SAT Writing : Separating Sentences
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Writing
All SAT Writing Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #91 : Separating, Combining, Or Moving Sentences
(1) During the 1960s, many directors from Czechoslovakia contributed to a film movement called "Czechoslovak New Wave." (2) This period is often considered to be the golden age of Czechoslovak cinema. (3) These films often used improvised dialogue rather than a script and featured many non-professional actors. (4) The directors from this period wished to capture the authentic experience of living in Czechoslovakia at the time. (5) However, a series of new censorship laws introduced by the Communist Party in 1968 halted the movement and motivated several of the key directors to flee to America.
Which of the following is the best option for separating Sentence 5 into two sentences?
However, this halted the movement and motivated several of the key directors to flee to America. A series of new censorship laws were introduced by the Communist Party in 1968.
However, the Communist Party introduced a series of new censorship laws in 1968. This halted the movement and motivated several of the key directors to flee to America.
However, a series of new censorship laws introduced by the Communist Party in 1968 halted the movement and motivated several of the key directors. To flee to America.
However, a series of new censorship laws introduced by the Communist Party in 1968. Halted the movement and motivated several of the key directors to flee to America.
However, a series of new censorship laws. Introduced by the Communist Party in 1968, this halted the movement and motivated several of the key directors to flee to America.
However, the Communist Party introduced a series of new censorship laws in 1968. This halted the movement and motivated several of the key directors to flee to America.
This answer is the only one with two complete sentences that logically follow one another.
Example Question #112 : Analyzing, Combining, And Moving Content
1 Seaweed; a type of algae that’s a promising resource for the future. 2 It can be used with a fuel, medicine, fuel source, and even fertilizer. 3 Often being both farmed or foraged. 4 In Indonesia, China, Korea, and the Philippines are among the world’s largest producers of seaweed, it is used for everything from sushi and bread to dessert. 5 Medically, speaking derivatives of seaweed can be optimized in bandages, dental molds, and microbiology cultures. 6 Girls especially will squeal when they hear that seaweed’s components are used to make many pretty makeup products. 7 It should come as no surprise, then, that countries around the world are investing significant capital in seaweed research.
How should Sentence 4 be separated?
This sentence should not be separated.
In Indonesia, China, Korea, and the Philippines. Are among the world’s largest producers of seaweed. It is used for everything from sushi and bread to dessert.
In Indonesia, China, Korea, and the Philippines – among the world’s largest producers of seaweed – from sushi and bread to dessert.
In Indonesia, China, Korea, and the Philippines are among the world’s largest producers of seaweed. It is used for everything from sushi and bread to dessert.
In Indonesia, China, Korea, and the Philippines. Are among the world’s largest producers of seaweed, it is used for everything from sushi and bread to dessert.
In Indonesia, China, Korea, and the Philippines are among the world’s largest producers of seaweed. It is used for everything from sushi and bread to dessert.
Sentence 4 contains two independent clauses incorrectly separated with a comma, so the two clauses must be broken apart.
Example Question #1 : Separating Sentences
1 Acoustics is a field of science that refers to the study of mechanical waves but it is best known for its relation to audible sound. 2 Acoustics has been a branch of human impunity since ancient Greece, Pythagoras investigated musical harmonies.3 Concert halls, headphones, car speakers: all are things that employ acoustical studies to electrocute listeners’ experiences. 4 Sound is not important to just humans; it allows birds, elephants, elk, and other animals to attract mates and defend their territories.
5 It benefits to understand sound waves and their behaviors, when engineers have this knowledge everyone from Roman amphitheaters to modern day punk rockers can enjoy a better listening experience.
How should Sentence 1 be separated?
Acoustics is a field of science that refers to the study of mechanical waves but it is best known for its relation to audible sound. (no change)
Acoustics is a field of science that refers to the study of mechanical waves. But it has always best been known for its relation to audible sound.
Acoustics is a field of science that refers to the study of mechanical waves but it is best known for something else. That is to say, its relation to audible sound.
Acoustics is a field of science that refers to the study of mechanical waves. However, it is best known for its relation to audible sound.
Acoustics is a field of science. It refers to the study of mechanical waves but it is best known for its relation to audible sound.
Acoustics is a field of science that refers to the study of mechanical waves. However, it is best known for its relation to audible sound.
Because Sentence 1 is both long and an introductory sentence, the best choice is to break it up into two shorter, easier to grasp sentences. All of the other options either create sentence fragments or awkward sentences that do not transition smoothly from one to the next.
Example Question #2 : Separating Sentences
1 Lemon juice with cayenne pepper, cabbage soup, cookies, grapefruit. 2 What do these have in common?3 They are all key ingredients in recent fad diets; since these diets sound promising, few lead to any permanent weight loss.4 Some of the worst can even lead to health problems, such as, vitamin deficiencies or anemia. 5 Instead of being concerned with lasting weight loss, they are promoting radical changes that only last a short time. 6 Cutting out too many calories at once from your diet can lead to dizziness, heart palpitations, and even a slower metabolism.
7 Some thinkers suggest that fad diets are really a way for us to impose order on our chaotic world, hundreds of food choices, conflicting advice from various health experts. 8 So why diet at all?
How should Sentence 3 be separated?
All being key ingredients in recent fad diets. However, since these diets sound promising, few lead to any permanent weight loss.
With them all being key ingredients in recent fad diets. These diets sound promising, few lead to any permanent weight loss.
They are all key ingredients in recent fad diets; since these diets sound promising, few lead to any permanent weight loss. (no change)
They are all key ingredients in recent fad diets, since these diets sound promising, few lead to any permanent weight loss.
They are all key ingredients in recent fad diets. Since these diets sound promising, few lead to any permanent weight loss.
They are all key ingredients in recent fad diets. Since these diets sound promising, few lead to any permanent weight loss.
The semicolon is already indicating that we have two independent clauses. Because the clauses are presenting fairly separate ideas, it’s best to break them apart even further and make them entirely distinct sentences.
Example Question #1 : Separating Sentences
Are you trying to stick to a budget? Using coupons for purchases, also known as “couponing,” is a great way to save money on groceries. Coupons are a little piece of paper that can give you a discount on what you buy. You will be amazed at the great bargains and amazing savings you can get!
It’s easy to get started. When you open up your daily newspaper, one might find a glossy insert full of coupons. Some of the coupons will be for things you don’t buy, some will be for things you buy all the time. Go through the coupons and chop out the ones you can use.
The key to successful couponing is getting multiple copies of coupon circulars. Ask your friends, your neighbors, and family if they have any extras. Some coupon users even go through the recycling at their office to find more coupons! Have you ever heard of such a thing in your life! Completely devoted, these circulars help coupon users to get even more savings.
Couponing might sound like hard work, but for many people, it’s also a hobby. Not only does it help them save hundreds of dollars per year, but also it gives them a fun challenge every time they do their shopping.
How can the underlined sentence be separated into two distinct and grammatically complete sentences?
Couponers use coupons for purchases. Having saved one's coupons, also known as "couponing."
Having had use of the coupons for purchases. "Couponing” is a great way to save money on groceries.
These two clauses cannot be separated
Using coupons for purchases; also known as “couponing” is a great way to save money on groceries.
Also known as using coupons. For purchases, “couponing” is a great way to save money on groceries.
These two clauses cannot be separated
The underlined sentence includes a dependent introductory clause, and thus cannot be separated without significant alteration to the meaning and content of the sentence. All of the other answers either create a sentence fragment, or make the sentence too wordy while altering its meaning.
Certified Tutor
All SAT Writing Resources
