SAT Writing : Correcting Punctuation Errors
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Example Question #161 : Correcting Punctuation 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 guys cars had all broken down at the same time: they were all out of luck.
The guy's cars had all broken down
The guys' cars had all broke down
The guys cars had all been broken down
The guys' cars had all broken down
The guys car had all broken down
The guys' cars had all broken down
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."
Example Question #161 : 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 incredibly difficult to find adequate help these days: workers are largely shiftless and lazy.
Its incredibly, difficult to find adequate help these days:
It's incredibly difficult to find adequate help these days,
Its incredibly difficult to find adequate help these days,
Its incredibly difficult to find adequate help these days:
It's incredibly difficult to find adequate help these days:
It's incredibly difficult to find adequate help these days:
“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 incredibly difficult to find adequate help these days:"
Example Question #162 : 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 King wont bow before the Emperor, and it very well may be his undoing.
The king won't bow before the emperor,
The King won't bow before the Emperor,
The King wont bow before the Emperor:
The King wont bow before the Emperor;
The King wont bow before the Emperor,
The King won't bow before the Emperor,
The word "wont" means something entirely different from the word "won't," which is a contraction of the words "will" and "not." The latter is clearly what should be in the sentence above, and as such, the best way to correct the underlined portion is: "The King won't bow before the Emperor,"
Example Question #163 : 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.
It's brain irrevocably damaged by the blow, the crocodile had to give up the fight against the shark.
Its brain irrevocably damaged by the blow:
It's brain irrevocably damaged by the blow:
Its brain irrevocably damaged by the blow,
It's brain irrevocably damaged by the blow,
It's brain irrevocably damaged by the blow;
Its brain irrevocably damaged by the blow,
“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: "Its brain irrevocably damaged by the blow,"
Example Question #164 : 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 thieves cant possibly make payment to their pugnacious overlord in time: they are in big trouble.
The thieves can't possibly make payment to their pugnacious overlord in time
The thieves can't possibly make payment, to their pugnacious overlord in time
The thieves cant possibly make payment to their pugnaciously overlord in time
The thieves cant possibly make payment to their pugnacious overlord in time
The thieves cant possible make payment to their pugnacious overlord in time
The thieves can't possibly make payment to their pugnacious overlord in time
The word "cant" means something entirely different from the word "can't," which is a contraction of the words "can" and "not." The latter is clearly what should be in the sentence above, and as such, the best way to correct the underlined portion is: "The thieves can't possibly make payment to their pugnacious overlord in time."
Example Question #165 : 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 young mens' skills were improving constantly, basic training was a boon to all of them.
The young mens' skills were improving constantly,
The young men's skills were improving constantly,
The young mens' skills was improving constantly,
The young mens skills were improving constantly,
The young men's' skills were improving constantly,
The young men's skills were improving constantly,
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 above is: "The young men's skills were improving constantly,"
Example Question #166 : 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 boys toys were scattered all over the room, there mother would be upset with all three of them if she were there to see it.
The boys toys'
The boys toy's
The boys' toys
The boys toys
The boy's toys
The boys' toys
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 above is: "The boys' toys"
Example Question #167 : 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 unfortunate that we cannot continue to employ your services at this time.
Its unfortunate which
It's unfortunate which
It's unfortunate that
Its unfortunately that
Its unfortunate that
It's unfortunate that
“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 unfortunate that"
Example Question #168 : 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 jury had rendered it's verdict: the man was going to jail for life.
The jury had rendered its verdict,
The jury had rendered it's verdict:
The jury had rendered its verdict:
The jury had rendered it's verdict,
The jury had rendered it's verdict;
The jury had rendered its verdict:
“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: "The jury had rendered its verdict:"
Example Question #169 : 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 gooses feet were in horrible condition after flying in the brutal cold.
The goose's feet were in horrible condition
The gooses feet were in horrible condition
The goose's feet were of horrible condition
The gooses' feet were of horrible condition
The gooses' feet were in horrible condition
The goose's feet were in horrible condition
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 goose's feet were in horrible condition"
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