SAT Writing : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation
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Example Questions
Example Question #86 : 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 he continues to be so rude to me; I've been exceedingly kind to him.
I cant understand why he continues to be so rude to me, I've been exceedingly kind to him.
I cant understand why he continues to be so rude to me; I've been exceedingly kind to him.
I cant understand why he continues to be so rude to me, when I've been exceedingly kind to him.
I can't understand why he continues to be so rude to me; I've been exceedingly kind to him.
I cant understand why he continues to be so rude to me; Ive been exceedingly kind to him.
I can't understand why he continues to be so rude to me; I've been exceedingly kind to him.
The word "cant" means something entirely different from the word "can't," which is a contraction of the words "can" and "not." " Cant," on the other hand, means insincere talk. "Can't" 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 he continues to be so rude to me; I've been exceedingly kind to him."
Example Question #87 : 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 am won't to get fed up easily if people are rude to me; dealing with difficult people is not a strength of mine.
I am wont to get fed up easily if people are rude to me; dealing with difficult people is not a strength of mine.
I am won't to get fed up easily if people are rude to me; dealing with difficult people isn't a strength of mine.
I am won't to get fed up easily if people are rude to me, dealing with difficult people is not a strength of mine.
I am wont to get fed up easily if people are rude to me, dealing with difficult people is not a strength of mine.
I am won't to get fed up easily if people are rude to me; dealing with difficult people is not a strength of mine.
I am wont to get fed up easily if people are rude to me; dealing with difficult people is not a strength of mine.
The word "wont" means something entirely different from the word "won't," which is a contraction of the words "will" and "not." "Wont" refers to a habitual action or desire. The former is clearly what should be in the sentence above, and as such, the best way to correct the underlined portion is, "I am wont to get fed up easily if people are rude to me; dealing with difficult people is not a strength of mine."
Example Question #88 : 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.
This is my good friend Amandas hat; I would be remiss not to return it to her.
This is my good friend Amandas hat; I would be remiss not to return it to her.
This is my good friend Amandas hat I would be remiss not to return it to her.
This is my good friend Amanda's hat; I would be remiss not to return it to her.
This is my good friend Amanda's hat, I would be remiss not to return it to her.
This is my good friend Amanda's hat I would be remiss not to return it to her.
This is my good friend Amanda's hat; I would be remiss not to return it to her.
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. Since there is only one "Amanda" and the hat belongs to her, the best way to correct the error above is, "This is my good friend Amanda's hat; I would be remiss not to return it to her."
Example Question #89 : 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.
My good friends presents warmed my heart on my birthday; it was nice of all of them to give me such great gifts.
My good friends' presents warmed my heart on my birthday; it was nice of all of them to give me such great gifts.
My good friends presents warmed my heart on my birthday, it was nice of all of them to give me such great gifts.
My good friends presents warmed my heart on my birthday; it was nice of all of them to give me such great gifts.
My good friend's presents warmed my heart on my birthday; it was nice of all of them to give me such great gifts.
My good friends presence warmed my heart on my birthday; it was nice of all of them to give me such great gifts.
My good friends' presents warmed my heart on my birthday; it was nice of all of them to give me such great gifts.
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. It would not make sense for this sentence to be talking about many "good friends" not possessing anything, the best way to correct the error above is, "My good friends' presents warmed my heart on my birthday; it was nice of all of them to give me such great gifts."
Example Question #90 : 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 a wonderful cruise ship, but I believe that I am ready to go home and sleep in my own bed.
It's a wonderful cruise ship, but I believe that I am ready to go home and sleep in my own bed.
Its a wonderful cruise ship, but I believe that I am ready to go home and sleep in my own bed.
It's a wonderful cruise ship I believe that I am ready to go home and sleep in my own bed.
Its a wonderful cruise ship but I believe that I am ready to go home and sleep in my own bed.
It's a wonderful cruise ship but I believe that I am ready to go home and sleep in my own bed.
It's a wonderful cruise ship, but I believe that I am ready to go home and sleep in my own bed.
“It’s” is a contraction meaning it is or it has. “Its” indicates possession when using the third person pronoun it. Since a verb is obviously needed in this sentence, the best way to correct the underlined portion of the sentence above is, "It's a wonderful cruise ship, but I believe that I am ready to go home and sleep in my own bed."
Example Question #91 : 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.
Bill went on a long South American vacation; hes' still not the least bit tanned.
hes' still not the least bit tanned.
and he's still not the least bit tanned.
hes still not the least bit tanned.
he's still not the least bit tanned.
he still not the least bit tanned.
he's still not the least bit tanned.
In this sentence, clearly the intention of the underlined clause is to communicate that Bill "is still not the least bit tanned." So, the correct contraction here will be "he's." The apostrophe replaces the space and the "i" in the phrase "he is still..."
Note also, that a coordinating conjunction, like "and," should never follow a semicolon.
Example Question #92 : 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 investors stock depreciated rapidly.
The investor is stock depreciated rapidly.
The investors stock depreciated rapidly.
The investors stock's depreciated rapidly.
The investors's stock depreciated rapidly.
The investors' stock depreciated rapidly.
The investors' stock depreciated rapidly.
The example sentence is clearly intending to communicate that the stock owned by "the investors" (plural) lost value. Since the stock is being possessed by the plural noun subject of the sentence, an apostrophe is required after the "s" in "investors." The correct plural possessive form of the word is "investors'," not "investors's." Note also that it is the stock that is being possessed, not possessing anything (grammatically speaking) in this sentence.
Example Question #93 : 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 mens coats were soaked from the torrential downpour.
The men's coats were soaked from the torrential downpour.
The mens coats' were soaked from the torrential downpour.
The mens' coats were soaked from the torrential downpour.
The mens coats were soaked from the torrential downpour.
The men's coat's were soaked from the torrential downpour.
The men's coats were soaked from the torrential downpour.
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. Since the coats belong to the men, a possessive formulation is required. The best way to correct the underlined portion above is, "The men's coats were soaked from the torrential downpour."
Example Question #94 : 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.
Franklins' hat was sopping wet with rain; it was not doing a very good job of protecting him from the elements.
Franklins hat was sopping wet with rain, it was not doing a very good job of protecting him from the elements.
Franklins hat was sopping wet with rain; it was not doing a very good job of protecting him from the elements.
Franklins' hat was sopping wet with rain, it was not doing a very good job of protecting him from the elements.
Franklins' hat was sopping wet with rain; it was not doing a very good job of protecting him from the elements.
Franklin's hat was sopping wet with rain; it was not doing a very good job of protecting him from the elements.
Franklin's hat was sopping wet with rain; it was not doing a very good job of protecting him from the elements.
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. There is only one "Franklin" and he owns "a hat", so the best way to correct the underlined portion is, "Franklin's hat was sopping wet with rain; it was not doing a very good job of protecting him from the elements."
Example Question #95 : 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 geeses leader was battered by the storm, and unable to fly effectively.
The geeses' leader was battered by the storm and unable to fly effectively.
The geese's leader was battered by the storm, and unable to fly effectively.
The geeses leader was battered by the storm, and unable to fly effectively.
The geeses' leader was battered by the storm, and unable to fly effectively.
The geeses leader was battered by the storm and unable to fly effectively.
The geese's leader was battered by the storm, and unable to fly effectively.
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. Note that while "geese" is the plural formation of "goose" it does not end in "s." The best way to correct the sentence above is, "The geese's leader was battered by the storm, and unable to fly effectively."
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