SAT Writing › Correcting Other Punctuation Errors
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The rare fourteenth century text was hermetically sealed and locked in a vault in order to protect against moisture and thieves alike.
The rare fourteenth-century text was hermetically sealed and locked in a vault in order to protect against moisture and thieves alike.
The rare fourteenth century text was hermetically sealed and locked in a vault in order to protect against moisture and thieves alike.
The rare fourteenth century text was hermetically-sealed and locked in a vault in order to protect against moisture and thieves alike.
The rare fourteenth-century text was hermetically-sealed and locked in a vault in order to protect against moisture and thieves alike.
The rare, fourteenth century text was hermetically sealed and locked in a vault in order to protect against moisture and thieves alike.
“Fourteenth century” is another instance of a compound adjective that appears immediately before a noun. Like all other compound adjectives in front of a noun, this one must be hyphenated. “Fourteenth-century text” is the correct form. Because “hermetically” is an adverb preceding an adjective, it does not require a hyphen.
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The terribly, ill widower was isolated both by illness and by the death of his close family; he was a virtual recluse.
The terribly ill widower was isolated both by illness and by the death of his close family; he was a virtual recluse.
The terribly, ill widower was isolated both by illness and by the death of his close family; he was a virtual recluse.
The terribly ill widower was isolated: both by illness and by the death of his close family; he was a virtual recluse.
The terribly, ill widower was isolated both by illness and by the death of his close family, he was a virtual recluse.
The terribly, ill widower was isolated: both by illness and by the death of his close family, he was a virtual recluse.
No comma should separate an adverb and adjective that immediately precede a noun. The correct form is “terribly ill widower.” Elsewhere, the semicolon correctly separates two independent clauses. There is no need for a colon anywhere in the sentence.
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Despite being confined to a small habitat in the United States, the black widow is more widely feared than its more-common and equally venomous cousin, the brown recluse.
Despite being confined to a small habitat in the United States, the black widow is more widely feared than its more common and equally venomous cousin, the brown recluse.
Despite being confined to a small habitat in the United States, the black widow is more widely feared than its more-common and equally venomous cousin, the brown recluse.
Despite being confined to a small habitat in the United States, the black widow is more widely-feared than its more-common and equally-venomous cousin, the brown recluse.
Despite being confined to a small habitat in the United States, the black widow is more widely-feared than its more common and equally-venomous cousin, the brown recluse.
Despite being confined to a small habitat in the United States, the black widow is more widely feared than its more-common and equally venomous cousin: the brown recluse.
“More” is an adverb, not an adjective; therefore, it shouldn’t be hyphenated with the adjective that follows. Only compound adjectives need hyphenation, which is why “widely feared” and “equally venomous” are not hyphenated. The correct punctuation is “more common.”
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The two year old boy was a thorough nuisance at brunch, biting and screaming so much that none of the other diners could enjoy their meal.
The two-year-old boy was a thorough nuisance at brunch, biting and screaming so much that none of the other diners could enjoy their meal.
The two year old boy was a thorough nuisance at brunch, biting and screaming so much that none of the other diners could enjoy their meal.
The two year old boy was a thorough nuisance at brunch; biting and screaming so much that none of the other diners could enjoy its meal.
The two-year-old boy was a thorough nuisance at brunch, biting and screaming such that none of the other diners could enjoy their meal.
The two-year-old boy was a thorough nuisance at brunch; biting and screaming so much that none of the other diners could enjoy their meal.
Here, “two year old” is a compound adjective that immediately precedes a noun, so it must be hyphenated. “The two-year-old boy” is the correct punctuation. No semicolon is required in this sentence, since a comma is the correct punctuation to separate the main and dependent clauses.
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
It was a dark, eldritch Halloween, and the eight-year-olds shrieked in terror at the sound of a branch rasping against the window.
It was a dark, eldritch Halloween, and the eight year olds shrieked in terror at the sound of a branch rasping against the window.
It was a dark, eldritch Halloween, and the eight-year-olds shrieked in terror at the sound of a branch rasping against the window.
It was a dark, eldritch Halloween; and the eight-year-olds shrieked in terror at the sound of a branch rasping against the window.
It was a dark, eldritch Halloween and the eight-year-olds shrieked in terror at the sound of a branch rasping against the window.
It was a dark, eldritch Halloween and the eight year olds shrieked in terror at the sound of a branch rasping against the window.
In this sentence, “eight-year-olds” is used as a noun and not an adjective, so it should not be hyphenated. We have two independent clauses separated by a conjunction (“It was a dark, eldritch Halloween” and “the eight-year-olds shrieked in terror at the sound of a branch rasping against the window”), so the conjunction must be preceded by a comma.
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
Joe and Jenna were wondering if Sheila could bring a light snack – a fruit or cheese platter, for example – to the faculty meeting?
Joe and Jenna were wondering if Sheila could bring a light snack – a fruit or cheese platter, for example – to the faculty meeting.
Joe and Jenna were wondering if Sheila could bring a light snack – a fruit or cheese platter, for example – to the faculty meeting?
Joe and Jenna were wondering if Sheila could bring a light snack, a fruit or cheese platter, for example, to the faculty meeting?
Joe and Jenna were wondering if Sheila could bring a light snack, a fruit or cheese platter, for example, to the faculty meeting.
Joe and Jenna were wondering if Sheila could bring a light snack: a fruit or cheese platter, for example, to the faculty meeting?
This sentence is declaratory, not interrogative. In other words, the writer is describing a situation (Joe and Jenna are wondering something) and not asking a question (such as “were Joe and Jenna wondering?”). Even though the sentence is expressing uncertainty, it is not an interrogative sentence and therefore should not have a question mark. A period is the correct punctuation to end this sentence. The em dashes are correctly used to set off the example; commas would be incorrect.
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The novice writer was completely overwhelmed by the thought of producing a three hundred page novel manuscript, but her teacher assured her it could be done.
The novice writer was completely overwhelmed by the thought of producing a three-hundred-page novel manuscript, but her teacher assured her it could be done.
The novice writer was completely overwhelmed by the thought of producing a three hundred page novel manuscript, but her teacher assured her it could be done.
The novice writer was completely overwhelmed by the thought of producing a three-hundred-page novel manuscript; but her teacher assured her it could be done.
The novice writer was completely overwhelmed by the thought of producing a three hundred page novel manuscript; but her teacher assured her it could be done.
The novice writer was completely overwhelmed by the thought of producing a three-hundred-page novel manuscript but her teacher assured her it could be done.
“Three hundred page” is a compound adjective that appears directly in front of a noun. In standard English, compound adjectives that immediately precede nouns are always hyphenated for clarity’s sake. “Three-hundred-page novel manuscript” is the correct form. As with all sentences that link two independent clauses with a conjunction, the correct punctuation before the conjunction (in this case, “but”) is a comma.
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
What I’m asking is if you’ll go with me to the dance?
What I’m asking is if you’ll go with me to the dance.
What I’m asking is if you’ll go with me to the dance?
What I’m asking is: if you’ll go with me to the dance?
What I’m asking is, if you’ll go with me to the dance.
What I’m asking is, if you’ll go with me to the dance?
Although this sentence begins with an interrogative word, it’s actually making a statement and not asking a question. The speaker is explaining what he/she is asking, not actually asking the question itself; therefore, the sentence needs to end with a period and not a question mark. No other punctuation is needed in the sentence.
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
The twenty-page instruction manual complete with color-coded diagrams was entirely incomprehensible.
The twenty-page instruction manual (complete with color-coded diagrams) was entirely incomprehensible.
The twenty-page instruction manual complete with color-coded diagrams was entirely incomprehensible.
The twenty-page instruction manual, complete with color-coded diagrams, was completely incomprehensible.
The twenty-page instruction manual, (complete with color-coded diagrams), was completely incomprehensible.
The twenty-page instruction manual (complete with color-coded diagrams), was completely incomprehensible.
Here, parentheses are needed to enclose additional or clarifying information. Because no comma is needed in the main part of the sentence (“The twenty-page instruction manual was completely incomprehensible”), no comma is needed outside the parentheses.
Replace the underlined section with the answer that best results in a sentence that is clear, precise, and meets the requirements of standard written English.
After Stephanie finished the course (it took three months to complete), she was eligible to apply for a certificate.
After Stephanie finished the course (it took three months to complete), she was eligible to apply for a certificate. (No Error)
After Stephanie finished the course, it took three months to complete, she was eligible to apply for a certificate.
After Stephanie finished the course, (it took three months to complete), she was eligible to apply for a certificate.
After Stephanie finished the course, (it took three months to complete) she was eligible to apply for a certificate.
After Stephanie finished the course (it took three months to complete); she was eligible to apply for a certificate.
Because a comma is needed in the main part of the sentence (“After Stephanie finished the course, she was eligible to apply for a certificate”), it is needed even when there are parentheses. As a general rule, the comma appears after and not before the parentheses.