Boundaries Answers

Question ID de55ec71
Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty
SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

Conventions
ID: de55ec71
Generations of mystery and horror ______ have been influenced by the dark, gothic stories of celebrated American author
Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849).
Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?
A. writers
B. writers,
C. writers—
D. writers;
ID: de55ec71 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a subject and a verb. When, as in
this case, a subject (“Generations of mystery and horror writers”) is immediately followed by a verb (“have been
influenced”), no punctuation is needed.
Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the subject and the verb. Choice C is incorrect
because no punctuation is needed between the subject and the verb. Choice D is incorrect because no punctuation is
needed between the subject and the verb.
Question Difficulty: Easy

Question ID 89fbc3eb

Conventions
ID: 89fbc3eb
The Mission 66 initiative, which was approved by Congress in 1956, represented a major investment in the infrastructure of
overburdened national ______ it prioritized physical improvements to the parks’ roads, utilities, employee housing, and visitor
facilities while also establishing educational programming for the public.
A. parks and
B. parks
C. parks;
D. parks,
ID: 89fbc3eb Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the coordination of main clauses within a sentence.
This choice uses a semicolon to correctly join the first main clause (“The Mission…parks”) and the second main
clause that begins with “it.”
Choice A is incorrect. When coordinating two longer main clauses such as these, it’s conventional to use a comma
before the coordinating conjunction. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two main
clauses are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a comma
splice. Without a conjunction following it, a comma can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses.
Question Difficulty: Medium

Question ID 960dec02

Conventions
ID: 960dec02
A recent study tracked the number of bee species present in twenty-seven New York apple orchards over a ten-year period.
______ found that when wild growth near an orchard was cleared, the number of different bee species visiting the orchard
decreased.
A. Entomologist Heather Grab:
B. Entomologist, Heather Grab,
C. Entomologist Heather Grab
D. Entomologist Heather Grab,
ID: 960dec02 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between a name and title and between
a subject and a verb. No punctuation is needed between the proper noun “Heather Grab” and “entomologist,” the title
that describes Grab. Additionally, no punctuation is needed between the sentence’s subject (“Entomologist Heather
Grab”) and the main verb (“found”) that indicates what Grab did.
Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the subject and the verb. Choice B is incorrect
because no punctuation is needed. Setting the entomologist’s name off with commas suggests that it could be
removed without affecting the coherence of the sentence, which isn’t the case. Choice D is incorrect because no
punctuation is needed between the subject and the verb.
Question Difficulty: Hard

Question ID 74ce2f05

Conventions
ID: 74ce2f05
A study led by scientist Rebecca Kirby at the University of Wisconsin–Madison found that black bears that eat human food
13
before hibernation have increased levels of a rare carbon isotope, ______ due to the higher C levels in corn and cane sugar.
Bears with these elevated levels were also found to have much shorter hibernation periods on average.
A. carbon-13, (
13C)
B. carbon-13 (
13C)
C. carbon-13, (
13C),
D. carbon-13 (
13C),
ID: 74ce2f05 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of a supplementary element within a
sentence. The comma after “(13C)” pairs with the comma after “isotope” to separate the supplementary element
“carbon-13 (13C)” from the rest of the sentence. This supplementary element defines the “rare carbon isotope,” and
the pair of commas indicates that this element could be removed without affecting the grammatical coherence of
the sentence.
Choice A is incorrect because it fails to use appropriate punctuation to separate the supplementary element
“carbon-13 (13C)” from the rest of the sentence. Choice B is incorrect because it fails to use appropriate punctuation
to separate the supplementary element “carbon-13 (13C)” from the rest of the sentence. Choice C is incorrect because
it fails to use appropriate punctuation to separate the supplementary element “carbon-13 (13C)” from the rest of the
sentence. The comma after “carbon-13” isn’t necessary because the parentheses around “13C” already separate this
element from the rest of the sentence.

Question ID adf210e7

Conventions
ID: adf210e7
The haiku-like poems of Tomas Tranströmer, which present nature- and dream-influenced images in crisp, spare language,
have earned the Swedish poet praise from leading contemporary ______ them Nigerian American essayist and novelist Teju
Cole, who has written that Tranströmer’s works “contain a luminous simplicity.”
A. writers. Among
B. writers among
C. writers; among
D. writers, among
ID: adf210e7 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between a main clause and a
supplementary phrase. This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the main clause (“The
haiku-like…writers”) and the supplementary phrase (“among…Cole”) that specifies a contemporary writer who has
praised Tomas Tranströmer’s haiku-like poems.
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment beginning with “among.”
Choice B is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the main clause and the supplementary phrase
with appropriate punctuation. Choice C is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join the main
clause (“The haiku-like…writers”) and the supplementary phrase (“among…Cole”).

Question ID 333b2b65

Conventions
ID: 333b2b65
While one requires oxygen and one does ______ and anaerobic respiration are both forms of cellular respiration—that is, they
are processes by which cells break down glucose to use as energy.
A. not aerobic
B. not. Aerobic
C. not, aerobic
D. not; aerobic
ID: 333b2b65 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. A comma is the appropriate way to link the dependent clause “While...not” and the
independent clause that follows.
Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a run-on sentence error. “While...not” is a dependent clause, which must
be separated from the independent clause that follows with some sort of punctuation. Choice B is incorrect. This
choice creates a sentence fragment. “While one requires oxygen and one does not” isn’t an independent clause, so it
can’t stand alone as a complete sentence. Choice D is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error. “While one
requires oxygen and one does not” isn’t an independent clause, so it can’t be linked to the clause that follows with a
semicolon.

Question ID aaa1907f

Conventions
ID: aaa1907f
To serve local families during the Great Depression, innovative New York City librarian Pura Belpré offered storytelling in both
English and Spanish, an uncommon ______ celebrated el Día de los Tres Reyes Magos, an important community holiday; and
put on puppet shows dramatizing Puerto Rican folktales.
A. practice, at the time
B. practice at the time;
C. practice, at the time,
D. practice at the time,
ID: aaa1907f Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of elements in a complex series. It’s
conventional to use a semicolon to separate items in a complex series with internal punctuation, and in this choice,
the semicolon after "time" is conventionally used to separate the first item ("offered…time") and the second
("celebrated…holiday") in the series of activities that librarian Pura Belpré offered. Moreover, the semicolon after
"time" matches the semicolon used later to separate the second item ("celebrated...holiday") and the third
("and...folktales") in the series.
Choice A is incorrect because it fails to use appropriate punctuation to separate the first item and the second item in
the complex series. Furthermore, a comma isn’t needed between the noun "practice" and the prepositional phrase
"at the time" because the prepositional phrase is essential to the full meaning of the phrase "an uncommon practice
at the time." Choice C is incorrect because a comma after "time" doesn’t match the semicolon used later to separate
the second ("celebrated...holiday") and third ("and...folktales") items in the series. Furthermore, a comma isn’t
needed between the noun "practice" and the prepositional phrase "at the time" because the prepositional phrase is
essential to the full meaning of the phrase "an uncommon practice at the time." Choice D is incorrect because a
comma after "time" doesn’t match the semicolon used later to separate the second ("celebrated...holiday") and third
("and...folktales") items in the series.

Question ID 7f48b098

Conventions
ID: 7f48b098
Photosynthesis, the mechanism by which plants use sunlight to turn carbon dioxide and water into ______ is fueled in part by
an enzyme called Photosystem II that harvests energy-giving electrons from water molecules.
A. nutrients
B. nutrients and
C. nutrients,
D. nutrients—
ID: 7f48b098 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of a supplementary element within a
sentence. The comma after “nutrients” pairs with the comma after “photosynthesis” to separate the supplementary
element “the mechanism by which plants use sunlight to turn carbon dioxide and water into nutrients” from the
rest of the sentence. This supplementary element functions to define the term “photosynthesis,” and the pair of
commas indicates that this element could be removed without affecting the grammatical coherence of the
sentence.
Choice A is incorrect because it fails to use appropriate punctuation to separate the supplementary element from
the rest of the sentence. Choice B is incorrect because a conjunction can’t be paired with a comma in this way to
separate the supplementary element from the rest of the sentence. Choice D is incorrect because a dash can’t be
paired with a comma in this way to separate the supplementary element from the rest of the sentence.

Question ID 148be4da

Conventions
ID: 148be4da
Human-made (synthetic) fibers used in clothes and many other consumer products are more durable than most natural plant
______ the manufacture of synthetic fibers requires toxic chemical solvents that can pollute air and water.
A. fibers,
B. fibers but
C. fibers
D. fibers, but
ID: 148be4da Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the coordination of main clauses within a sentence.
This choice correctly uses a comma and the coordinating conjunction “but” to join the first main clause (“Human-
made...fibers”) and the second main clause (“the manufacture...water”).
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a conjunction following it, a comma can’t be
used in this way to join two main clauses. Choice B is incorrect because when coordinating two longer main clauses
such as these, it’s conventional to use a comma before the coordinating conjunction. Choice C is incorrect because it
results in a run-on sentence. The two main clauses are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Question ID 0f39b19c

Conventions
ID: 0f39b19c
After a spate of illnesses as a child, Wilma Rudolph was told she might never walk again. Defying all odds, Rudolph didn’t just
walk, she ______ the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, she won both the 100- and 200-meter dashes and clinched first place
for her team in the 4x100-meter relay, becoming the first US woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympics.
A. ran—fast—during
B. ran—fast during
C. ran—fast, during
D. ran—fast. During
ID: 0f39b19c Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. In this choice, the
period is used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence (“Defying…fast”) and another sentence that
begins with a supplementary phrase (“During…Olympics”).
Choice A is incorrect. When a dash is present in a sentence (“ran—fast”), it’s not conventional to use another dash
(“fast—during”) to mark the boundary between sentences because it creates a potentially confusing sentence. In this
context, a period, semicolon, or colon would be clear and more conventional. Choice B is incorrect because it results
in a run-on sentence. The sentences (“Defying…fast”) and (“during…Olympics”) are fused without punctuation and/or
a conjunction. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to mark
the boundary between sentences.

Question ID 9091458d

Conventions
ID: 9091458d
Emperor penguins don’t waddle out of the ocean. They launch themselves at such a high speed that they travel up to two
meters before landing. How ______ A layer of microbubbles on their plumage reduces friction as the penguins speed to the
surface.
A. they are able to move so fast!
B. are they able to move so fast.
C. they are able to move so fast.
D. are they able to move so fast?
ID: 9091458d Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is end-of-sentence punctuation. This choice correctly uses
a question mark to punctuate the interrogative sentence “how are they able to move so fast?” The interrogative
sentence asks a direct question, and the next sentence answers it.
Choice A is incorrect because the context requires an interrogative sentence. The exclamative sentence “how they
are able to move so fast!” emphasizes the penguin’s high rate of speed, but it doesn’t set up the next sentence’s
explanation of how the penguins achieve such speeds. Choice B is incorrect because a period can’t be used in this
way to punctuate an interrogative sentence. Choice C is incorrect because the context requires an interrogative
sentence. The exclamative sentence “how they are able to move so fast” emphasizes the penguin’s high rate of
speed, but it doesn’t set up the next sentence’s explanation of how the penguins achieve such speeds.

Question ID ac5536c1

Conventions
ID: ac5536c1
Beatrix Potter is perhaps best known for writing and illustrating children’s books such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902), but
she also dedicated herself to mycology, the study of ______ more than 350 paintings of the fungal species she observed in
nature and submitting her research on spore germination to the Linnean Society of London.
A. fungi; producing
B. fungi. Producing
C. fungi producing
D. fungi, producing
ID: ac5536c1 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between two supplementary phrases
following the coordinate clause (“but she…mycology”). This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary
between the supplementary noun phrase (“the study of fungi”) that defines the term “mycology” and the
supplementary participial phrase (“producing...London”) that provides additional information about the extent to
which Potter dedicated herself to mycology.
Choice A is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join two supplementary phrases following a
coordinate clause. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment
beginning with “producing.” Choice C is incorrect. The lack of punctuation results in a sentence that illogically
suggests that the study of fungi is producing more than 350 paintings.

Question ID 83898524

Conventions
ID: 83898524
In addition to advocating for South America’s independence in two political treatises, the Cartagena Manifesto and the Letter
from Jamaica, Simón Bolívar personally led armies against the Spanish, liberating three South American territories—New
Granada (present-day Colombia and Panama), Venezuela, and Quito (present-day ______ from colonial rule.
A. Ecuador,)
B. Ecuador)
C. Ecuador),
D. Ecuador)—
ID: 83898524 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
sentence. The dash after “Ecuador” and the closing parenthesis pairs with the dash after “territories” to separate the
supplementary element (“New…Ecuador”) from the rest of the sentence. The supplementary element specifies the
three South American territories that Simón Bolívar liberated, and the pair of dashes indicates that this element
could be removed without affecting the grammatical coherence of the sentence.
the rest of the sentence. Furthermore, punctuation isn’t needed between “Ecuador” and the closing
parenthesis. Choice B is incorrect because it fails to use appropriate punctuation to separate the supplementary
element from the rest of the sentence. Choice C is incorrect because a comma can’t be paired with a dash to
separate the supplementary element from the rest of the sentence.

Question ID fba5d8d1

Conventions
ID: fba5d8d1
In a 2016 study, Eastern Washington University psychologist Amani El-Alayli found that, among the study participants who
experienced frisson (a physiological response akin to goosebumps or getting the chills) while listening to music, there was
one personality trait that they scored particularly ______ openness to experience.
A. high. On
B. high on;
C. high on
D. high on:
ID: fba5d8d1 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
supplementary phrase. In this choice, a colon is correctly used to mark the boundary between the main clause
("there...on") and the supplementary phrase ("openness to experience") and to introduce the information that
identifies which personality trait participants scored especially high on.
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment beginning with "on" and
separates a necessary preposition from the clause beginning with "there." Choice B is incorrect because a semicolon
can’t be used in this way to join the main clause ("there...on") and the supplementary phrase ("openness to
experience"). A semicolon is conventionally used to join two main clauses, whereas a colon is conventionally used
to introduce an element that explains or amplifies the information in the preceding clause, making the colon the
better choice in this context. Choice C is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the main clause
("there...on") and the supplementary phrase ("openness to experience").

Question ID 6fece68e

Conventions
ID: 6fece68e
Emperor Ashoka ruled the Maurya Empire in South Asia from roughly 270 to 232 BCE. He is known for enforcing a moral
code called the Law of Piety, which established the sanctity of animal ______ the just treatment of the elderly, and the
abolition of the slave trade.
A. life
B. life;
C. life:
D. life,
ID: 6fece68e Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. Notice that "the sanctity of animal life" is the first item in a list of three things. We must
use a comma to separate the first two items in the list, just as a comma is used to separate "the just treatment of the
elderly" and "the abolition of the slave trade."
Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error. Notice that "the sanctity of animal life" is the first
item in a list of three things. To appropriately format the list, we need punctuation to separate each item. Choice B is
incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error. Notice that "the sanctity of animal life" is the first item in a list of
three things. While semicolons are sometimes used to separate list items, this list uses commas to separate the
other list items, and lists must use the same punctuation throughout. Choice C is incorrect. This choice creates a
punctuation error. Notice that "the sanctity of animal life" is the first item in a list of three things. While colons can
be used to introduce lists, they can’t be used to separate items within a list.

Question ID 886dc9f9

Conventions
ID: 886dc9f9
On July 23, 1854, a clipper ship called the Flying Cloud entered San Francisco ______ left New York Harbor under the guidance
of Captain Josiah Perkins Creesy and his wife, navigator Eleanor Creesy, a mere 89 days and 8 hours earlier, the celebrated
ship set a record that would stand for 135 years.
A. Bay and having
B. Bay. Having
C. Bay, having
D. Bay having
ID: 886dc9f9 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. In this choice, the
period after “Bay” is used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence (“On…Bay”) and another sentence
that begins with a supplementary phrase (“Having…years”). Here, the supplementary phrase beginning with
“having” modifies the subject of the second sentence, “the celebrated ship.”
Choice A is incorrect. Without a comma preceding it, the conjunction “and” can’t be used in this way to join
sentences. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to join two
sentences. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences (“On…Bay” and “having…
years”) are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Question ID 59a246dc

Conventions
ID: 59a246dc
When external forces are applied to common glass made from silicates, energy builds up around minuscule defects in the
material, resulting in fractures. Recently, engineer Erkka Frankberg of Tampere University in Finland used the chemical ______
to make a glassy solid that can withstand higher strain than silicate glass can before fracturing.
A. compound, aluminum oxide
B. compound aluminum oxide,
C. compound, aluminum oxide,
D. compound aluminum oxide
ID: 59a246dc Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of punctuation around noun phrases. No
punctuation is needed because the noun phrase “aluminum oxide” is a restrictive appositive, meaning that it
provides essential identifying information about the noun phrase before it, “the chemical compound,” and thus
doesn’t require punctuation around it.
Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed. Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed.
Choice C is incorrect because the noun phrase “aluminum oxide” is a restrictive appositive. Setting the phrase off
with punctuation suggests that it could be removed without affecting the coherence of the sentence, which isn’t the
case.

Question ID 6ea8c23f

Conventions
ID: 6ea8c23f
In 2018, a team of researchers led by Dr. Caitlin Whalen compiled every available measurement of ocean mixing rates from
the past two decades. With this novel data set, the team was able to determine how current-driven mixing varies across
______ and what impact it has on the distribution of heat and nutrients in the ocean.
A. regions,
B. regions:
C. regions;
D. regions
ID: 6ea8c23f Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between coordinates in a sentence. The two
elements "how…regions" and "what…ocean" work together as coordinates to complete the description of what the
team was able to determine. Because there are only two coordinates in this case (as opposed to a series of three or
more), no punctuation is needed between them.
Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the coordinates "how…regions" and "what…ocean."
Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the coordinates "how…regions" and "what…ocean."
Choice C is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the coordinates "how…regions" and "what…ocean."

Question ID aab74a3b

Conventions
ID: aab74a3b
Researcher Lin Zhi developed a process for increasing the tensile strength—measured in gigapascals, or GPa—of silkworm
______ dissolving and reweaving the silk in a solution of iron metal ions, zinc, and sugar, Zhi increased the amount of force
required to stretch it from approximately 0.5 GPa to 2 GPa.
A. silk, by
B. silk by
C. silk and by
D. silk. By
ID: aab74a3b Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The independent clauses "researcher Lin Zhi…silk" and "by dissolving…2 GPa" can be
grammatically separated by a period. They can stand alone as sentences, and this is the only choice that lets them
do that.
Choice A is incorrect. This choice results in a grammar error called a comma splice. "Researcher Lin Zhi…silk" and
"by dissolving…2 GPa" are both independent clauses. They need to either be separated with punctuation like a period
or a semicolon, or they need to be connected by a comma and a coordinating conjunction like "and." A comma alone
isn’t enough. Choice B is incorrect. This choice results in a grammar error called a run-on sentence. "Researcher Lin
Zhi…silk" and "by dissolving…2 GPa" are both independent clauses. They need to either be separated with
punctuation like a period or a semicolon, or they need to be connected by a comma and a coordinating conjunction
like "and." Choice C is incorrect. This choice results in a grammar error called a run-on sentence. "Researcher Lin
Zhi…silk" and "by dissolving…2 GPa" are both independent clauses. The coordinating conjunction "and" isn’t enough
to link them by itself. We need a comma, too.

Question ID 1724dac2

Conventions
ID: 1724dac2
A subseasonal weather forecast attempts to predict weather conditions three to four weeks in ______ its predictions are
therefore more short-term than those of the seasonal forecast, which attempts to predict the weather more than a month in
advance.
A. advance,
B. advance
C. advance;
D. advance and
ID: 1724dac2 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The clause “A subseasonal…advance” and the clause “its predictions…forecast” are both
independent clauses, so using a semicolon to separate them is grammatically correct.
Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a run-on sentence error. The clause “A subseasonal…advance” and the
clause “its predictions…forecast” are both independent clauses, so a comma is not enough to separate them. Choice
B is incorrect. This choice creates a run-on sentence error. The clause “A subseasonal…advance” and the clause “its
predictions…forecast” are both independent clauses, so they need to be separated with specific punctuation (a
period, a semi-colon, a colon, a dash, or a comma + a coordinating conjunction). Choice D is incorrect. This choice
creates a run-on sentence error. The clause “A subseasonal…advance” and the clause “its predictions…forecast” are
both independent clauses, so the word “and” by itself is not enough to separate them. There would need to be a
comma before “and” for this choice to work.

Question ID a9e5b788

Conventions
ID: a9e5b788
In discussing Mary Shelley’s 1818 epistolary novel Frankenstein, literary theorist Gayatri Spivak directs the reader’s attention
to the character of Margaret Saville. As Spivak points out, Saville is not the protagonist of Shelley’s ______ as the recipient of
the letters that frame the book’s narrative, she’s the “occasion” of it.
A. novel
B. novel,
C. novel; rather,
D. novel, rather,
ID: a9e5b788 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
This choice correctly uses a semicolon to join a main clause (“Saville...novel”) and a second main clause (“she’s...it”)
preceded by supplementary elements (“rather...narrative”).
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two main clauses are fused without punctuation
and/or a conjunction. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a conjunction following it,
a comma can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a comma
splice. Without a conjunction following it, the comma after “novel” can’t be used in this way to join the two main
clauses.

Question ID cdbbbf94

Conventions
ID: cdbbbf94
As British scientist Peter Whibberley has observed, “the Earth is not a very good timekeeper.” Earth’s slightly irregular rotation
rate means that measurements of time must be periodically adjusted. Specifically, an extra “leap second” (the 86,401st
second of the day) is ______ time based on the planet’s rotation lags a full nine-tenths of a second behind time kept by
precise atomic clocks.
A. added, whenever
B. added; whenever
C. added. Whenever
D. added whenever
ID: cdbbbf94 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a verb and a preposition. When, as
in this case, a verb (“is added”) is immediately followed by a preposition (“whenever”), no punctuation is needed.
Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the verb and the preposition. Choice B is incorrect
because no punctuation is needed between the verb and the preposition. Choice C is incorrect because no
punctuation is needed between the verb and the preposition.

Question ID a1e0c981

Conventions
ID: a1e0c981
In her book The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts, author Maxine Hong Kingston examines themes
______ childhood, womanhood, and Chinese American identity by intertwining autobiography and mythology.
A. of:
B. of
C. of—
D. of,
ID: a1e0c981 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. “Themes of childhood” is one noun phrase, with “themes of” implicitly carrying over to
the other items on the list (“themes of childhood, [themes of] womanhood, and [themes of] Chinese American
identity”).
Choice A is incorrect. This choice inappropriately breaks up the introduction of a list. Also, “In her book…themes of”
is not an independent clause, thanks to the dangling “of” at the end, so it can’t precede a colon. Choice C is incorrect.
This choice inappropriately breaks up the introduction of a list. Also, “In her book…themes of” is not an independent
clause, thanks to the dangling “of” at the end, so it can’t precede a single dash. Choice D is incorrect. This choice
inappropriately breaks up the introduction of a list. “Themes of” implicitly carries over to each item on the list
(“themes of childhood, [themes of] womanhood, and [themes of] Chinese American identity”), so we don’t want to
use a comma to separate it.

Question ID b35cefb7

Conventions
ID: b35cefb7
The fine, powdery substance that covers the Moon’s surface is called regolith. Because regolith is both readily available and
high in oxygen ______ scientists have wondered whether it could be used as a potential source of oxygen for future lunar
settlements.
A. content and
B. content,
C. content
D. content, and
ID: b35cefb7 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a subordinate clause and a main
clause. This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the subordinate clause
(“Because...content”) and the main clause (“scientists...settlements”).
Choice A is incorrect. Joining the subordinate clause (“Because...content”) and the clause that follows
(“scientists...settlements”) with the conjunction “and” results in an ungrammatical sentence that lacks a main
clause. Choice C is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the subordinate clause and the main
clause with appropriate punctuation. Choice D is incorrect. Joining the subordinate clause (“Because...content”) and
the clause that follows (“scientists...settlements”) with a comma and the conjunction “and” results in an
ungrammatical sentence that lacks a main clause.

Question ID e76e74e8

Conventions
ID: e76e74e8
Over twenty years ago, in a landmark experiment in the psychology of choice, professor Sheena Iyengar set up a jam-tasting
booth at a grocery store. The number of jams available for tasting ______ some shoppers had twenty-four different options,
others only six. Interestingly, the shoppers with fewer jams to choose from purchased more jam.
A. varied:
B. varied,
C. varied, while
D. varied while
ID: e76e74e8 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of a colon within a sentence. In this choice, the
colon is used in a conventional way to introduce the following description of how the number of jams available
varied.
Choice B is incorrect because it creates a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses
(“the number…varied” and “some…six”). Choice C is incorrect because it results in an illogical and confusing
sentence. Using the conjunction “while” to join the main clause (“the number…varied”) with the following clause’s
description of the number of jams available suggests that the variation in the number of jams is in contrast to some
shoppers having twenty-four options. Choice D is incorrect because it results in an illogical and confusing sentence.
Using “while” in this way suggests that the number of jams available varied during the time in which some
shoppers had twenty-four options and others had six. The sentence makes clear, however, that what follows “varied”
is a description of the variation, not a separate, simultaneous occurrence.

Question ID 083a35dc

Conventions
ID: 083a35dc
Po’Pay was a Tewa leader from Ohkay Owingeh, a pueblo located about twenty-five miles north of present-day Santa Fe,
New Mexico. He was instrumental in organizing the Pueblo Revolt of ______ as a result of his leadership, the Spanish
colonizers were expelled from the region for a time.
A. 1680
B. 1680 and
C. 1680,
D. 1680, and
ID: 083a35dc Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the coordination of main clauses within a sentence.
This choice correctly uses a comma and the coordinating conjunction “and” to join the first main clause (“He…1680”)
and the second main clause (“as…time”).
and/or a conjunction. Choice B is incorrect because when coordinating two longer main clauses such as these, it’s
conventional to use a comma before the coordinating conjunction. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a
comma splice. Without a conjunction following it, a comma can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses.

Question ID aab78b25

Conventions
ID: aab78b25
Psychophysicist Howard Moskowitz was hired by a soda company to determine how much artificial sweetener ______ After
conducting consumer taste tests, he found that no such ideal existed: participants expressed a wide range of preferences for
different blends of sweetener, carbonization, and flavoring.
A. do most people prefer in a diet drink?
B. do most people prefer in a diet drink.
C. most people prefer in a diet drink?
D. most people prefer in a diet drink.
ID: aab78b25 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. This sentence is a statement: “Moskowitz was hired by a soda company to determine
how much artificial sweetener most people prefer in a diet drink.” So a period is the most appropriate punctuation
mark.
Choice A is incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English.
This sentence is not a question—it’s a statement. So a question mark is not the appropriate punctuation. Choice B is
incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. We already
have the verbs “was hired…to determine” in this sentence. The verb “do” is not needed and results in a confusing,
ungrammatical sentence. Choice C is incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the
conventions of Standard English. This sentence is not a question—it’s a statement. So a question mark is not the
appropriate punctuation.

Question ID 145d5ca7

Conventions
ID: 145d5ca7
Gathering accurate data on water flow in the United States is challenging because of the country’s millions of miles of ______
the volume and speed of water at any given location can vary drastically over time.
A. waterways and the fact that,
B. waterways, and the fact that,
C. waterways, and, the fact that
D. waterways and the fact that
ID: 145d5ca7 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation within two coordinated noun phrases.
When, as in this case, a noun phrase (“the country’s millions of miles of waterways”) is coordinated with another
noun phrase (“the fact”) followed by an integrated relative clause (“that the volume...time”), no punctuation is
needed.
Choice C is incorrect because no punctuation is needed.

Question ID be34a3df

Conventions
ID: be34a3df
In 2008, two years after the death of science fiction writer Octavia Butler, the Huntington Library in ______ received a
collection of more than 8,000 items, including Butler’s private notes, research materials, manuscripts, photos, and drawings.
Today, the Octavia E. Butler Collection is one of the most researched archives at the library.
A. California,
B. California:
C. California—
D. California
ID: be34a3df Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. No punctuation should separate the subject of the sentence (“the Huntington Library in
California”) from its verb (“received”).
Choice A is incorrect. No punctuation should separate the subject of the sentence (“the Huntington Library in
California”) from its verb (“received”). Choice B is incorrect. No punctuation should separate the subject of the
sentence (“the Huntington Library in California”) from its verb (“received”). Choice C is incorrect. No punctuation
should separate the subject of the sentence (“the Huntington Library in California”) from its verb (“received”).

Question ID 73a6603c

Conventions
ID: 73a6603c
On sunny days, dark rooftops absorb solar energy and convert it to unwanted heat, raising the surrounding air ______ a light-
colored covering to an existing dark roof, either by attaching prefabricated reflective sheets or spraying on a paint-like
coating, helps combat this effect.
A. temperature; by adding
B. temperature, adding
C. temperature. Adding
D. temperature by adding
ID: 73a6603c Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. In this choice, the
period is used correctly to mark the boundary between the first sentence (“On…temperature”) and the second
sentence (“Adding…effect”). The gerund phrase beginning with “adding” is the subject of the second sentence, and
the verb phrase “helps combat this effect” describes what adding a light-colored covering can do.
Choice A is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join the sentence “On...temperature” and the
supplementary phrases that follow. Doing so leaves the verb phrase “helps combat” without a subject and thus
results in a grammatically unconventional sentence. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A
comma can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary between sentences. Choice D is incorrect. This choice results
in a confusing and illogical sentence that suggests that adding a light-colored covering to an existing dark roof
raises the temperature of the surrounding air. Furthermore, it creates ambiguity by leaving the verb phrase “helps
combat” without a subject (so it isn’t clear what helps combat the effect).

Question ID 70ced8dc

Conventions
ID: 70ced8dc
Typically, underlines, scribbles, and notes left in the margins by a former owner lower a book’s ______ when the former owner
is a famous poet like Walt Whitman, such markings, known as marginalia, can be a gold mine to literary scholars.
A. value, but
B. value
C. value,
D. value but
ID: 70ced8dc Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the coordination of independent clauses within a
sentence. An independent clause is a phrase containing a subject and a verb that can stand on its own as a
sentence. This choice uses a comma and the coordinating conjunction “but” to join the first independent clause
(“underlines…lower a book’s value”) and the second independent clause (“such markings…can be a gold mine to
scholars”) to create a compound sentence.
Choice B is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two independent clauses are fused without
punctuation and/or a conjunction. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be
used in this way to mark the boundary between two independent clauses. Choice D is incorrect because a comma is
needed to mark the boundary between two coordinated independent clauses.

Question ID 8a3998f1

Conventions
ID: 8a3998f1
After the United Kingdom began rolling out taxes equivalent to a few cents on single-use plastic grocery bags in 2011,
plastic-bag consumption decreased by up to ninety ______ taxes are subject to what economists call the “rebound effect”: as
the change became normalized, plastic-bag use started to creep back up.
A. percent, such
B. percent and such
C. percent. Such
D. percent such
ID: 8a3998f1 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
period after “percent” is used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence (“After…percent”) and another
(“Such…up”).
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary
between sentences. Choice B is incorrect. Without a comma preceding it, the conjunction “and” can’t be used in this
way to join sentences. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences (“After…percent”
and “Such…up”) are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.


Conventions
ID: 96953201
In her two major series “Memory Test” and “Autobiography,” painter Howardena Pindell explored themes ______ healing, self-
discovery, and memory by cutting and sewing back together pieces of canvas and inserting personal artifacts, such as
postcards, into some of the paintings.
A. of
B. of,
C. of—
D. of:
ID: 96953201 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a preposition and its complement.
No punctuation is needed between the preposition “of” and its complement, the noun phrase “healing, self-
discovery, and memory.”
Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between a preposition and its complement. Choice C is
incorrect because no punctuation is needed between a preposition and its complement. Choice D is incorrect
because no punctuation is needed between a preposition and its complement.

Question ID 8f6d6ae6

Conventions
ID: 8f6d6ae6
Archaeologists have estimated that the pre-Columbian Native American city of Cahokia, located across the Mississippi River
from modern-day St. Louis, Missouri, had as many as 20,000 inhabitants in the year 1150 ______ it one of the largest cities in
North America at the time.
A. CE making
B. CE. Making
C. CE, making
D. CE; making
ID: 8f6d6ae6 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The phrase “making…at the time” provides additional information about Cahokia that’s
not required for the sentence to make sense or function grammatically. As a nonessential supplement, this phrase
should be separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma.
Choice A is incorrect. This choice results in a run-on sentence. The nonessential descriptive aside “making…at the
time” needs to be separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma. Choice B is incorrect. This choice results in
a sentence fragment. “Making…at the time” doesn’t have a subject and can’t stand on its own as a sentence. Thus, it
can’t be separated from the rest of the sentence with a period. Choice D is incorrect. This choice results in a
punctuation error. “Making…at the time” doesn’t have a subject and can’t stand on its own as an independent clause.
Since a semicolon can only link two independent clauses, using one here creates an error.

Question ID 26c8c88c

Conventions
ID: 26c8c88c
About 70,000 meteorites have been found on Earth. Although most meteorites are fragments of ______ hundred have been
identified as being from the Moon or Mars.
A. asteroids. Several
B. asteroids, several
C. asteroids; several
D. asteroids: several
ID: 26c8c88c Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. This choice uses a comma to correctly separate the dependent clause "although…
asteroids" from the independent clause "several hundred have been…Mars."
Choice A is incorrect. This choice results in a sentence fragment. "Although…asteroids" is a dependent clause. It
can’t stand on its own as a sentence, which means it can’t end in a period. Choice C is incorrect. This choice results
in a punctuation error. "Although…asteroids" is a dependent clause and can’t be joined to the independent clause
"several hundred have been…Mars" with a semicolon. A semicolon can only join two independent clauses. Choice D
is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error. A colon can only come after an independent clause, but
"although…asteroids" is a dependent clause.

Question ID c06af4d8

Conventions
ID: c06af4d8
Sociologist Alton Okinaka sits on the review board tasked with adding new sites to the Hawai‘i Register of Historic Places,
which includes Pi‘ilanihale Heiau and the ‘Ōpaeka‘a Road Bridge. Okinaka doesn’t make such decisions ______ all historical
designations must be approved by a group of nine other experts from the fields of architecture, archaeology, history, and
Hawaiian culture.
A. single-handedly, however;
B. single-handedly; however,
C. single-handedly, however,
D. single-handedly however
ID: c06af4d8 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of a supplementary word or phrase
between two main clauses. This choice correctly uses a comma to separate the supplementary adverb “however”
from the preceding main clause (“Okinaka doesn’t…single-handedly”) and a semicolon to join the next main clause
(“all…culture”) to the rest of the sentence. Further, placing the semicolon after “however” correctly indicates that the
information in the preceding main clause (Okinaka doesn’t make such decisions single-handedly) is contrary to
what might be assumed from the information in the previous sentence (Okinaka sits on the review board that adds
new sites to the Hawaii Register of Historic Places).
Choice B is incorrect because placing the semicolon after “single-handedly” and the comma after “however”
illogically indicates that the information in the next main clause (all historical designations must be approved by a
group of experts) is contrary to the information in the previous clause (Okinaka doesn’t make such decisions single-
handedly). Choice C is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Commas can’t be used in this way to
punctuate a supplementary word or phrase between two main clauses. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a
run-on sentence. The two main clauses are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.


Conventions
ID: 60713427
Polyphenols are organic compounds ______ among their many roles, provide pigment that helps protect plants against
ultraviolet radiation from sunlight.
A. that—
B. that;
C. that,
D. that:
ID: 60713427 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
sentence. The comma after “that” pairs with the comma after “roles” to separate the supplementary element “among
their many roles” from the rest of the sentence. This supplementary element functions to clarify that polyphenols
have many roles, and the pair of commas indicates that this element could be removed without affecting the
grammatical coherence of the sentence.
Choice A is incorrect because a dash can’t be paired with a comma to separate the supplementary element from the
rest of the sentence. Choice B is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be paired with a comma to separate the
supplementary element from the rest of the sentence. Choice D is incorrect because a colon can’t be paired with a
comma to separate the supplementary element from the rest of the sentence.

Question ID 2b512e65

Conventions
ID: 2b512e65
Eli Eisenberg, a genetics expert at Tel Aviv University in Israel, recently discovered that ______ have a special genetic ability
called RNA editing that confers evolutionary advantages.
A. cephalopods, ocean dwellers that include the squid, the octopus, and the cuttlefish
B. cephalopods—ocean dwellers—that include the squid, the octopus, and the cuttlefish,
C. cephalopods, ocean dwellers that include: the squid, the octopus, and the cuttlefish,
D. cephalopods—ocean dwellers that include the squid, the octopus, and the cuttlefish—
ID: 2b512e65 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
sentence. In this choice, the dash after “cephalopods” pairs with the dash after “cuttlefish” to clearly separate the
supplementary element “ocean dwellers that include the squid, the octopus, and the cuttlefish” from the rest of the
sentence. This supplementary element functions to explain what cephalopds are, and the pair of dashes indicates
that this element could be removed without affecting the grammatical coherence of the sentence.
Choice A is incorrect because it fails to use appropriate punctuation to separate the supplementary element that
explains what cephalopods are from the rest of the sentence. Choice B is incorrect because it fails to use appropriate
punctuation to separate the supplementary element that explains what cephalopods are from the rest of the
sentence. Choice C is incorrect because it fails to use appropriate punctuation to separate the supplementary
element that explains what cephalopods are from the rest of the sentence.

Question ID 870ae7ec

Conventions
ID: 870ae7ec
Detroit natives Timothy Paule and Nicole Lindsey have combined their two passions, Detroit and beekeeping, to improve the
health of their city’s flowers and other vegetation. In 2017, the couple converted a vacant lot in the city into an ______ in the
years that followed they acquired nine additional lots and established more than 35 hives.
A. apiary,
B. apiary, and
C. apiary and
D. apiary
ID: 870ae7ec Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. Both clauses in this sentence could stand alone as complete sentences, which means
they are both independent clauses. This choice uses a comma plus a coordinating conjunction to link them together,
which is one of the correct ways to link two independent clauses.
Choice A is incorrect. This choice results in a run-on sentence error. Both clauses in this sentence could stand alone
as complete sentences, which means they are both independent clauses. A comma by itself is not enough
punctuation to link two independent clauses. Choice C is incorrect. This choice results in a run-on sentence error.
Both clauses in this sentence could stand alone as complete sentences, which means they are both independent
clauses. Independent clauses can only be linked in a few ways, including with a comma plus a coordinating
conjunction. This choice uses the coordinating conjunction “and,” but it is missing the comma beforehand. Choice D
is incorrect. This choice results in a run-on sentence error. Both clauses in this sentence could stand alone as
complete sentences, which means they are both independent clauses. Independent clauses need to have certain
kinds of punctuation marks between them. This choice doesn’t use any punctuation between the two clauses.

Question ID fcaff694

Conventions
ID: fcaff694
The city of Pompeii, which was buried in ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, continues to be studied by
archaeologists. Unfortunately, as ______ attest, archaeological excavations have disrupted ash deposits at the site, causing
valuable information about the eruption to be lost.
A. researchers, Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn,
B. researchers, Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn
C. researchers Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn
D. researchers Roberto Scandone, and Christopher Kilburn
ID: fcaff694 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of a restrictive coordinated noun
phrase. No punctuation is needed within or around the coordinated noun phrase “researchers Roberto Scandone
and Christopher Kilburn” because it would create an illogical separation between the noun “researchers” and the
coordinated noun phrase “Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn.”
Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed. Placing a pair of commas around the coordinated noun
phrase “Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn” creates an illogical separation between the noun “researchers”
and the aforementioned coordinated noun phrase. In this case, it illogically suggests that researchers in general
bear the specific names Roberto Scandone and Christopher Kilburn. Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is
needed between the noun “researchers” and the coordinated noun phrase “Roberto Scandone and Christopher
Kilburn.” Choice D is incorrect because no punctuation is needed within the coordinated noun phrase “Roberto
Scandone and Christopher Kilburn.”

Question ID 790fc366

Conventions
ID: 790fc366
Using satellite remote sensing, Dr. Catherine Nakalembe, director of NASA’s Harvest Africa initiative, gathers important data
on crop health. Nakalembe doesn’t just compile the ______ she also shares her findings with African farmers, enabling them to
make data-driven decisions about managing critical food crops.
A. information, though;
B. information, though,
C. information; though
D. information though,
ID: 790fc366 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. This choice uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses ("Nakalembe doesn’t
just…though" and "she also shares..."). This choice also appropriately includes "though" in the first clause, where it
logically belongs.
Choice B is incorrect. This choice results in a grammar error called a comma splice. It incorrectly joins two
independent clauses with only a comma instead of a comma and a coordinating conjunction like "and" or "but."
"Though" is a transition word, but it’s not a coordinating conjunction. Choice C is incorrect. This choice results in a
punctuation error. A semicolon can only be used to link two independent clauses. However, if "though" is included
in the second clause, it turns the second clause into a dependent clause, so a semicolon can’t be used after
"information." Choice D is incorrect. This choice results in a grammar error called a comma splice. It incorrectly
joins two independent clauses with only a comma instead of a comma and a coordinating conjunction like "and" or
"but."


Conventions
ID: 62120607
From afar, African American fiber artist Bisa Butler’s portraits look like paintings, their depictions of human faces, bodies, and
clothing so intricate that it seems only a fine brush could have rendered them. When viewed up close, however, the portraits
reveal themselves to be ______ stitching barely visible among the thousands of pieces of printed, microcut fabric.
A. quilts, and the
B. quilts, the
C. quilts; the
D. quilts. The
ID: 62120607 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between a main clause and a
supplementary phrase. This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the main clause (“the
portraits...quilts”) and the supplementary noun phrase (“the stitching...fabric”) that provides a further description of
how the portraits can be identified as quilts.
Choice A is incorrect. A comma and the conjunction “and” can’t be used in this way to join a main clause and a
supplementary noun phrase. Choice C is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join a main
clause and a supplementary noun phrase. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable
sentence fragment beginning with “the stitching.”

Question ID 2bb7416a

Conventions
ID: 2bb7416a
In paleontology, the term “Elvis taxon” gets applied to a newly identified living species that was once presumed to be extinct.
Like an Elvis impersonator who might bear a striking resemblance to the late musical icon Elvis Presley himself, an Elvis taxon
is not the real thing, ______ is a misidentified look-alike.
A. however but it
B. however it
C. however, it
D. however. It
ID: 2bb7416a Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The clause “Like an Elvis impersonator…real thing” and the clause “it is…look-alike” are
both independent clauses, so making them into two separate sentences is grammatically correct.
Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a run-on sentence error. The clause “Like an Elvis impersonator…real
thing” and the clause “it is…look-alike” are both independent clauses, so they need to be separated with at least a
comma + a coordinating conjunction. This choice provides the coordinating conjunction “but,” but it’s missing a
comma. Choice B is incorrect. This choice creates a run-on sentence error. The clause “Like an Elvis impersonator…
real thing” and the clause “it is…look-alike” are both independent clauses, so they need to be separated with a
semicolon, a colon, a dash, a period, or a comma + a coordinating conjunction. Choice C is incorrect. This choice
creates a run-on sentence error. The clause “Like an Elvis impersonator…real thing” and the clause “it is…look-alike”
are both independent clauses, so they need to be separated with at least a comma + a coordinating conjunction. This
choice provides a comma, but it’s missing a coordinating conjunction.

Question ID 89ab0d46

Conventions
ID: 89ab0d46
After the printing press was introduced in 1440, handwritten manuscripts from Europe’s medieval period were often
destroyed and the paper used for other purposes. In one instance, pages ______ a collection of Norse tales dating to 1270
were discovered lining a bishop’s miter (hat).
A. from:
B. from,
C. from
D. from—
ID: 89ab0d46 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The word “from” introduces a prepositional phrase that modifies the noun “pages” and
provides essential information about their origin. No additional punctuation is needed after “from” in this context.
Choice A is incorrect. This choice results in a punctuation error, illogically separating the preposition “from” from
the rest of the prepositional phrase with a colon. Also, a colon can only follow an independent clause, but what
comes before the blank could not stand on its own as a complete sentence. Choice B is incorrect. This choice results
in a punctuation error, illogically separating the preposition “from” from the rest of the prepositional phrase with a
comma. Choice D is incorrect. This choice results in a punctuation error, illogically separating the preposition
“from” from the rest of the prepositional phrase with a dash.

Question ID b0a525be

Conventions
ID: b0a525be
Santa Clara Pueblo artist Roxanne Swentzell’s sculpture Mud Woman Rolls On consists of five human figures made of clay
and plant fiber and arranged in descending size; each figure holds the smaller one in front of it. The arrangement of the
figures, according to ______ represents her idea that “we all come from the Earth, generation after generation.”
A. Swentzell
B. Swentzell,
C. Swentzell:
D. Swentzell—
ID: b0a525be Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. The phrase “according to Swentzell” is an aside that interrupts the flow of the sentence,
so it needs to be separated from the sentence with a pair of matching punctuation marks: two commas, two dashes,
or a pair of parentheses. We already have a comma before “according,” so we must add a comma after “Swentzell.” .
Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error. The phrase “according to Swentzell” is an aside that
interrupts the flow of the sentence, so it needs to be separated from the sentence with a pair of matching
punctuation marks: one before and one after the phrase. Choice C is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation
error. “The arrangement of the figures, according to Swentzell” is not an independent clause, so it can’t come before
a colon. Choice D is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error. The phrase “according to Swentzell” is an
aside that interrupts the flow of the sentence, so it needs to be separated from the sentence with a pair of matching
punctuation marks. We already have a comma at the beginning, so we have to use another comma here to match.
We can’t just switch to a dash! .

Question ID eef91a50

Conventions
ID: eef91a50
Nine months before Rosa Parks made history by refusing to comply with the segregated seating policy on a Montgomery,
Alabama, bus, a fifteen-year-old Montgomery girl named Claudette Colvin was arrested for the same ______ to some
historians, Colvin’s arrest led to Parks’s action and eventually to the desegregation of Montgomery’s bus system.
A. offense. According
B. offense, according
C. offense according
D. offense and according
ID: eef91a50 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. “Nine months…offense” and “according to…system” are both independent clauses.
Separating them with a period and turning them into their own sentences is the only grammatically correct choice
among the provided options.
Choice B is incorrect. This choice results in a comma splice error, which is a punctuation error that occurs when
two independent clauses are joined by only a comma. “Nine months…offense” and “according to…system” are both
independent clauses, so they need to be either joined by a semicolon, joined by a comma and a coordinating
conjunction, or separated by a period. Choice C is incorrect. This choice results in a run-on sentence, which occurs
when two independent clauses are joined without punctuation. “Nine months…offense” and “according to…system”
are both independent clauses, so they need to be either joined by a semicolon, joined by a comma and a coordinating
conjunction, or separated by a period. Choice D is incorrect. This choice results in a run-on sentence, which occurs
when two independent clauses are joined without punctuation. “Nine months…offense” and “according to…system”
are independent clauses, so we would need to put a comma before the coordinating conjunction “and” to join them
properly.

Question ID 01a32c84

Conventions
ID: 01a32c84
The first computerized spreadsheet, Dan Bricklin’s VisiCalc, improved financial recordkeeping not only by providing users
with an easy means of adjusting data in spreadsheets but also by automatically updating all calculations that were
dependent on these ______ to VisiCalc’s release, changing a paper spreadsheet often required redoing the entire sheet by
hand, a process that could take days.
A. adjustments prior
B. adjustments, prior
C. adjustments. Prior
D. adjustments and prior
ID: 01a32c84 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
period is used correctly to mark the boundary between the first sentence (“The...adjustments”) and the second
sentence (“Prior...days”). Because the adverbial phrase beginning with “prior” indicates when changing a
spreadsheet required redoing the sheet by hand, that phrase belongs with the second sentence.
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. Two sentences are fused without punctuation and/or a
conjunction. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to mark
the boundary between sentences. Choice D is incorrect. Without a comma preceding it, the conjunction “and” can’t
be used in this way to join the sentences.

Question ID 548f4956

Conventions
ID: 548f4956
It is generally true that technological change is a linear process, in which once-useful technologies are replaced by new and
better ______ the reawakening of interest in the steam engine (from advocates of carbon-neutral rail travel) reminds us that
ostensibly obsolete technologies may be brought back into service to address society’s changing needs.
A. ones, even so;
B. ones even so,
C. ones; even so,
D. ones, even so,
ID: 548f4956 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
This choice uses a semicolon in a conventional way to join the first main clause (“It is…ones”) and the second main
clause (“even so…needs”). Furthermore, the placement of the semicolon after “ones” indicates that the
supplementary phrase “even so” modifies the following clause (“the reawakening...needs”), resulting in the most
logical and grammatically complete sentence. With this punctuation, the sentence logically indicates that the
recent interest in an old technology like steam engines is despite the fact that technological change typically seeks
out new technologies.
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a confusing and illogical sentence. Placing the semicolon after “so”
indicates that the supplementary element “even so” modifies the first clause of the sentence, which doesn’t make
sense in this context. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. It fails to mark the boundary
between the two main clauses with appropriate punctuation. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a comma
splice. Without a conjunction following it, a comma can’t be used in this way to join the two main clauses of the
sentence.

Question ID 2c84f96a

Conventions
ID: 2c84f96a
In 2017, artists Isabel and Ruben Toledo redesigned the costumes and sets for The Miami City Ballet’s production of The
______ to reviewers, the Toledos’ designs helped infuse the production with elements of Miami’s Latin American culture.
A. Nutcracker according,
B. Nutcracker, according
C. Nutcracker according
D. Nutcracker. According
ID: 2c84f96a Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
period is used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence (“In 2017...Nutcracker”) and another
(“According...culture”). The supplementary element “according to reviewers” modifies the main clause of the second
sentence (“the Toledos’...culture”).
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences are fused without punctuation and/or a
conjunction. Furthermore, no punctuation is needed within the supplementary element “according to reviewers.”
Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary
between sentences. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences are fused without
punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Question ID 4ba99a6f

Conventions
ID: 4ba99a6f
Seneca sculptor Marie Watt’s blanket art comes in a range of shapes and sizes. In 2004, Watt sewed strips of blankets
together to craft a 10-by-13-inch ______ in 2014, she arranged folded blankets into two large stacks and then cast them in
bronze, creating two curving 18-foot-tall blue-bronze pillars.
A. sampler later,
B. sampler;
C. sampler,
D. sampler, later,
ID: 4ba99a6f Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the coordination of main clauses within a sentence.
This choice uses a semicolon in a conventional way to join the first main clause (“In 2004…sampler”) and the second
main clause (“in 2014…pillars”).
used in this way to join two main clauses. The word “later” is an adverb and cannot be used to join two main clauses
unless it is preceded by a conjunction. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a
conjunction following it, a comma can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses. Choice D is incorrect because
it results in a comma splice. Without a conjunction following it, a comma can’t be used in this way to join two main
clauses. The word “later” is an adverb and cannot be used to join two main clauses unless it is preceded by a
conjunction.

Question ID ce81d0b7

Conventions
ID: ce81d0b7
The life spans of rockfish vary greatly by species. For instance, the colorful calico rockfish (Sebastes dalli) can survive for a
little over a ______ the rougheye rockfish (Sebastes aleutianus) boasts a maximum life span of about two centuries.
A. decade: while
B. decade. While
C. decade; while
D. decade, while
ID: ce81d0b7 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a main clause and a subordinate
clause. This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the main clause (“the colorful…decade”)
and the subordinate clause (“while…centuries”) that provides contrasting information about the life span of
rougheye rockfish.
Choice A is incorrect because a colon can’t be used in this way to join a main clause and a subordinate
clause. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment beginning with
“while.” Choice C is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join a main clause and a subordinate
clause.

Question ID db24ecc9

Conventions
ID: db24ecc9
The Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden in Norway and the Jardim Botânico of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil are two of many botanical
gardens around the world dedicated to growing diverse plant ______ fostering scientific research; and educating the public
about plant conservation.
A. species, both native and nonnative,
B. species, both native and nonnative;
C. species; both native and nonnative,
D. species both native and nonnative,
ID: db24ecc9 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of items in a complex series (a series
including internal punctuation). The semicolon after “nonnative” is correctly used to separate the first item
(“growing diverse plant species, both native and nonnative”) and the second item (“fostering scientific research”) in
the series of things that botanical gardens are dedicated to. Further, the comma after “species” is correctly used to
separate the noun phrase “diverse plant species” and the supplementary phrase “both native and nonnative” that
modifies it.
Choice A is incorrect because a comma (specifically, the comma after “nonnative”) can’t be used in this way to
separate items in a complex series. Choice C is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to separate
the noun phrase “diverse plant species” and the supplementary phrase “both native and nonnative” that modifies it.
Further, a comma can’t be used in this way to separate items in a complex series. Choice D is incorrect because it
fails to use appropriate punctuation to separate the noun phrase “diverse plant species” and the supplementary
phrase “both native and nonnative” that modifies it. Further, a comma can’t be used in this way to separate items in
a complex series.

Question ID 0fa289a7

Conventions
ID: 0fa289a7
In 1955, Indian Bengali filmmaker Satyajit Ray released his first movie, Pather ______ quiet black-and-white drama about a
family in rural India, Ray’s film was quite different from the loud, colorful action-romance movies that were popular at the
time.
A. Panchali a
B. Panchali, which was a
C. Panchali, a
D. Panchali. A
ID: 0fa289a7 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
period is used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence ("In…Panchali") and another ("A quiet…time").
The phrase beginning with "a quiet" modifies the subject of the next sentence, "Ray’s film."
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences are fused without punctuation and/or a
conjunction. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to mark
the boundary between sentences. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used
in this way to mark the boundary between sentences.

Question ID f30a478e

Conventions
ID: f30a478e
A study published by Rice University geoscientist Ming Tang in 2019 offers a new explanation for the origin of Earth’s ______
structures called arcs, towering ridges that form when a dense oceanic plate subducts under a less dense continental plate,
melts in the mantle below, and then rises and bursts through the continental crust above.
A. continents geological
B. continents: geological
C. continents; geological
D. continents. Geological
ID: f30a478e Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between a main clause and a
supplementary phrase. In this choice, a colon is correctly used to mark the boundary between the main clause (“A
study…continents”) and the supplementary phrase (“geological…above”) and to introduce the following explanation
of the origin of Earth’s continents.
Choice A is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the main clause (“A study…continents”) and the
supplementary phrase (“geological…above”) with appropriate punctuation. Choice C is incorrect because a
semicolon can’t be used in this way to join the main clause (“A study…continents”) and the supplementary phrase
(“geological…above”). A semicolon is conventionally used to join two main clauses, whereas a colon is
conventionally used to introduce an element that explains or amplifies the information in the preceding clause,
making it the better choice in this context. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable
sentence fragment beginning with “geological.”

Question ID 67667d72

Conventions
ID: 67667d72
Humans were long thought to have begun occupying the Peruvian settlement of Machu Picchu between 1440 and 1450 CE.
However, a team led by anthropologist Dr. Richard Burger used accelerator mass spectrometry to uncover evidence that it
was occupied ______ 1420 CE, according to Burger, humans were likely inhabiting the area.
A. earlier. In
B. earlier, in
C. earlier, which in
D. earlier in
ID: 67667d72 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between sentences. In this choice, the
period is used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence (“However...earlier”) and another (“In...area”).
The supplementary phrase “in 1420 CE” modifies “humans,” the subject of the third sentence.
between sentences. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to
mark the boundary between sentences. Moreover, the subordinating conjunction “which” creates a confusing and
illogical sentence that suggests that the supplementary phrase beginning with “in” modifies the previous
information (“However...earlier”) rather than the information that follows. Choice D is incorrect because it results in
a run-on sentence. The sentences (“However...earlier” and “in...area”) are fused without punctuation and/or a
conjunction.

Question ID 04bfd364

Conventions
ID: 04bfd364
The intense pressure found in the deep ocean can affect the structure of proteins in fish’s cells, distorting the proteins’ shape.
The chemical trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) counters this effect, ensuring that proteins retain their original ______ is found
in high concentrations in the cells of the deepest-dwelling fish.
A. configurations. TMAO
B. configurations TMAO
C. configurations, TMAO
D. configurations and TMAO
ID: 04bfd364 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
period after “configurations” is used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence (“The intense…
configurations”) and another (“TMAO…fish”). The supplementary phrase (“ensuring…configurations”) modifies the
main clause of the first sentence (“The chemical…effect”), and “TMAO” is the subject of the second sentence.
Choice B is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences (“The intense…configurations” and
“TMAO…fish”) are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a
comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary between sentences. Choice D is incorrect.
Without a comma preceding it, the conjunction “and” can’t be used in this way to join sentences.

Question ID ea8f4658

Conventions
ID: ea8f4658
When particles are suspended in liquid (like pollen in a water glass), they will zigzag randomly through the liquid and collide
with one another in perpetuity. This type of random, continuous ______ is known as Brownian motion, can be observed
throughout the natural world.
A. movement: which
B. movement, which
C. movement which
D. movement. Which
ID: ea8f4658 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. This choice correctly uses commas to set off the nonessential relative clause "which is
known as Brownian motion" that provides extra information about the "random, continuous movement" that isn’t
necessary for the function of the sentence.
Choice A is incorrect. This choice results in a punctuation error. The relative clause "which is known as Brownian
motion" is a nonessential supplement. Nonessential supplements need to be set apart from the rest of the sentence
with a pair of commas, dashes, or parentheses, so we can’t use a colon here. Also, notice that colons can only come
after an independent clause, which isn’t the case here. Choice C is incorrect. This choice results in a punctuation
error. The relative clause "which is known as Brownian motion" is a nonessential supplement, so it should be
separated from the rest of the sentence by a pair of matching punctuation marks. We already have a comma after
"motion," so we need to add a comma before "which." This choice is missing that comma. Choice D is incorrect. This
choice results in a sentence fragment. "This type of random, continuous movement" is not an independent clause
and can’t stand alone as a full sentence, so we can’t put a period here.

Question ID b6560e5a

Conventions
ID: b6560e5a
Materials scientist Marie-Agathe Charpagne and her colleagues believed they could improve on the multicomponent alloy
NiCoCr, an equal-proportions mixture of nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), and chromium (Cr), by replacing chromium with ruthenium
______ the alloy that resulted, NiCoRu, turned out to be an unsuitable replacement for NiCoCr.
A. (Ru)
B. (Ru) but
C. (Ru),
D. (Ru), but
ID: b6560e5a Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the coordination of main clauses. This choice correctly
uses a comma and the coordinating conjunction “but” to join the first main clause (“Materials…Ru”) and the second
main clause (“the alloy…NiCoCr”).
and/or a conjunction. Choice B is incorrect because when coordinating two longer main clauses such as these, it’s
conventional to use a comma before the coordinating conjunction. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a

Question ID 432b1ede

Conventions
ID: 432b1ede
The forty-seven geothermal springs of Arkansas’ Hot Springs National Park are sourced via a process known as natural
groundwater recharge, in which rainwater percolates downward through the earth—in this case, the porous rocks of the hills
around Hot ______ collect in a subterranean basin.
A. Springs to
B. Springs: to
C. Springs—to
D. Springs, to
ID: 432b1ede Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
sentence. The dash after “Springs” pairs with the dash after “earth” to separate the supplementary element “in this
case, the porous rocks of the hills around Hot Springs” from the rest of the sentence.
the rest of the sentence. Choice B is incorrect because a colon can’t be paired with a dash in this way to separate the
supplementary element from the rest of the sentence. Choice D is incorrect because a comma can’t be paired with a
dash in this way to separate the supplementary element from the rest of the sentence.

Question ID c21df211

Conventions
ID: c21df211
In 1959, the film industry debuted Smell-O-Vision. Theaters were fitted with specialized vents that emitted odors at specific
points in a ______ as the scent of roses when roses appeared in a scene. Smell-O-Vision failed to impress, however, with one
reviewer declaring it “briefly weird and not very interesting.”
A. movie such
B. movie; such
C. movie. Such
D. movie, such
ID: c21df211 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The comma appropriately separates the nonessential descriptive aside "such as…scene"
from the independent clause "Theaters were…movie." Since the descriptive example of roses isn’t necessary for the
sentence to function, it needs to be set off with punctuation.
Choice A is incorrect. This choice results in a run-on sentence. Since the example of roses isn’t necessary for the
sentence to function, the descriptive aside "such as…scene" needs to be separated from the preceding independent
clause with some sort of punctuation. Choice B is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error. A semicolon
can only be used to separate two independent clauses, but "such…scene" is not an independent clause and couldn’t
stand on its own as a sentence. Choice C is incorrect. This choice results in a sentence fragment. The descriptive
aside "Such…scene" is not an independent clause and can’t stand on its own as a sentence.

Question ID 267a13e2

Conventions
ID: 267a13e2
In 2010, archaeologist Noel Hidalgo Tan was visiting the twelfth-century temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia when he noticed
markings of red paint on the temple ______ the help of digital imaging techniques, he discovered the markings to be part of
an elaborate mural containing over 200 paintings.
A. walls, with
B. walls with
C. walls so with
D. walls. With
ID: 267a13e2 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
period after “walls” is used correctly to mark the boundary between the first sentence (“In...walls”) and the second
sentence (“With…techniques”), which starts with a supplementary phrase.
between sentences. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences (“In...walls” and
“with...paintings”) are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction. Choice C is incorrect. Without a comma
preceding it, the conjunction “so” can’t be used in this way to join sentences.

Question ID 403d7bb5

Conventions
ID: 403d7bb5
According to Naomi Nakayama of the University of Edinburgh, the reason seeds from a dying dandelion appear to float in
the air while ______ is that their porous plumes enhance drag, allowing the seeds to stay airborne long enough for the wind to
disperse them throughout the surrounding area.
A. falling,
B. falling:
C. falling;
D. falling
ID: 403d7bb5 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The word “falling” occurs in the middle of a clause and isn’t part of a supplement, so we
don’t need any punctuation after it. We can see this more clearly if we simplify the rest of the sentence: “The reason
seeds appear to float while falling is that their plumes enhance drag.” .
The word “falling” occurs in the middle of a clause and isn’t part of a supplement, so we don’t need any punctuation
after it. We can see this more clearly if we simplify the sentence: “The reason seeds appear to float while falling is
that their plumes enhance drag.” . Choice B is incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a way that conforms to the
conventions of Standard English. The word “falling” occurs in the middle of a clause and isn’t part of a supplement,
so we don’t need any punctuation after it. We can see this more clearly if we simplify the sentence: “The reason
seeds appear to float while falling is that their plumes enhance drag.” . Choice C is incorrect. This doesn’t complete
the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. The word “falling” occurs in the middle of a
clause and isn’t part of a supplement, so we don’t need any punctuation after it. We can see this more clearly if we
simplify the sentence: “The reason seeds appear to float while falling is that their plumes enhance drag.” .

Question ID 6b49f5f1

Conventions
ID: 6b49f5f1
In 1727, dramatist Lewis Theobald presented a new play, Double Falsehood, at a London theater. Theobald claimed that his
drama was based on a little-known play by William Shakespeare, Cardenio. Many, including poet Alexander Pope, were ______
historians have determined that Shakespeare’s company did perform a play called Cardenio in 1613.
A. skeptical but
B. skeptical, but
C. skeptical,
D. skeptical
ID: 6b49f5f1 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. There are two independent clauses in the sentence, each with a subject and a verb:
"many...were skeptical" and "historians have determined…." These clauses can be grammatically joined by a comma
and the coordinating conjunction "but."
Choice A is incorrect. This choice results in a run-on sentence, which occurs when two independent clauses are
joined without punctuation. Two independent clauses can’t be joined by just the coordinating conjunction "but." A
comma would also be required. Choice C is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error called a comma splice.
This sentence contains two independent clauses ("Many…were skeptical" and "historians have determined…"). A
comma alone can’t join two independent clauses. That requires a comma and a coordinating conjunction. Choice D
is incorrect. This choice results in a run-on sentence, which occurs when two independent clauses are joined
without punctuation. This sentence contains two independent clauses ("Many…were skeptical" and "historians have
determined…"), which need to be either joined by a semicolon, joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction, or
separated by a period.

Question ID 577b09fa

Conventions
ID: 577b09fa
Robin Wall Kimmerer of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation is a bryologist, a plant scientist who specializes in mosses. To
Kimmerer, mosses are Earth’s most adaptable plants: they can clone ______ enter a dormant state in times of drought, and
grow in areas that don’t have soil.
A. themselves;
B. themselves,
C. themselves. And
D. themselves
ID: 577b09fa Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of items in a series. The comma after
“themselves” is used conventionally to separate the first item (“they can clone themselves”) and the second item
(“enter a dormant state in times of drought”) in the series of things mosses can do.
Choice A is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to separate items in a simple series such as this.
Choice C is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment beginning with “And
enter.” Choice D is incorrect because it fails to use appropriate punctuation to separate the first and second items in
the series.

Question ID 59094d87

Conventions
ID: 59094d87
The Tantaquidgeon Museum in Uncasville, Connecticut, was founded in 1931 with the goal of showcasing the culture and
history of the Mohegan ______ today, nearly a century later, it is the oldest Native-owned and -operated museum in the
country.
A. Tribe, and
B. Tribe
C. Tribe and
D. Tribe,
ID: 59094d87 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. This choice uses a comma and a coordinating conjunction (“and”) to join two
independent clauses (“The Tantaquidgeon…Tribe” and “Today…country”).
Choice B is incorrect. This choice results in a grammar error known as a run-on sentence. The clauses before and
after “Tribe” are both independent, so they need to be separated with some sort of punctuation. Choice C is incorrect.
This choice results in a grammar error known as a run-on sentence. The clauses before and after “and” are both
independent, so they can’t be linked with just a conjunction. A comma would also be required. Choice D is incorrect.
This choice results in a grammar error called a comma splice. The clauses before and after “Tribe” are both
independent, so they can’t be linked with just a comma. A coordinating conjunction like “and” or “but” would also be
required.

Question ID ba8ebf49

Conventions
ID: ba8ebf49
The poem Beowulf begins with the word “hwæt,” which is an Old English ______ as “hark!” or “listen!” in some versions, the
word was playfully rendered as “bro!” by Maria Dahvana Headley in her 2020 translation of the poem.
A. exclamation, translated
B. exclamation and translated
C. exclamation translated
D. exclamation. Translated
ID: ba8ebf49 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
period is used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence ("The poem…exclamation") and another
sentence that begins with a supplementary element ("Translated…poem"). The supplementary element "translated
as ‘hark!’ or ‘listen!’ in some versions" modifies the subject of the second sentence, "the word" (referring to hwæt).
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a comma splice after "exclamation." A comma can’t be used in this way to
mark the boundary between sentences. Choice B is incorrect. Without a comma preceding it, the conjunction "and"
can’t be used in this way to join sentences. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a comma splice after
"versions." A comma can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary between sentences.

Question ID a466679a

Conventions
ID: a466679a
In 1976, the Inuit rock group Sikumiut recorded the album People of the Ice. Though only their first record, it shows a band
already skilled at the difficult task of making music that sounds easy and fun. On songs like “Utirumavunga,” Lucassie
Koperqualuk’s guitar riffs effortlessly ______ Charlie Adams’s delightfully catchy vocal melodies.
A. blend, with
B. blend. With
C. blend; with
D. blend with
ID: a466679a Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a verb and a prepositional phrase.
No punctuation is needed between the verb “blend” and the prepositional phrase “with Charlie Adams’s delightfully
catchy vocal melodies.” The prepositional phrase completes the idea of the sentence, explaining with what
Koperqualuk’s guitar riffs blend.
Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the verb and the prepositional phrase. Choice B is
incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the verb and the prepositional phrase. Choice C is incorrect
because no punctuation is needed between the verb and the prepositional phrase.

Question ID a8fa749a

Conventions
ID: a8fa749a
Nigerian author Buchi Emecheta’s celebrated literary oeuvre includes The Joys of Motherhood, a novel about the changing
roles of women in 1950s ______ a television play about the private struggles of a newlywed couple in Nigeria; and Head Above
Water, her autobiography.
A. Lagos, A Kind of Marriage,
B. Lagos; A Kind of Marriage,
C. Lagos, A Kind of Marriage:
D. Lagos; A Kind of Marriage
ID: a8fa749a Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of items in a complex series (a series
including internal punctuation). In this choice, the semicolon after “Lagos” is conventionally used to separate the
first item (“The Joys…Lagos”) and the second item (“A Kind…Nigeria”) in the series. Further, the comma after
“Marriage” correctly separates the title “A Kind of Marriage” from the supplementary phrase (“a television…Nigeria”)
that describes it.
Choice A is incorrect because the comma after “Lagos” doesn’t match the semicolon used later in the series to
separate the second item (“A Kind…Nigeria”) from the third item (“and…autobiography”). Choice C is incorrect
because the comma after “Lagos” doesn’t match the semicolon used later in the series to separate the second item
(“A Kind…Nigeria”) from the third item (“and…autobiography”). Additionally, a colon can’t be used in this way to
separate the title “A Kind of Marriage” from the supplementary phrase (“a television…Nigeria”) that describes it.
Choice D is incorrect because it fails to use appropriate punctuation to separate the title “A Kind of Marriage” from
the supplementary phrase (“a television…Nigeria”) that describes it.


Conventions
ID: 84658166
In 1943, in the midst of World War II, mathematics professor Grace Hopper was recruited by the US military to help the war
effort by solving complex equations. Hopper’s subsequent career would involve more than just ______ as a pioneering
computer programmer, Hopper would help usher in the digital age.
A. equations, though:
B. equations, though,
C. equations. Though,
D. equations though
ID: 84658166 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of punctuation to mark boundaries between
supplements and clauses. The comma after “equations” is used to separate the independent clause (“Hopper’s…
equation”) from the supplementary adverb phrase “though.” The colon after “though” is used to mark the boundary
between the clause ending with “though” and the following clause (“as…age”). A colon used in this way introduces
information that illustrates or explains information that has come before it. In this case, the colon after “though”
introduces the following explanation of how Hopper’s subsequent career would involve more than just solving
equations: she would become a pioneering computer programmer.
Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to join two
independent clauses (“Hopper’s…though” and “as…age”) such as these. Choice C is incorrect because it results in an
illogical sequence of sentences. Placing the period after “equations” and beginning the next sentence with “Though”
illogically suggests that the following information (that Hopper would help usher in the digital age) is contrary to
the information in the previous sentence (Hopper’s subsequent career would involve more than just solving
equations). Instead, the information that follows supports the information from the previous sentence by explaining
how her work and influence extended beyond solely solving equations. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a
run-on sentence. The two independent clauses (“Hopper’s…though” and “as…age”) are fused without punctuation.

Question ID 5cc85f01

Conventions
ID: 5cc85f01
A conceptual artist and designer embraced by both the art world and the fashion ______ Mary Ping was chosen to curate the
exhibition Front Row: Chinese American Designers for the Museum of Chinese in America.
A. world
B. world:
C. world;
D. world,
ID: 5cc85f01 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a supplementary phrase and a
main clause. This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the supplementary phrase (“A
conceptual artist…world”), which describes Mary Ping, and the main clause (“Mary…America”).
Choice A is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the supplementary phrase (“A conceptual
artist…world”) and the main clause (“Mary…America”) with appropriate punctuation. Choice B is incorrect because a
colon can’t be used in this way to join the supplementary phrase (“A conceptual artist…world”) and the main clause
(“Mary…America”). In this context, the colon incorrectly suggests that the information in the supplementary phrase
is an explanation or amplification of the information in the main clause (Mary Ping being chosen to curate the
exhibition), which isn’t the case. Choice C is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join the
supplementary phrase (“A conceptual artist…world”) and the main clause (“Mary…America”). Semicolons are
conventionally used to separate two main clauses or to separate items in a complex series.

Question ID cabe71d4

Conventions
ID: cabe71d4
Both Sona Charaipotra, an Indian American, and Dhonielle Clayton, an African American, grew up frustrated by the lack of
diverse characters in books for young people. In 2011, these two writers joined forces to found CAKE Literary, a book
packaging ______ specializes in the creation and promotion of stories told from diverse perspectives for children and young
adults.
A. company,
B. company that
C. company
D. company, that
ID: cabe71d4 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use and punctuation of an integrated relative clause.
This choice correctly uses the relative pronoun “that” and no punctuation to create an integrated relative clause that
provides essential information about the noun phrase (“a book packaging company”) that it modifies.
Choice A is incorrect because it doesn’t use a relative pronoun to link the verb phrase beginning with “specializes”
to the noun phrase that it modifies (“a book packaging company”). Choice C is incorrect because it doesn’t use a
relative pronoun to link the verb phrase beginning with “specializes” to the noun phrase that it modifies (“a book
packaging company”). Choice D is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the integrated relative
clause beginning with “that specializes” and the noun phrase that it modifies (“a book packaging company”).

Question ID 7b950fc2

Conventions
ID: 7b950fc2
In 2000, Nora de Hoyos Comstock, herself an owner of a successful consulting firm, sought to increase Latina representation
in corporate ______ founded Las Comadres para las Americas, an international community that for over two decades has
served as a resource and information network for Latina business professionals.
A. settings she
B. settings, she
C. settings and she
D. settings. She
ID: 7b950fc2 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. It appropriately uses a period to mark the end of one independent clause ("In 2000…
settings") and the start of another ("She founded…professionals").
Choice A is incorrect. This choice results in a run-on sentence error. Both the clause before the blank ("In 2000…
settings") and the clause after the blank ("she…professionals") are independent clauses, so they need to be separated
by punctuation. Choice B is incorrect. This choice results in a comma splice error. It incorrectly joins two
independent clauses with just a comma. Linking two independent clauses with a comma also requires the use of a
coordinating conjunction (like for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so). Choice C is incorrect. This choice results in a run-on
sentence, an error caused when two independent clauses are joined without punctuation or appropriate
conjunctions. Since both the clause before the blank ("In 2000…settings") and the clause after the blank ("she…
professionals") are independent, a comma would be required in addition to the coordinating conjunction "and."

Question ID 1b97cce9

Conventions
ID: 1b97cce9
Hegra is an archaeological site in present-day Saudi Arabia and was the second largest city of the Nabataean Kingdom
(fourth century BCE to first century CE). Archaeologist Laila Nehmé recently traveled to Hegra to study its ancient ______ into
the rocky outcrops of a vast desert, these burial chambers seem to blend seamlessly with nature.
A. tombs. Built
B. tombs, built
C. tombs and built
D. tombs built
ID: 1b97cce9 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
period after “tombs” is used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence (“Archaeologist...tombs”) and
another (“Built...nature”).
between sentences. Choice C is incorrect. Without a comma preceding it, the conjunction “and” can’t be used in this
way to join the two sentences. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences
(“Archaeologist...tombs” and “Built...nature”) are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Question ID 40c3589d

Conventions
ID: 40c3589d
Luci Tapahonso is the inaugural poet laureate of the Navajo Nation. Her book Sáanii Dahataal/The Women Are Singing—a
combination of fiction and memoir, poetry and ______ serves as a testament to her versatility as a writer.
A. prose;
B. prose
C. prose,
D. prose—
ID: 40c3589d Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. “A combination of fiction and memoir, poetry and prose” is a nonessential supplement,
so it needs to be set off from the rest of the sentence with a pair of matching punctuation marks. We already have a
dash at the beginning of the supplement, so we need to add a dash at the end of the supplement to match.
“A combination of fiction and memoir, poetry and prose” is a nonessential supplement, so it needs to be set off from
the rest of the sentence with a pair of matching punctuation marks. We already have a dash at the beginning of the
supplement, so we need to add a dash at the end of the supplement to match. Choice B is incorrect. This doesn’t
complete the text in a way that conforms to the conventions of Standard English. “A combination of fiction and
memoir, poetry and prose” is a nonessential supplement, so it needs to be set off from the rest of the sentence with a
pair of matching punctuation marks. We already have a dash at the beginning of the supplement, so we need to add
a dash at the end of the supplement to match. Choice C is incorrect. This doesn’t complete the text in a way that
conforms to the conventions of Standard English. “A combination of fiction and memoir, poetry and prose” is a
nonessential supplement, so it needs to be set off from the rest of the sentence with a pair of matching punctuation
marks. We already have a dash at the beginning of the supplement, so we need to add a dash at the end of the
supplement to match.

Question ID b15724fc

Conventions
ID: b15724fc
American writer Edwidge Danticat, who emigrated from Haiti in 1981, has won acclaim for her powerful short stories, novels,
and ______ her lyrical yet unflinching depictions of her native country’s turbulent history, writer Robert Antoni has compared
Danticat to Nobel Prize–winning novelist Toni Morrison.
A. essays, praising
B. essays and praising
C. essays praising
D. essays. Praising
ID: b15724fc Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
period after “essays” is used correctly to mark the boundary between one sentence (“American…essays”) and another
(“praising…Morrison”). The participial phrase beginning with “Praising” modifies the subject of the second sentence,
“writer Robert Antoni.”
between sentences. Choice B is incorrect. Without a comma preceding it, the conjunction “and” can’t be used in this
way to join sentences. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The sentences (“American…
essays” and “Praising…Morrison”) are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Question ID 594b4a94

Conventions
ID: 594b4a94
The field of geological oceanography owes much to American ______ Marie Tharp, a pioneering oceanographic cartographer
whose detailed topographical maps of the ocean floor and its multiple rift valleys helped garner acceptance for the theories
of plate tectonics and continental drift.
A. geologist,
B. geologist
C. geologist;
D. geologist:
ID: 594b4a94 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. “Marie tharp” is essential information that completes the first clause — the first clause
doesn’t function without it. So we don’t want to separate it with punctuation.
Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error. “The field of geological oceanography owes much to
American geologist” is unclear: which geologist are we talking about? We need the “Marie Tharp” for clarity, which
means it’s essential information and should not be separated by a comma. Choice C is incorrect. This choice creates
a punctuation error. “The field of geological oceanography owes much to American geologist” is unclear: which
geologist are we talking about? We need the “Marie Tharp” for clarity, which means it’s essential information and
should not be separated by a semicolon. Choice D is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error. “The field of
geological oceanography owes much to American geologist” is unclear: which geologist are we talking about? We
need the “Marie Tharp” for clarity, which means it’s essential information and should not be separated by a colon.

Question ID 2fd05c15

Conventions
ID: 2fd05c15
In crafting her fantasy fiction, Nigerian-born British author Helen Oyeyemi has drawn inspiration from the classic nineteenth-
century fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. Her 2014 novel Boy, Snow, Bird, for instance, is a complex retelling of the story of
Snow White, while her 2019 novel ______ offers a delicious twist on the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel.
A. Gingerbread—
B. Gingerbread,
C. Gingerbread
D. Gingerbread:
ID: 2fd05c15 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a subject and a verb. When, as in
this case, a subject (“her 2019 novel Gingerbread”) is immediately followed by a verb (“offers”), no punctuation is
needed.

Question ID c8540a5b

Conventions
ID: c8540a5b
Swedish scientists Eva Engvall and Peter Perlmann developed a method for measuring the concentration of different proteins
in a biological sample. Their ______ ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), is used to detect and measure proteins that
indicate the presence of certain diseases.
A. method (called
B. method—called
C. method, called
D. method called
ID: c8540a5b Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
sentence. The comma after “method” pairs with the comma after the closing parenthesis to separate the
supplementary element “called ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)” from the rest of the sentence. This
supplementary element functions to identify the name of Engvall and Perlmann’s method, and the pair of commas
indicates that this element could be removed without affecting the grammatical coherence of the sentence.
Choice A is incorrect because an opening parenthesis can’t be paired with a comma to separate the supplementary
element from the rest of the sentence. Choice B is incorrect because a dash can’t be paired with a comma to
separate the supplementary element from the rest of the sentence. Choice D is incorrect because it fails to use
appropriate punctuation to separate the supplementary element from the rest of the sentence.

Question ID e15c50b2

Conventions
ID: e15c50b2
A standard Argo float, a type of autonomous robot, measures temperature and salinity in the upper regions of ice-free
oceans. More advanced floats can measure a wider range of ______ and monitor seasonal ice zones.
A. variables: travel to greater depths
B. variables, travel to greater depths,
C. variables travel to greater depths,
D. variables, travel to greater depths;
ID: e15c50b2 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of items in a series. The comma after
“variables” is used conventionally to separate the first and second items in the series, and the comma after “depths”
is used conventionally to separate the second and third items.
Choice A is incorrect because a colon can’t be used in this way to separate items in a simple series. Choice C is
incorrect because a comma is needed after “variables” to separate the first and second items in the series. Choice D
is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to separate items in a simple series.


Conventions
ID: 96499989
Fans of science fiction will ______ multiple references to classic sci-fi stories in Janelle Monáe’s song lyrics, including her
recurring nods to the plot of the 1927 sci-fi film Metropolis.
A. appreciate the
B. appreciate. The
C. appreciate, the
D. appreciate: the
ID: 96499989 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested here is punctuation between a verb and object. No
punctuation is needed between the verb ("appreciate") and its object ("the multiple references..."). The object helps
complete the idea of the verb—in this case, it explains what fans of science fiction will appreciate—and any
punctuation between the two results in an ungrammatical sentence.
Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the verb and its object. Choice C is incorrect
because no punctuation is needed between the verb and its object. Choice D is incorrect because no punctuation is
needed between the verb and its object.

Question ID fdb16e20

Conventions
ID: fdb16e20
Quantum particles of light—photons—provide an unhackable means of transmitting encryption keys over networks, as
attempts to observe particles in quantum states will invariably alter the particles ______ dismantle any information they
transmit.
A. and in the process,
B. and, in the process,
C. and in the process—
D. and, in the process
ID: fdb16e20 Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. This choice uses paired punctuation in the form of two commas to set off the
nonessential phrase "in the process."
Choice A is incorrect. The phrase "in the process" is a nonessential element and needs to be set off with paired
punctuation. We need a comma after "and" to match the one after "process." Choice C is incorrect. The phrase "in the
process" is a nonessential element and needs to be set off with paired punctuation, so we would need a dash after
"and" to match the one following "process." Choice D is incorrect. The phrase "in the process" is a nonessential
element and needs to be set off with paired punctuation. We would need a comma after "process" to match the one
following "and."

Question ID 4565a53c

Conventions
ID: 4565a53c
Lucía Michel of the University of Chile observed that alkaline soils contain an insoluble form of iron that blueberry plants
cannot absorb, thus inhibiting blueberry growth. If these plants were grown in alkaline soil alongside grasses that aid in iron
solubilization, ______ Michel was determined to find out.
A. could the blueberries thrive.
B. the blueberries could thrive.
C. the blueberries could thrive?
D. could the blueberries thrive?
ID: 4565a53c Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is end-of-sentence punctuation. This choice correctly uses
a question mark to punctuate the interrogative clause “could the blueberries thrive,” which asks a direct question at
the end of the sentence.
Choice A is incorrect because a period can’t be used in this way to punctuate an interrogative clause, such as “could
the blueberries thrive,” at the end of a sentence. Choice B is incorrect because the context requires an interrogative
clause. The declarative clause “the blueberries could thrive” incorrectly indicates that it was known that the
blueberries could thrive in alkaline soil, whereas Michel had yet to find this out. Choice C is incorrect because a
question mark can’t be used in this way to punctuate a declarative clause, such as “the blueberries could thrive,” at
the end of a sentence.

Question ID 91fbd59d

Conventions
ID: 91fbd59d
Award-winning cinematographer James Wong Howe was known for his innovative filming techniques. While filming a boxing
match for the movie Body and Soul ______ Howe had a handheld camera operator wear roller skates. This allowed the
operator to move smoothly around actors in a boxing ring, creating an immersive experience for viewers.
A. (1947), and
B. (1947),
C. (1947) and
D. (1947)
ID: 91fbd59d Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a supplementary element and a
main clause. This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the supplementary phrase
(“While...1947”), which indicates when the action occurred, and the main clause (“Howe had a handheld camera
operator wear roller skates”).
Choice A is incorrect because a comma paired with the conjunction “and” can’t be used in this way to mark the
boundary between the supplementary element (“While…1947”) and the main clause (“Howe…skates”). Choice C is
incorrect because the conjunction “and” can’t be used in this way to join the supplementary element (“While…1947”)
and the main clause (“Howe…skates”). Choice D is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the
supplementary element and the main clause with appropriate punctuation.

Question ID b1e8b87f

Conventions
ID: b1e8b87f
Winding through the ice atop Norway’s Jotunheim Mountains is the Lendbreen pass, an ancient route that was used by
hunters, farmers, traders, and travelers in the Middle Ages before eventually falling into disuse. Recently, archeologists have
______ knives, horseshoes, wool tunics, and thousands of other artifacts from the icy pass.
A. unearthed:
B. unearthed,
C. unearthed—
D. unearthed
ID: b1e8b87f Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. No punctuation should separate the verb "unearthed" and its objects (i.e, what was
"unearthed"): "knives, horseshoes, wool tunics, and thousands of other artifacts."
Choice A is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error, separating the verb "unearthed" from its objects (i.e,
what was "unearthed") with a colon. Choice B is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error, separating the
verb "unearthed" from its objects (i.e, what was "unearthed") with a comma. Choice C is incorrect. This choice
creates a punctuation error, separating the verb "unearthed" from its objects (i.e, what was "unearthed") with a dash.

Question ID 1ee4485c

Conventions
ID: 1ee4485c
Journalists have dubbed Gil Scott-Heron the “godfather of rap,” a title that has appeared in hundreds of articles about him
since the 1990s. Scott-Heron himself resisted the godfather ______ feeling that it didn’t encapsulate his devotion to the
broader African American blues music tradition as well as “bluesologist,” the moniker he preferred.
A. nickname, however
B. nickname, however;
C. nickname, however,
D. nickname; however,
ID: 1ee4485c Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between a main clause and two
supplementary elements. In this choice, the commas after “nickname” and “however” are correctly used to separate
the supplementary adverb “however” from the main clause (“Scott-Heron…nickname”) on one side and the
supplementary participial phrase (“feeling…bluesologist”) on the other.
Choice A is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the supplementary adverb “however” and the
supplementary phrase (“feeling…bluesologist”). Choice B is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way
to join the supplementary adverb “however” and the supplementary phrase (“feeling…bluesologist”). Choice D is
incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join the main clause (“Scott-Heron…nickname”) and the
supplementary word and phrase (“however” and “feeling…bluesologist”). Moreover, placing the semicolon after
“nickname” illogically signals that the following information (Scott-Heron’s feeling that the nickname didn’t
encapsulate his devotion to the blues tradition) is contrary to the information in the previous clause (Scott-Heron’s
resistance to the nickname).

Question ID c101fc44

Conventions
ID: c101fc44
How do scientists determine what foods were eaten by extinct hominins such as Neanderthals? In the past, researchers were
limited to studying the marks found on the fossilized teeth of skeletons, but in 2017 a team led by Laura Weyrich of the
Australian Centre for Ancient DNA tried something ______ the DNA found in Neanderthals’ fossilized dental plaque.
A. new: sequencing
B. new; sequencing
C. new, sequencing:
D. new. Sequencing
ID: c101fc44 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. “A team…tried something new” is an independent clause leading to an explanation of
what the new thing was. A colon can only be used at the end of an independent clause, and typically introduces
further explanation that expands upon the first clause, which makes a colon the perfect choice here.
Choice B is incorrect. This choice results in a punctuation error. “Sequencing…dental plaque” can’t stand on its own
as a sentence, and so it can’t be linked to the independent clause “a team…tried something new” with a semicolon.
Only two independent clauses can be connected in this way. Choice C is incorrect. This choice results in a
punctuation error. If “sequencing” is included in the first clause, it can no longer stand on its own as a complete idea.
Since a colon can only come at the end of an independent clause, using one in this way creates an error. Choice D is
incorrect. This choice results in a sentence fragment. “Sequencing…dental plaque” can’t stand on its own as a
sentence.

Question ID dddfa043

Conventions
ID: dddfa043
Before the Erie Canal was completed in 1825, transporting goods by wagon between New York City and the Midwest took up
to forty-five days and cost one hundred dollars per ton. By linking the Hudson River to Lake ______ canal reduced transport
time to nine days and cut costs to six dollars per ton.
A. Erie; the
B. Erie (the
C. Erie, the
D. Erie: the
ID: dddfa043 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a supplementary phrase and a
main clause. This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the introductory supplementary
phrase (“By linking the Hudson River to Lake Erie”), which identifies how the canal reduced transport time, and the
main clause (“the canal reduced transport time to nine days and cut costs to six dollars per ton”).
Choice A is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary between a supplementary
phrase (“By…Erie”) and the main clause (“the canal...ton”). Choice B is incorrect because an open parenthesis can’t be
used in this way to mark the boundary between a supplementary phrase (“By…Erie”) and the main clause (“the
canal...ton”). Choice D is incorrect because a colon can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary between an
introductory supplementary phrase (“By…Erie”) and the main clause (“the canal...ton”).

Question ID be37d4ae

Conventions
ID: be37d4ae
During the English neoclassical period (1660–1789), many writers imitated the epic poetry and satires of ancient Greece and
Rome. They were not the first in England to adopt the literary modes of classical ______ some of the most prominent figures
of the earlier Renaissance period were also influenced by ancient Greek and Roman literature.
A. antiquity, however
B. antiquity, however,
C. antiquity, however;
D. antiquity; however,
ID: be37d4ae Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of a supplementary phrase following a
clause. This choice uses a comma to separate the supplementary adverb phrase “however” from the independent
clause it modifies (“They …antiquity”) and uses a semicolon to join the first independent clause (“They …antiquity”)
and the second independent clause (“some…literature”). Further, placing the semicolon after “however” indicates
that the information in the clause that this part of (that neoclassical writers were not the first to adopt classical
literary modes) is contrary to what might be assumed from the information in the previous sentence (that the
neoclassical writers were unique in imitating classical epic poetry and satires).
Choice A is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary after “however” between the two independent clauses
with appropriate punctuation. Choice B is incorrect because the comma after “however” can’t be used in this way to
mark the boundary between the two independent clauses. Choice D is incorrect because placing the semicolon after
“antiquity” illogically indicates that the information in the clause that this part of (that prominent Renaissance
figures were also influenced by classical literature) is contrary to the information in the previous clause (that
neoclassical writers were not the first to adopt classical literary modes).

Question ID 5aae2475

Conventions
ID: 5aae2475
Stomata, tiny pore structures in a leaf that absorb gases needed for plant growth, open when guard cells surrounding each
pore swell with water. In a pivotal 2007 article, plant cell ______ showed that lipid molecules called phosphatidylinositol
phosphates are responsible for signaling guard cells to open stomata.
A. biologist, Yuree Lee
B. biologist Yuree Lee,
C. biologist Yuree Lee
D. biologist, Yuree Lee,
ID: 5aae2475 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of punctuation between titles and proper nouns.
No punctuation is needed to offset the proper noun “Yuree Lee” form the title “plant cell biologist” that describes Lee.
Choice D is incorrect because no punctuation is needed around the proper noun “Yuree Lee.” Setting the phrase off
with punctuation suggests that it could be removed without affecting the coherence of the sentence, which isn’t the
case.

Question ID 603755a5

Conventions
ID: 603755a5
In 1959, marine biologist Dr. Albert Jones founded the Underwater Adventure Seekers, a scuba diving ______ that is the oldest
club for Black divers in the United States and that has helped thousands of diving enthusiasts become certified in the field.
A. club
B. club,
C. club—
D. club, and
ID: 603755a5 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. “That is…field” is an essential supplement, so we should not use punctuation to separate
it from “scuba diving club.” .
Choice B is incorrect. This choice creates a punctuation error. “That is…field” is an essential supplement, so we
should not use a comma (or any kind of punctuation) to separate it from “scuba diving club.” . Choice C is incorrect.
This choice creates a punctuation error. “That is…field” is an essential supplement, so we should not use a dash (or
any kind of punctuation) to separate it from “scuba diving club.” . Choice D is incorrect. This choice creates a run-on
sentence. It makes “that is…United States” into an awkward independent clause, but it also makes “that has…field”
into its own awkward independent clause without the correct punctuation separating it.

Question ID ad046778

Conventions
ID: ad046778
To humans, it does not appear that the golden orb-weaver spider uses camouflage to capture its ______ the brightly colored
arachnid seems to wait conspicuously in the center of its large circular web for insects to approach. Researcher Po Peng of
the University of Melbourne has explained that the spider’s distinctive coloration may in fact be part of its appeal.
A. prey, rather,
B. prey rather,
C. prey, rather;
D. prey; rather,
ID: ad046778 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the coordination of main clauses within a sentence. The
semicolon is correctly used to join the first main clause (“To humans…prey”) and the second main clause (“rather…
approach”). Further, the comma after the adverb “rather” is correctly used to separate the adverb from the main
clause (“the brightly…approach”) it modifies, logically indicating that the information in this clause (how the spider’s
behavior appears to humans) is contrary to the information in the previous clause (how the spider’s behavior does
not appear to humans).
used in this way to join two main clauses. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two
main clauses are fused without appropriate punctuation and/or a conjunction. Choice C is incorrect. Placing the
comma between the first main clause “To humans…prey” and the adverb “rather” illogically indicates that the
information in the first main clause is contrary to what came before, which doesn’t make sense in this context.

Question ID 7ce4ee13

Conventions
ID: 7ce4ee13
After immigrating from Mexico and obtaining U.S. citizenship, Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo entered politics, earning a
reputation for being a fervent defender of Hispanic civil rights. In 1919 Larrazolo was elected governor of ______ in 1928 he
became the nation’s first Hispanic U.S. Senator.
A. New Mexico and
B. New Mexico,
C. New Mexico, and
D. New Mexico
ID: 7ce4ee13 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
This choice correctly uses a comma and the coordinating conjunction "and" to join the first main clause ("In 1919
Larrazolo was elected governor of New Mexico") and the second main clause ("in 1928 he became the nation’s first
Hispanic US Senator").
Choice A is incorrect because when coordinating two longer main clauses such as these, it’s conventional to use a
comma before the coordinating conjunction. Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. Without a
conjunction following it, a comma can’t be used in this way to join two main clauses. Choice D is incorrect because
it results in a run-on sentence. The two main clauses are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Question ID 0a114526

Conventions
ID: 0a114526
In 1937, Chinese American screen actor Anna May Wong, who had portrayed numerous villains and secondary characters but
never a heroine, finally got a starring role in Paramount Pictures’ Daughter of Shanghai, a film that ______ “expanded the
range of possibilities for Asian images on screen.”
A. critic, Stina Chyn, claims
B. critic, Stina Chyn, claims,
C. critic Stina Chyn claims
D. critic Stina Chyn, claims,
ID: 0a114526 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The conventions being tested are punctuation use between titles and proper nouns and
between verbs and integrated quotations. No punctuation is needed to set off the proper noun “Stina Chyn” from the
title that describes Chyn, “critic.” Because “Stina Chyn” is essential information identifying the “critic,” no
punctuation is necessary. Further, no punctuation is needed between the verb “claims” and the following quotation
because the quotation is integrated into the structure of the sentence.
Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed before or after the proper noun “Stina Chyn.” Setting the
critic’s name off with commas suggests that it could be removed without affecting the coherence of the sentence,
which isn’t the case. Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed before or after the proper noun “Stina
Chyn.” Setting the critic’s name off with commas suggests that it could be removed without affecting the coherence
of the sentence, which isn’t the case. Additionally, no punctuation is needed between “claims” and the integrated
quotation. Choice D is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the verb “claims” and its subject, “critic
Stina Chyn.” Additionally, no punctuation is needed between the verb “claims” and the integrated quotation.

Question ID 1f39ab8b

Conventions
ID: 1f39ab8b
In the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo is a leader of Umuofia (a fictional Nigerian clan) and takes pride
in his culture’s traditions. However, when the arrival of European missionaries brings changes to Umuofia, the novel asks a
central question: How ______
A. Umuofia’s traditions will be affected.
B. will Umuofia’s traditions be affected.
C. Umuofia’s traditions will be affected?
D. will Umuofia’s traditions be affected?
ID: 1f39ab8b Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The clause before the colon tells us that the novel “asks a question,” so the clause after
the colon should be in the conventional form of a question: with the verb before the subject, and a question mark at
the end.
Choice A is incorrect. This choice ends the sentence with a period, which isn’t right. The clause before the colon
tells us that the novel “asks a question,” so the clause after the colon should be that question. Choice B is incorrect.
This choice ends the sentence with a period, which isn’t right. The clause before the colon tells us that the novel
“asks a question,” so the clause after the colon should be that question. In Standard English, questions place the verb
before the subject and end with a question mark. Choice C is incorrect. This choice doesn’t conform to the
conventions of Standard English. In Standard English, questions place the verb before the subject.

Question ID f868d438

Conventions
ID: f868d438
In 2018, the innovative works of Congolese sculptor and architect Bodys Isek ______ were featured in City Dreams, a solo
exhibition at New York’s Museum of Modern Art.
A. Kingelez;
B. Kingelez,
C. Kingelez
D. Kingelez:
ID: f868d438 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a subject and a verb. No
punctuation is needed when the subject of a sentence is immediately followed by a main verb. In this case, the
sentence’s subject (“the innovative works of Congolese sculptor and architect Bodys Isek Kingelez”) is followed by
the main verb “were featured,” and no punctuation should come between them.

Question ID 6d4b2e1e

Conventions
ID: 6d4b2e1e
The 1977 play And the Soul Shall Dance depicts two Japanese American farming families in Depression-era Southern
California. Critics have noted the way pioneering ______ compares the experiences of issei (Japanese nationals who emigrated
to America) and nisei (their American-born children).
A. playwright, Wakako Yamauchi,
B. playwright, Wakako Yamauchi
C. playwright Wakako Yamauchi,
D. playwright Wakako Yamauchi
ID: 6d4b2e1e Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. The convention being tested is the use of punctuation between titles and proper nouns.
No punctuation is needed to set off the proper noun "Wakako Yamauchi" from the title that describes Yamauchi,
"pioneering playwright." Because "Wakako Yamauchi" is essential information identifying the "pioneering
playwright," no punctuation is necessary.
Choice A is incorrect because no punctuation is needed before or after the proper noun "Wakako Yamauchi." Setting
the playwright’s name off with commas suggests that it could be removed without affecting the coherence of the
sentence, which isn’t the case. Choice B is incorrect because no punctuation is needed between the title "pioneering
playwright" and the proper noun "Wakako Yamauchi." Choice C is incorrect because no punctuation is needed
between the proper noun "Wakako Yamauchi" and the verb "compares."

Question ID 109d5bbb

Conventions
ID: 109d5bbb
With some 16,000 in attendance, the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and ______ or FESTAC ‘77, as the event
was more commonly known—became the largest pan-African event on record. FESTAC drew people from around the world
to Lagos, Nigeria, for a monthlong celebration of Black and African art, scholarship, and activism.
A. Culture:
B. Culture—
C. Culture,
D. Culture
ID: 109d5bbb Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. The text uses a dash to introduce a nonessential element that explains the acronym
FESTAC. The dash matches the dash that comes after “known,” ending the descriptive aside.
Choice A is incorrect. A colon can only come after an independent clause, which isn’t the case here. Choice C is
incorrect. While punctuation is required to set off “or FESTAC…known” from the rest of the sentence, nonessential
elements must be separated from the sentence with matching punctuation. Since a dash appears on the other side
of the element, we can’t use a comma here. Choice D is incorrect. The descriptive aside “or FESTAC…known” is a
nonessential element that must be separated with punctuation from the rest of the sentence. This choice fails to
add the necessary punctuation before the nonessential element.

Question ID c468db1c

Conventions
ID: c468db1c
A group of ecologists led by Axel Mithöfer at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Germany examined the
defensive responses of two varieties of the sweet potato ______ TN57, which is known for its insect resistance, and TN66,
which is much more susceptible to pests.
A. plant.
B. plant;
C. plant
D. plant:
ID: c468db1c Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
supplementary phrase. In this choice, a colon is correctly used to mark the boundary between the main clause (“A
group…plant”) and the supplementary element (“TN57…pests”) and to introduce the following elaboration on the
specific varieties of sweet potato plants that were examined.
Choice A is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment beginning with
“TN57.” Choice B is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join the main clause (“A group…plant”)
and the supplementary element (“TN57…pests”). A semicolon is conventionally used to join two main clauses,
whereas a colon is conventionally used to introduce an element that explains or amplifies the information in the
preceding clause. Choice C is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the main clause (“A
group...plant”) and the supplementary element (“TN57...pests”) with appropriate punctuation.

Question ID f2eaaf5d

Conventions
ID: f2eaaf5d
At eight paragraphs long, the preamble to the constitution of ______ country in Western Asia—is much longer than the one-
paragraph preamble to the United States Constitution.
A. Bahrain—a
B. Bahrain, a
C. Bahrain a
D. Bahrain: a
ID: f2eaaf5d Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of a supplementary element within a
sentence. The dash after “Bahrain” pairs with the dash after “Asia” to separate the supplementary element “a
country in Western Asia” from the rest of the sentence.
Choice B is incorrect because a comma can’t be paired with a dash in this way to separate the supplementary
element from the rest of the sentence. Choice C is incorrect because it fails to use appropriate punctuation to
separate the supplementary element from the rest of the sentence. Choice D is incorrect because a colon can’t be
paired with a dash in this way to separate the supplementary element from the rest of the sentence.

Question ID d75d57a0

Conventions
ID: d75d57a0
While many video game creators strive to make their graphics ever more ______ others look to the past, developing titles with
visuals inspired by the “8-bit” games of the 1980s and 1990s. (The term “8-bit” refers to a console whose processor could
only handle eight bits of data at once.)
A. lifelike but
B. lifelike
C. lifelike,
D. lifelike, but
ID: d75d57a0 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a subordinate clause and a main
clause. This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the subordinate clause (“While…lifelike”)
and the main clause (“others look to the past”).
Choice A is incorrect because it results in an incomplete sentence with no main clause. Choice B is incorrect
because it fails to mark the boundary between the subordinate clause (“While…lifelike”) and the main clause
(“others…past”). Choice D is incorrect because it results in an incomplete sentence with no main clause.

Question ID a427a52c

Conventions
ID: a427a52c
The Lion Light system, developed by Kenyan inventor Richard Turere, consists of LED lights installed around the perimeter of
livestock pastures. Powered with ______ the blinking LEDs keep lions away at night, thus protecting the livestock without
risking harm to the endangered lions.
A. energy collected, by solar panels, during the day
B. energy collected by solar panels during the day
C. energy collected by solar panels during the day,
D. energy, collected by solar panels during the day,
ID: a427a52c Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a supplementary phrase and a
main clause. This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the supplementary phrase
(“powered…day”), which describes how the LEDs are powered, and the main clause (“the blinking…night”).
Choice A is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the supplementary phrase and the main clause
with appropriate punctuation. Furthermore, placing commas around the phrase “by solar panels” suggests that it
could be removed without affecting the coherence of the sentence, which isn’t the case. Choice B is incorrect
because it fails to mark the boundary between the supplementary phrase and the main clause with appropriate
punctuation. Choice D is incorrect. Placing commas around the phrase “collected by solar panels during the day″
suggests that it could be removed without affecting the coherence of the sentence, which isn’t the case.

Question ID c04e9136

Conventions
ID: c04e9136
The 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to three pioneers in the field of click chemistry: two-time Nobel laureate
Barry Sharpless, who coined the term “click chemistry” in 1998; Carolyn Bertozzi, founder of the Bertozzi Group at ______ and
Morten Meldal, a professor at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.
A. Stanford
B. Stanford,
C. Stanford:
D. Stanford;
ID: c04e9136 Answer

Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Choice D is the best answer. This choice correctly uses a semicolon to punctuate a complex list (which is made up of
items that have commas in them).
Choice A is incorrect. This is a complex list, indicated by the semicolon between "1998" and "Carolyn Bertozzi." What
comes after the blank is a separate list item, so punctuation is needed after "Stanford." Choice B is incorrect. This is
a complex list, indicated by the semicolon between "1998" and "Carolyn Bertozzi." The items in this list have internal
punctuation in the form of commas and must therefore be separated by semicolons to avoid confusion. Choice C is
incorrect. This is a complex list, indicated by the semicolon between "1998" and "Carolyn Bertozzi." Colons aren’t
used to separate items in a list.

Question ID fe41f258

Conventions
ID: fe41f258
In ancient Greece, an Epicurean was a follower of Epicurus, a philosopher whose beliefs revolved around the pursuit of
pleasure. Epicurus defined pleasure as “the absence of pain in the body and of trouble in the ______ that all life’s virtues
derived from this absence.
A. soul,” positing
B. soul”: positing
C. soul”; positing
D. soul.” Positing
ID: fe41f258 Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation use between a main clause and a
participial phrase. This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the main clause
(“Epicurus…‘soul’”) and the participial phrase (“positing…absence”) that provides additional information about how
Epicurus defined pleasure.
Choice B is incorrect because a colon can’t be used in this way to join a main clause and a participial phrase. Choice
C is incorrect because a semicolon can’t be used in this way to join a main clause and a participial phrase. Choice D
is incorrect because it results in a rhetorically unacceptable sentence fragment beginning with “positing.”

Question ID 9902d2de

Conventions
ID: 9902d2de
The Alvarez theory, developed in 1980 by physicist Luis Walter Alvarez and his geologist son Walter Alvarez, maintained that
the secondary effects of an asteroid impact caused many dinosaurs and other animals to die ______ it left unexplored the
question of whether unrelated volcanic activity might have also contributed to the mass extinctions.
A. out but
B. out, but
C. out
D. out,
ID: 9902d2de Answer

Correct Answer: B
Rationale
Choice B is the best answer. The convention being tested is the coordination of main clauses within a sentence.
This choice correctly uses a comma and the coordinating conjunction “but” to join the first main clause (“the
Alvarez…out”) and the second main clause (“it left…extinctions”).
Choice A is incorrect because when coordinating two longer main clauses such as these, it’s conventional to use a
comma before the coordinating conjunction. Choice C is incorrect because it results in a run-on sentence. The two
main clauses are fused without punctuation and/or a conjunction. Choice D is incorrect because it results in a

Question ID 2c4cd76d

Conventions
ID: 2c4cd76d
Researchers studying magnetosensation have determined why some soil-dwelling roundworms in the Southern Hemisphere
move in the opposite direction of Earth’s magnetic field when searching for ______ in the Northern Hemisphere, the magnetic
field points down, into the ground, but in the Southern Hemisphere, it points up, toward the surface and away from worms’
food sources.
A. food:
B. food,
C. food while
D. food
ID: 2c4cd76d Answer

Correct Answer: A
Rationale
Choice A is the best answer. The convention being tested is colon use within a sentence. A colon used in this way
introduces information that illustrates or explains information that has come before it. In this case, the colon
introduces the following explanation of why some roundworms in the Southern Hemisphere move in the opposite
direction of Earth’s magnetic field.
Choice B is incorrect because it results in a comma splice. A comma can’t be used in this way to join two long
independent clauses (“Researchers…food” and “in…sources”) such as these. Choice C is incorrect because it results
in a run-on sentence. The two clauses (“Researchers…food” and “in…sources”) are fused without punctuation.
Furthermore, the conjunction “while” fails to indicate that what follows is an explanation of why some roundworms
in the Southern Hemisphere move in the opposite direction of Earth’s magnetic field. Choice D is incorrect
because it results in a run-on sentence. The two clauses (“Researchers…food” and “in…sources”) are fused without
punctuation and/or a conjunction.

Question ID 3ed5ebb4

Conventions
ID: 3ed5ebb4
In her analysis of Edith Wharton’s The House of Mirth (1905), scholar Candace Waid observes that the novel depicts the upper
classes of New York society as “consumed by the appetite of a soulless ______ an apt assessment given that The House of
Mirth is set during the Gilded Age, a period marked by rapid industrialization, economic greed, and widening wealth
disparities.
A. materialism”; and
B. materialism” and
C. materialism,”
D. materialism”
ID: 3ed5ebb4 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is punctuation between a main clause and a
supplementary noun phrase. This choice correctly uses a comma to mark the boundary between the main clause
(“scholar…materialism”) and the supplementary noun phrase (“an apt assessment”) that describes Waid’s
observation about how The House of Mirth depicts the upper classes of New York society.
Choice A is incorrect because a semicolon and the conjunction “and” can’t be used in this way to mark the boundary
between a main clause and a supplementary noun phrase. Choice B is incorrect. Joining the main clause (“scholar…
materialism”) and the following noun phrase with the conjunction “and” results in a confusing and illogical
sentence that suggests that the novel depicts the upper classes of New York society as “an apt assessment,” which
doesn’t make sense in this context. Choice D is incorrect because it fails to mark the boundary between the main
clause and the supplementary noun phrase with appropriate punctuation.

Question ID 78b88c04

Conventions
ID: 78b88c04
Joshua Hinson, director of the language revitalization program of the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma, helped produce the
world’s first Indigenous-language instructional app, Chickasaw ______ Chickasaw TV, in 2010; and a Rosetta Stone language
course in Chickasaw, in 2015.
A. Basic; in 2009, an online television network;
B. Basic; in 2009, an online television network,
C. Basic, in 2009; an online television network,
D. Basic, in 2009, an online television network,
ID: 78b88c04 Answer

Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Choice C is the best answer. The convention being tested is the punctuation of items in a complex series. It’s
conventional to use a semicolon to separate items in a complex series with internal punctuation, and in this choice,
the semicolon after “2009” is conventionally used to separate the first item (“the world’s…2009”) and the second item
(“an online…2010”) in the series of things that Hinson helped create. Further, the comma after “Basic” correctly pairs
with the comma after “app,” and the comma after “network” correctly pairs with the comma after “TV” to set off the
supplemental elements (“Chickasaw Basic” and “Chickasaw TV”) that provide the names of the app and the TV
network, respectively. Altogether, the punctuation in this choice results in a sentence that clearly indicates that
Hinson helped make a language app in 2009, an online TV network in 2010, and a language course in 2015.
Choice A is incorrect because it fails to punctuate the complex series in a way that makes clear that Hinson helped
make a language app in 2009, an online TV network in 2010, and a language course in 2015. Choice B is incorrect
because it fails to punctuate the complex series in a way that makes clear that Hinson helped make a language app
in 2009, an online TV network in 2010, and a language course in 2015. Choice D is incorrect because the comma after
“2009” doesn’t match the semicolon used to separate the second and third items in the complex series.

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Question ID de55ec71

Assessment Test Domain Skill Difficulty

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

ID: de55ec71 Answer

Question Difficulty: Easy

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

ID: 89fbc3eb Answer

Question Difficulty: Medium

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

A. Entomologist Heather Grab:

B. Entomologist, Heather Grab,

C. Entomologist Heather Grab

D. Entomologist Heather Grab,

ID: 960dec02 Answer

Question Difficulty: Hard

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

ID: 74ce2f05 Answer

Question Difficulty: Medium

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

ID: adf210e7 Answer

Question Difficulty: Hard

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

ID: 333b2b65 Answer

Question Difficulty: Easy

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

A. practice, at the time

B. practice at the time;

C. practice, at the time,

D. practice at the time,

ID: aaa1907f Answer

Question Difficulty: Hard

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

ID: 7f48b098 Answer

Question Difficulty: Medium

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

ID: 148be4da Answer

Question Difficulty: Easy

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

ID: 0f39b19c Answer

Question Difficulty: Medium

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

A. they are able to move so fast!

B. are they able to move so fast.

C. they are able to move so fast.

D. are they able to move so fast?

ID: 9091458d Answer

Question Difficulty: Easy

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

ID: ac5536c1 Answer

Question Difficulty: Medium

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

ID: 83898524 Answer

Question Difficulty: Hard

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

ID: fba5d8d1 Answer

Question Difficulty: Hard

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries

ID: 6fece68e Answer

Question Difficulty: Easy

SAT Reading and Writing Standard English Boundaries