Bluebook SAT Test SAT Grammar and Punctuation Practice 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The scientist presented her findings, ______ the audience was skeptical at first, they soon came to accept her conclusions.
- although (Correct answer)
- however,
- and
- but
Correct answer: although
The sentence needs a subordinating conjunction to introduce a concessive clause; 'although' correctly signals the contrast between skepticism and acceptance without creating a comma splice.
Question 2: Maria finished the report on time; ______, she submitted it two days early.
- in fact (Correct answer)
- however
- therefore
- nevertheless
Correct answer: in fact
'In fact' strengthens and adds precision to the first clause, indicating the reality was even more impressive than merely on time.
Question 3: The dog, ______ had escaped the yard three times already, was fitted with a GPS collar.
- which (Correct answer)
- who
- that
- it
Correct answer: which
The clause is nonrestrictive (set off by commas), so 'which' is correct; 'who' is for people, and 'that' is used in restrictive clauses without commas.
Question 4: The coaches strategy was to keep the best players fresh for the final quarter.
- coach's strategy (Correct answer)
- coaches' strategy
- coach strategy
- coaches strategy
Correct answer: coach's strategy
There is one coach, so the singular possessive 'coach's' is required to show that the strategy belongs to the coach.
Question 5: Running at full speed, ______ the finish line was crossed before anyone expected.
- the athlete crossed (Correct answer)
- the finish line was crossed by the athlete
- having crossed
- it was the athlete crossing
Correct answer: the athlete crossed
The participial phrase 'Running at full speed' must modify the grammatical subject of the main clause; only 'the athlete crossed' places the athlete as the subject, correcting the dangling modifier.
Question 6: The committee voted on three issues: budget allocation, staff hiring, and ______ new software.
- adopting (Correct answer)
- to adopt
- the adoption of
- adopt
Correct answer: adopting
Items in a list must be parallel; since the first two items are gerund phrases ('budget allocation,' 'staff hiring'), the third must also be a gerund form: 'adopting new software.'
Question 7: The novel, which was published in 1851, ______ considered one of the greatest works of American literature.
- is (Correct answer)
- are
- were
- have been
Correct answer: is
The subject is 'The novel' (singular); despite the intervening clause, the verb must agree: 'is.'
Bluebook SAT Test SAT Grammar and Punctuation Practice 1
The scientist presented her findings, ______ the audience was skeptical at first, they soon came to accept her conclusions.