SATs Sentence Structure & Punctuation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is a comma splice?
- I went to the store, and I bought milk.
- I went to the store, I bought milk. (Correct answer)
- I went to the store; I bought milk.
- I went to the store to buy milk.
Correct answer: I went to the store, I bought milk.
A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined with only a comma and no coordinating conjunction.
Question 2: "The storm was fierce; _______ we stayed inside all day." Which word correctly fills the blank?
- and
- but
- therefore (Correct answer)
- although
Correct answer: therefore
Conjunctive adverbs like 'therefore' can follow a semicolon to connect two independent clauses.
Question 3: In which sentence is the colon used correctly?
- She loves: apples, oranges, and bananas.
- She brought the following items: apples, oranges, and bananas. (Correct answer)
- She: loves apples, oranges, and bananas.
- She loves apples: oranges and bananas.
Correct answer: She brought the following items: apples, oranges, and bananas.
A colon should follow a complete independent clause before introducing a list or explanation.
Question 4: Which sentence is a run-on?
- The concert ended late we missed the last bus home. (Correct answer)
- The concert ended late, so we missed the last bus home.
- The concert ended late; we missed the last bus home.
- Because the concert ended late, we missed the last bus home.
Correct answer: The concert ended late we missed the last bus home.
A run-on sentence joins two independent clauses without any punctuation or conjunction between them.
Question 5: Which sentence correctly joins two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction?
- The researcher collected data however she did not publish her findings.
- The researcher collected data, however, she did not publish her findings.
- The researcher collected data, but she did not publish her findings. (Correct answer)
- The researcher collected data; but she did not publish her findings.
Correct answer: The researcher collected data, but she did not publish her findings.
A coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) preceded by a comma correctly joins two independent clauses.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly punctuates an introductory adverbial clause?
- After finishing her homework Maria went to the park.
- After finishing her homework, Maria went to the park. (Correct answer)
- After finishing her homework; Maria went to the park.
- After finishing her homework: Maria went to the park.
Correct answer: After finishing her homework, Maria went to the park.
A comma must follow an introductory dependent clause to separate it from the main clause.
Question 7: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb?
- I studied hard; and I passed the test.
- I studied hard, however, I still failed.
- I studied hard; however, I still failed. (Correct answer)
- I studied hard; but I still failed.
Correct answer: I studied hard; however, I still failed.
When a conjunctive adverb connects two independent clauses, use a semicolon before it and a comma after it.
SATs Sentence Structure & Punctuation 2
Which of the following is a comma splice?