Conventions of Standard English > Grammar

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SAT Reading & Writing › Conventions of Standard English > Grammar

Questions 1 - 10
1

After months of debate, the committee announced ____ decision to fund the community garden, citing strong support from residents and a clear plan for maintenance. The project, which includes raised beds and a composting program, will be managed by volunteers who have already scheduled training sessions and posted sign-up forms at the library.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

their

it's

his or her

its

Explanation

In American English, the collective noun 'committee' is treated as singular and takes 'its.' 'Their' mismatches number, 'it's' is a contraction, and 'his or her' is illogical for a group.

2

Although the collection of rare stamps ____ historians for decades, few outside the field realize how much can be learned from perforated paper, cancellations, and careful design. From commemorating treaties to depicting leaders, these tiny images trace global change in ways that textbooks alone cannot, revealing shifts in borders, currencies, and priorities.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

have fascinated

has fascinate

has fascinated

have been fascinating

Explanation

Collection' is a singular subject, so 'has fascinated' is the correct verb form. The other choices either use a plural verb, the wrong verb form, or create a tense/aspect error.

3

The list of recommended readings for the summer program includes classic novels as well as contemporary essays and scientific articles chosen by the faculty. Because the titles, along with their brief descriptions, _____ prominently on the first page of the handbook, even new students can find them without asking for help during orientation.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

appears

is appearing

appear

was appearing

Explanation

The subject is 'titles,' which is plural, so 'appear' is correct. 'Appears' mismatches the plural subject, 'is appearing' is the wrong tense/aspect for a general statement, and 'was appearing' is an illogical past progressive here.

4

Many cities encourage residents to replace lawns with drought-tolerant plants, a strategy that reduces water use, provides habitat for pollinators, and adds visual variety to neighborhoods. ____ also lowers long-term maintenance costs for homeowners and decreases the need for chemical fertilizers, benefits that can make participation more appealing even to people hesitant to change their yards.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

They

This strategy

Those cities

These

Explanation

This strategy' clearly and grammatically refers to 'a strategy' and agrees with the singular verb 'lowers.' The other options are plural or refer to the wrong antecedent.

5

Walking along the shoreline at dawn, [blank] noticed the telltale tracks that indicated sea turtles had nested overnight. They marked the fragile areas with bright flags and recorded the location so that visitors would keep a safe distance throughout the day as the park opened to morning walkers and runners.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

the volunteers

the shoreline

the conservation program

the nesting sites

Explanation

The opening participial phrase must modify the grammatical subject, and 'the volunteers' are the ones who could be walking and noticing. The other choices name things that cannot perform the action, creating a dangling modifier.

6

After compiling thousands of GPS points from trackers attached to the cranes, Dr. Singh compared the resulting paths with weather patterns recorded over the same weeks, and she noted a striking alignment during mid-October. This synthesis allowed ____ to identify the narrow windows when tailwinds were most favorable, leading to a predictive map that conservationists now use to time safe migration corridors.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

them

it

they

her

Explanation

The pronoun must refer to Dr. Singh; 'her' is the correct objective pronoun. 'Them' and 'they' are plural, and 'it' would illogically refer to 'synthesis' rather than the researcher.

7

Neither the gallery owner nor the artists ___ willing to postpone the opening, because months of outreach had already brought in a long waiting list of visitors. Instead, they adjusted the layout, added portable lighting, and coordinated staggered arrival times to ensure safe distances without diluting the energy of the event.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

is

was

were

has been

Explanation

With 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the nearer subject; 'artists' is plural, so 'were' is correct. The other options do not match the plural subject or the sentence's tense.

8

The robotics team collaborated with a local company to test a prototype drone that could survey crop health across large fields. Because the company had stricter safety standards than the team, ____ required an additional checklist before any flight could begin, extending the preparation time but reducing the likelihood of errors.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

they

those

this

it

Explanation

It' correctly refers to the singular antecedent 'company.' 'They,' 'those,' and 'this' either mismatch number or lack a clear singular antecedent in this context.

9

The old textile mill has been converted into a museum, with galleries arranged along catwalks that overlook preserved machinery and interpretive panels tracing the history of the region's labor movement. Walking through the restored factory floor, ____ revealed how the museum integrates interpretive displays into the building without obscuring its industrial past, a balance that keeps the space both informative and authentic.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

the guide

the museum's lighting plan

several historic looms

modern safety rules

Explanation

The introductory participial phrase must modify the one doing the walking, so 'the guide' avoids a dangling modifier. The other choices are illogical subjects for 'walking' and 'revealed' in this context.

10

The company updated its remote-work policy after surveying employees across multiple departments; however, the memo announcing the change was so vague that several teams misread it and delayed implementing the new procedures. To avoid confusion, _____ should specify the start date, eligibility requirements, and how performance will be measured.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

the memo

they

it

those

Explanation

The memo' is the clear, specific antecedent that should 'specify' details. 'They' is vague, 'it' is ambiguous, and 'those' does not refer clearly to any noun in context.

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