SAT Writing : Improving Sentences
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Example Question #1831 : Improving Sentences
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. Note that it is incorrect to use a semicolon and a coordinating conjunction together.
Boxers with brittle hands are at a huge disadvantage in their careers because they are very likely to injure themselves in training.
Boxers, with brittle hands, are at a huge disadvantage in their careers, because they are, very likely, to injure themselves in training.
Boxers with brittle hands are at a huge disadvantage in their careers because they are very likely to injure themselves in training.
Boxers with brittle hands are at a huge disadvantage in their careers, because, they are very likely to injure themselves in training.
Boxers with brittle hands are at a huge disadvantage in their careers; because they are very likely to injure themselves in training.
Boxers with brittle hands are at a huge disadvantage in their careers, because they are very likely to injure themselves in training.
Boxers with brittle hands are at a huge disadvantage in their careers, because they are very likely to injure themselves in training.
The example sentence is a compound sentence, one which connects two independent clauses together in one sentence to show that they are connected ideas. The coordinating conjunction "because," as used in the example sentence, necessitates a comma.
Example Question #19 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Dependent Clauses
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.
Although many species of cacti are native to the Sonoran desert only one variety has distinctive bright blue flowers.
Although, many species of cacti are native to the Sonoran desert, only one variety has distinctive bright blue flowers.
Although many species of cacti are native to the Sonoran desert, only one variety has distinctive bright blue flowers.
Although many species of cacti are native to the Sonoran desert; only one variety has distinctive bright blue flowers.
Although, many species of cacti are native to the Sonoran desert only one variety has distinctive bright blue flowers.
Although many species of cacti are native to the Sonoran desert only one variety has distinctive bright blue flowers.
Although many species of cacti are native to the Sonoran desert, only one variety has distinctive bright blue flowers.
“Although many species of cacti are native to the Sonoran desert” is a dependent clause, and “only one variety has distinctive bright blue flowers” is an independent clause. Dependent clauses must be separated from independent clauses with commas.
Example Question #20 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Dependent Clauses
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.
As soon as my sister leaves the house I’m going to have to frost the cake for her surprise party.
As soon as my sister leaves the house; I’m going to have to frost the cake for her surprise party.
As soon as: my sister leaves the house, I’m going to have to frost the cake for her surprise party.
As soon as: my sister leaves the house I’m going to have to frost the cake for her surprise party.
As soon as my sister leaves the house, I’m going to have to frost the cake for her surprise party.
As soon as my sister leaves the house I’m going to have to frost the cake for her surprise party.
As soon as my sister leaves the house, I’m going to have to frost the cake for her surprise party.
“As soon as my sister leaves the house” is a dependent clause, and “I’m going to have to frost the cake for her surprise party” is an independent clause. Dependent clauses must always be separated from independent clauses with commas.
Example Question #21 : Correcting Punctuation Errors: Commas For Dependent Clauses
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.
Since Gerald doesn’t have enough money. He has to take a second job cleaning bathrooms.
Since Gerald doesn’t have enough money; he has to take a second job cleaning bathrooms.
Since Gerald doesn’t have enough money he has to take a second job cleaning bathrooms.
Since Gerald doesn’t have enough money: he has to take a second job cleaning bathrooms.
Since Gerald doesn’t have enough money, he has to take a second job cleaning bathrooms.
Since Gerald doesn’t have enough money. He has to take a second job cleaning bathrooms.
Since Gerald doesn’t have enough money, he has to take a second job cleaning bathrooms.
“Since” is a key word that indicates a dependent clause. Because we have one dependent clause appearing in front of one independent clause, we need to separate the two with a comma.
Example Question #1832 : Improving Sentences
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.
Lucy shouldn’t enter the scuba diving contest, as she only recently began lessons and isn’t a confident diver yet.
Lucy shouldn’t enter the scuba diving contest; as, she only recently began lessons and isn’t a confident diver yet.
Lucy shouldn’t enter the scuba diving contest as she only recently began lessons, and isn’t a confident diver yet.
Lucy shouldn’t enter the scuba diving contest, as she only recently began lessons and isn’t a confident diver yet.
Lucy shouldn’t enter the scuba diving contest; as she only recently began lessons and isn’t a confident diver yet.
Lucy shouldn’t enter the scuba diving contest, as she only recently began lessons, and isn’t a confident diver yet.
Lucy shouldn’t enter the scuba diving contest, as she only recently began lessons and isn’t a confident diver yet.
The original sentence is correct as written. “Lucy shouldn’t enter the scuba diving contest” is an independent clause, and “as she only recently began lessons and isn’t a confident diver yet” is a dependent clause, so they need to be separated with a comma. Note that it is incorrect to use a semicolon to separate a dependent clause from an independent clause; semicolons are used to separate two independent clauses.
Example Question #1833 : Improving Sentences
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.
Unless she passes the final exam on Shakespeare; she’s going to fail the class.
Unless she passes the final exam on Shakespeare, she’s going to fail the class.
Unless she passes the final exam, on Shakespeare, she’s going to fail the class.
Unless she passes the final exam on Shakespeare she’s going to fail the class.
Unless, she passes the final exam on Shakespeare; she’s going to fail the class.
Unless she passes the final exam on Shakespeare; she’s going to fail the class.
Unless she passes the final exam on Shakespeare, she’s going to fail the class.
“Unless she passes the final exam on Shakespeare” is a dependent clause, and “she’s going to fail the class” is an independent clause. Dependent clauses must always be separated from independent clauses with commas. Note that it is always incorrect to use a semicolon to separate a dependent clause from and independent clause. Semicolons are used to separate two independent clauses.
Example Question #1834 : Improving Sentences
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.
As someone who used to participate in equestrian competitions: I certainly understand the draw of horseback riding.
As someone, who used to participate in equestrian competitions I certainly understand the draw of horseback riding.
As someone who used to participate in equestrian competitions; I certainly understand the draw of horseback riding.
As someone who used to participate in equestrian competitions, I certainly understand the draw of horseback riding.
As someone who used to participate in equestrian competitions: I certainly understand the draw of horseback riding.
As someone, who used to participate in equestrian competitions, I certainly understand the draw of horseback riding.
As someone who used to participate in equestrian competitions, I certainly understand the draw of horseback riding.
“As someone who used to participate in equestrian competitions” is a dependent clause, and “I certainly understand the draw of horseback riding” is an independent clause. Dependent clauses must always be separated from independent clauses with commas. A dependent clause may follow a colon, but the colon must be preceded by an independent clause.
Example Question #1835 : Improving Sentences
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.
Beginning many years ago the crawdad boil had become a much-loved annual tradition for campers at Lake Susanna.
Beginning many years ago the crawdad boil had become a much-loved annual tradition for campers at Lake Susanna.
Beginning many years ago, the crawdad boil had become a much-loved annual tradition for campers at Lake Susanna.
Beginning many years ago; the crawdad boil had become a much-loved annual tradition for campers at Lake Susanna.
Beginning many years ago: the crawdad boil had become a much-loved annual tradition for campers at Lake Susanna.
Beginning many years ago: the crawdad boil had become a much-loved annual tradition, for campers at Lake Susanna.
Beginning many years ago, the crawdad boil had become a much-loved annual tradition for campers at Lake Susanna.
“Beginning many years ago” is a dependent introductory clause that modifies the main independent clause here: “the crawdad boil had become a much-loved annual tradition for campers at Lake Susanna.” The two clauses in the example sentence need to be separated with a comma.
Example Question #591 : 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.
As long as I live on Yancy Street James will have a place to spend the night, share a meal, or just hang out.
As long as I live on Yancy Street, James will have a place to spend the night, share a meal or just hang out.
As long as I live on Yancy Street, James will have a place to spend the night, share a meal, or just hang out.
As long as I live on Yancy Street: James will have a place to spend the night, share a meal, or just hang out.
As long as I live on Yancy Street; James will have a place to spend the night, share a meal, or just hang out.
As long as I live on Yancy Street James will have a place to spend the night, share a meal, or just hang out.
As long as I live on Yancy Street, James will have a place to spend the night, share a meal, or just hang out.
“As long as I live on Yancy Street” is a dependent clause, and “James will have a place to spend the night, share a meal, or just hang out” is an independent clause. Dependent clauses should be separated from independent clauses with commas. Also, don’t forget the Oxford comma before “or” in the list!
Example Question #592 : 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.
Until the detective finds the key to the code. The entire baffling mystery will remain unsolved.
Until the detective, finds the key to the code, the entire baffling mystery will remain unsolved.
Until the detective finds the key to the code, the entire baffling mystery will remain unsolved.
Until the detective finds the key to the code. The entire baffling mystery will remain unsolved.
Until the detective finds the key to the code; the entire baffling mystery will remain unsolved.
Until the detective finds the key to the code the entire baffling mystery will remain unsolved.
Until the detective finds the key to the code, the entire baffling mystery will remain unsolved.
Here, the dependent clause is “Until the detective finds the key to the code,” and the independent clause is “the entire baffling mystery will remain unsolved.” Dependent clauses should be separated from independent clauses with commas. "Until" signals that the first clause is dependent.
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