SAT Writing : Improving Sentences
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Example Questions
Example Question #74 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
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 would love to travel to Scandinavia, tickets are extremely expensive.
I would love to travel to Scandinavia however tickets are extremely expensive.
I would love to travel to Scandinavia, but tickets are extremely expensive.
I would love to travel to Scandinavia, tickets are extremely expensive.
I would love to travel to Scandinavia: however, tickets are extremely expensive.
I would love to travel to Scandinavia: but tickets are extremely expensive.
I would love to travel to Scandinavia, but tickets are extremely expensive.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. Here, since the first clause expresses a desire, and the second clause expresses a reason that desire cannot be fulfilled the best option is to add "but" after the comma. The corrected sentence reads, "I would love to travel to Scandinavia, but tickets are extremely expensive."
Example Question #75 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
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've had a very long day, I would deeply appreciate it if you would stop making that horrid sound.
no I've had a very long day for I would deeply appreciate it if you would stop making that horrid sound.
I've had a very long day, I would deeply appreciate it if you would stop making that horrid sound.
I've had a very long day, so I would deeply appreciate it if you would stop making that horrid sound.
I've had a very long day; so I would deeply appreciate it if you would stop making that horrid sound.
I've had a very long day but I would deeply appreciate it if you would stop making that horrid sound.
I've had a very long day, so I would deeply appreciate it if you would stop making that horrid sound.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma. One option to fix such an error is simply to make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. In this case, adding the coordinating conjunction "and" after the comma is the best way to fix the example sentence.
Example Question #76 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
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 a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work, he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work, but he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work; and he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work, he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work or he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work, cause he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
I am a huge fan of Bill Paxton's work, but he hasn't done anything interesting in quite a long while.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma. One option to fix such an error is simply to make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. In this case, since the second clause contradicts the sentiment of the first, adding the coordinating conjunction "but" after the comma is the best way to fix this sentence.
Example Question #77 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
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 like to drink Aquavit it is not very good for me in large quantities a little here or there is not a problem.
I like to drink Aquavit, and it is not very good for me in large quantities a little here or there is not a problem.
I like to drink Aquavit, it is not very good for me in large quantities, a little here or there is not a problem.
I like to drink Aquavit it is not very good for me in large quantities a little here or there is not a problem.
I like to drink Aquavit, but it is not very good for me in large quantities, but a little here or there is not a problem.
I like to drink Aquavit, it is not very good for me in large quantities; but a little here or there is not a problem.
I like to drink Aquavit, but it is not very good for me in large quantities, but a little here or there is not a problem.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined only by a single comma. One option to fix such an error is simply to make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. In this case, since the second clause asserts an exception to one of the statements made in the first clause, simply adding the coordinating conjunction "but" after the comma is the best way to fix the sentence.
Example Question #78 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
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 don't know what the chef put in her chicken salad, it was simply one of the best dishes I'd ever had.
I don't know what the chef put in her chicken salad; it was simply one of the best dishes I'd ever had.
I don't know what the chef put in her chicken salad, it was simply one of the best dishes I'd ever had.
I don't know what the chef put in her chicken salad and it was simply one of the best dishes I'd ever had.
I don't know what the chef put in her chicken salad; and it was simply one of the best dishes I'd ever had.
I don't know what the chef put in her chicken salad it was simply one of the best dishes I'd ever had.
I don't know what the chef put in her chicken salad; it was simply one of the best dishes I'd ever had.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. The best way to correct the example sentence is to simply replace the comma with a semicolon.
Example Question #71 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
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.
Paul and John are my favorite Beetles, I have a soft spot for Ringo.
Paul and John are my favorite Beetles; but I have a soft spot for Ringo.
Paul and John are my favorite Beetles: but I have a soft spot for Ringo.
Paul and John are my favorite Beetles while I have a soft spot for Ringo.
Paul and John are my favorite Beetles, but I have a soft spot for Ringo.
Paul and John are my favorite Beetles, I have a soft spot for Ringo.
Paul and John are my favorite Beetles, but I have a soft spot for Ringo.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. In the example sentence the writer names his two favorites and then adds another band member he has "a soft spot for," so simply adding the coordinating conjunction "but" after the comma is the best way to fix this example.
Example Question #79 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
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 truth about Santa Claus is that he is not a real figure, his legend inspires many people.
The truth about Santa Claus is that he is not a real figure, but his legend inspires many people.
The truth about Santa Claus is that he is not a real figure, his legend inspires many people.
The truth about Santa Claus is that he is not a real figure; and his legend inspires many people.
The truth about Santa Claus is that he is not a real figure but his legend inspires many people.
The truth about Santa Claus is that he is not a real figure; and his legend inspires many people.
The truth about Santa Claus is that he is not a real figure, but his legend inspires many people.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. In the example above, something more than a comma is needed to separate the two clauses, since the second clause expresses a contradictory statement to the first, inserting a "but" after the comma is the best correction.
Example Question #81 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
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 find it hard to believe that Larry David manages to find himself in so many awkward situations, there's a television program documenting that he does.
I find it hard to believe that Larry David manages to find himself in so many awkward situations: and there's a television program documenting that he does.
I find it hard to believe that Larry David manages to find himself in so many awkward situations, but theres a television program documenting that he does.
I find it hard to believe that Larry David manages to find himself in so many awkward situations; and there's a television program documenting that he does.
I find it hard to believe that Larry David manages to find himself in so many awkward situations, there's a television program documenting that he does.
I find it hard to believe that Larry David manages to find himself in so many awkward situations, but there's a television program documenting that he does.
I find it hard to believe that Larry David manages to find himself in so many awkward situations, but there's a television program documenting that he does.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. In the sentence above simply adding the coordinating conjunction "but" will fix the error.
Example Question #82 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
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.
Sarah has an extraordinarily difficult time getting out of bed in the morning, once she gets going she is a force to be reckoned with.
Sarah has an extraordinarily difficult time getting out of bed in the morning: once she gets going shes a force to be reckoned with.
Sarah has an extraordinarily difficult time getting out of bed in the morning, once she gets going she is a force to be reckoned with.
Sarah has an extraordinarily difficult time getting out of bed in the morning; but once she gets going she is a force to be reckoned with.
Sarah has an extraordinarily difficult time getting out of bed in the morning; once she gets going she is a force to be reckoned with.
Sarah has an extraordinarily difficult time getting out of bed in the morning: while once she gets going she is a force to be reckoned with.
Sarah has an extraordinarily difficult time getting out of bed in the morning; once she gets going she is a force to be reckoned with.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. In the sentence above, replacing the comma with a semicolon is the best solution.
Example Question #83 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Comma Splices
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.
Gina told me that I needed to buy a new cell phone, I couldn't be happier that I heeded her advice.
Gina told me that I needed to buy a new cell phone; and I couldn't be happier that I heeded her advice.
Gina told me that I needed to buy a new cell phone so I couldn't be happier that I heeded her advice.
Gina told me that I needed to buy a new cell phone; I couldn't be happier that I heeded her advice.
Gina told me that I needed to buy a new cell phone, I couldn't be happier that I heeded her advice.
Gina told me that I needed to buy a new cell phone; but I couldn't be happier that I heeded her advice.
Gina told me that I needed to buy a new cell phone; I couldn't be happier that I heeded her advice.
A comma splice error occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a single comma. One option is to simply make the two independent clauses into separate sentences. If you wish to join two independent clauses into a compound sentence, you may either use a comma followed by an appropriate coordinating conjunction or you may use a semicolon without a conjunction. The only correct answer option replaces the comma with a semicolon.
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