SAT Grammar and Punctuation Practice Flashcards

The professor distributed handouts to ______ who arrived on time.

Answer: those

'Those' is the correct pronoun here because it functions as the object of 'to' and refers to a group; 'whoever' would introduce a noun clause but is redundant with 'to' in this construction.

Despite the heavy rain, the outdoor concert ______ as scheduled.

Answer: proceeded

'Proceeded' means to continue or carry on; it is the correct spelling and the right word in context.

The detective concluded that the thief ______ through the back window before dawn.

Answer: had entered

Past perfect 'had entered' correctly expresses an action that was completed before the past action of concluding.

The children's artwork, displayed along the hallway walls, ______ vibrant and imaginative.

Answer: was

The subject is 'artwork' (singular and uncountable), so 'was' is correct despite the plural-seeming context.

The architect's plan called for three features: open floor plans, floor-to-ceiling windows, and ______ eco-friendly materials.

Answer: using

Parallel structure requires matching the form of the other items; if 'open floor plans' and 'floor-to-ceiling windows' are noun phrases, 'using eco-friendly materials' breaks parallel form. However, if we read the list as gerund phrases, 'using' fits; the standard SAT pattern here is to match the preceding noun phrases, making 'the use of' the best parallel noun form.

Mia plays piano ______ her sister prefers violin.

Answer: while

'While' correctly indicates contrast or simultaneity between two independent clauses here, showing two different preferences.

The Mars rover transmitted data for six years before ______ battery finally failed.

Answer: its

'Its' is the possessive pronoun referring to the rover (singular); 'it's' is a contraction of 'it is.'