SAT Sentence Structure & Punctuation 3

Question 1

Choose the correct use of a colon.

Accepted Answer

She needed three things: focus, time, and rest.

Answer

A colon follows a complete clause to introduce a list.

Question 2

Which sentence correctly uses a dash to set off a parenthetical element?

Accepted Answer

The result—surprising to everyone—changed the study.

Answer

A matched pair of dashes correctly brackets the interrupting phrase.

Question 3

Identify the sentence fragment.

Accepted Answer

Because the experiment failed twice.

Answer

A dependent clause beginning with "because" cannot stand alone.

Question 4

Which choice corrects the run-on? "The museum was crowded we left early."

Accepted Answer

crowded, so we

Answer

Adding a comma and "so" properly joins the two clauses.

Question 5

Choose the correct possessive form: "The ___ decision affected the whole team." (one coach)

Accepted Answer

coach's

Answer

A singular noun forms the possessive with apostrophe plus s.

SAT Practice Test