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SAT Reading & Writing: Colons and Dashes (Drill 1)

Drill 1 · Reading & Writing · Colons and Dashes

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About This Drill

SAT Reading & Writing: Colons and Dashes (Drill 1) is a Reading & Writing practice drill covering Colons and Dashes. It contains 5 original questions developed by Brian Stewart, a Barron's test prep author with over 20 years of tutoring experience.

SAT colon and dash questions ask you to identify whether a colon or em dash is used correctly to introduce explanations, lists, or parenthetical information. A colon must follow a complete independent clause; a dash may set off mid-sentence interruptions or emphatic additions.

Questions & Explanations

Text
The hikers faced several unexpected ________ dense fog, slick rock, and fading daylight.

Question 1. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  • A) obstacles,
  • B) obstacles;
  • C) obstacles: ✓
  • D) obstacles

Explanation: "The hikers faced several unexpected obstacles" is an independent clause, and the colon introduces the list that specifies those obstacles. A comma (Choice A) would fold "obstacles" into the list itself, as though it were one more item. A semicolon (Choice B) must join two independent clauses, but a list is not an independent clause. Choice D runs the clause and the list together with no punctuation.

Text
The cellist—who had trained at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague for nearly a ________ performed the entire concerto from memory without a single visible hesitation.

Question 2. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  • A) decade— ✓
  • B) decade,
  • C) decade;
  • D) decade

Explanation: The opening dash before 'who' requires a closing dash after 'decade' to complete the parenthetical pair. You cannot open with a dash and close with a comma or other punctuation.

Text
The renovation plan called for upgrades to three major ________ the electrical wiring, the plumbing, and the central heating system.

Question 3. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  • A) systems,
  • B) systems;
  • C) systems
  • D) systems: ✓

Explanation: The independent clause before the blank is followed by a list specifying which systems. A colon correctly introduces a list after a complete sentence.

Text
Among the items confiscated at the airport security checkpoint ________ a hunting knife, two canisters of pepper spray, and a set of brass knuckles.

Question 4. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  • A) included:
  • B) were ✓
  • C) included;
  • D) were:

Explanation: 'Among the items...included' is ungrammatical. 'Were' without a colon forms the correct sentence. A colon cannot directly follow a verb like 'were.'

Text
After twelve grueling months of physical therapy, the goalkeeper finally achieved what her doctors had once deemed ________ a full return to competitive play—and rejoined the starting lineup.

Question 5. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  • A) unlikely— ✓
  • B) unlikely;
  • C) unlikely,
  • D) unlikely

Explanation: The dash opens a pair that sets off "a full return to competitive play," a supplement clarifying what the doctors had once deemed unlikely; the sentence supplies the closing dash before "and rejoined the starting lineup." Choice A completes that pair. Choice C opens the supplement with a comma, which cannot pair with the closing dash, so the marks are mismatched. Choice B places a semicolon before a phrase that is not an independent clause. Choice D joins the clause and the supplement with no punctuation at all.