Bluebook SAT Writing and Language 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The biochemist’s research was meticulous; not only were the lab results cross-referenced, but also _______ by an independent third party.
- the methodology was validated
- it validated the methodology
- was the methodology validated (Correct answer)
- validating the methodology
Correct answer: was the methodology validated
This question tests parallel structure with the correlative conjunction 'not only... but also.' When 'not only' is followed by an inverted verb-subject structure ('were the lab results'), the phrase following 'but also' must have the same inverted structure ('was the methodology validated') to maintain parallelism.
Question 2: Which of the following sentences best corrects the dangling modifier in the sentence below? "After simmering for hours, the chef decided the stew was finally ready to be served."
- The chef, after simmering for hours, decided the stew was finally ready to be served.
- After the stew had simmered for hours, the chef decided it was finally ready to be served. (Correct answer)
- The stew was finally ready to be served, decided the chef, after simmering for hours.
- After simmering for hours, the stew was finally ready to be served by the chef.
Correct answer: After the stew had simmered for hours, the chef decided it was finally ready to be served.
The original sentence has a dangling modifier because the introductory phrase 'After simmering for hours' incorrectly modifies 'the chef' instead of 'the stew.' Choice B corrects this by making 'the stew' the subject of the introductory clause, clearly indicating what was simmering.
Question 3: The council passed the new zoning ordinance, a controversial decision that would fundamentally alter the town's character _______ it promised significant economic growth by attracting new businesses.
- however,
- and
- ; nevertheless,
- : (Correct answer)
Correct answer: :
A colon is the most appropriate punctuation here because the second clause ('it promised significant economic growth...') serves as a direct explanation or elaboration of the first clause, explaining the rationale behind the 'controversial decision.' A semicolon connects two related independent clauses but doesn't show this strong explanatory relationship.
Question 4: The ethics board requires that any researcher applying for a grant _______ all sources of funding from the previous five years.
- discloses
- is disclosing
- will disclose
- disclose (Correct answer)
Correct answer: disclose
This sentence requires the subjunctive mood, which is used for demands, requirements, or suggestions. The verb 'requires' followed by 'that' triggers the subjunctive. The subjunctive form is the base form of the verb, which in this case is 'disclose,' for all subjects.
Question 5: When the lead prosecutor spoke with the junior associate, she worried that his argument was not compelling enough for the jury. Which choice most effectively resolves the ambiguity in the underlined portion?
- she worried that the junior associate's argument (Correct answer)
- she worried that his own argument
- her worry was that his argument
- NO CHANGE
Correct answer: she worried that the junior associate's argument
The original sentence is ambiguous because the pronoun 'his' could refer to either the 'lead prosecutor' (if the prosecutor is male) or the 'junior associate.' To eliminate this confusion, the pronoun should be replaced with the specific noun it refers to. Choice A clarifies that the argument belongs to the junior associate.
Question 6: The final conclusion of the exhaustive, multi-year study was that its ultimate outcome was essentially inconclusive.
- The final conclusion of the multi-year study was that its outcome was inconclusive.
- The conclusion of the exhaustive, multi-year study was that its outcome was inconclusive. (Correct answer)
- The exhaustive, multi-year study's final conclusion was that its ultimate outcome was inconclusive.
- The study's ultimate and final outcome was that it was essentially inconclusive.
Correct answer: The conclusion of the exhaustive, multi-year study was that its outcome was inconclusive.
This sentence contains multiple redundancies. A 'conclusion' is by definition 'final,' and an 'outcome' is 'ultimate.' Therefore, using both 'final conclusion' and 'ultimate outcome' is repetitive. Choice B eliminates these redundancies, creating the most concise and clear sentence while retaining the important descriptor 'exhaustive.'
Bluebook SAT Writing and Language 2
The biochemist’s research was meticulous; not only were the lab results cross-referenced, but also _______ by an independent third party.