Bluebook SAT Test Form, Structure, and Sense 10 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The architect's sketches, along with a detailed cost estimate, _______ submitted to the planning committee last Friday.
- was
- were (Correct answer)
- is
- are
Correct answer: were
The subject 'sketches' is plural; 'along with a detailed cost estimate' is a parenthetical phrase and does not change subject-verb agreement, so 'were' is correct.
Question 2: The principal, accompanied by several teachers, _______ greeted the new students at the entrance.
- warmly (Correct answer)
- warm
- warming
- to warmly
Correct answer: warmly
The adverb 'warmly' correctly modifies the verb 'greeted'; an adjective or participle would not function correctly here.
Question 3: Neither the CEO nor the board members _______ prepared to announce the company's restructuring plan.
- was
- were (Correct answer)
- is
- has been
Correct answer: were
With 'neither…nor,' the verb agrees with the nearer subject; 'board members' is plural, so 'were' is correct.
Question 4: Having rehearsed the speech dozens of times, _______ delivered the presentation with remarkable confidence.
- the audience was impressed by the speaker
- the speaker (Correct answer)
- it was the speaker who
- the presentation
Correct answer: the speaker
The participial phrase 'Having rehearsed the speech' must refer to the person who rehearsed — that is 'the speaker,' the subject of the main clause.
Question 5: The researchers published _______ findings in a peer-reviewed journal after three years of fieldwork.
- its
- their (Correct answer)
- there
- they're
Correct answer: their
'Researchers' is plural and refers to people, so the plural pronoun 'their' is correct.
Question 6: The librarian asked each student to return _______ overdue books before the end of the semester.
- their (Correct answer)
- his or her
- its
- they're
Correct answer: their
In modern standard usage, 'their' is accepted as a singular pronoun referring to a generic individual; 'his or her' is also correct, but 'their' is the most natural and widely accepted form on the SAT.
Question 7: The documentary, as well as the three follow-up episodes, _______ nominated for several industry awards.
- was (Correct answer)
- were
- have been
- are
Correct answer: was
The subject is 'documentary' (singular); 'as well as the three follow-up episodes' is a parenthetical phrase, so the singular verb 'was' is correct.
Bluebook SAT Test Form, Structure, and Sense 10
The architect's sketches, along with a detailed cost estimate, _______ submitted to the planning committee last Friday.