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SAT Reading & Writing: Colons and Dashes (Drill 3)

Drill 3 · Reading & Writing · Colons and Dashes

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About This Drill

SAT Reading & Writing: Colons and Dashes (Drill 3) 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 test whether you can correctly use a colon to introduce a list or explanation and a dash to set off parenthetical or emphatic information. This drill focuses on recognizing when each mark is warranted based on sentence structure and meaning.

Questions & Explanations

Text
The researchers reported three benefits________ stress, sharper memory, and steadier emotional regulation in people who slept longer.

Question 1. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) : less ✓
  • B) , less
  • C) ; less
  • D) . Less

Explanation: The clause before the blank ('The researchers reported three benefits') is a complete sentence, and a list follows. Only a colon can introduce a list after a complete clause, so the colon is correct. A bare comma cannot introduce the list, a semicolon requires a full independent clause after it, and a period leaves a sentence fragment.

Text
The novelist's latest work — a sprawling, multi-generational epic set in rural ________ has received widespread critical acclaim.

Question 2. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) Mississippi,
  • B) Mississippi — ✓
  • C) Mississippi;
  • D) Mississippi:

Explanation: The phrase 'a sprawling, multi-generational epic set in rural Mississippi' is a parenthetical set off by dashes. The second dash must close it before the main clause resumes.

Text
Three cities were finalists for the new headquarters________ Denver, and Raleigh.

Question 3. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) : Austin, ✓
  • B) , Austin,
  • C) ; Austin,
  • D) . Austin,

Explanation: The clause before the blank is complete, and a list of cities follows, so a colon is correct. A bare comma cannot introduce the list, a semicolon requires an independent clause after it, and a period leaves a fragment.

Text
The chef uses only locally sourced ingredients — organic vegetables from a nearby farm, free-range eggs, and wild-caught ________ to prepare each dish.

Question 4. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) fish:
  • B) fish — ✓
  • C) fish;
  • D) fish,

Explanation: The list is a parenthetical set off by dashes. The closing dash after 'fish' completes the interruption and returns to the main clause ('to prepare each dish').

Text
The committee had three priorities________ reduce costs, to improve transparency, and to shorten processing times.

Question 5. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) : to ✓
  • B) , to
  • C) ; to
  • D) . To

Explanation: The clause before the blank ("The committee had three priorities") is complete, and an infinitive list follows, so a colon is correct. A bare comma cannot introduce the list, a semicolon requires an independent clause after it, and a period leaves the fragment "To reduce costs...".