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 Question ID de55ec71
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

Conventions

ID: de55ec71
Generations of mystery and horror ______ have been influenced by the dark, gothic stories of celebrated American
author Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849).

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

A. writers

B. writers,

C. writers—

D. writers;

ID: de55ec71 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a subject and a verb. When, as in this
case, a subject (“Generations of mystery and horror writers”) is immediately followed by a verb (“have been influenced”),
no punctuation is needed.

Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the subject and the verb. Choice C 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: Easy

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 Question ID e38b3e4f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: e38b3e4f
The radiation that ______ during the decay of radioactive atomic nuclei is known as gamma radiation.

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

A. occurs

B. have occurred

C. occur

D. are occurring

ID: e38b3e4f Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement. The singular verb "occurs" agrees
in number with the singular subject "radiation."

Choice B is incorrect because the plural verb "have occurred" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject
"radiation." Choice C is incorrect because the plural verb "occur" doesn’t agree in number with the singular subject
"radiation." Choice D is incorrect because the plural verb "are occurring" doesn’t agree in number with the singular
subject "radiation."

Question Difficulty: Easy

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 Question ID 89fbc3eb
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

Conventions

ID: 89fbc3eb
The Mission 66 initiative, which was approved by Congress in 1956, represented a major investment in the
infrastructure of overburdened national ______ it prioritized physical improvements to the parks’ roads, utilities,
employee housing, and visitor facilities while also establishing educational programming for the public.

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

A. parks and

B. parks

C. parks;

D. parks,

ID: 89fbc3eb 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 uses a semicolon to correctly join the first main clause (“The Mission…parks”) and the second main clause that
begins with “it.”

Choice A is incorrect. 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 run-on sentence. The two main clauses
are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction. Choice D 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: Medium

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 Question ID 960dec02
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

Conventions

ID: 960dec02
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: 960dec02 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

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 Question ID 37e5c794
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: 37e5c794
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: 37e5c794 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

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 Question ID 4b0c7b62
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

Conventions

ID: 4b0c7b62
The algaita is a double reed wind instrument from West Africa. The reed of a wind instrument is the mouthpiece ______
A double reed contains two pieces of cane that vibrate and produce sound as air passes between them.

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

A. where sound is made?

B. where is sound made.

C. where sound is made.

D. where is sound made?

ID: 4b0c7b62 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is end-of-sentence punctuation. This choice correctly uses a
period to punctuate a declarative sentence ("the reed of a wind instrument is the mouthpiece") that ends with a
prepositional phrase ("where sound is made").

Choice A is incorrect. It’s unconventional to use a question mark to punctuate a declarative sentence. Choice B is
incorrect. The structure requires that the sentence continue as a declarative clause, not end with an interrogative
clause. Choice D is incorrect. The structure requires that the sentence continue as a declarative clause and end with a
period, not end with an interrogative clause and a question mark.

Question Difficulty: Easy

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 Question ID 6f08641e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: 6f08641e
On April 5, 1977, Kitty Cone and 150 other disability rights activists entered a San Francisco federal building. After
pleading for years—to no effect—for the passage of key antidiscrimination legislation, ______ until their demands were
addressed. Finally, on April 28, the legislation was signed.

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

A. pressure on lawmakers increased when the activists staged a sit-in protest

B. a sit-in protest staged by the activists increased pressure on lawmakers

C. lawmakers came under increased pressure when the activists staged a sit-in protest

D. the activists increased pressure on lawmakers by staging a sit-in protest

ID: 6f08641e Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-modifier placement. This choice makes the noun
phrase “the activists” the subject of the sentence and places it immediately after the modifying phrase
“after...legislation.” In doing so, this choice clearly establishes that the activists—and not another noun in the sentence—
were pleading for the passage of antidiscrimination legislation.

Choice A is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement of the noun phrase “pressure on
lawmakers” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that the “pressure” was pleading for the
passage of antidiscrimination legislation. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier. The placement
of the noun phrase “a sit-in protest” immediately after the modifying phrase illogically suggests that the “protest” was
pleading for the passage of antidiscrimination legislation. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a dangling modifier.
The placement of the noun phrase “lawmakers” immediately after the modifying phrase suggests that “lawmakers”
were pleading for the passage of antidiscrimination legislation. While it’s possible for lawmakers to plead for the
passage of legislation, the context strongly suggests that it’s the activists who pleaded for years for the passage of
antidiscrimination legislation.

Question Difficulty: Medium

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 Question ID 3580533b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: 3580533b
In recent years, economists around the world have created new tools that quantify the overall well-being of a country’s
citizens. Economists in India, for example, use an Ease of Living Index. This tool ______ economic potential,
sustainability, and citizens’ quality of life.

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

A. measures

B. had measured

C. would have measured

D. will have been measuring

ID: 3580533b Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. The previous sentence tells us how economists in India "use" a certain tool, while this
sentence describes general facts about that tool. To express general facts (and also to match the simple present tense
of "use"), we should use the simple present tense form "measures."

Choice B is incorrect. This choice uses the past perfect tense, but the previous sentence tells us that the tool is
currently used to measure things, so the past tense doesn’t make sense for this verb. Choice C is incorrect. This choice
uses the future perfect conditional tense, but the previous sentence tells us that the tool is currently used to measure
things, so the future tense doesn’t make sense for this verb. Choice D is incorrect. This choice uses the future perfect
continuous tense, but the previous sentence tells us that the tool is currently used to measure things, so the future
tense doesn’t make sense for this verb.

Question Difficulty: Easy

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 Question ID 2c49940e
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: 2c49940e
French philosopher René Descartes doubted whether he could prove his own existence. Eventually, he found proof in his
famous phrase “I think, therefore I am.” The ______ complexity: only those who exist would be able to ponder their
existence.

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

A. phrases’ simplicity masks its

B. phrases simplicity masks their

C. phrase’s simplicity masks their

D. phrase’s simplicity masks its

ID: 2c49940e Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The conventions being tested are the use of possessive nouns and the use of possessive
determiners. The singular possessive noun "phrase’s" correctly indicates that there is only one simple phrase. The
singular possessive determiner "its" agrees in number with the singular possessive noun "phrase’s," reinforcing the idea
that there is only one simple yet complex phrase.

Choice A is incorrect because the context requires the singular possessive noun "phrase’s," not the plural possessive
noun "phrases’." Choice B is incorrect because the context requires the singular possessive noun "phrase’s" and the
corresponding singular possessive determiner "its," not the plural noun "phrases" and the corresponding plural
possessive determiner "their." Choice C is incorrect because the context requires the singular possessive determiner
"its," not the plural possessive determiner "their."

Question Difficulty: Medium

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 Question ID e62241b7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: e62241b7
What is the correct pronunciation of Kiribati? In the Gilbertese language spoken by residents of the island nation, the
letter combination -ti makes the -s sound; as a result, the country’s name ______ pronounced “Kiribas.”

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

A. are

B. have been

C. are being

D. is

ID: e62241b7 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is subject-verb agreement. The singular verb "is" agrees in
number with the singular subject "the country’s name."

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

Question Difficulty: Easy

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 Question ID 7f226b4b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

Conventions

ID: 7f226b4b
In a 2023 study, researchers documented a fascinating behavior in the aquatic plant Elodea densa. When exposed to
low levels of light, the plant’s ______ the cellular organs that generate energy from light—reshuffled to form a tightly
packed, glass-like surface ideal for collecting more light.

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

A. chloroplasts

B. chloroplasts;

C. chloroplasts,

D. chloroplasts—

ID: 7f226b4b 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 "chloroplasts" pairs with the dash after "from light" to separate the supplementary element
"the cellular organs that generate energy from light" from the rest of the sentence. This supplementary element
functions to define the term "chloroplasts," 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. Choice B is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be paired with a dash in this way 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 in this way to separate the supplementary element from the rest of the sentence.

Question Difficulty: Medium

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 Question ID 74ce2f05
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

Conventions

ID: 74ce2f05
A study led by scientist Rebecca Kirby at the University of Wisconsin–Madison found that black bears that eat human
food before hibernation have increased levels of a rare carbon isotope, ______ due to the higher 13C levels in corn and
cane sugar. Bears with these elevated levels were also found to have much shorter hibernation periods on average.

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

A. carbon-13, (13C)

B. carbon-13 (13C)

C. carbon-13, (13C),

D. carbon-13 (13C),

ID: 74ce2f05 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 comma after “(13C)” pairs with the comma after “isotope” to separate the supplementary element
“carbon-13 (13C)” from the rest of the sentence. This supplementary element defines the “rare carbon isotope,” and the
pair of commas 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 “carbon-13
(13C)” from the rest of the sentence. Choice B is incorrect because it fails to use appropriate punctuation to separate
the supplementary element “carbon-13 (13C)” from the rest of the sentence. Choice C is incorrect because it fails to use
appropriate punctuation to separate the supplementary element “carbon-13 (13C)” from the rest of the sentence. The
comma after “carbon-13” isn’t necessary because the parentheses around “13C” already separate this element from the
rest of the sentence.

Question Difficulty: Medium

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 Question ID a2816c7f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: a2816c7f
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: a2816c7f 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

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 Question ID a7c85001
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

Conventions

ID: a7c85001
Researchers Amit Kumar and Nicholas Epley investigated how ______ In a series of experiments conducted in 2022, they
found that people performing small acts of kindness underestimated the positive effect their actions had on others.

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

A. do people perceive acts of kindness.

B. do people perceive acts of kindness?

C. people perceive acts of kindness?

D. people perceive acts of kindness.

ID: a7c85001 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is end-of-sentence punctuation. This choice correctly uses a
period to punctuate a declarative sentence that asks an indirect question ("Researchers Amit Kumar and Nicholas Epley
investigated how people perceive acts of kindness").

Choice A is incorrect. The structure of the sentence requires a declarative clause at the end of the sentence that states
what Kumar and Epley did, not an interrogative clause that asks a direct question, such as "how do people perceive acts
of kindness." Choice B is incorrect. The structure of the sentence requires a declarative clause at the end of the
sentence that states what Kumar and Epley did, not an interrogative clause that asks a direct question, such as "how do
people perceive acts of kindness?" Choice C is incorrect. It’s unconventional to use a question mark in this way to
punctuate a declarative sentence that asks an indirect question, such as "Researchers…kindness."

Question Difficulty: Easy

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 Question ID eb95235b
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

Conventions

ID: eb95235b
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: eb95235b 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

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 Question ID adf210e7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

Conventions

ID: adf210e7
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: adf210e7 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

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 Question ID b7363ba2
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: b7363ba2
Mathematician and meteorologist Edward Lorenz used the metaphor of the “butterfly effect” to explain how seemingly
minor events can have major impacts on future weather. According to Lorenz’s metaphor, the wind from a butterfly
flapping ______ in Brazil might eventually grow into a storm elsewhere across the globe.

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

A. its wings

B. its wings’

C. it’s wing’s

D. it’s wings’

ID: b7363ba2 Answer

Correct Answer: A

Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. The conventions being tested are the use of possessive determiners and plural nouns. The
singular possessive determiner "its" and the plural noun "wings" correctly indicate that the butterfly has multiple wings.

Choice B is incorrect because the context requires the plural noun "wings," not the plural possessive noun "wings’."
Choice C is incorrect because the context requires the singular possessive determiner "its" and the plural noun "wings,"
not the contraction "it’s" and the singular possessive noun "wing’s." Choice D is incorrect because the context requires
the singular possessive determiner "its" and the plural noun "wings," not the contraction "it’s" and the plural possessive
noun "wings’."

Question Difficulty: Easy

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 Question ID 1ee7b429
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: 1ee7b429
Bonnie Buratti of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory ______ data about Saturn’s rings collected by the Cassini spacecraft
when she made an interesting discovery: the tiny moons embedded between and within Saturn’s rings are shaped by the
buildup of ring material on the moons’ surfaces.

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

A. studies

B. has been studying

C. will study

D. was studying

ID: 1ee7b429 Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verbs to express tense in a sentence. In this
choice, the past progressive tense verb “was studying” is consistent with the other past tense verbs (e.g., “made” and
“collected”) used to describe Buratti’s discovery. Further, the past progressive tense correctly indicates that an ongoing
action in the past was occurring (she was studying) at the same time that another event occurred in the past (she made
an interesting discovery).

Choice A is incorrect because the present tense verb “studies” isn’t consistent with the past tense verbs used to
describe Buratti’s discovery. Choice B is incorrect because the present perfect progressive tense verb “has been
studying” isn’t consistent with the past tense verbs used to describe Buratti’s discovery. Choice C is incorrect because
the future tense verb “will study” isn’t consistent with the past tense verbs used to describe Buratti’s discovery.

Question Difficulty: Medium

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 Question ID 13fcf575
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

Conventions

ID: 13fcf575
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: 13fcf575 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

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 Question ID 940ff6f7
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

Conventions

ID: 940ff6f7
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: 940ff6f7 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

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 Question ID 333b2b65
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

Conventions

ID: 333b2b65
While one requires oxygen and one does ______ and anaerobic respiration are both forms of cellular respiration—that is,
they are processes by which cells break down glucose to use as energy.

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

A. not aerobic

B. not. Aerobic

C. not, aerobic

D. not; aerobic

ID: 333b2b65 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. A comma is the appropriate way to link the dependent clause “While...not” and the
independent clause that follows.

Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a run-on sentence error. “While...not” is a dependent clause, which must be
separated from the independent clause that follows with some sort of punctuation. Choice B is incorrect. This choice
creates a sentence fragment. “While one requires oxygen and one does not” isn’t an independent clause, so it can’t
stand alone as a complete sentence. Choice D is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error. “While one requires
oxygen and one does not” isn’t an independent clause, so it can’t be linked to the clause that follows with a semicolon.

Question Difficulty: Easy

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 Question ID c91ef0f0
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: c91ef0f0
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: c91ef0f0 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

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 Question ID f0864217
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: f0864217
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: f0864217 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

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 Question ID 83617355
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: 83617355
Each night in Gijón, Spain, a section of the city’s marina is bathed in a soft green glow. The source of the glow is the
Árbol de la Sidra, a large sculpture made up of 3,200 recycled glass bottles. A lamp inside the tree-shaped structure
______ the green glass.

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

A. will be illuminating

B. illuminates

C. would illuminate

D. illuminated

ID: 83617355 Answer

Correct Answer: B

Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of verbs to express tense. In this choice, the
present tense verb "illuminates" is consistent with the other present tense verb ("is") used to describe the sculpture,
correctly indicating that the sculpture habitually glows ("each night") and that the lamp inside is the source of its
illumination.

Choice A is incorrect because the future progressive tense verb "will be illuminating" isn’t consistent with the other
present tense verb used to describe the sculpture and the source of its glow. Choice C is incorrect because the modal
"would," which is used to indicate a typical behavior in the past, isn’t consistent with the other present tense verb used
to describe the sculpture and the source of its glow. Choice D is incorrect because the past tense verb "illuminated" isn’t
consistent with the other present tense verb used to describe the sculpture and the source of its glow.

Question Difficulty: Easy

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 Question ID ae439895
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: ae439895
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: ae439895 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

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 Question ID 0f39b19c
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

Conventions

ID: 0f39b19c
After a spate of illnesses as a child, Wilma Rudolph was told she might never walk again. Defying all odds, Rudolph
didn’t just walk, she ______ the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, she won both the 100- and 200-meter dashes and
clinched first place for her team in the 4x100-meter relay, becoming the first US woman to win three gold medals in a
single Olympics.

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

A. ran—fast—during

B. ran—fast during

C. ran—fast, during

D. ran—fast. During

ID: 0f39b19c 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 (“Defying…fast”) and another sentence that begins
with a supplementary phrase (“During…Olympics”).

Choice A is incorrect. When a dash is present in a sentence (“ran—fast”), it’s not conventional to use another dash (“fast
—during”) to mark the boundary between sentences because it creates a potentially confusing sentence. In this context,
a period, semicolon, or colon would be clear and more conventional. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a run-on
sentence. The sentences (“Defying…fast”) and (“during…Olympics”) 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.

Question Difficulty: Medium

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 Question ID 9df6da04
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Form, Structure,

Conventions and Sense

ID: 9df6da04
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?

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

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

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

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

ID: 9df6da04 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

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 Question ID 148be4da
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

Conventions

ID: 148be4da
Human-made (synthetic) fibers used in clothes and many other consumer products are more durable than most natural
plant ______ the manufacture of synthetic fibers requires toxic chemical solvents that can pollute air and water.

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

A. fibers,

B. fibers but

C. fibers

D. fibers, but

ID: 148be4da Answer

Correct Answer: D

Rationale
Choice D 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 “but” to join the first main clause (“Human-
made...fibers”) and the second main clause (“the manufacture...water”).

Choice A 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 B is incorrect because when coordinating two longer main clauses such as
these, it’s conventional to use a comma before the coordinating conjunction. Choice C is incorrect because it results in
a run-on sentence. The two main clauses are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Question Difficulty: Easy

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 Question ID 7f48b098
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

Conventions

ID: 7f48b098
Photosynthesis, the mechanism by which plants use sunlight to turn carbon dioxide and water into ______ is fueled in
part by an enzyme called Photosystem II that harvests energy-giving electrons from water molecules.

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

A. nutrients

B. nutrients and

C. nutrients,

D. nutrients—

ID: 7f48b098 Answer

Correct Answer: C

Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of a supplementary element within a
sentence. The comma after “nutrients” pairs with the comma after “photosynthesis” to separate the supplementary
element “the mechanism by which plants use sunlight to turn carbon dioxide and water into nutrients” from the rest of
the sentence. This supplementary element functions to define the term “photosynthesis,” and the pair of commas
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. Choice B is incorrect because a conjunction can’t be paired with a comma in this way to separate
the supplementary element from the rest of the sentence. Choice D is incorrect because a dash can’t be paired with a
comma in this way to separate the supplementary element from the rest of the sentence.

Question Difficulty: Medium

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 Question ID aaa1907f
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

Conventions

ID: aaa1907f
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: aaa1907f 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

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