SAT Writing : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation
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Example Questions
Example Question #252 : Improving Sentences
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The novice writer was completely overwhelmed by the thought of producing a three hundred page novel manuscript, but her teacher assured her it could be done.
The novice writer was completely overwhelmed by the thought of producing a three hundred page novel manuscript, but her teacher assured her it could be done.
The novice writer was completely overwhelmed by the thought of producing a three hundred page novel manuscript; but her teacher assured her it could be done.
The novice writer was completely overwhelmed by the thought of producing a three-hundred-page novel manuscript but her teacher assured her it could be done.
The novice writer was completely overwhelmed by the thought of producing a three-hundred-page novel manuscript, but her teacher assured her it could be done.
The novice writer was completely overwhelmed by the thought of producing a three-hundred-page novel manuscript; but her teacher assured her it could be done.
The novice writer was completely overwhelmed by the thought of producing a three-hundred-page novel manuscript, but her teacher assured her it could be done.
“Three hundred page” is a compound adjective that appears directly in front of a noun. In standard English, compound adjectives that immediately precede nouns are always hyphenated for clarity’s sake. “Three-hundred-page novel manuscript” is the correct form. As with all sentences that link two independent clauses with a conjunction, the correct punctuation before the conjunction (in this case, “but”) is a comma.
Example Question #1592 : Sat Writing
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The twenty-page instruction manual complete with color-coded diagrams was entirely incomprehensible.
The twenty-page instruction manual (complete with color-coded diagrams), was completely incomprehensible.
The twenty-page instruction manual (complete with color-coded diagrams) was entirely incomprehensible.
The twenty-page instruction manual, (complete with color-coded diagrams), was completely incomprehensible.
The twenty-page instruction manual, complete with color-coded diagrams, was completely incomprehensible.
The twenty-page instruction manual complete with color-coded diagrams was entirely incomprehensible.
The twenty-page instruction manual (complete with color-coded diagrams) was entirely incomprehensible.
Here, parentheses are needed to enclose additional or clarifying information. Because no comma is needed in the main part of the sentence (“The twenty-page instruction manual was completely incomprehensible”), no comma is needed outside the parentheses.
Example Question #254 : Improving Sentences
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The terribly, ill widower was isolated both by illness and by the death of his close family; he was a virtual recluse.
The terribly ill widower was isolated: both by illness and by the death of his close family; he was a virtual recluse.
The terribly ill widower was isolated both by illness and by the death of his close family; he was a virtual recluse.
The terribly, ill widower was isolated both by illness and by the death of his close family, he was a virtual recluse.
The terribly, ill widower was isolated both by illness and by the death of his close family; he was a virtual recluse.
The terribly, ill widower was isolated: both by illness and by the death of his close family, he was a virtual recluse.
The terribly ill widower was isolated both by illness and by the death of his close family; he was a virtual recluse.
No comma should separate an adverb and adjective that immediately precede a noun. The correct form is “terribly ill widower.” Elsewhere, the semicolon correctly separates two independent clauses. There is no need for a colon anywhere in the sentence.
Example Question #255 : Improving Sentences
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The two year old boy was a thorough nuisance at brunch, biting and screaming so much that none of the other diners could enjoy their meal.
The two-year-old boy was a thorough nuisance at brunch; biting and screaming so much that none of the other diners could enjoy their meal.
The two-year-old boy was a thorough nuisance at brunch, biting and screaming so much that none of the other diners could enjoy their meal.
The two year old boy was a thorough nuisance at brunch; biting and screaming so much that none of the other diners could enjoy its meal.
The two year old boy was a thorough nuisance at brunch, biting and screaming so much that none of the other diners could enjoy their meal.
The two-year-old boy was a thorough nuisance at brunch, biting and screaming such that none of the other diners could enjoy their meal.
The two-year-old boy was a thorough nuisance at brunch, biting and screaming so much that none of the other diners could enjoy their meal.
Here, “two year old” is a compound adjective that immediately precedes a noun, so it must be hyphenated. “The two-year-old boy” is the correct punctuation. No semicolon is required in this sentence, since a comma is the correct punctuation to separate the main and dependent clauses.
Example Question #11 : Correcting Other Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Despite being confined to a small habitat in the United States, the black widow is more widely feared than its more-common and equally venomous cousin, the brown recluse.
Despite being confined to a small habitat in the United States, the black widow is more widely-feared than its more-common and equally-venomous cousin, the brown recluse.
Despite being confined to a small habitat in the United States, the black widow is more widely feared than its more-common and equally venomous cousin, the brown recluse.
Despite being confined to a small habitat in the United States, the black widow is more widely feared than its more common and equally venomous cousin, the brown recluse.
Despite being confined to a small habitat in the United States, the black widow is more widely feared than its more-common and equally venomous cousin: the brown recluse.
Despite being confined to a small habitat in the United States, the black widow is more widely-feared than its more common and equally-venomous cousin, the brown recluse.
Despite being confined to a small habitat in the United States, the black widow is more widely feared than its more common and equally venomous cousin, the brown recluse.
“More” is an adverb, not an adjective; therefore, it shouldn’t be hyphenated with the adjective that follows. Only compound adjectives need hyphenation, which is why “widely feared” and “equally venomous” are not hyphenated. The correct punctuation is “more common.”
Example Question #1593 : Sat Writing
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
What I’m asking is if you’ll go with me to the dance?
What I’m asking is if you’ll go with me to the dance?
What I’m asking is, if you’ll go with me to the dance.
What I’m asking is: if you’ll go with me to the dance?
What I’m asking is, if you’ll go with me to the dance?
What I’m asking is if you’ll go with me to the dance.
What I’m asking is if you’ll go with me to the dance.
Although this sentence begins with an interrogative word, it’s actually making a statement and not asking a question. The speaker is explaining what he/she is asking, not actually asking the question itself; therefore, the sentence needs to end with a period and not a question mark. No other punctuation is needed in the sentence.
Example Question #13 : Correcting Other Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
After Stephanie finished the course (it took three months to complete), she was eligible to apply for a certificate.
After Stephanie finished the course, it took three months to complete, she was eligible to apply for a certificate.
After Stephanie finished the course, (it took three months to complete), she was eligible to apply for a certificate.
After Stephanie finished the course (it took three months to complete); she was eligible to apply for a certificate.
After Stephanie finished the course (it took three months to complete), she was eligible to apply for a certificate. (No Error)
After Stephanie finished the course, (it took three months to complete) she was eligible to apply for a certificate.
After Stephanie finished the course (it took three months to complete), she was eligible to apply for a certificate. (No Error)
Because a comma is needed in the main part of the sentence (“After Stephanie finished the course, she was eligible to apply for a certificate”), it is needed even when there are parentheses. As a general rule, the comma appears after and not before the parentheses.
Example Question #252 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Other Punctuation
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Jan was tired of being a resident advisor (He had been a resident advisor for nearly four years.).
Jan was tired of being a resident advisor (He had been a resident advisor for nearly four years.).
Jan was tired of being a resident advisor. (He had been a resident advisor for nearly four years).
Jan was tired of being a resident advisor. (He had been a resident advisor for nearly four years.)
Jan was tired of being a resident advisor, (He had been a resident advisor for nearly four years).
Jan was tired of being a resident advisor. (He had been a resident advisor for nearly four years)
Jan was tired of being a resident advisor. (He had been a resident advisor for nearly four years).
Generally speaking, a period is needed inside the parentheses if it’s a complete sentence inside the parentheses. When the parenthetical idea comes at the end of a sentence and is its own sentence, it’s better to place the parentheses outside the first sentence. (Parentheses rules generally have some flexibility, and the best way to learn them is to read extensively.)
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