Question ID accc2b85

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: accc2b85
Consider the mechanics of the pinhole camera: light passes through a small hole, resulting in a focused
projected image. A ray diagram reveals how this ______ the hole’s small size restricts light to a single ray, all
light passing through the hole can only arrive at a single destination, eliminating diffraction and ensuring a
clear image.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. works because

B. works. Because

C. works, it’s because

D. works: it’s because

ID: accc2b85 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. In this choice, the period is
used to correctly mark the boundary between one sentence ("A ray...works") and another ("Because...image").

Choice A is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two sentences ("A ray…works" and "Because…image") are
fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t
be used in this way to mark the boundary between sentences. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a comma splice.
Since the contraction "it’s" creates a main clause, the comma after "single ray" can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary
between two main clauses ("it’s...ray" and "all light…image").

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID df8ef92f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: df8ef92f
On March 23, 2021, a gust of wind wreaked havoc on global trade. Ever Given, an international shipping
container vessel, became lodged in Egypt’s Suez Canal, a major shipping route between Europe and Asia. The
vessel took six days to ______ it’s as heavy as two thousand blue whales when fully loaded.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

A. dislodge in part due to its sheer size,

B. dislodge, in part due to its sheer size:

C. dislodge, in part due to its sheer size,

D. dislodge, in part, due to its sheer size

ID: df8ef92f Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between main clauses and a supplementary
element. This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the main clause ("The vessel took six days to
dislodge") and the supplementary element ("in part due to its sheer size") that provides additional information on why the
vessel was difficult to dislodge. Additionally, this choice correctly uses a colon to introduce another main clause that
describes the vessel’s size ("it’s as heavy as two thousand blue whales when fully loaded").

Choice A is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary
between two main clauses ("The vessel…size" and "it’s…loaded"). Additionally, it fails to mark the boundary between the main
clause ("The vessel took six days to dislodge") and the supplementary element ("in part due to its sheer size"). Choice C is
incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary between two main
clauses ("The vessel…size" and "it’s…loaded"). Choice D is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two main
clauses ("The vessel…size" and "it’s…loaded") are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6f873e68
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 6f873e68
In crafting her fantasy fiction, Nigerian-born British author Helen Oyeyemi has drawn inspiration from the
classic nineteenth-century fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. Her 2014 novel Boy, Snow, Bird, for instance, is a
complex retelling of the story of Snow White, while her 2019 novel ______ offers a delicious twist on the
classic tale of Hansel and Gretel.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. ­Gingerbread—

B. ­Gingerbread,

C. Gingerbread

D. ­Gingerbread:

ID: 6f873e68 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a subject and a verb. When, as in this case,
a subject (“her 2019 novel Gingerbread”) is immediately followed by a verb (“offers”), no punctuation is needed.

Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the subject and the verb. Choice B is incorrect because no
punctuation is needed between the subject and the verb. Choice D is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between
the subject and the verb.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID af66cc2b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: af66cc2b
Jamaican British artist Willard Wigan is known for his remarkable ______ so small that they are best viewed
through a microscope, Wigan’s sculptures are made from tiny natural materials, such as spiderweb strands.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

A. microsculptures creations

B. microsculptures, creations

C. microsculptures. Creations

D. microsculptures and creations

ID: af66cc2b Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between sentences. In this choice, the period is
used to correctly mark the boundary between one sentence ("Jamaican…microsculptures") and another ("Creations…
strands"). The noun phrase beginning with "creations" modifies the subject of the next sentence, "Wigan’s sculptures."

Choice A is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences ("Jamaican…microsculptures" and "Creations…
strands") are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A
comma can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary between sentences. Choice D is incorrect. Without a comma
preceding it, the conjunction "and" can’t be used in this way to join sentences.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 771b3e53
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: 771b3e53
Entomologists Yash Sondhi and Samuel Fabian have tried to explain why moths fly erratically around light
sources at night. Knowing that flying insects keep their backs pointed toward sunlight during the day, ______

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

A. the researchers theorize that moths, mistaking nighttime lights for the Sun, continually try to reorient their
bodies while flying near such lights.

B. the researchers’ theory is that moths mistake nighttime lights for the Sun, continually trying to reorient
their bodies while flying near such lights.

C. moths mistake nighttime lights for the Sun and continually try to reorient their bodies while flying near
such lights, the researchers theorize.

D. moths continually try to reorient their bodies while flying near nighttime lights, the researchers theorize,
mistaking such lights for the Sun.

ID: 771b3e53 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-modifier placement. This choice makes the noun phrase
"the researchers" the subject of the sentence and places it immediately after the modifying phrase "knowing…day." In doing
so, this choice clearly establishes that the researchers—and not another noun in the sentence—know that flying insects keep
their backs pointed toward sunlight during the day.

Choice B is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase "the researchers’ theory"
immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that the researchers’ theory knows that flying insects keep their
backs pointed toward sunlight during the day. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement
of the noun "moths" immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that moths know that flying insects keep
their backs pointed toward sunlight during the day. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The
placement of the noun "moths" immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that moths know that flying
insects keep their backs pointed toward sunlight during the day.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a778e64f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: a778e64f
Using natural debris, such as dried ______ such as plastic bags; and more traditional art supplies, such as tree
glue, Ghanaian artist Ed Franklin Gavua creates his striking Yiiiiikakaii African masks, which he hopes can
help viewers rethink how waste is used in their communities.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. leaves, man-made trash:

B. leaves; man-made trash,

C. leaves, man-made trash,

D. leaves; man-made trash;

ID: a778e64f Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of elements in a complex series. It’s
conventional to use a semicolon to separate items in a complex series with internal punctuation, and in this choice, the
semicolon after "leaves" is conventionally used to separate the first item ("natural debris, such as dried leaves") and the
second item ("man-made trash, such as plastic bags") in the series of materials used by Gavua. Further, the comma after
"trash" correctly separates the noun phrase "man-made trash" from the supplementary phrase ("such as plastic bags") that
describes it.

Choice A is incorrect because a comma after "leaves" doesn’t match the semicolon used later to separate the second and
third items in the series ("man-made...bags" and "and...glue"). Additionally, it’s not conventional to use a colon in this way to
separate a supplementary phrase ("such as plastic bags") from the noun phrase it modifies ("man-made trash"). Choice C is
incorrect because a comma after "leaves" doesn’t match the semicolon used later to separate the second and third items in
the series ("man-made...bags" and "and...glue"). Choice D is incorrect because it’s not conventional to use a semicolon in this
way to separate a supplementary phrase ("such as plastic bags") from the noun phrase it modifies ("man-made trash").

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 618d94c4
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 618d94c4
In 2018, a team of researchers led by Dr. Caitlin Whalen compiled every available measurement of ocean
mixing rates from the past two decades. With this novel data set, the team was able to determine how
current-driven mixing varies across ______ and what impact it has on the distribution of heat and nutrients in
the ocean.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. regions,

B. regions:

C. regions;

D. regions

ID: 618d94c4 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between coordinates in a sentence. The two
elements "how…regions" and "what…ocean" work together as coordinates to complete the description of what the team was
able to determine. Because there are only two coordinates in this case (as opposed to a series of three or more), no
punctuation is needed between them.

Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the coordinates "how…regions" and "what…ocean." Choice
B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the coordinates "how…regions" and "what…ocean." Choice C is
incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the coordinates "how…regions" and "what…ocean."

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 98baf1ee
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 98baf1ee
Stomata, tiny pore structures in a leaf that absorb gases needed for plant growth, open when guard cells
surrounding each pore swell with water. In a pivotal 2007 article, plant cell ______ showed that lipid molecules
called phosphatidylinositol phosphates are responsible for signaling guard cells to open stomata.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. biologist, Yuree Lee

B. biologist Yuree Lee,

C. biologist Yuree Lee

D. biologist, Yuree Lee,

ID: 98baf1ee Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of punctuation between titles and proper nouns. No
punctuation is needed to offset the proper noun “Yuree Lee” form the title “plant cell biologist” that describes Lee.

Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed. Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed. Choice D
is incorrect because no punctuation is needed around the proper noun “Yuree Lee.” Setting the phrase off with punctuation
suggests that it could be removed without affecting the coherence of the sentence, which isn’t the case.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e598da1c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: e598da1c
Roughly 300 nights a year, when the cold air descending from the Andes Mountains meets the warm air
rising from Venezuela’s coastal Lake Maracaibo, the result is a spectacular lightning storm, its strikes so
bright, so localized, and so ______ that it has become known as “Maracaibo’s Lighthouse.”

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

A. dependable:

B. dependable;

C. dependable

D. dependable,

ID: e598da1c Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of an integrated relative clause. No punctuation
is needed before the relative clause beginning with "that" because the content of the relative clause ("that...Lighthouse") is
integral to the meaning of the coordinated adjectival phrase ("so bright, so localized, and so dependable") that it modifies.

Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the coordinated adjectival phrase ("so bright...dependable")
and the integrated relative clause that modifies it. Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the
coordinated adjectival phrase ("so bright...dependable") and the integrated relative clause that modifies it. Choice D is
incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the coordinated adjectival phrase ("so bright...dependable") and the
integrated relative clause that modifies it.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a1a0066e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: a1a0066e
In paleontology, the term “Elvis taxon” gets applied to a newly identified living species that was once
presumed to be extinct. Like an Elvis impersonator who might bear a striking resemblance to the late musical
icon Elvis Presley himself, an Elvis taxon is not the real thing, ______ is a misidentified look-alike.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. however but it

B. however it

C. however, it

D. however. It

ID: a1a0066e Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The clause “Like an Elvis impersonator…real thing” and the clause “it is…look-alike” are both
independent clauses, so making them into two separate sentences is grammatically correct.

Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a run-on sentence error. The clause “Like an Elvis impersonator…real thing” and the
clause “it is…look-alike” are both independent clauses, so they need to be separated with at least a comma + a coordinating
conjunction. This choice provides the coordinating conjunction “but,” but it’s missing a comma. Choice B is incorrect. This
choice creates a run-on sentence error. The clause “Like an Elvis impersonator…real thing” and the clause “it is…look-alike”
are both independent clauses, so they need to be separated with a semicolon, a colon, a dash, a period, or a comma + a
coordinating conjunction. Choice C is incorrect. This choice creates a run-on sentence error. The clause “Like an Elvis
impersonator…real thing” and the clause “it is…look-alike” are both independent clauses, so they need to be separated with at
least a comma + a coordinating conjunction. This choice provides a comma, but it’s missing a coordinating conjunction.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ff4676f7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: ff4676f7
Ten of William Shakespeare’s plays are classified as histories. Although each one of these plays, which
include Henry V and Richard III, ______ on a single historical figure (specifically, an English king), some, such
as Henry VI Part One and Henry VI Part Two, feature different episodes from the same monarch’s life.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

A. focuses

B. focus

C. are focused

D. were focused

ID: ff4676f7 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement. The singular verb "focuses" agrees in
number with the singular subject "each one of these plays," which refers to each play individually.

Choice B is incorrect because the plural verb "focus" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "each one of these
plays." Choice C is incorrect because the plural verb "are focused" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "each
one of these plays." Choice D is incorrect because the plural verb "were focused" doesn’t agree in number with the singular
subject "each one of these plays."

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID bec6af6d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: bec6af6d
Author Madeline L’Engle, ______ to create a suspenseful tone that draws the reader in, begins her novel A
Wrinkle in Time with descriptions of “wraithlike shadows” and “the frenzied lashing of the wind.”

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. looked

B. looks

C. is looking

D. looking

ID: bec6af6d Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verb forms within a sentence. The nonfinite present
participle verb “looking” is correctly used to form a subordinate clause that describes the intent behind how L’Engle begins
her novel.

Choice A is incorrect because the finite past tense verb “looked” can’t be used in this way to form a subordinate clause.
Choice B is incorrect because the finite present tense verb “looks” can’t be used in this way to form a subordinate clause.
Choice C is incorrect because the finite present progressive tense verb “is looking” can’t be used in this way to form a
subordinate clause.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID bff1d6df
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: bff1d6df
Planetary scientist Briony Horgan and her colleagues have determined that as much as 25 percent of the
sand on Mars is composed of impact spherules. These spherical bits of glass form when asteroids collide
with the planet, ejecting bits of molten rock into the atmosphere that, after cooling and solidifying into glass,
______ back onto Mars’s surface.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. to rain

B. raining

C. having rained

D. rain

ID: bff1d6df Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. "That…[rain] back onto Mars’s surface" is a relative clause that describes the "bits of molten
rock." Forming the clause requires a conjugated, finite verb, and this is the only choice that provides that.

Choice A is incorrect. "To rain" is an infinitive and can’t serve as the main verb of a clause. A conjugated verb is needed here
to form the main verb of the relative clause "that…[rain] back onto Mars’s surface," which describes the "bits of molten rock."
Choice B is incorrect. "Raining" is a present participle and, on its own, can’t serve as the main verb of a clause. A conjugated
verb is needed here to form the main verb of the relative clause "that…[rain] back onto Mars’s surface," which describes the
"bits of molten rock." Choice C is incorrect. "Having rained" is a perfect participle and can’t serve as the main verb of a
clause. A conjugated verb is needed here to form the main verb of the relative clause "that…[rain] back onto Mars’s surface,"
which describes the "bits of molten rock."

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6a2df221
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 6a2df221
To serve local families during the Great Depression, innovative New York City librarian Pura Belpré offered
storytelling in both English and Spanish, an uncommon ______ celebrated el Día de los Tres Reyes Magos, an
important community holiday; and put on puppet shows dramatizing Puerto Rican folktales.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. practice, at the time

B. practice at the time;

C. practice, at the time,

D. practice at the time,

ID: 6a2df221 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of elements in a complex series. It’s
conventional to use a semicolon to separate items in a complex series with internal punctuation, and in this choice, the
semicolon after "time" is conventionally used to separate the first item ("offered…time") and the second ("celebrated…
holiday") in the series of activities that librarian Pura Belpré offered. Moreover, the semicolon after "time" matches the
semicolon used later to separate the second item ("celebrated...holiday") and the third ("and...folktales") in the series.

Choice A is incorrect because it fails to use appropriate punctuation to separate the first item and the second item in the
complex series. Furthermore, a comma isn’t needed between the noun "practice" and the prepositional phrase "at the time"
because the prepositional phrase is essential to the full meaning of the phrase "an uncommon practice at the time." Choice C
is incorrect because a comma after "time" doesn’t match the semicolon used later to separate the second
("celebrated...holiday") and third ("and...folktales") items in the series. Furthermore, a comma isn’t needed between the noun
"practice" and the prepositional phrase "at the time" because the prepositional phrase is essential to the full meaning of the
phrase "an uncommon practice at the time." Choice D is incorrect because a comma after "time" doesn’t match the
semicolon used later to separate the second ("celebrated...holiday") and third ("and...folktales") items in the series.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 26287f55
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 26287f55
A study published by Rice University geoscientist Ming Tang in 2019 offers a new explanation for the origin
of Earth’s ______ structures called arcs, towering ridges that form when a dense oceanic plate subducts
under a less dense continental plate, melts in the mantle below, and then rises and bursts through the
continental crust above.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

A. continents geological

B. continents: geological

C. continents; geological

D. continents. Geological

ID: 26287f55 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between a main clause and a supplementary
phrase. In this choice, a colon is correctly used to mark the boundary between the main clause (“A study…continents”) and
the supplementary phrase (“geological…above”) and to introduce the following explanation of the origin of Earth’s continents.

Choice A is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the main clause (“A study…continents”) and the
supplementary phrase (“geological…above”) with appropriate punctuation. Choice C is incorrect because a semicolon can’t
be used in this way to join the main clause (“A study…continents”) and the supplementary phrase (“geological…above”). A
semicolon is conventionally used to join two main clauses, whereas a colon is conventionally used to introduce an element
that explains or amplifies the information in the preceding clause, making it the better choice in this context. Choice D is
incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment beginning with “geological.”

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 971ed23e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 971ed23e
Joshua Hinson, director of the language revitalization program of the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma, helped
produce the world’s first Indigenous-language instructional app, Chickasaw ______ Chickasaw TV, in 2010;
and a Rosetta Stone language course in Chickasaw, in 2015.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

A. Basic; in 2009, an online television network;

B. Basic; in 2009, an online television network,

C. Basic, in 2009; an online television network,

D. Basic, in 2009, an online television network,

ID: 971ed23e Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of items in a complex series. It’s conventional to
use a semicolon to separate items in a complex series with internal punctuation, and in this choice, the semicolon after
“2009” is conventionally used to separate the first item (“the world’s…2009”) and the second item (“an online…2010”) in the
series of things that Hinson helped create. Further, the comma after “Basic” correctly pairs with the comma after “app,” and
the comma after “network” correctly pairs with the comma after “TV” to set off the supplemental elements (“Chickasaw
Basic” and “Chickasaw TV”) that provide the names of the app and the TV network, respectively. Altogether, the punctuation
in this choice results in a sentence that clearly indicates that Hinson helped make a language app in 2009, an online TV
network in 2010, and a language course in 2015.

Choice A is incorrect because it fails to punctuate the complex series in a way that makes clear that Hinson helped make a
language app in 2009, an online TV network in 2010, and a language course in 2015. Choice B is incorrect because it fails to
punctuate the complex series in a way that makes clear that Hinson helped make a language app in 2009, an online TV
network in 2010, and a language course in 2015. Choice D is incorrect because the comma after “2009” doesn’t match the
semicolon used to separate the second and third items in the complex series.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 22030ce1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 22030ce1
In 1955, Indian Bengali filmmaker Satyajit Ray released his first movie, Pather ______ quiet black-and-white
drama about a family in rural India, Ray’s film was quite different from the loud, colorful action-romance
movies that were popular at the time.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. Panchali a

B. Panchali, which was a

C. Panchali, a

D. Panchali. A

ID: 22030ce1 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. In this choice, the period is
used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence ("In…Panchali") and another ("A quiet…time"). The phrase
beginning with "a quiet" modifies the subject of the next sentence, "Ray’s film."

Choice A is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences are fused without punctuation and/or a
conjunction. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to mark the
boundary between sentences. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way
to mark the boundary between sentences.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b4774c86
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: b4774c86
In her 1983 book The Managed Heart: Commercialization of Human Feeling, sociologist Arlie Russell
Hochschild first explored at length her conception of a “sociology of emotions”—the idea that the various
cultural and ideological frameworks a person has internalized (class, gender, political affiliation, etc.) ______
each emotional reaction that person has within a situation.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. underlies

B. is underlying

C. underlie

D. has been underlying

ID: b4774c86 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement. The plural verb "underlie" agrees in
number with the plural subject "frameworks."

Choice A is incorrect because the singular verb "underlies" doesn’t agree in number with the plural subject "frameworks."
Choice B is incorrect because the singular verb "is underlying" doesn’t agree in number with the plural subject "frameworks."
Choice D is incorrect because the singular verb "has been underlying" doesn’t agree in number with the plural subject
"frameworks."

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 05be3983
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: 05be3983
American abstract artist Richard ______ his installations to make passersby keenly aware of how one’s
movements are affected by the physical features of one’s environment, assembles large-scale steel plates
into sculptures that dominate the outdoor spaces they occupy.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. Serra is intending

B. Serra, intends

C. Serra, intending

D. Serra intends

ID: 05be3983 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verb forms within a sentence. This choice pairs the
comma after "Serra" with the comma after "environment" and uses the nonfinite present participle "intending" to correctly
form a supplementary phrase describing the reaction Serra intends his sculptures to provoke. This supplementary phrase
appears between the noun phrase that it modifies ("American abstract artist Richard Serra") and the finite present tense verb
("assembles"), which functions as the sentence’s main verb and describes what Serra does.

Choice A is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The finite present continuous tense verb "is
intending" can’t be used in this way in conjunction with the finite present tense verb "assembles," which already functions as
the main verb in the sentence. Choice B is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The finite present
tense verb "intends" can’t be used in this way to supplement the noun phrase "American abstract artist Richard Serra." Choice
D is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The finite present tense verb "intends" can’t be used in this
way in conjunction with the finite present tense verb "assembles," which already functions as the main verb in the sentence.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7ebe1dd0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: 7ebe1dd0
A species of Byropsis algae produces toxins to avoid being eaten by predators. However, in some cases, the
toxins the organism uses to protect itself from predation actually ______ its attractiveness to predators. The
Hawaiian sea slug, for example, not only tolerates Byropsis toxins but actually uses them for protection in the
same way the algae does.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. is increasing

B. increase

C. increases

D. has increased

ID: 7ebe1dd0 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement. The plural verb "increase" agrees in
number with the plural subject "toxins."

Choice A is incorrect because the singular verb "is increasing" doesn’t agree in number with the plural subject "toxins."
Choice C is incorrect because the singular verb "increases" doesn’t agree in number with the plural subject "toxins." Choice D
is incorrect because the singular verb "has increased" doesn’t agree in number with the plural subject "toxins."

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 40f8c12e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: 40f8c12e
Researchers studying the “terra-cotta army,” the thousands of life-size statues of warriors found interred near
the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang of China, were shocked to realize that the shape of each statue’s ears,
like the shape of each person’s ears, ______ unique.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. are

B. is

C. were

D. have been

ID: 40f8c12e Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject–verb agreement. because the singular verb “is” agrees
in number with the singular subject “the shape.”

Choice A is incorrect because the plural verb “are” doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject “the shape.” Choice C is
incorrect because the plural verb “were” doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject “the shape.” Choice D is incorrect
because the plural verb “have been” doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject “the shape.”

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID bb64d88a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: bb64d88a
In 1986, conceptual artist Sophie Calle asked twenty-three people, all of whom had been born without sight,
to describe “their image of beauty” in rich detail. Calle paired excerpts of these conversations with
photographs—both of interviewees and the items they ______ to powerful effect in her exhibition The Blind.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. described, from hair to grass to sculptures

B. described, from hair to grass to sculptures—

C. described—from hair to grass to sculptures,

D. described: from hair to grass to sculptures

ID: bb64d88a Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of supplementary elements within a sentence.
The comma after "described" separates the first supplementary element ("both of interviewees and the items they
described") from the second supplementary element ("from hair to grass to sculptures"). Furthermore, the dash after
"sculptures" pairs with the dash after "photographs" to separate these two supplementary elements from the rest of the
sentence. The pair of dashes, which operate at a higher organizing level than the comma, indicates that the elements
between the dashes function together—in this case, the second supplement ("from…sculptures") describes the range of
items mentioned in the first supplement—and could be removed without affecting the grammatical coherence of the
sentence.

Choice A is incorrect because it fails to appropriately punctuate the supplementary elements in the sentence. A dash is
needed after "sculptures" to separate the supplementary elements ("both…sculptures") from the rest of the sentence. Choice
C is incorrect because it fails to appropriately punctuate the supplementary elements in the sentence. The two
supplementary elements "both…described" and "from…sculptures" function together to describe the photographs, and
placing a dash between them would make this relationship less clear, suggesting that the supplement "both...described" is a
standalone element that could be removed without affecting the grammatical coherence of the sentence, which isn’t the
case. Choice D is incorrect because it fails to appropriately punctuate the supplementary elements in the sentence. A colon
isn’t conventionally used in this way to separate a supplementary element ("from hair to grass to sculptures") from the noun
phrase it is modifying ("items they described"). Additionally, a dash is needed after "sculptures" to separate the
supplementary elements ("both…sculptures") from the rest of the sentence.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 638832ee
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: 638832ee
In 1994, almost 200 years after the death of Wang Zhenyi, the International Astronomical ______ the
contributions of the barrier-breaking 18th-century astronomer and author of “Dispute of the Procession of the
Equinoxes,” naming a crater on Venus after her.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. Union would finally acknowledge

B. Union to finally acknowledge

C. Union, having finally acknowledged

D. Union, finally acknowledging

ID: 638832ee Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. It’s the only choice that offers a form of the verb “acknowledge” that can go with the subject
“International Astronomical Union” to make a complete sentence. This might seem like an odd use of “would,” but when
speaking from a point of view in the past, we can actually use “would” to express something that happened later. That’s the
case here: 200 years after Wang Zhenyi’s death, the IAU would finally acknowledge her contributions.

Choice B is incorrect. This choice creates a sentence fragment. There’s no main verb elsewhere in the sentence, so we need
a form of the verb “acknowledge” that can go with the subject “the International Astronomical Union” and serve as that main
verb. “To acknowledge” can’t do that. Choice C is incorrect. This choice creates a sentence fragment. There’s no main verb
elsewhere in the sentence, so we need a form of the verb “acknowledge” that can go with the subject “the International
Astronomical Union” and serve as that main verb. “Having acknowledged” can’t do that. Choice D is incorrect. This choice
creates a sentence fragment. There’s no main verb elsewhere in the sentence, so we need a form of the verb “acknowledge”
that can go with the subject “the International Astronomical Union” and serve as that main verb. The “-ing” form can’t do that.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 430b2a03
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 430b2a03
For thousands of years, humans have used domesticated goats (Capra hircus) to clear land of unwanted
vegetation. When it comes to their diets, goats are notoriously ______ they will devour all kinds of shrubs and
weeds, leaving virtually no part of any plant unconsumed.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. indiscriminate and

B. indiscriminate,

C. indiscriminate

D. indiscriminate:

ID: 430b2a03 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between two main clauses. In this choice, a
colon is correctly used to mark the boundary between one main clause ("goats are notoriously indiscriminate") and another
main clause ("they will devour all kinds of shrubs and weeds") and to introduce the following explanation of goats’
nondiscriminatory behavior when it comes to what they eat.

Choice A is incorrect because when coordinating two longer main clauses such as these, it’s conventional to use a comma
before the coordinating conjunction. Furthermore, the conjunction "and" fails to indicate that what follows is an explanation
of goats’ nondiscriminatory behavior when it comes to their diets. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice.
A comma can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses ("goats…indiscriminate" and "they…weeds"). Choice C is
incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two main clauses ("goats…indiscriminate" and "they…weeds") are fused
without punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID af67b6ca
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: af67b6ca
Butterfly is a 1988 painting by the Japanese artist Ay-O. Like many of Ay-O’s paintings, Butterfly, which
portrays a swimmer performing the butterfly stroke, attempts to make use of the entire visual light ______
sporting rainbow-striped goggles, the rainbow-hued swimmer splashes through a wavy rainbow of water.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. spectrum

B. spectrum:

C. spectrum while

D. spectrum, while

ID: af67b6ca Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of a colon within a sentence. In this choice, the colon
correctly introduces the following description of how the painting makes use of the entire visual light spectrum by depicting
a rainbow-hued swimmer.

Choice A is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The main clauses ("Like…spectrum" and "sporting…water") are
fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The main
clauses ("Like…spectrum" and "while…water") are fused without punctuation. Furthermore, the conjunction "while" fails to
indicate that what follows is a description of how the painting makes use of the entire visual light spectrum. Choice D is
incorrect because it results in a logically confusing sentence. The conjunction "while," which suggests that what follows is
occurring at the same time as or despite what came before, fails to indicate that what follows is a description of how the
painting makes use of the entire visual light spectrum.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 537fd30f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 537fd30f
The city of Amsterdam partnered with consultants to develop Public Eye—an ethical AI-powered crowd-
monitoring ______ video streamed from cameras in heavily touristed areas, the AI algorithm determines
crowd sizes without, in the interest of protecting individuals’ privacy, retaining the footage.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

A. system—analyzing

B. system, analyzing

C. system. Analyzing

D. system analyzing

ID: 537fd30f Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. In this choice, the period is
used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence ("The city…system") and another ("Analyzing…footage"). The
participial phrase beginning with "analyzing" modifies the subject of the second sentence, "the AI algorithm."

Choice A is incorrect. Placing a dash before "analyzing" creates a confusing and ambiguous modifying element
("analyzing...areas") and a comma splice between "areas" and "the AI algorithm." (A comma can’t be used in this way to mark
the boundary between sentences.) Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this
way to mark the boundary between sentences. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences
("The city…system" and "analyzing…footage") are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 57a2e87f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 57a2e87f
Over twenty years ago, in a landmark experiment in the psychology of choice, professor Sheena Iyengar set
up a jam-tasting booth at a grocery store. The number of jams available for tasting ______ some shoppers
had twenty-four different options, others only six. Interestingly, the shoppers with fewer jams to choose from
purchased more jam.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. varied:

B. varied,

C. varied, while

D. varied while

ID: 57a2e87f Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of a colon within a sentence. In this choice, the colon is
used in a conventional way to introduce the following description of how the number of jams available varied.

Choice B is incorrect because it creates a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses (“the
number…varied” and “some…six”). Choice C is incorrect because it results in an illogical and confusing sentence. Using the
conjunction “while” to join the main clause (“the number…varied”) with the following clause’s description of the number of
jams available suggests that the variation in the number of jams is in contrast to some shoppers having twenty-four options.
Choice D is incorrect because it results in an illogical and confusing sentence. Using “while” in this way suggests that the
number of jams available varied during the time in which some shoppers had twenty-four options and others had six. The
sentence makes clear, however, that what follows “varied” is a description of the variation, not a separate, simultaneous
occurrence.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e97999ac
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: e97999ac
In a 2016 study, Eastern Washington University psychologist Amani El-Alayli found that, among the study
participants who experienced frisson (a physiological response akin to goosebumps or getting the chills)
while listening to music, there was one personality trait that they scored particularly ______ openness to
experience.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. high. On

B. high on;

C. high on

D. high on:

ID: e97999ac Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between a main clause and a supplementary
phrase. In this choice, a colon is correctly used to mark the boundary between the main clause ("there...on") and the
supplementary phrase ("openness to experience") and to introduce the information that identifies which personality trait
participants scored especially high on.

Choice A is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment beginning with "on" and separates a
necessary preposition from the clause beginning with "there." Choice B is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this
way to join the main clause ("there...on") and the supplementary phrase ("openness to experience"). A semicolon is
conventionally used to join two main clauses, whereas a colon is conventionally used to introduce an element that explains
or amplifies the information in the preceding clause, making the colon the better choice in this context. Choice C is incorrect
because it fails to mark the boundary between the main clause ("there...on") and the supplementary phrase ("openness to
experience").

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9aa19bef
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: 9aa19bef
In 2016, engineer Vanessa Galvez oversaw the installation of 164 bioswales, vegetated channels designed to
absorb and divert stormwater, along the streets of Queens, New York. By reducing the runoff flowing into city
sewers, ______

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. the mitigation of both street flooding and the resulting pollution of nearby waterways has been achieved
by bioswales.

B. the bioswales have mitigated both street flooding and the resulting pollution of nearby waterways.

C. the bioswales’ mitigation of both street flooding and the resulting pollution of nearby waterways has been
achieved.

D. both street flooding and the resulting pollution of nearby waterways have been mitigated by bioswales.

ID: 9aa19bef Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-modifier placement. This choice makes the noun phrase
“the bioswales” the subject of the sentence and places it immediately after the modifying phrase “By reducing…sewers.” In
doing so, this choice clearly establishes that the bioswales—and not another noun in the sentence—are reducing runoff
flowing into city sewers.

Choice A is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “the mitigation…
waterways” immediately after the modifying phrase results in unclear modification. The resulting sentence makes it hard to
determine what is responsible for “reducing the runoff”: the bioswales or some other noun in the sentence. Choice C is
incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “the bioswales’ mitigation…waterways”
immediately after the modifying phrase results in unclear modification. The resulting sentence makes it hard to determine
what is responsible for “reducing the runoff”: the bioswales or some other noun in the sentence. Choice D is incorrect
because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “street flooding and the resulting pollution”
immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that the “flooding and pollution” are reducing runoff flowing into
city sewers.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a243dfaa
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: a243dfaa
When they were first discovered in Australia in 1798, duck-billed, beaver-tailed platypuses so defied
categorization that one scientist assigned them the name Ornithorhynchus paradoxus: “paradoxical bird-
snout.” The animal, which lays eggs but also nurses ______ young with milk, has since been classified as
belonging to the monotremes group.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. they’re

B. their

C. its

D. it’s

ID: a243dfaa Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The singular possessive pronoun "its" agrees with the singular antecedent "the animal" and
indicates that the "young" belong to it.

Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a pronoun-antecedent agreement error. "They’re" is a contraction of "they are," a
plural pronoun and verb, but the antecedent "the animal" is singular. Also, we don’t need the extra verb "are" — we already
have a main verb in this clause, so adding "are" would be confusing and ungrammatical. Choice B is incorrect. This choice
creates a pronoun-antecedent agreement error. "Their" is a plural pronoun, but the subject of the sentence is "the animal," a
singular noun. Choice D is incorrect. This choice creates a confusing and ungrammatical sentence. "It’s" is a contraction for
"it is." We already have the verb "nurses" in this clause, so we shouldn’t add the verb "is."

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f77b1151
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: f77b1151
Compared to that of alumina glass, ______ silica glass atoms are so far apart that they are unable to re-form
bonds after being separated.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. silica glass is at a significant disadvantage due to its more dispersed atomic arrangement:

B. silica glass has a more dispersed atomic arrangement, resulting in a significant disadvantage:

C. a significant disadvantage of silica glass is that its atomic arrangement is more dispersed:

D. silica glass’s atomic arrangement is more dispersed, resulting in a significant disadvantage:

ID: f77b1151 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-modifier placement. This choice makes “silica glass’s
atomic arrangement” the subject of the sentence and places it immediately after the modifying phrase “compared to that of
alumina glass.” In doing so, this choice clearly establishes that silica glass’s atomic arrangement—and not another noun in
the sentence—is being compared to the atomic arrangement (“that”) of alumina glass.

Choice A is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “silica glass” immediately
after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that silica glass itself (rather than its atomic arrangement) is being compared
to alumina glass’s atomic arrangement. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the
noun phrase “silica glass” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that silica glass itself (rather than its
atomic arrangement) is being compared to alumina glass’s atomic arrangement. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a
dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “a significant disadvantage” immediately after the modifying phrase
illogically suggests that “a significant disadvantage” is being compared to alumina glass’s atomic arrangement.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f2e0c354
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: f2e0c354
Researchers studying magnetosensation have determined why some soil-dwelling roundworms in the
Southern Hemisphere move in the opposite direction of Earth’s magnetic field when searching for ______ in
the Northern Hemisphere, the magnetic field points down, into the ground, but in the Southern Hemisphere, it
points up, toward the surface and away from worms’ food sources.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. food:

B. food,

C. food while

D. food

ID: f2e0c354 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is colon use within a sentence. A colon used in this way introduces
information that illustrates or explains information that has come before it. In this case, the colon introduces the following
explanation of why some roundworms in the Southern Hemisphere move in the opposite direction of Earth’s magnetic field.

Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to join two long independent
clauses (“Researchers…food” and “in…sources”) such as these. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence.
The two clauses (“Researchers…food” and “in…sources”) are fused without punctuation. Furthermore, the conjunction “while”
fails to indicate that what follows is an explanation of why some roundworms in the Southern Hemisphere move in the
opposite direction of Earth’s magnetic field. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two clauses
(“Researchers…food” and “in…sources”) are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1b496066
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 1b496066
In 1937, Chinese American screen actor Anna May Wong, who had portrayed numerous villains and
secondary characters but never a heroine, finally got a starring role in Paramount Pictures’ Daughter of
Shanghai, a film that ______ “expanded the range of possibilities for Asian images on screen.”

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. critic, Stina Chyn, claims

B. critic, Stina Chyn, claims,

C. critic Stina Chyn claims

D. critic Stina Chyn, claims,

ID: 1b496066 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The conventions being tested are punctuation use between titles and proper nouns and
between verbs and integrated quotations. No punctuation is needed to set off the proper noun “Stina Chyn” from the title that
describes Chyn, “critic.” Because “Stina Chyn” is essential information identifying the “critic,” no punctuation is necessary.
Further, no punctuation is needed between the verb “claims” and the following quotation because the quotation is integrated
into the structure of the sentence.

Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed before or after the proper noun “Stina Chyn.” Setting the critic’s
name off with commas suggests that it could be removed without affecting the coherence of the sentence, which isn’t the
case. Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed before or after the proper noun “Stina Chyn.” Setting the critic’s
name off with commas suggests that it could be removed without affecting the coherence of the sentence, which isn’t the
case. Additionally, no punctuation is needed between “claims” and the integrated quotation. Choice D is incorrect because
no punctuation is needed between the verb “claims” and its subject, “critic Stina Chyn.” Additionally, no punctuation is
needed between the verb “claims” and the integrated quotation.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 5df45c4a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 5df45c4a
The poem Beowulf begins with the word “hwæt,” which is an Old English ______ as “hark!” or “listen!” in some
versions, the word was playfully rendered as “bro!” by Maria Dahvana Headley in her 2020 translation of the
poem.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

A. exclamation, translated

B. exclamation and translated

C. exclamation translated

D. exclamation. Translated

ID: 5df45c4a Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. In this choice, the period is
used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence ("The poem…exclamation") and another sentence that begins
with a supplementary element ("Translated…poem"). The supplementary element "translated as ‘hark!’ or ‘listen!’ in some
versions" modifies the subject of the second sentence, "the word" (referring to hwæt).

Choice A is incorrect because it results in a comma splice after "exclamation." A comma can’t be used in this way to mark
the boundary between sentences. Choice B is incorrect. Without a comma preceding it, the conjunction "and" can’t be used in
this way to join sentences. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a comma splice after "versions." A comma can’t be
used in this way to mark the boundary between sentences.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID da3a871d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: da3a871d
Hegra is an archaeological site in present-day Saudi Arabia and was the second largest city of the Nabataean
Kingdom (fourth century BCE to first century CE). Archaeologist Laila Nehmé recently traveled to Hegra to
study its ancient ______ into the rocky outcrops of a vast desert, these burial chambers seem to blend
seamlessly with nature.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. tombs. Built

B. tombs, built

C. tombs and built

D. tombs built

ID: da3a871d Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. In this choice, the period
after “tombs” is used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence (“Archaeologist...tombs”) and another
(“Built...nature”).

Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary between
sentences. Choice C is incorrect. Without a comma preceding it, the conjunction “and” can’t be used in this way to join the
two sentences. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences (“Archaeologist...tombs” and
“Built...nature”) are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3b9318f2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: 3b9318f2
In assessing the films of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, ______ have missed his equally deep
engagement with Japanese artistic traditions such as Noh theater.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. many critics have focused on Kurosawa’s use of Western literary sources but

B. Kurosawa’s use of Western literary sources has been the focus of many critics, who

C. there are many critics who have focused on Kurosawa’s use of Western literary sources, but they

D. the focus of many critics has been on Kurosawa’s use of Western literary sources; they

ID: 3b9318f2 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-modifier placement. This choice makes the noun phrase
“many critics” the subject of the sentence and places it immediately after the modifying phrase “in assessing…Kurosawa.” In
doing so, this choice clearly establishes that it is the critics—and not another noun in the sentence—who assess Kurosawa’s
films.

Choice B is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “Kurosawa’s…sources”
immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that his use of Western literary sources is what assesses
Kurosawa’s films. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the function word “there”
immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that “there” is what assesses Kurosawa’s films. Choice D is
incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “the focus…critics” immediately after
the modifying phrase illogically suggests that the critics’ focus is what assesses Kurosawa’s films.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 79cfe2cc
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 79cfe2cc
During the English neoclassical period (1660–1789), many writers imitated the epic poetry and satires of
ancient Greece and Rome. They were not the first in England to adopt the literary modes of classical ______
some of the most prominent figures of the earlier Renaissance period were also influenced by ancient Greek
and Roman literature.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

A. antiquity, however

B. antiquity, however,

C. antiquity, however;

D. antiquity; however,

ID: 79cfe2cc Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of a supplementary phrase following a clause.
This choice uses a comma to separate the supplementary adverb phrase “however” from the independent clause it modifies
(“They …antiquity”) and uses a semicolon to join the first independent clause (“They …antiquity”) and the second independent
clause (“some…literature”). Further, placing the semicolon after “however” indicates that the information in the clause that
this part of (that neoclassical writers were not the first to adopt classical literary modes) is contrary to what might be
assumed from the information in the previous sentence (that the neoclassical writers were unique in imitating classical epic
poetry and satires).

Choice A is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary after “however” between the two independent clauses with
appropriate punctuation. Choice B is incorrect because the comma after “however” can’t be used in this way to mark the
boundary between the two independent clauses. Choice D is incorrect because placing the semicolon after “antiquity”
illogically indicates that the information in the clause that this part of (that prominent Renaissance figures were also
influenced by classical literature) is contrary to the information in the previous clause (that neoclassical writers were not the
first to adopt classical literary modes).

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d5e08dce
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: d5e08dce
Latin America is known to have dozens, if not hundreds, of popular dance forms. Only five of these dances
are included in international ballroom dance ______ rumba, samba, cha-cha-cha, paso doble, and jive—the last
of which is grouped with the other Latin dances despite not having Latin roots.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. competitions, however:

B. competitions, however,

C. competitions, however;

D. competitions; however,

ID: d5e08dce Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of supplementary elements within a sentence.
This choice correctly uses a comma to separate the supplementary adverb "however" from the preceding main clause
("only...competitions"), and it uses a colon to introduce the list of dances that follows ("rumba…jive"). Further, placing the
colon after "however" rather than before indicates that the information in the preceding main clause (only...competitions) is
contrary to what might be assumed from the information in the previous sentence (Latin America has many more dance
forms).

Choice B is incorrect. The comma after "however" can’t be used in this way to introduce a series ("rumba...jive"). Choice C is
incorrect because it isn’t conventional to use a semicolon in this way to introduce a series of items, such as the list of
dances. Choice D is incorrect because placing the semicolon after "competitions" illogically indicates that the following list
of five Latin American dances ("rumba...jive") is contrary to the information in the previous clause (only five Latin American
dances are included in international ballroom dance competitions).

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 84225518
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 84225518
With some 16,000 in attendance, the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and ______ or FESTAC
‘77, as the event was more commonly known—became the largest pan-African event on record. FESTAC drew
people from around the world to Lagos, Nigeria, for a monthlong celebration of Black and African art,
scholarship, and activism.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. Culture:

B. Culture—

C. Culture,

D. Culture

ID: 84225518 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. The text uses a dash to introduce a nonessential element that explains the acronym FESTAC.
The dash matches the dash that comes after “known,” ending the descriptive aside.

Choice A is incorrect. A colon can only come after an independent clause, which isn’t the case here. Choice C is incorrect.
While punctuation is required to set off “or FESTAC…known” from the rest of the sentence, nonessential elements must be
separated from the sentence with matching punctuation. Since a dash appears on the other side of the element, we can’t use
a comma here. Choice D is incorrect. The descriptive aside “or FESTAC…known” is a nonessential element that must be
separated with punctuation from the rest of the sentence. This choice fails to add the necessary punctuation before the
nonessential element.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 306ada66
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 306ada66
A group of ecologists led by Axel Mithöfer at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Germany
examined the defensive responses of two varieties of the sweet potato ______ TN57, which is known for its
insect resistance, and TN66, which is much more susceptible to pests.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. plant.

B. plant;

C. plant

D. plant:

ID: 306ada66 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between a main clause and a supplementary
phrase. In this choice, a colon is correctly used to mark the boundary between the main clause (“A group…plant”) and the
supplementary element (“TN57…pests”) and to introduce the following elaboration on the specific varieties of sweet potato
plants that were examined.

Choice A is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment beginning with “TN57.” Choice B is
incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join the main clause (“A group…plant”) and the supplementary
element (“TN57…pests”). A semicolon is conventionally used to join two main clauses, whereas a colon is conventionally
used to introduce an element that explains or amplifies the information in the preceding clause. Choice C is incorrect
because it fails to mark the boundary between the main clause (“A group...plant”) and the supplementary element
(“TN57...pests”) with appropriate punctuation.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3839f96c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 3839f96c
On July 23, 1854, a clipper ship called the Flying Cloud entered San Francisco ______ left New York Harbor
under the guidance of Captain Josiah Perkins Creesy and his wife, navigator Eleanor Creesy, a mere 89 days
and 8 hours earlier, the celebrated ship set a record that would stand for 135 years.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. Bay and having

B. Bay. Having

C. Bay, having

D. Bay having

ID: 3839f96c Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. In this choice, the period
after “Bay” is used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence (“On…Bay”) and another sentence that begins with
a supplementary phrase (“Having…years”). Here, the supplementary phrase beginning with “having” modifies the subject of
the second sentence, “the celebrated ship.”

Choice A is incorrect. Without a comma preceding it, the conjunction “and” can’t be used in this way to join sentences.
Choice C is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to join two sentences. Choice
D is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences (“On…Bay” and “having…years”) are fused without
punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4800f3d3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 4800f3d3
From afar, African American fiber artist Bisa Butler’s portraits look like paintings, their depictions of human
faces, bodies, and clothing so intricate that it seems only a fine brush could have rendered them. When
viewed up close, however, the portraits reveal themselves to be ______ stitching barely visible among the
thousands of pieces of printed, microcut fabric.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. quilts, and the

B. quilts, the

C. quilts; the

D. quilts. The

ID: 4800f3d3 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between a main clause and a supplementary
phrase. This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the main clause (“the portraits...quilts”) and the
supplementary noun phrase (“the stitching...fabric”) that provides a further description of how the portraits can be identified
as quilts.

Choice A is incorrect. A comma and the conjunction “and” can’t be used in this way to join a main clause and a
supplementary noun phrase. Choice C is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join a main clause and a
supplementary noun phrase. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment
beginning with “the stitching.”

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID fdb98f0e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: fdb98f0e
In modern plays, actors typically won’t acknowledge the ______ do so breaks the fourth wall, a metaphorical
barrier between actors and audiences that allows viewers to suspend the knowledge that they’re watching a
staged performance.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. audience. As to

B. audience to

C. audience. To

D. audience, to

ID: fdb98f0e Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. In this choice, the period is
used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence ("In modern…audience") and another ("To do…performance").

Choice A is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment beginning with "as." Choice B is
incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences ("In modern…audience" and "To do…performance") are fused
without punctuation and/or a conjunction. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be
used in this way to mark the boundary between sentences.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c1ddb039
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: c1ddb039
A second-generation Japanese American, Wataru Misaka ______ in World War II (1941-45) and won two
amateur national basketball championships at the University of Utah when he joined the New York Knicks for
the 1947-48 season, becoming the first non-white basketball player in the US’s top professional league.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. already served

B. was already serving

C. already serves

D. had already served

ID: c1ddb039 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. Misaka served in World War II before he joined the New York Knicks in 1947. To show that a
past occurrence took place before another past occurrence, we need to use “had” + the past tense form of the verb. This is
called the past perfect tense.

Choice A is incorrect. Misaka served in World War II before he joined the Knicks. Both events are in the past, but his service
in World War II happened earlier, so we need a verb that makes it clear that his service (and the two national championships)
had ended by the time he joined the Knicks. Choice B is incorrect. “Was already serving” forms the continuous past tense,
which we use when we’re showing a past action that was ongoing. Misaka served in World War II before he joined the
Knicks. Both events are in the past, but they’re not happening at the same time, so we shouldn’t use the continuous past
tense here. Choice C is incorrect. Misaka served in World War II in the past, so we shouldn’t use the present tense “serves.”

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID aa21be9a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: aa21be9a
In 2018, the innovative works of Congolese sculptor and architect Bodys Isek ______ were featured in City
Dreams, a solo exhibition at New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. Kingelez;

B. Kingelez,

C. Kingelez

D. Kingelez:

ID: aa21be9a Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a subject and a verb. No punctuation is
needed when the subject of a sentence is immediately followed by a main verb. In this case, the sentence’s subject (“the
innovative works of Congolese sculptor and architect Bodys Isek Kingelez”) is followed by the main verb “were featured,” and
no punctuation should come between them.

Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the subject and the verb. Choice B is incorrect because no
punctuation is needed between the subject and the verb. Choice D is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between
the subject and the verb.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID a5f7262f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: a5f7262f
In addition to advocating for South America’s independence in two political treatises, the Cartagena
Manifesto and the Letter from Jamaica, Simón Bolívar personally led armies against the Spanish, liberating
three South American territories—New Granada (present-day Colombia and Panama), Venezuela, and Quito
(present-day ______ from colonial rule.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. Ecuador,)

B. Ecuador)

C. Ecuador),

D. Ecuador)—

ID: a5f7262f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of a supplementary element within a sentence.
The dash after “Ecuador” and the closing parenthesis pairs with the dash after “territories” to separate the supplementary
element (“New…Ecuador”) from the rest of the sentence. The supplementary element specifies the three South American
territories that Simón Bolívar liberated, and the pair of dashes indicates that this element could be removed without affecting
the grammatical coherence of the sentence.

Choice A is incorrect because it fails to use appropriate punctuation to separate the supplementary element from the rest of
the sentence. Furthermore, punctuation isn’t needed between “Ecuador” and the closing parenthesis. Choice B is incorrect
because it fails to use appropriate punctuation to separate the supplementary element from the rest of the sentence. Choice
C is incorrect because a comma can’t be paired with a dash to separate the supplementary element from the rest of the
sentence.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 8f2d7e11
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 8f2d7e11
Quantum particles of light—photons—provide an unhackable means of transmitting encryption keys over
networks, as attempts to observe particles in quantum states will invariably alter the particles ______
dismantle any information they transmit.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. and in the process,

B. and, in the process,

C. and in the process—

D. and, in the process

ID: 8f2d7e11 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. This choice uses paired punctuation in the form of two commas to set off the nonessential
phrase "in the process."

Choice A is incorrect. The phrase "in the process" is a nonessential element and needs to be set off with paired punctuation.
We need a comma after "and" to match the one after "process." Choice C is incorrect. The phrase "in the process" is a
nonessential element and needs to be set off with paired punctuation, so we would need a dash after "and" to match the one
following "process." Choice D is incorrect. The phrase "in the process" is a nonessential element and needs to be set off with
paired punctuation. We would need a comma after "process" to match the one following "and."

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID be5d95f7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: be5d95f7
In 1453, English King Henry VI became unfit to rule after falling gravely ill. As a result, Parliament appointed
Richard, Third Duke of York, who had a strong claim to the English throne, to rule as Lord Protector. Upon
recovering two years later, ______ forcing an angered Richard from the royal court and precipitating a series
of battles later known as the Wars of the Roses.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. Henry resumed his reign,

B. the reign of Henry resumed,

C. Henry’s reign resumed,

D. it was Henry who resumed his reign,

ID: be5d95f7 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-modifier placement. This choice ensures that the
introductory phrase “upon recovering two years later” appears immediately before the noun it modifies (“Henry”), clearly
establishing that Henry recovered two years later.

Choice B is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “the reign of Henry”
immediately after the introductory phrase illogically suggests that the reign of Henry recovered two years later. Choice C is
incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “Henry’s reign” immediately after the
introductory phrase illogically suggests that Henry’s reign recovered two years later. Choice D is incorrect because it results
in a dangling modifier. The placement of the function word “it” immediately after the introductory phrase illogically suggests
that “it” recovered two years later.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 22022bf7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 22022bf7
In the 1950s, novel audio technologies allowed the addition of another instrument to jazz and swing ______
relatively quiet instrument, its full range of sound was finally audible alongside the blaring brass instruments
of the time, allowing flautists like Bennie Maupin and Bobbi Humphrey to perform with other jazz greats.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. music, the flute, a

B. music. The flute, a

C. music; the flute, a

D. music: the flute. A

ID: 22022bf7 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of punctuation within and between sentences. In this
choice, the colon correctly introduces the name of the instrument (the flute) that novel audio technologies allowed to be
added to jazz and swing. In addition, the period is used to correctly mark the boundary between one sentence ("In…flute")
and another ("A relatively…greats").

Choice A is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses ("In…
quiet instrument" and "its…greats"). Choice B is incorrect. In standard English, it’s unconventional to form a sentence in this
way with two uncoordinated subjects ("the flute" and "its full range of sound"), and the lack of a clear main subject results in
an awkwardly constructed and confusing sentence. Choice C is incorrect. In standard English, it’s unconventional to form an
independent clause in this way with two uncoordinated subjects ("the flute" and "its full range of sound"), and the lack of a
clear main subject results in an awkwardly constructed and confusing clause.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7dbcbcde
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 7dbcbcde
Journalists have dubbed Gil Scott-Heron the “godfather of rap,” a title that has appeared in hundreds of
articles about him since the 1990s. Scott-Heron himself resisted the godfather ______ feeling that it didn’t
encapsulate his devotion to the broader African American blues music tradition as well as “bluesologist,” the
moniker he preferred.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. nickname, however

B. nickname, however;

C. nickname, however,

D. nickname; however,

ID: 7dbcbcde Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between a main clause and two supplementary
elements. In this choice, the commas after “nickname” and “however” are correctly used to separate the supplementary
adverb “however” from the main clause (“Scott-Heron…nickname”) on one side and the supplementary participial phrase
(“feeling…bluesologist”) on the other.

Choice A is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the supplementary adverb “however” and the
supplementary phrase (“feeling…bluesologist”). Choice B is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join
the supplementary adverb “however” and the supplementary phrase (“feeling…bluesologist”). Choice D is incorrect because a
semicolon can’t be used in this way to join the main clause (“Scott-Heron…nickname”) and the supplementary word and
phrase (“however” and “feeling…bluesologist”). Moreover, placing the semicolon after “nickname” illogically signals that the
following information (Scott-Heron’s feeling that the nickname didn’t encapsulate his devotion to the blues tradition) is
contrary to the information in the previous clause (Scott-Heron’s resistance to the nickname).

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2680b96d
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 2680b96d
The Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden in Norway and the Jardim Botânico of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil are two of
many botanical gardens around the world dedicated to growing diverse plant ______ fostering scientific
research; and educating the public about plant conservation.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. species, both native and nonnative,

B. species, both native and nonnative;

C. species; both native and nonnative,

D. species both native and nonnative,

ID: 2680b96d Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of items in a complex series (a series including
internal punctuation). The semicolon after “nonnative” is correctly used to separate the first item (“growing diverse plant
species, both native and nonnative”) and the second item (“fostering scientific research”) in the series of things that
botanical gardens are dedicated to. Further, the comma after “species” is correctly used to separate the noun phrase “diverse
plant species” and the supplementary phrase “both native and nonnative” that modifies it.

Choice A is incorrect because a comma (specifically, the comma after “nonnative”) can’t be used in this way to separate
items in a complex series. Choice C is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to separate the noun phrase
“diverse plant species” and the supplementary phrase “both native and nonnative” that modifies it. Further, a comma can’t be
used in this way to separate items in a complex series. Choice D is incorrect because it fails to use appropriate punctuation
to separate the noun phrase “diverse plant species” and the supplementary phrase “both native and nonnative” that modifies
it. Further, a comma can’t be used in this way to separate items in a complex series.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID bd907188
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: bd907188
The field of geological oceanography owes much to American ______ Marie Tharp, a pioneering
oceanographic cartographer whose detailed topographical maps of the ocean floor and its multiple rift
valleys helped garner acceptance for the theories of plate tectonics and continental drift.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. geologist,

B. geologist

C. geologist;

D. geologist:

ID: bd907188 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. “Marie tharp” is essential information that completes the first clause — the first clause doesn’t
function without it. So we don’t want to separate it with punctuation.

Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error. “The field of geological oceanography owes much to
American geologist” is unclear: which geologist are we talking about? We need the “Marie Tharp” for clarity, which means it’s
essential information and should not be separated by a comma. Choice C is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation
error. “The field of geological oceanography owes much to American geologist” is unclear: which geologist are we talking
about? We need the “Marie Tharp” for clarity, which means it’s essential information and should not be separated by a
semicolon. Choice D is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error. “The field of geological oceanography owes much
to American geologist” is unclear: which geologist are we talking about? We need the “Marie Tharp” for clarity, which means
it’s essential information and should not be separated by a colon.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 06fea80f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: 06fea80f
Working from an earlier discovery of Charpentier’s, chemists Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna—
winners of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry—re-created and then reprogrammed the so-called “genetic
scissors” of a species of DNA-cleaving bacteria ______ a tool that is revolutionizing the field of gene
technology.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. to forge

B. forging

C. forged

D. and forging

ID: 06fea80f Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of finite and nonfinite verb forms within a sentence. The
nonfinite to-infinitive “to forge” is correctly used to form a nonfinite (infinitive) clause that explains why the chemists re-
created and reprogrammed the DNA-cleaving bacteria.

Choice B is incorrect. Without a comma separating the main clause (“chemists...bacteria”) from the participle “forging,” this
choice illogically suggests that the bacteria are forging a tool, which doesn’t make sense. Choice C is incorrect. Without a
coordinating conjunction such as “and” placed before it, the finite past tense verb “forged” can’t be used in this way to
describe the chemists’ actions. Choice D is incorrect. If read as a finite verb, the present progressive verb “forging” isn’t
consistent with the past tense verbs used in this sentence to describe the actions of the chemists. If read as a nonfinite verb,
the participle “forging” can’t be used in this way because there is no following main clause for it to modify.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f3a157b1
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: f3a157b1
Known as Earth’s “living skin,” biocrusts are thin layers of soil held together by surface-dwelling
microorganisms such as fungi, lichens, and cyanobacteria. Fortifying soil in arid ecosystems against erosion,
______

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. a recent study’s estimate is that these crusts reduce global dust emissions by 60 percent each year.

B. an estimated 60 percent reduction in global dust emissions each year is due to these crusts, according to
a recent study.

C. these crusts reduce global dust emissions by an estimated 60 percent each year, according to a recent
study.

D. a recent study has estimated that these crusts reduce global dust emissions by 60 percent each year.

ID: f3a157b1 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The subject of the modifier "fortifying soil in arid ecosystems against erosion" is "biocrusts."
Subject-modifier placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to each other, so "biocrusts" or some variant
meaning "biocrusts" (in this case, "these crusts") must begin the missing clause.

Choice A is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The subject of the modifier "fortifying soil in
arid ecosystems against erosion" is "biocrusts," not "a recent study’s estimate." Choice B is incorrect. Modifiers and their
subjects must go next to each other. The subject of the modifier "fortifying soil in arid ecosystems against erosion" is
"biocrusts," not "an estimated 60 percent reduction." Choice D is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each
other. The subject of the modifier "fortifying soil in arid ecosystems against erosion" is "biocrusts," not "a recent study."

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID d9d4d944
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: d9d4d944
The artistic talents of Barbara Chase-Riboud, most known for her 1979 historical novel Sally Hemings and the
conversation it inspired, ______ limited to the realm of prose: she first excelled in sculpture, where her affinity
for bronze—a material she described as “timeless” due to its use across eras and cultures—became part of
her artistic identity.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. hasn’t been

B. wasn’t

C. isn’t

D. aren’t

ID: d9d4d944 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The subject "talents" is plural, and so is the verb "aren’t": "the artistic talents…aren’t limited."

Choice A is incorrect. The subject "talents" is plural, but the verb "hasn’t been" is singular. Choice B is incorrect. The subject
"talents" is plural, but the verb "wasn’t" is singular. Choice C is incorrect. The subject "talents" is plural, but the verb "isn’t" is
singular.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID c876444f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: c876444f
American writer Edwidge Danticat, who emigrated from Haiti in 1981, has won acclaim for her powerful short
stories, novels, and ______ her lyrical yet unflinching depictions of her native country’s turbulent history, writer
Robert Antoni has compared Danticat to Nobel Prize–winning novelist Toni Morrison.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. essays, praising

B. essays and praising

C. essays praising

D. essays. Praising

ID: c876444f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. In this choice, the period
after “essays” is used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence (“American…essays”) and another (“praising…
Morrison”). The participial phrase beginning with “Praising” modifies the subject of the second sentence, “writer Robert
Antoni.”

Choice A is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary
between sentences. Choice B is incorrect. Without a comma preceding it, the conjunction “and” can’t be used in this way to
join sentences. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences (“American…essays” and
“Praising…Morrison”) are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4fe1258f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 4fe1258f
The haiku-like poems of Tomas Tranströmer, which present nature- and dream-influenced images in crisp,
spare language, have earned the Swedish poet praise from leading contemporary ______ them Nigerian
American essayist and novelist Teju Cole, who has written that Tranströmer’s works “contain a luminous
simplicity.”

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. writers. Among

B. writers among

C. writers; among

D. writers, among

ID: 4fe1258f Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between a main clause and a supplementary
phrase. This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the main clause (“The haiku-like…writers”) and
the supplementary phrase (“among…Cole”) that specifies a contemporary writer who has praised Tomas Tranströmer’s
haiku-like poems.

Choice A is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment beginning with “among.” Choice B
is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the main clause and the supplementary phrase with appropriate
punctuation. Choice C is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join the main clause (“The haiku-like…
writers”) and the supplementary phrase (“among…Cole”).

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 836e370c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 836e370c
When external forces are applied to common glass made from silicates, energy builds up around minuscule
defects in the material, resulting in fractures. Recently, engineer Erkka Frankberg of Tampere University in
Finland used the chemical ______ to make a glassy solid that can withstand higher strain than silicate glass
can before fracturing.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. compound, aluminum oxide

B. compound aluminum oxide,

C. compound, aluminum oxide,

D. compound aluminum oxide

ID: 836e370c Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of punctuation around noun phrases. No punctuation is
needed because the noun phrase “aluminum oxide” is a restrictive appositive, meaning that it provides essential identifying
information about the noun phrase before it, “the chemical compound,” and thus doesn’t require punctuation around it.

Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed. Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed. Choice C
is incorrect because the noun phrase “aluminum oxide” is a restrictive appositive. Setting the phrase off with punctuation
suggests that it could be removed without affecting the coherence of the sentence, which isn’t the case.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID f852bcbd
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: f852bcbd
In the canon of North African literature, Moroccan author Driss Chraïbi’s 1954 novel The Simple Past (Le
Passé simple) looms large. A coming-of-age story, a social meditation, and a sober gaze into the dark maw of
French colonialism, ______ interrogates systemic power with memorable intensity.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. Morocco gained its independence two years before the publication of Chraïbi’s debut novel, which

B. Chraïbi’s debut novel, published two years before Morocco gained its independence,

C. Chraïbi wrote a debut novel that, published two years before Morocco gained its independence,

D. published two years before Morocco gained its independence, Chraïbi wrote a debut novel that

ID: f852bcbd Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. Subject-modifier placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to each other. The
subject of the modifier "a coming-of-age story…colonialism" is Chraïbi’s novel The Simple Past, so the subject "Chraïbi’s debut
novel" fits perfectly after this introductory modifying phrase.

Choice A is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The introductory modifier "a coming-of-age
story…colonialism" is describing Chraïbi’s novel, not Morocco. However, this choice places Morocco directly next to that
modifier. Choice C is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The introductory modifier "a coming-
of-age story…colonialism" all describes Chraïbi’s novel, not Chraïbi himself. However, this choice places Chraïbi directly next
to that modifier. Choice D is incorrect. Modifiers and their subjects must go next to each other. The modifier "a coming-of-
age story…" is describing Chraïbi’s novel, so that needs to be the subject immediately after the modifier. This choice adds
another modifier that describes Chraïbi’s novel, but then puts "Chraïbi" himself—not the novel—right after that modifier, which
doesn’t make sense. Chraïbi wasn’t "published two years before" Moroccan independence; his novel The Simple Past was.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 36e0f3e2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 36e0f3e2
The Tantaquidgeon Museum in Uncasville, Connecticut, was founded in 1931 with the goal of showcasing
the culture and history of the Mohegan ______ today, nearly a century later, it is the oldest Native-owned and -
operated museum in the country.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. Tribe, and

B. Tribe

C. Tribe and

D. Tribe,

ID: 36e0f3e2 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. This choice uses a comma and a coordinating conjunction (“and”) to join two independent
clauses (“The Tantaquidgeon…Tribe” and “Today…country”).

Choice B is incorrect. This choice results in a grammar error known as a run-on sentence. The clauses before and after
“Tribe” are both independent, so they need to be separated with some sort of punctuation. Choice C is incorrect. This choice
results in a grammar error known as a run-on sentence. The clauses before and after “and” are both independent, so they
can’t be linked with just a conjunction. A comma would also be required. Choice D is incorrect. This choice results in a
grammar error called a comma splice. The clauses before and after “Tribe” are both independent, so they can’t be linked with
just a comma. A coordinating conjunction like “and” or “but” would also be required.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2879d763
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: 2879d763
Bengali author Toru Dutt’s A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields (1876), a volume of English translations of French
poems, ______ scholars’ understanding of the transnational and multilingual contexts in which Dutt lived and
worked.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. has enhanced

B. are enhancing

C. have enhanced

D. enhance

ID: 2879d763 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement. The singular verb “has enhanced”
agrees in number with the singular subject “A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields,” which is the title of a book of poems.

Choice B is incorrect because the plural verb “are enhancing” doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject “A Sheaf
Gleaned in French Fields.” Choice C is incorrect because the plural verb “have enhanced” doesn’t agree in number with the
singular subject “A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields.” Choice D is incorrect because the plural verb “enhance” doesn’t agree in
number with the singular subject “A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields.”

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7405d67a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: 7405d67a
A model created by biologist Luis Valente predicts that the rate of speciation—the rate at which new species
form—on an isolated island located approximately 5,000 kilometers from the nearest mainland ______ triple
the rate of speciation on an island only 500 kilometers from the mainland.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. being

B. to be

C. to have been

D. will be

ID: 7405d67a Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is finite and nonfinite verb forms within a sentence. Relative
clauses, such as the one beginning with “that,” require a finite verb, a verb that can function as the main verb of a clause. This
choice correctly supplies the clause with the finite future tense verb “will be.”

Choice A is incorrect because the nonfinite participle “being” doesn’t supply the clause with a finite verb. Choice B is
incorrect because the nonfinite to-infinitive “to be” doesn’t supply the clause with a finite verb. Choice C is incorrect because
the nonfinite to-infinitive “to have been” doesn’t supply the clause with a finite verb.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID bff3cf74
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: bff3cf74
Sociologist Alton Okinaka sits on the review board tasked with adding new sites to the Hawai‘i Register of
Historic Places, which includes Pi‘ilanihale Heiau and the ‘Ōpaeka‘a Road Bridge. Okinaka doesn’t make such
decisions ______ all historical designations must be approved by a group of nine other experts from the fields
of architecture, archaeology, history, and Hawaiian culture.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. single-handedly, however;

B. single-handedly; however,

C. single-handedly, however,

D. single-handedly however

ID: bff3cf74 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of a supplementary word or phrase between two
main clauses. This choice correctly uses a comma to separate the supplementary adverb “however” from the preceding
main clause (“Okinaka doesn’t…single-handedly”) and a semicolon to join the next main clause (“all…culture”) to the rest of
the sentence. Further, placing the semicolon after “however” correctly indicates that the information in the preceding main
clause (Okinaka doesn’t make such decisions single-handedly) is contrary to what might be assumed from the information in
the previous sentence (Okinaka sits on the review board that adds new sites to the Hawaii Register of Historic Places).

Choice B is incorrect because placing the semicolon after “single-handedly” and the comma after “however” illogically
indicates that the information in the next main clause (all historical designations must be approved by a group of experts) is
contrary to the information in the previous clause (Okinaka doesn’t make such decisions single-handedly). Choice C is
incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Commas can’t be used in this way to punctuate a supplementary word or
phrase between two main clauses. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two main clauses are
fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1020223f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 1020223f
Long attributed to Jacques-Louis David, the preeminent Neoclassical painter of his day, the 1801 painting
Marie Joséphine Charlotte du Val d’Ognes gained fresh attention in the 1990s when art historians discovered
that the painting—which depicts a solitary young woman sketching—was actually the work of little-known
French portrait ______ Marie-Denise Villers (1774–1821).

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. artist—

B. artist

C. artist:

D. artist,

ID: 1020223f Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of punctuation between titles and proper nouns. No
punctuation is needed to set off the proper noun "Marie-Denise Villers" from the title that describes Villers, "little-known
French portrait artist."

Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed. Choice C is incorrect because no punctuation is needed. Choice D
is incorrect because no punctuation is needed.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 11db42e0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 11db42e0
On sunny days, dark rooftops absorb solar energy and convert it to unwanted heat, raising the surrounding air
______ a light-colored covering to an existing dark roof, either by attaching prefabricated reflective sheets or
spraying on a paint-like coating, helps combat this effect.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. temperature; by adding

B. temperature, adding

C. temperature. Adding

D. temperature by adding

ID: 11db42e0 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. In this choice, the period is
used correctly to mark the boundary between the first sentence (“On…temperature”) and the second sentence (“Adding…
effect”). The gerund phrase beginning with “adding” is the subject of the second sentence, and the verb phrase “helps
combat this effect” describes what adding a light-colored covering can do.

Choice A is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join the sentence “On...temperature” and the
supplementary phrases that follow. Doing so leaves the verb phrase “helps combat” without a subject and thus results in a
grammatically unconventional sentence. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used
in this way to mark the boundary between sentences. Choice D is incorrect. This choice results in a confusing and illogical
sentence that suggests that adding a light-colored covering to an existing dark roof raises the temperature of the
surrounding air. Furthermore, it creates ambiguity by leaving the verb phrase “helps combat” without a subject (so it isn’t
clear what helps combat the effect).

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3233279a
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 3233279a
Nigerian author Buchi Emecheta’s celebrated literary oeuvre includes The Joys of Motherhood, a novel about
the changing roles of women in 1950s ______ a television play about the private struggles of a newlywed
couple in Nigeria; and Head Above Water, her autobiography.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. Lagos, A Kind of Marriage,

B. Lagos; A Kind of Marriage,

C. Lagos, A Kind of Marriage:

D. Lagos; A Kind of Marriage

ID: 3233279a Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale

Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of items in a complex series (a series including
internal punctuation). In this choice, the semicolon after “Lagos” is conventionally used to separate the first item (“The Joys…
Lagos”) and the second item (“A Kind…Nigeria”) in the series. Further, the comma after “Marriage” correctly separates the
title “A Kind of Marriage” from the supplementary phrase (“a television…Nigeria”) that describes it.

Choice A is incorrect because the comma after “Lagos” doesn’t match the semicolon used later in the series to separate the
second item (“A Kind…Nigeria”) from the third item (“and…autobiography”). Choice C is incorrect because the comma after
“Lagos” doesn’t match the semicolon used later in the series to separate the second item (“A Kind…Nigeria”) from the third
item (“and…autobiography”). Additionally, a colon can’t be used in this way to separate the title “A Kind of Marriage” from the
supplementary phrase (“a television…Nigeria”) that describes it. Choice D is incorrect because it fails to use appropriate
punctuation to separate the title “A Kind of Marriage” from the supplementary phrase (“a television…Nigeria”) that describes
it.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 9ab4d6ff
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 9ab4d6ff
On November 2, 1772, amid rising tensions with Great Britain, Boston colonists formed the Boston
Committee of Correspondence. By 1774, what had started as a local means of mobilizing support for the
Patriot cause had grown into something far more ______ network of such committees that, facilitating
communication among the colonies, helped lay the groundwork for the Continental Congress.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. extensive: a

B. extensive; a

C. extensive, it was a

D. extensive. A

ID: 9ab4d6ff Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of a colon within a sentence. In this choice, the colon is
correctly used to introduce the following explanation of what the Patriot cause had grown into by 1774.

Choice B is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join the main clause ("what…extensive") and the
supplementary element ("a network…Congress"). A semicolon is conventionally used to join two main clauses, whereas a
colon is conventionally used to introduce an element that explains or amplifies the information in the preceding clause,
making the colon the better choice in this context. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. The addition of
the pronoun and verb "it was" forms the start of a new main clause in the sentence, and a comma can’t be used in this way
to mark the boundary between two main clauses. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable
sentence fragment beginning with "a network."

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID ae88a59f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: ae88a59f
Using satellite remote sensing, Dr. Catherine Nakalembe, director of NASA’s Harvest Africa initiative, gathers
important data on crop health. Nakalembe doesn’t just compile the ______ she also shares her findings with
African farmers, enabling them to make data-driven decisions about managing critical food crops.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. information, though;

B. information, though,

C. information; though

D. information though,

ID: ae88a59f Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. This choice uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses ("Nakalembe doesn’t just…
though" and "she also shares..."). This choice also appropriately includes "though" in the first clause, where it logically
belongs.

Choice B is incorrect. This choice results in a grammar error called a comma splice. It incorrectly joins two independent
clauses with only a comma instead of a comma and a coordinating conjunction like "and" or "but." "Though" is a transition
word, but it’s not a coordinating conjunction. Choice C is incorrect. This choice results in a punctuation error. A semicolon
can only be used to link two independent clauses. However, if "though" is included in the second clause, it turns the second
clause into a dependent clause, so a semicolon can’t be used after "information." Choice D is incorrect. This choice results in
a grammar error called a comma splice. It incorrectly joins two independent clauses with only a comma instead of a comma
and a coordinating conjunction like "and" or "but."

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 1e43d5ea
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 1e43d5ea
A recent study tracked the number of bee species present in twenty-seven New York apple orchards over a
ten-year period. ______ found that when wild growth near an orchard was cleared, the number of different bee
species visiting the orchard decreased.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. Entomologist Heather Grab:

B. Entomologist, Heather Grab,

C. Entomologist Heather Grab

D. Entomologist Heather Grab,

ID: 1e43d5ea Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between a name and title and between a
subject and a verb. No punctuation is needed between the proper noun “Heather Grab” and “entomologist,” the title that
describes Grab. Additionally, no punctuation is needed between the sentence’s subject (“Entomologist Heather Grab”) and
the main verb (“found”) that indicates what Grab did.

Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the subject and the verb. Choice B is incorrect because no
punctuation is needed. Setting the entomologist’s name off with commas suggests that it could be removed without
affecting the coherence of the sentence, which isn’t the case. Choice D is incorrect because no punctuation is needed
between the subject and the verb.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b466ecb2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: b466ecb2
Several advantages—the ability to react strongly with chip components, to avoid interference from other
waves, and to be confined within tiny circuits—______ acoustic waves as a promising alternative to electrical
waves for transmitting data on computer chips; as a result, researchers are invested in developing more
acoustic wave–based chips.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. have positioned

B. positioning

C. by positioning

D. having positioned

ID: b466ecb2 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verb forms within a sentence. A main clause requires
a finite (tensed) verb to perform the action of the subject. In this case, the subject is "several advantages," and the present
perfect tense verb "have positioned" supplies the finite verb to indicate what has made acoustic waves a promising
alternative to electrical waves.

Choice B is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The nonfinite participle "positioning" doesn’t supply
the main clause with a finite verb. Choice C is incorrect because it results in an ungrammatical sentence. The prepositional
phrase "by positioning" doesn’t supply the main clause with a finite verb. Choice D is incorrect because it results in an
ungrammatical sentence. The nonfinite participle "having positioned" doesn’t supply the main clause with a finite verb.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 51bd4147
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: 51bd4147
During the American Civil War, Thomas Morris Chester braved the front lines as a war correspondent for the
Philadelphia Press. Amplifying the voices and experiences of Black soldiers ______ of particular importance
to Chester, who later became an activist and lawyer during the postwar Reconstruction period.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. were

B. have been

C. are

D. was

ID: 51bd4147 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement. The singular verb "was" agrees in
number with the singular subject "amplifying." Gerunds such as "amplifying" are always singular.

Choice A is incorrect because the plural verb "were" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "amplifying." Choice B
is incorrect because the plural verb "have been" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "amplifying." Choice C is
incorrect because the plural verb "are" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject "amplifying."

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID e93dd6f3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: e93dd6f3
In the 1970s, Janaki Ammal, a prominent botanist, emerged as a powerful voice in India’s environmental
conservation movement. Her exhaustive chromosomal survey of plants in Silent Valley, a pristine tropical
forest in Kerala, India, that is home to nearly 1,000 species of native flora (many of which are endangered),
______ instrumental in the government’s decision to preserve the forest.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. are

B. were

C. have been

D. was

ID: e93dd6f3 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The subject "survey" is singular, and so is the verb "was."

Choice A is incorrect. The subject "survey" is singular, but the verb "are" is plural. Choice B is incorrect. The subject "survey" is
singular, but the verb "were" is plural. Choice C is incorrect. The subject "survey" is singular, but the verb "have been" is plural.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 0d0e04ec
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 0d0e04ec
After immigrating from Mexico and obtaining U.S. citizenship, Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo entered politics,
earning a reputation for being a fervent defender of Hispanic civil rights. In 1919 Larrazolo was elected
governor of ______ in 1928 he became the nation’s first Hispanic U.S. Senator.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. New Mexico and

B. New Mexico,

C. New Mexico, and

D. New Mexico

ID: 0d0e04ec Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the coordination of main clauses within a sentence. This choice
correctly uses a comma and the coordinating conjunction "and" to join the first main clause ("In 1919 Larrazolo was elected
governor of New Mexico") and the second main clause ("in 1928 he became the nation’s first Hispanic US Senator").

Choice A is incorrect because when coordinating two longer main clauses such as these, it’s conventional to use a comma
before the coordinating conjunction. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a conjunction
following it, a comma can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a run-on
sentence. The two main clauses are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 6b4c8b42
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 6b4c8b42
The 1977 play And the Soul Shall Dance depicts two Japanese American farming families in Depression-era
Southern California. Critics have noted the way pioneering ______ compares the experiences of issei
(Japanese nationals who emigrated to America) and nisei (their American-born children).

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. playwright, Wakako Yamauchi,

B. playwright, Wakako Yamauchi

C. playwright Wakako Yamauchi,

D. playwright Wakako Yamauchi

ID: 6b4c8b42 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of punctuation between titles and proper nouns. No
punctuation is needed to set off the proper noun "Wakako Yamauchi" from the title that describes Yamauchi, "pioneering
playwright." Because "Wakako Yamauchi" is essential information identifying the "pioneering playwright," no punctuation is
necessary.

Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed before or after the proper noun "Wakako Yamauchi." Setting the
playwright’s name off with commas suggests that it could be removed without affecting the coherence of the sentence,
which isn’t the case. Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the title "pioneering playwright" and
the proper noun "Wakako Yamauchi." Choice C is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the proper noun
"Wakako Yamauchi" and the verb "compares."

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 7a8c1e9c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: 7a8c1e9c
Woven from recycled yarn and hand tufted using a carpet weaving technique passed down by the artist’s
Turkish grandmother, ______ so lush and tactilely inviting that you are tempted to reach out and touch them.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. the topological tapestries of Argentine textile artist Alexandra Kehayoglou are

B. the Argentine textile artist Alexandra Kehayoglou creates topological tapestries that are

C. when she creates her topological tapestries, Argentine textile artist Alexandra Kehayoglou makes them

D. Alexandra Kehayoglou is an Argentine textile artist whose topological tapestries are

ID: 7a8c1e9c Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-modifier placement. This choice makes the noun phrase
"topological tapestries" the subject of the sentence and places it immediately after the modifying phrase "woven…
grandmother." In doing so, this choice clearly establishes that the topological tapestries—and not another noun in the
sentence—are being described as woven from recycled yarn and hand tufted.

Choice B is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase "Argentine textile artist
Alexandra Kehayoglou" immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that Kehayoglou is woven from recycled
yarn and hand tufted. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the pronoun "she" and
the noun phrase "Argentine textile artist Alexandra Kehayoglou" after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that
Kehayoglou is woven from recycled yarn and hand tufted. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The
placement of the noun "Alexandra Kehayoglou" immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that Kehayoglou
is woven from recycled yarn and hand tufted.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 2d3abce3
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: 2d3abce3
Despite being cheap, versatile, and easy to produce, ______ they are made from nonrenewable petroleum, and
most do not biodegrade in landfills.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. there are two problems associated with commercial plastics:

B. two problems are associated with commercial plastics:

C. commercial plastics’ two associated problems are that

D. commercial plastics have two associated problems:

ID: 2d3abce3 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-modifier placement. This choice ensures that the
modifying phrase “despite being cheap, versatile, and easy to produce” appears immediately before the noun it modifies,
“commercial plastics,” clearly establishing that the commercial plastics—and not another noun in the sentence—are being
described as cheap, versatile, and easy to produce.

Choice A is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the function word “there” immediately after
the modifying phrase illogically and confusingly suggests that “there” is cheap, versatile, and easy to produce. Choice B is
incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun “two problems” immediately after the
modifying phrase illogically suggests that the “problems” are cheap, versatile, and easy to produce. Choice C is incorrect
because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “commercial plastics’ two associated problems”
immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that the “problems” are cheap, versatile, and easy to produce.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 3152fbb0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 3152fbb0
Researcher Lin Zhi developed a process for increasing the tensile strength—measured in gigapascals, or GPa
—of silkworm ______ dissolving and reweaving the silk in a solution of iron metal ions, zinc, and sugar, Zhi
increased the amount of force required to stretch it from approximately 0.5 GPa to 2 GPa.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

A. silk, by

B. silk by

C. silk and by

D. silk. By

ID: 3152fbb0 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The independent clauses "researcher Lin Zhi…silk" and "by dissolving…2 GPa" can be
grammatically separated by a period. They can stand alone as sentences, and this is the only choice that lets them do that.

Choice A is incorrect. This choice results in a grammar error called a comma splice. "Researcher Lin Zhi…silk" and "by
dissolving…2 GPa" are both independent clauses. They need to either be separated with punctuation like a period or a
semicolon, or they need to be connected by a comma and a coordinating conjunction like "and." A comma alone isn’t
enough. Choice B is incorrect. This choice results in a grammar error called a run-on sentence. "Researcher Lin Zhi…silk" and
"by dissolving…2 GPa" are both independent clauses. They need to either be separated with punctuation like a period or a
semicolon, or they need to be connected by a comma and a coordinating conjunction like "and." Choice C is incorrect. This
choice results in a grammar error called a run-on sentence. "Researcher Lin Zhi…silk" and "by dissolving…2 GPa" are both
independent clauses. The coordinating conjunction "and" isn’t enough to link them by itself. We need a comma, too.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID dcc8a25e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: dcc8a25e
In 1943, in the midst of World War II, mathematics professor Grace Hopper was recruited by the US military
to help the war effort by solving complex equations. Hopper’s subsequent career would involve more than
just ______ as a pioneering computer programmer, Hopper would help usher in the digital age.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. equations, though:

B. equations, though,

C. equations. Though,

D. equations though

ID: dcc8a25e Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of punctuation to mark boundaries between
supplements and clauses. The comma after “equations” is used to separate the independent clause (“Hopper’s…equation”)
from the supplementary adverb phrase “though.” The colon after “though” is used to mark the boundary between the clause
ending with “though” and the following clause (“as…age”). A colon used in this way introduces information that illustrates or
explains information that has come before it. In this case, the colon after “though” introduces the following explanation of
how Hopper’s subsequent career would involve more than just solving equations: she would become a pioneering computer
programmer.

Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to join two independent
clauses (“Hopper’s…though” and “as…age”) such as these. Choice C is incorrect because it results in an illogical sequence of
sentences. Placing the period after “equations” and beginning the next sentence with “Though” illogically suggests that the
following information (that Hopper would help usher in the digital age) is contrary to the information in the previous
sentence (Hopper’s subsequent career would involve more than just solving equations). Instead, the information that follows
supports the information from the previous sentence by explaining how her work and influence extended beyond solely
solving equations. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two independent clauses (“Hopper’s…
though” and “as…age”) are fused without punctuation.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID b3eebd97
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: b3eebd97
Rabinal Achí is a precolonial Maya dance drama performed annually in Rabinal, a town in the Guatemalan
highlands. Based on events that occurred when Rabinal was a city-state ruled by a king, ______ had once been
an ally of the king but was later captured while leading an invading force against him.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. Rabinal Achí tells the story of K’iche’ Achí, a military leader who

B. K’iche’ Achí, the military leader in the story of Rabinal Achí,

C. the military leader whose story is told in Rabinal Achí, K’iche’ Achí,

D. there was a military leader, K’iche’ Achí, who in Rabinal Achí

ID: b3eebd97 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale

Choice A is the best answer. The modifier “Based on events…by a king,” is describing the drama “Rabinal Achí.” Modifiers
need to be next to the subjects they describe, so “Rabinal Achí” needs to be the first word after the comma.

Choice B is incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. The
modifier “Based on events…by a king,” is describing the drama “Rabinal Achí.” Modifiers need to be next to the subjects they
describe, so “Rabinal Achí” needs to be the first word after the comma. Choice C is incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text
in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. The modifier “Based on events…by a king,” is describing the
drama “Rabinal Achí.” Modifiers need to be next to the subjects they describe, so “Rabinal Achí” needs to be the first word
after the comma. Choice D is incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of
Standard English. The modifier “Based on events…by a king,” is describing the drama “Rabinal Achí.” Modifiers need to be
next to the subjects they describe, so “Rabinal Achí” needs to be the first word after the comma.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 60c74aa0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure, Hard

Conventions and Sense

ID: 60c74aa0
In 2015, a team led by materials scientists Anirudha Sumant and Diana Berman succeeded in reducing the
coefficient of friction (COF) between two surfaces to the lowest possible level—superlubricity. A nearly
frictionless (and, as its name suggests, extremely slippery) state, ______

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. when their COF drops below 0.01, two surfaces reach superlubricity.

B. two surfaces, when their COF drops below 0.01, reach superlubricity.

C. reaching superlubricity occurs when two surfaces’ COF drops below 0.01.

D. superlubricity is reached when two surfaces’ COF drops below 0.01.

ID: 60c74aa0 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The subject of the modifier “a nearly frictionless state” is “superlubricity.” Subject-modifier
placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to one another, so “superlubricity” must be the first word in the
missing clause.

Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a subject-modifier placement error. The subject of the modifier “a nearly
frictionless state” is “superlubricity.” Subject-modifier placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to one another,
so “superlubricity” must be the first word in the missing clause. Choice B is incorrect. This choice creates a subject-modifier
placement error. The subject of the modifier “a nearly frictionless state” is “superlubricity.” Subject-modifier placement
requires a modifier and its subject to be next to one another, so “superlubricity” must be the first word in the missing clause.
Choice C is incorrect. This choice creates a subject-modifier placement error. The subject of the modifier “a nearly
frictionless state” is “superlubricity.” Subject-modifier placement requires a modifier and its subject to be next to one another,
so “superlubricity” must be the first word in the missing clause.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 30b2a7b8
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 30b2a7b8
The relationship between genomes and epigenomes reveals how cells with identical DNA develop different
______ whereas the genome in each cell contains a complete DNA sequence, the epigenome consists of
chemical compounds that determine which traits in the sequence will be expressed.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. functions

B. functions,

C. functions and,

D. functions:

ID: 30b2a7b8 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of a colon within a sentence. In this choice, the colon
correctly introduces the following explanation of the different functions of genomes and epigenomes.

Choice A is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two main clauses ("The relationship…functions" and
"whereas…expressed") are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a
comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses ("The relationship…functions" and "whereas…
expressed"). Choice C is incorrect. Without a comma preceding it, the conjunction "and" can’t be used in this way to join two
main clauses. Furthermore, "and" fails to indicate that what follows is an explanation of how cells with identical DNA develop
different functions.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 0447b140
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 0447b140
The Limón technique, developed by Mexican-born dancer and choreographer Jose Limón, is known for its
emphasis on breath control and its interplay of weight and ______ dancers may explore, for example, the
moment of mid-air suspension at the top of a jump.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. weightlessness

B. weightlessness which

C. weightlessness,

D. weightlessness;

ID: 0447b140 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale

Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of punctuation within a sentence. This choice uses a
semicolon in a conventional way to join the first main clause ("The Limón…weightlessness") and the second main clause
("dancers…jump").

Choice A is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two main clauses are fused without punctuation and/or a
conjunction. Choice B is incorrect. The relative pronoun "which" can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses. Choice C
is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a conjunction following it, a comma can’t be used in this way to
join two main clauses.

Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 4dc1b152
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries Hard

Conventions

ID: 4dc1b152
In discussing Mary Shelley’s 1818 epistolary novel Frankenstein, literary theorist Gayatri Spivak directs the
reader’s attention to the character of Margaret Saville. As Spivak points out, Saville is not the protagonist of
Shelley’s ______ as the recipient of the letters that frame the book’s narrative, she’s the “occasion” of it.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. novel

B. novel,

C. novel; rather,

D. novel, rather,

ID: 4dc1b152 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale

Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the coordination of main clauses within a sentence. This choice
correctly uses a semicolon to join a main clause (“Saville...novel”) and a second main clause (“she’s...it”) preceded by
supplementary elements (“rather...narrative”).

Choice A is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two main clauses are fused without punctuation and/or a
conjunction. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a conjunction following it, a comma can’t be
used in this way to join two main clauses. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a conjunction
following it, the comma after “novel” can’t be used in this way to join the two main clauses.

Question Difficulty: Hard