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SAT Reading & Writing: Semicolons and Sentence Boundaries (Drill 1)

Drill 1 · Reading & Writing · Semicolons and Sentence Boundaries

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About This Drill

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

SAT semicolon and sentence boundary questions test whether you can correctly join independent clauses and avoid comma splices, run-ons, and the misuse of semicolons before dependent clauses or conjunctions. This drill includes complex sentences with multiple clauses.

Questions & Explanations

Text
The research team spent three years collecting soil samples from high-altitude ________ their findings revealed unexpectedly high concentrations of microplastics.

Question 1. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) wetlands,
  • B) wetlands; ✓
  • C) wetlands
  • D) wetlands; and

Explanation: Two independent clauses joined by a semicolon. A comma alone creates a comma splice; no punctuation creates a run-on.

Text
The engineering firm continued to pursue the ________ although the initial prototype failed to meet safety standards for commercial aviation.

Question 2. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) contract;
  • B) contract
  • C) contract, ✓
  • D) contract; and

Explanation: 'Although' introduces a dependent clause, which cannot follow a semicolon. A comma correctly precedes the dependent clause.

Text
Traditional Gothic cathedrals relied on flying buttresses to support their towering ________ this innovation allowed architects to incorporate enormous stained-glass windows.

Question 3. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) walls; ✓
  • B) walls
  • C) walls,
  • D) , walls

Explanation: Two independent clauses require a semicolon. A comma creates a comma splice; no punctuation creates a run-on.

Text
In 2023, geneticists successfully modified the high-yield rice ________ which had been considered virtually impossible before modern gene-editing tools.

Question 4. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) strain;
  • B) strain
  • C) strain; a feat
  • D) strain, ✓

Explanation: 'Which' introduces a dependent relative clause that cannot follow a semicolon. A comma correctly introduces this nonrestrictive clause.

Text
The city council approved the new zoning ________ however, several community groups announced plans to challenge the decision.

Question 5. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) ordinance,
  • B) ordinance; ✓
  • C) ordinance
  • D) ordinance, and

Explanation: 'However' is a conjunctive adverb, not a coordinating conjunction. A semicolon must precede it when joining two independent clauses. A comma creates a comma splice.