Bluebook SAT Test SAT Grammar and Punctuation Practice 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Neither the manager nor her assistants ______ aware of the scheduling conflict.
- were (Correct answer)
- was
- is
- are
Correct answer: were
In 'neither…nor' constructions, the verb agrees with the nearest subject; 'her assistants' is plural, so 'were' is correct.
Question 2: The delegation from the neighboring countries ______ unanimous in its support of the resolution.
- was (Correct answer)
- were
- are
- have been
Correct answer: was
'Delegation' is a collective noun treated as singular in American English; 'was' is correct.
Question 3: Having read the brief, the lawyer ______ confident in her argument.
- felt (Correct answer)
- feel
- feeling
- feels
Correct 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.
Question 4: The board voted to increase the budget ______ to fund new research initiatives.
- in order (Correct answer)
- so as
- as so
- for
Correct answer: in order
'In order' (completing 'in order to') is the most idiomatic and formal expression of purpose in standard written English.
Question 5: The final exam ______ three hours, during which students may not use any reference materials.
- lasts (Correct answer)
- lasting
- lasted
- last
Correct answer: lasts
The sentence describes a general, ongoing rule (present tense fact), so 'lasts' is correct.
Question 6: The policy was implemented to protect citizens ______ privacy.
- whose (Correct answer)
- who's
- their
- its
Correct answer: whose
'Whose' is the possessive relative pronoun referring back to 'citizens'; 'who's' is a contraction of 'who is.'
Question 7: The scientist, ______ discovery changed our understanding of genetics, received the Nobel Prize.
- whose (Correct answer)
- who's
- which
- that
Correct 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.
Bluebook SAT Test SAT Grammar and Punctuation Practice 5
Neither the manager nor her assistants ______ aware of the scheduling conflict.