SAT Grammar and Punctuation Practice Flashcards

Neither the manager nor her assistants ______ aware of the scheduling conflict.

Answer: were

In 'neither…nor' constructions, the verb agrees with the nearest subject; 'her assistants' is plural, so 'were' is correct.

The delegation from the neighboring countries ______ unanimous in its support of the resolution.

Answer: was

'Delegation' is a collective noun treated as singular in American English; 'was' is correct.

Having read the brief, the lawyer ______ confident in her argument.

Answer: felt

The participial phrase 'Having read the brief' implies a completed past action; the main clause is in past tense, so 'felt' is correct.

The board voted to increase the budget ______ to fund new research initiatives.

Answer: in order

'In order' (completing 'in order to') is the most idiomatic and formal expression of purpose in standard written English.

The final exam ______ three hours, during which students may not use any reference materials.

Answer: lasts

The sentence describes a general, ongoing rule (present tense fact), so 'lasts' is correct.

The policy was implemented to protect citizens ______ privacy.

Answer: whose

'Whose' is the possessive relative pronoun referring back to 'citizens'; 'who's' is a contraction of 'who is.'

The scientist, ______ discovery changed our understanding of genetics, received the Nobel Prize.

Answer: whose

'Whose' is the possessive relative pronoun that correctly links 'scientist' to 'discovery'; the clause is nonrestrictive (has commas) and refers to a person.