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SAT Reading & Writing: Semicolons and Sentence Boundaries (Drill 2)

Drill 2 · Reading & Writing · Semicolons and Sentence Boundaries

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About This Drill

SAT Reading & Writing: Semicolons and Sentence Boundaries (Drill 2) 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 the rules for joining independent clauses and for punctuating sentences with conjunctive adverbs like 'however' and 'therefore.' This drill requires identifying and correcting comma splices and incorrectly used semicolons.

Questions & Explanations

Text
The factory's filtration system had been releasing pollutants for over a ________ consequently, state regulators ordered an immediate shutdown.

Question 1. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

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

Explanation: 'Consequently' is a conjunctive adverb joining two independent clauses. A semicolon must precede it. A comma creates a comma splice.

Text
The novelist abandoned the manuscript after only three ________ because her publisher had shifted its focus to nonfiction titles.

Question 2. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) chapters;
  • B) chapters; this was
  • C) chapters,
  • D) chapters ✓

Explanation: 'Because' introduces a dependent clause completing the verb's meaning. No punctuation is needed. A semicolon can't precede a dependent clause.

Text
The violinist had not performed publicly in nearly five ________ her return to Carnegie Hall was met with a prolonged standing ovation.

Question 3. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

  • A) years,
  • B) years; ✓
  • C) years
  • D) year's

Explanation: Two independent clauses require a semicolon. A comma creates a comma splice; no punctuation creates a run-on; no possession is indicated based on the context.

Text
The startup secured a second round of venture capital ________ even though its flagship product had yet to generate meaningful revenue.

Question 4. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

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

Explanation: 'Even though' introduces a dependent clause. A comma is correct before a trailing concessive clause. A semicolon can't precede a dependent clause.

Text
The candidate's debate performance did little to shift voter ________ in fact, overnight polls showed virtually no change in the margin.

Question 5. Which choice conforms to Standard English?

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

Explanation: 'In fact' is a conjunctive adverb joining two independent clauses. A semicolon must precede it. A comma creates a comma splice.