understand Larry's behavior; its almost like he doesn't know how to talk to people.
Its difficult to understand Larry's behavior; it's almost like he doesn't know how to talk to people.
Its difficult to understand Larry's behavior; its almost like he doesn't know how to talk to people.
It's difficult to understand Larry's behavior; it's almost like he doesn't know how to talk to people.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. Clearly in this sentence, we need a "be" verb, so the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "It's difficult to understand Larry's behavior; it's almost like he doesn't know how to talk to people."
Example Question #85 : 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 robot's brain had been badly damaged; it was unable to follow it's protocols.
The robot's brain had been badly damaged, it was unable to follow it's protocols.
The robots brain had been badly damaged; it was unable to follow its protocols.
The robot's brain had been badly damaged; it was unable to follow its protocols.
The robot's brain had been badly damaged; it was unable to follow it's protocols.
The robots brain had been badly damaged, it was unable to follow its protocols.
The robot's brain had been badly damaged; it was unable to follow its protocols.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. In this case, the "protocols" are the robot's, so the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "The robot's brain had been badly damaged; it was unable to follow its protocols."
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